Quirky thoughts from an old man.
Busking
Verb: playing music in a public place for voluntary donations.
Example: Busking is often against the law but tolerated.
A Busker is person who Busks.
It looks like I’m going another week with photos from our Italy OAT tour. The photo today is of a piece of public art in Trento. You could make up a tag line for the “ancient busker.”
Superlative
Adjective or Noun: A form that denotes the best.
Examples: “The world’s oldest human made canal.” “The Tri-State area’ s largest bowling alley”
The mausoleum in the photo is in Trento, Italy. I never tried tp understand what the monument signified. It was mostly deserted when I was there. Here is a link. I now know how to find out more about how it came to be, but i haven’t yet.
I have written about superlatives before here is another link. I had never though about the specific meaning it is complicated but I know one when I see one.
Bast
Noun: Strong, woody fibers, such as flax, hemp or jute, obtained from inner bark and used historically in the manufacture of woven goods and cordage.
Example: Otzi used bast to tie his leather garments together.
Pronunciation Guide: Bast like Cast. soft b, hard a.
This word is from the Otzi Museum in Bolzano, Italy. Otzi used bast as we use thread or laces to hold things together. We visited the museum on or Italy trip with OAT.
Don’t worry I’ll be making a few more posts about Otzi the 5000 year old iceman. Or you can click on the Museum link above. I bought the book and the postcard at the excellent museum store.
Hyperbole
Noun: Greatly exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.
Example 1: “What we witnessed on Bartlett Lake was the Solar Kayak equivalent of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk.” (Reference photo above)
Example 2: “I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.”
Attempting pronunciation guide: Hi per bo li. soft o and soft i. you can look it up on your Knows Everything Machine.
Serendipity
Noun: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
Example: If you want to experience serendipity go small and get off the tourist track.
My goal when we travel is to have moments of serendipity. I have mentioned serendipity in many posts over the 20 years I’ve been blogging now it’s made Words Seldom Seen.
Kerchief
Noun: A square of cloth worn around the neck or on the head. Often used as a portmanteau with neck or hand. Neckerchief and Handkerchief.
Example: “She used her kerchief to keep the Arizona sun off her neck.
Ennui
Noun: A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of stimulation.
Example: “She was overcome with ennui, bordering on despair.”
To learn more about how I came to create this terrific Inukshuk at Bartlett Lake you need to watch the Solar Powered Kayak project on Pete’s Nature YouTube Channel
