A word: Onward

You will not find "onward" on a compass rose. 

No one is sure where it goes.

Yet. I. Find. Tomorrow. Each. Time. I. Move. In. Its. Direction. 

Onward  

--is often, and always -- 

The Only Way To Go

Word on Wednesday: Fun

FUN IS MAN-MADE! 

Let's plant some seeds and grow some FUN. FUN online, FUN in person. FUN exchanging clever gifts, FUN writing parodies to familiar songs, FUN with twister or catchphrase or sheepshead or any other party game, Uno anyone? FUN watching "Elf," FUN singing "Grandma got Run Over by a Reindeer," FUN "rocking around the Christmas tree." FUN under the mistletoe, FUN making silly face photos (or snapchats for you whippersnappers), FUN with egg nog, FUN with candy sprinkles, FUN in the snow, FUN wondering how the heck you roast a chestnut anyway, FUN sharing Santa stories, FUN singing off key or in harmony, FUN recalling the bloopers of holiday past, FUN gabbing with gal pals, FUN meeting the latest significant other at the dinner table, FUN dancing, FUN laughing with that guest who ate the most fruitcake.

Every man, woman, and child can grow FUN. 

If you are unsure how, 

Ask a grown up or ask a kid! 

A Word on Wednesday: Vacancy

Generally, the modern use of the noun vacancy is only considered in context of its opposite: "No Vacancy." And, No Vacancy seems preferred.

Vacancy means there a room at the lodge, an empty office for rent, an unassigned seat on the bus (or the supreme court), an open position at the firm. This common use of vacancy developed around the mid 1950s.

However, a British dictionary first defines vacancy as "the state or condition of being vacant or unoccupied." This seems close to the archaic definition: "absence of activity, idleness," which originated from Medieval Latin.

Americans are used to operating at capacity.
Our days, closets, vacations, and hearts are full.

Vacancy is a rarity, at times, it's created only by a cancellation.

"No Vacancy" is celebrated with every yes to an invitation, to an extra project, to bids from a neighbor, friend, or family member.

With urgency, vacancy is extinguished every day with busyness. Get a second job, learn another language, get the advanced degree, participate in secular and religious practices, cook seven days of meals in a single day!


Carpe Diem. Live life to the fullest.

However, please reserve space for vacancy this winter.