Earthshine – Wordplay Wednesday™ 01/30/2019

Earth, Moon and Stars, Glory Be!

2019 began with many interesting and phenomenal heavenly shows for us. We marveled at a better-than-average meteor shower, peered with glee at a spectacular partial solar eclipse, and howled with a rare “super” lunar eclipse—all in the first month!*

If you’re familiar with astronomy in its most basic forms, you likely know this week’s word. For others, your familiarity with “sunshine,” “moonshine” (in more than one form!), and starshine (though not a dictionary word), will enjoy a little …

EARTHSHINE (urthʹshīn’) n. – the faint illumination of the dark part of the moon by sunlight reflected from the earth.  [WW #201]  

While we’re speaking strictly astronomical, you know our music has reflected cosmic references since the inception of lyrics.

Popular tunes from “Blue Moon” (1934/1961 internationally, The Marcels) to “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1973 Stevie Wonder), often raise our eyes and hearts skyward.

Not romantically wistful or simply reflective in thought, the celebrated Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon asked and answered a more provocative question:

What is “the dark side of the moon”? reply: There is no dark side in the moon, really. Matter of fact, it's all dark. The only thing that makes it look light is the sun.**

Going about our daily lives, it’s easy to take our Universe and all of its incredible bodies for granted. It isn’t necessary to be an astronomer to enjoy a few moments of earthshine or other amazing cosmic wonder. Make it this week’s adventure.

Cosmic notes:

*Meteor showers grace the skies in April, May, and a few other later months; and another total solar eclipse favors only the Southern Hemisphere (not US), July 2^nd. Seasky is one of several sites w/info.

**The third line above, ending Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse,”+ does not appear in posted lyrics sites. Apparently, this is the original version that Gerry O’Driscoll, the doorman at Abbey Road Studios, spoke. +However, this YouTube version with lyrics, does include it. 

Earthshine image -- according to Wiki: Leonardo da Vinci's sketch of crescent Moon with earthshine as part of his Codex Leicester, written between 1506 and 1510.

Word Challenge: EARTHSHINE. Add it to your beautiful, spacy thoughts or even create your own musical heavenly tribute, as you work earthshine into your week of far out writings.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to your New Year and learning a new word on Wordplay Wednesday!

           

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz

Fanfaronade – 200th Wordplay Wednesday™ 01/23/2019

Welcome to Wordplay’s 200^th Weird & Wondrous Word!

As I pound the keys for Wordplay Wednesday’s TWO HUNDREDTH week, I can’t help but marvel at the advancement of writing through the ages.

25 centuries old tablet image authored by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

From primitive drawings on cave walls to ancient papyrus filled with hieroglyphs, to automatic speech recognition (ASR) software, humans have an innate need to express themselves: “As beer was a very popular beverage in ancient Mesopotamia, many of the earliest records extant have to do with the sale of beer.” Cool.

In my humble opinion, however, computers have all but extinguished our unique individuality in not only what we write, but the artistic flair with which we once wrote. Who pens like John Hancock anymore?! 

The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association reminds us, “Though computers and e-mail [and texting] play an important role in our lives, nothing will ever replace the sincerity and individualism expressed through the handwritten word.”

In that mindset, let’s celebrate and support the art of handwriting, with National Handwriting Day! Today, pull out a tablet or grab a piece of printer paper, and your favorite pen or pencil, and write something. Even if it’s just a grocery list. Give it some flair!

While you write, excuse me for giving myself a pat on the back for bringing you the 200^th Wordplay Wednesday, with much …

FANFARONADE (fanʹfɘ rɘ nādʹ) n. – boasting talk or showy action, bluster.  [WW #200]

Whether you blow your own horn, or trumpet someone else’s good deeds and accolades, make fanfaronade a part of your vocabulary … because everyone deserves an eleven-letter word in their honor, once in a while.

Word Challenge: FANFARONADE. Look around you—does someone in your office, family, or circle of friends merit a little fanfaronade as you work it into your week of celebratory writings?

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to your New Year and learning a new word on Wordplay Wednesday!

           

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of three) in her Blast from Your Past series about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. The true behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz