Marginalia /ˌmärjəˈnālyə/ noun notes written in the margins of a book Open an old paperback, spangled with marginalia in a handwriting you outgrew long ago, and memories will jump out with as much vigor as if you’d opened your old diary. – Anne Fadiman (1953- )

Onion /ˈəny(ə)n/ noun a plant of the genus Allium, cultivated for its edible, round bulb composed of tightly wrapped layers, and known for its strong smell and flavor An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented to make them laugh. – Will Rogers (1879-1935)

Americana /əˌmerəˈkänə,əˌmerəˈkanə/ noun 1. items, traditions, or cultural artifacts that embody the history, values, and spirit of the United States—often evoking nostalgia for an earlier, idealized vision of American life. The Fourth of July is Americana at its core: parades, cookouts, and, of course, fireworks. – Jim Salter, The Christian Science Monitor 2. a genre of music combining folk, country, blues, and rock, often... Read More

Kudos /ˈko͞oˌdōs/ noun praise and recognition for an achievement; acclaim or honor Let go of a need for personal recognition – heap kudos on others and they’ll perform even better next time. – Steve Goodier (1962 -)

 Odyssey /ˈädəsē/ noun a long, difficult journey, either physical, intellectual, or spiritual Writing to me is a voyage, an odyssey, a discovery, because I’m never certain of precisely what I will find. – Gabriel Fielding (1916-1986)

Canny /ˈkanē/ adjective clever, careful and astute, especially in business He was not lying, merely organizing events more sensibly, and so his tales had a taste of truth even to the canny Councilmen. – The Last Unicorn (1968), by Peter S. Beagle (1939 – )

Venom /ˈvenəm/ noun   1. poison stored in an animal that can be injected into another animal’s body via bite or sting I will watch with the wiliness of a snake, that I may sting with its venom. – Frankenstein (1818) by Mary Shelley (1797-1851) 2. malice or bitterness A man’s venom poisons himself more than his victim. – Charles Buxton (1822 – 1871)... Read More

Leitmotif /ˈlītmōˌtēf/ noun   a repeated theme that shows up often, usually in art, literature, or music Every age has its leitmotif, a set of beliefs that explains the universe, that inspires or consoles the individual by providing an explanation for the multiplicity of events impinging on him.  – Henry Kissinger (1923 – 2023)

Ramble /ˈramb(ə)l/ noun/verb   noun 1. a meandering walk, taken for pleasure How fine it might have been, to end a day’s ramble in the French countryside, walking into the setting sun. –  Atonement (2001), by Ian McEwan   verb 2. to chatter, to babble Do not write me studied letters, but ramble as you please. – Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826 ) verb... Read More

Nebula /ˈnebyələ/ noun   a huge interstellar cloud made of hydrogen, helium, and cosmic dust   Without language, thought is a vague, uncharted nebula.    – Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913)