As a true aficionado of Stella Gibbons’ Cold Comfort Farm (1932), I couldn't resist captioning this Normaphoto after the wondrous character, Aunt Ada Doom: '‘Twas a
burning noonday, sixty-nine years ago. And me no bigger than a
titty-wren. And I saw something na(sty in the woodshed)."
Much as I would like to do a doodle of Aunt Ada's titty-wren, midnight has passed and my powers submit to curfew. So instead, I'll submit for your consideration another word: Pyroclastic. Pyroclastic is an adjective applied to volcanic gasses, poisonous smoke, lava and heinous chunks sucked off the roof of Perdition to spew and spread destruction, death and fear over the surface of Earth. Lately, this word has gained use as a gerund, pyroclasting political tantrums in a capitol once dedicated to government by discussion --to sanity.
And, before bed, while I'm at it, I call upon political parties to accord others courtesy. Cats of all persuasions have intense common interests. Y'think humans might keep up?
Sanity is in jeopardy, insanity is taking over.
ReplyDeleteDear Arleen, I like to blame it on high school civics teachers who weren't semi-retired lawyers. This was a popular career transition in the 1960s for old attorneys seeking solid retirement benefits. It's from them I got the real skinny on the mutability of political deportment and federal law. Undergirding tenuous rules of debate and courteous discussion is a substrate of pyroclastic madness, which sometimes erupts.
DeleteMethinks there is something nasty in our nation's Capitol, and it would take a congress of cats to straighten things out.
ReplyDeleteWho can resist a character named Aunt Ada Doom?
You've inspired me to delve into the works of Stella Gibbons. "Cold Comfort Farm" is her first and best novel, but I was delighted to discover that she wrote many other books.
Thanks for resurrecting my lately dormant brain....
My pleasure, Jon. Also entertaining is a film we rented when Daughter still lived here (1990's?) of Cold Comfort Farm. It was from BBC and included at least my 2 favorite British actors, Stephan Fry and Angela Thorne. Don't know if it's on Acorn or NetFlix but recommend it highly.
DeleteWouldn't it be interesting if, even though we may not have common interests, humans could try to get along?
ReplyDeleteDear Emma, I believe humans do try to get along and there are working guidelines to coexistence. But there are too many laggard aspirants to humanity who consider the deaths of rivals "consummation devoutly to be wished"(Hamlet, Act 3, I think) and accord no better to their underlings.
DeleteGood word. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Dear Janie, I can't imagine higher praise. It is I who should thank you --and reciprocate Love You,
DeleteGeo.
You're very kind, but no reason to thank me.
DeleteI'm probably a little nuts but am thankful for helpful people who do not ask for thanks.
DeleteI learn so much from you. If only humans were more catty--err, catlike, Geo. It'd be a much better world.
ReplyDelete"Pyroclastic" - exciting word. That's a fine example of onomatopoeia, am I right, Geo?
Thank you, wise man, kind friend.
Most generous Robyn, as a lifelong student of cats, I have found them less responsive to words than to actions. Even as a child I could stand in the yard and lie to the cats. They would immediately find something else to do. If I DID something they liked, all was forgiven and friendship resumed. You're quite right about onomatopoeia --"pyro" is connected to pyromania, pyrotechnics, things dangerous and crazy. "Clastic" suggests heinous invasive plasticity loose in the world --only one letter from BLASTIC! It sounds like what it is. However, not sure "catty"--ness would lend itself to orderly supermarket lines, safer highways, equal rights for rodents or religious monogamy. Is anybody working on this?
DeleteNeedless to say that the Political Science that I learned in 1971 was totally different ( I mean mostly).
ReplyDeletePolitical parties and their leaders are neither angels nor machines. They are all humans. I will settle for people with some faults like humans but harmless for general people .
If cats had a government and society and families, I think they will have some sense to elect leaders who are good for their general population ie cat kind.
I have missed a lot of reading and have not written for a couple of years now. I am looking forward to writing.
Had hardships with speech and hubby having health issues, it was hard. Thinks are so much better now.
Hopefully I shall read soon.
Take yourselves and stay safe. Pls.
Dear Munir, Thank you, and please accept best wishes. I look forward happily to hearing from you again.
DeleteHumanity will not know peace until it learns to forgive.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Dear Victor, I agree, but humanity must --as it is composed of individuals-- must learn to avoid the unforgivable. I think we are making progress. There's still a ways to go.
DeleteThank you so much for visiting me today.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
This evokes the type of laughter that tickles my heart. Thank you, dear Geo. Funny how I see so many different shades to your craft; I looked at this quite differently before.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Geo.
Stay well and hopeful, friend.
Right now the best I can do is stay hopeful, but working on well. Love helps. You help --feeling is mutual.
Delete