Words Seldom Seen: Prevaricate
Prevaricate Verb: Speak or act in an evasive way Example: “he seemed to prevaricate when journalists asked pointed questions” Autumn colors on Cave Creek
Hiking
Words Seldom Seen: Polymath
Polymath Noun: A person with a very wide breadth of knowledge. Example: “We all agreed that her encyclopedic knowledge made her a polymath.” Photo: Cave Creek, Arizona with a cactus forest in the background.
Words Seldom Seen: Scullion
Scullion Noun: a servant assigned the most menial kitchen tasks, typically washing the pots and pans. Example: “Dad was the designated scullion during the Thanksgiving feast.” Photo is of me and Mojo (Peter’s dog) on Cave Creek south of Seven Springs.
Hiking and Life
“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other…again and again and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit.” Author Unknown
Words Seldom Seen: Ignoble
Ignoble Adjective: Not honorable in intent or action Example: “It is an ignoble act to willfully harm a desert plant.”
Words Seldom Seen: Apotheosis
Apotheosis Noun: the highest point in the development of something; the culmination or climax. Example: “Hiking the Flatiron was the apotheosis of Simon’s hiking in 2021.”
Words Seldom Seen: Cochineal
Cochineal Noun: An insect that lives on Prickly Pear Cacti. It can be spotted because it covers itself with a white goo. The insect when processed is used to create a natural crimson dye. Cochineal was one of the first exports from the America’s because crimson dye was much in demand. Example: “After scraping a teaspoon of cochineal off the cactus he had enough material to dye his tee shirt crimson.”
