Column /ˈkäləm/ noun 1. a supporting pillar If you look at Gothic detail right down to the bottom of a column, it’s a small version of the whole building— that’s why, like dating the backbones of a dinosaur a good historian can look at a detail of a Gothic building and tell you exactly what the rest of the building was, and infer the... Read More

Subsidence /səbˈsīdns,ˈsəbsədns/ noun the gradual sinking or caving in of a piece of land that can be caused by both natural processes and human activity Subsidence can happen over very large areas like whole states or provinces, or very small areas like the corner of your yard. – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Button /ˈbətn/  noun 1. a small disc or knob that is used to fasten a dress, pants, shirt, or other article of clothing Don’t get me wrong, I love a good cardigan too, but a jacket— especially one with sharp shoulders, interesting buttons, or a unique collar— always looks the most fashion forward. – Nina Garcia, (1965 – ) 2. a knob on... Read More

Tend /tend/ verb 1. to take care of something The Earth is our environment to protect and the garden to tend to. – Pope Francis (1936 – 2025) 2. to be likely to, to do something habitually Stories of imagination tend to upset those without one. – Terry Pratchett (1948 – 2015)

Barrel /ˈberəl/ noun 1. a large container shaped like a cylinder What we need is a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience. – Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1623) 2. the long metal tube forming part of a gun Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. – Mao Zedong (1893-1976) verb to move forward quickly in... Read More

Depth /depTH/ noun 1. wisdom, intellect We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good. – Carl Sagan (1934 – 1996) 2. the distance from the top downward The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known... Read More

Cobbler /ˈkäblər/ noun 1. someone who makes and repairs shoes Behind him stood the shadowed cubbies of a cobbler’s shop, the toes of dozens of shoes peeking out like the noses of eels in their holes. – from Words of Radiance, by Brandon Sanderson (1975 – ) 2. an iced drink made with wine, sugar, and lemon Cobblers are shaken drinks served with straws... Read More

Conservation /ˌkänsərˈvāSHən/ noun 1. the planned management of natural resources to prevent loss, destruction, or waste Conservation is the preservation of life on Earth, and that, above all else, is worth fighting for. – Rob Stewart (1961 – ) 2. (physics) the principle by which the quantity of something remains constant in a system Conservation of energy (the First Law of Thermodynamics) is a... Read More

Canoe /kəˈno͞o/ noun a narrow, light boat tapered at the ends that is moved with paddles A journey by canoe along ancient waterways is a good way to rediscover our lost relationship with the natural world and the Creator who put it together so long ago. – Bill Mason (1929-1988) verb to travel in a canoe The first thing you must learn about canoeing... Read More