blath-er-skite / ˈblaT͟Hərˌskīt   noun   a person who speaks foolishly at length The Confederate Major was of the class referred to in polite American parlance, as a “blatherskite”. From ‘Campaigns of a Non-Combatant’ by George Alfred Townsend, 1841-1914   nonsense For all of the technocratic blatherskite it generates, business theory gives little attention to the basic human interactions that make business a profoundly... Read More

joke / jōk   noun   something said or done to provoke laughter A casual remark or joke shall distinguish a person’s real character more than the greatest sieges, or the most important battle. Plutarch, 46-120   a humorous prank or playful trick The world is indeed comic, but the joke is on mankind. P. Lovecraft, 1890-1937   an instance of kidding around or... Read More

jus-tice / ˈjəstəs   noun   righteousness; the quality or state of being fair or unbiased Better to have a handful of might than a sack of justice. Czech Proverb   the administration of punishment or reward as befits the situation, usually meted out by a judge Everyone loves justice in the affairs of another. Russian Proverb   a judge I decided that if... Read More

elicit e-lic-it  /  ĭ-lĭs-ĭt   verb   to draw forth, to evoke Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant. Horace 65 B.C.- 8 B.C.     illicit Il-lic-it  /  ĭ-lĭs-ĭt   adjective   not according to law; illegal Never seek illicit wealth. Confucius 551-479 BC   not permitted or allowed, against common standards or customs We... Read More

mem-ber-ship /  ˈmem-bər-ˌship noun   the state of being an individual who belongs to a group, club, etc. Innovation grows out of membership and a sure sense of responsibility people feel for their work and the organizations that employ them. Abraham Zaleznik, 1924-2011   the total number of persons belonging to an organization, club, etc. What started out as a trio has grown into a... Read More

em-brace / əmˈbrās   verb   to hold tightly in an affectionate manner; to hug Each time we embrace someone warmly, we gain an extra day of life. from ‘Aleph’ by Paulo Coelho, 1947-   to encircle or enclose You enter the mouth of a valley; the hills reach forth their arms to embrace you, and you consciously enter a new world. from ‘The... Read More

Idle i-dle / ˈīdl   adjective   not active or employed It is only idle people who can find time for everything. French Proverb   not spent in activity or work I would love to get a place out in the country and spend my idle time just remodeling and planting seeds and watching them grow. Joe Lando, 1961-   unused A book lying... Read More

blue / blo͞o   adjective   of the color between green and violet on the spectrum Blue skies smiling at me, Nothing but blue skies do I see. Irving Berlin, 1888-1989   of the skin, discolored due to cold I play until my fingers are blue and stiff from the cold, and then I keep on playing. From ‘Revolution’ by Jennifer Donnelly, 1963-  ... Read More

white / (h)wīt adjective   of the color of milk or new snow Even the white lily casts a shadow. Hungarian Proverb   light in color Yellow gold is plentiful compared to white-haired friends. Chinese Proverb   belonging to a group of people with light skin pigmentation, usually of European descent; Caucasian As long as the white man stutter, the interpreters have a lot... Read More

red / red   adjective   of the hue resembling the primary color at the warm end of the spectrum The red sun was pasted in the sky like a wafer. From ‘The Red Badge of Courage’ by Stephen Crane, 1871-1900   having the warmest primary color as a distinguishing hue A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red... Read More