Each week, Quilly gives us three words to write into a story. Oh, they're not just any words, not words you'd hear/see ever day. Nope, these are obscure words, endangered words. Before we can write to these words, we have to find them on the internet so as to find out their meaning so they can be used properly. This week's words are:
sublunary - [suhb-loo-ner-ee, suhb-loo-nuh-ree] –adjective
| 1. | situated beneath the moon or between the earth and the moon. |
| 2. | characteristic of or pertaining to the earth; terrestrial. |
| 3. | mundane or worldly: fleeting, sublunary pleasure. |
comity - kom-i-tee –noun, plural -ties.
| 1. | mutual courtesy; civility. |
| 2. | Also called comity of nations. courtesy between nations, as in respect shown by one country for the laws, judicial decisions, and institutions of another. |
specious - [spee-shuh
s] –adjective1. apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible: specious arguments.
2. pleasing to the eye but deceptive.
3. Obsolete. pleasing to the eye; fair
This time of year, Annie's life was all about sublunary pursuits. She loved to garden, and to raise vegetables for her family. Each spring, she had her husband, Jess, plow a large garden spot where she would go to work planting all kinds of seeds.
Being an environmentally friendly, organic farmer long before any of those terms were coined, Annie had researched the comity of various plants. She had read: "Long before the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, farmers and gardeners alike knew that certain plants grow and taste better next to each other, and one type of plant may help another by providing shelter from wind, sun, or frost. Plants may help each other by improving the soil with minerals and nutrients, they can attract birds and other natural predators that will deal with harmful insects on plants, and plants can also repel specific insects. The relationship between plants and insects is known as 'companion planting.' Today it's by far the safest, natural way to garden organically." She also read that Basil is a good companion to Tomato and Asparagus, repelling flies and mosquitoes, while attracting bees. Chives planted with Apple Trees, Carrots, or Roses repels Aphids and Apple Scab... and on and on she read. This comity of plants was all so fascinating to the young wife & mother, and made gardening more fun for her.
Annie's main focus was vegetables, fruits and other edible plants, including edible flowers. However, she also loved to throw in a few other flowers that didn't necessarily have companion properties, that were just there to look pretty. One such plant was the Globe Thistle, a somewhat specious plant. Pleasing to the eye, yet a thistle is a thistle, so even this has its thorns and stinging hairs, so has to be picked/handled with care. However, she felt it worth the trouble as it was most beautiful in her opinion, whether in the garden growing, or cut and put into fresh or dried floral arrangements.
Each year, Annie looked forward to receiving the mailings from different nurseries, showing their selection of seeds and plants available to be shipped out to waiting gardeners. Though there were many that she marked as 'wanted' in the flyers, it was rare she really ordered anything. Each year as Annie & Jess harvested their crop, they made sure to collect seeds to be safely stored away for next years crop, and each spring they exchanged plants with friends and neighbors so each had a wider variety each year. Things were different then than they are now days. Back then, everyone shared and worked together for the common good. Awww, to return to the ways of yesteryear.
EDIT:
It occured to me that I had not written any Quivel, so I am back to do so... hopefully before any visitors show up to read a Quivelless post. Sheeeeesh!! Can't have that!
sublunary
like a canary
floats the butterfly.
comity
with the tree
against the bright blue sky.
specious
many of us
makes me wonder why.
The Week Eleven words will be: antediluvian; prolix; & ineluctable
floats the butterfly.
comity
with the tree
against the bright blue sky.
specious
many of us
makes me wonder why.
The Week Eleven words will be: antediluvian; prolix; & ineluctable
9 comments:
Ah the feelings if yesteryear. Great story Alice. Did I miss comity? Excellent with or without it.
Good use of the words and i learned some new things.
There it is. Just adds the perfect touch. I also ok e the little mountain scene separator. Also thanks for the advice on Devon bird of prey. I didn't even realize I did that. It's such a habit. But that's how we learn. Many mahalos.
I liked the love of the garden and the use of the words.
Very nice Alice. A bit of planting knowledge and a fun story, too!
Great use of the words. I certainly learned something.
This was interesting and informative... and a great way to use the words. Sorry I am a day late visiting.
Did I comment here yesterday? I know I read this, but I have been so rushed my past couple of days are just a blur of frantic activity and little sleep.
This was a lovely read and a peaceful interlude.
plants are amazing, aren't they...
i like the way you used the words. oh, and great quivel :)
btw, comity was used (but not highlighted) in the first sentence, second paragraph
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