may-pole / ˈmāˌpōl   noun   a tall pole, decorated with ribbons and flowers, which people dance around during festivities celebrating May Day (May 1) I sing of Maypoles, Hock-carts, wassails, wakes, Of bridegrooms, brides, and of their bridal cakes. from ‘Argument of His Book’ by Robert Herrick, 1591-1674

carat car-at / kăr-ət noun 1.     a measurement of weight applied to precious stones equal to 200 milligrams The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond. Mae West, 1892 – 1980 2.     a 1/24 part of pure gold in an alloy used as a measure of fineness for gold, 24 karat gold is pure gold (variant spelling of karat) The award of... Read More

eth-i-cal / ˈeTHək(ə)l   adjective   of or relating to the discipline dealing with morals and morality Men are under as strong a compulsion to invent an ethical setting for their behavior as spiders are to weave themselves webs. John Dos Passos, 1896-1970   invoking moral approval or disapproval I believe firmly that in making ethical decisions, man has the prerogative of true freedom... Read More

lit-tle / ‘lidl   adjective     not big; tiny Little deeds are like little seeds, they grow to flowers or to weeds. Daniel D. Palmer, 1845-1913   young All little girls should be told they’re pretty, even if they aren’t. Marilyn Monroe, 1926-1962   not largely populated Gossiping is the plague of little towns. George Sand, 1804-1876   narrow ‘Tis the business of... Read More

some-thing / ˈsəmˌTHiNG   noun   a specific undetermined or unidentified object In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive. Lee Iacocca, 1924-   an additional amount that is unknown or unspecified For years I’ve been hearing 20-somethings say they don’t expect Social Security to be around when they... Read More

bor-row / ˈbärō,ˈbôrō   verb   to obtain or receive with the understanding and promise to return the same or equivalent I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow. Dorothy Dix, 1861-1951   in finance, to accept a loan of money with the intention of returning the full amount plus interest If you would... Read More

prom-ise / ˈpräməs noun   a declaration that one will or will not do something There is no greater fraud than a promise not kept. Gaelic Proverb   reason to expect something Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn. Traditional Saying, often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882   something one has expressly confirmed April is a promise that May is bound... Read More

Vial vi-al / ˈvī(ə)l noun 1.      a small container typically made of glass, meant for holding liquids …whether you take poison from a vial or pour it into Bavarian crystal, it is still poison. Maya Angelou, 1928-2014 Vile vile / vīl adjective 1.      morally despicable A beautiful shell that houses a vile soul becomes sullied over time. from ‘Defy’ by Sara B. Larson, ?- 2.      very unpleasant We sing, but oh... Read More

wild-life / ˈwīl(d)līf noun 1. living creatures which are not human or domesticated If you reach out and touch and love and be with wildlife, you will forever be changed, and you will want to make the world a better place. Terri Irwin, 1964- adjective 1. of or for undomesticated living things To those who have always wondered how they might best serve the... Read More

a-tone / əˈtōn   verb   to make amends The ability of a person to atone has always been the most remarkable of human features. Leon Uris, 1924-2003   to make up, as for errors, usually followed by for Discerning placement of a comma does not atone for a spiritual coma. Paramahansa Yogananda, 1893-1952   a-tone-ment / əˈtōnmənt noun   amends or reparations made for... Read More