grace / ɡrās noun   beauty or elegance of form, motion, etc. Grace is the beauty of form under the influence of freedom. Friedrich Schiller, 1759-1805   an attractive quality I please myself with the graces of winter scenery, and believe that we are as much touched by it as by the genial influences of summer. Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882   favor; approval Words... Read More

pan-ic / panik   noun a sudden fear or anxiety which can lead to irrational thought or behavior Fear cannot be banished, but it can be calm and without panic; it can be mitigated by reason and evaluation. Vannevar Bush, 1890-1974   an instance or outbreak of sudden fear or anxiety The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in... Read More

wo-man / wo͝omən, plural wo-men / ˈwimən noun 1.      an adult human female Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living. Mary McLeod Bethune, 1875-1955 2.      a female that belongs to a particular group based on birth, occupation or membership, i.e., council ‘ Yes, I did feel a special responsibility to be the first American woman in space. Sally Ride,... Read More

sto-ry / stôrē   noun sense 1 an account of events; an anecdote Behind every smile, there’s a story of a personal struggle. Adrienne C. Moore, 1980-   a fictitious tale shorter than a novel If you can’t sit in a café quietly and be ignored, how can you observe human nature and write a story? Evangeline Lilly, 1979-   a news piece, whether... Read More

ash / aSH   noun   any of a genus of trees of the olive family which has gray branches, thin furrowed bark, and pinnate leaves Of all the trees that grow so fair Old England to adorn, Greater are none beneath the Sun Than Oak, and Ash and Thorn. from ‘A Tree Song’ by Rudyard Kipling, 1865-1936   the powdery residue left when... Read More

car-ni-val / kärnəvəl   noun   a traveling show which provides amusements and rides If the only vision we have of ourselves comes from the social mirror – from the current social paradigm and from the opinions, perceptions, and paradigms of the people around us – our view of ourselves is like the reflection in a crazy mirror room at the carnival. Stephen Covey,... Read More

gai-e-ty / gāədē   noun   the state of being cheerful or joyous The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it. Michel de Montaigne, 1533-1592   merrymaking; festivities; often plural Most writers flourish greatly on a simple, healthy routine with occasional time off for gaiety. Dorothea Brande, 1893-1948   finery; showy dress; elegance Simplicity and elegance are never boring:... Read More

prob-lem / präbləm   noun   a matter or situation which requires a solution; a question involving doubt or uncertainty A problem is a chance for you to do your best. Duke Ellington, 1899-1974   a proposition in mathematics requiring solution by mathematical operation It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. Albert Einstein, 1879-1955   difficulty in... Read More

ex-qui-site / ek’skwizət   adjective   marked by flawless, beautiful and/or delicate craftsmanship or execution What I see in the book is an exquisite form of technology: one that doesn’t require a power source and can be passed from hand to hand and lasts a lot longer than an electronic reader. Louise Erdrich, 1954-   marked by subtle understanding or keen sensitivity I would... Read More

in-fin-ite / ‘infənət   adjective   extending indefinitely Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former. Albert Einstein, 1879-1955   immeasurably great We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929-1968   unlimited or unmeasurable with regards to space, time, etc. Hope is the magic carpet that transports us... Read More