Intoxicatingly Hypnotic....Words Captivate Our Senses~~A Response to Marilyn's Challenge
Baby Boy Began was Hooked on Words When He was Tiny!!
The Challenge
"Words: The Writer's Resource
I'm always amazed how each writer takes the same words and creates a completely different story. Some educate, others enchant and a few entertain. Which category is most authentic for you?
This challenge is to write about how you value, use and create your finished piece using our common denominator - words."
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.
— Francis BaconMake Words a Part of You...
Mr. Bacon's carefully chosen words about books say it so well. Because of the words used to create those books (and stories) we choose to relish them in different ways depending on our need or desire.
And, likewise, we can choose words, just the right ones, to convey with little additional explanation needed our view, idea, belief, or thought.
My Very Own
For Christmas the year I was eleven years of age, one of my most treasured gifts was a brand spanking new, hard back edition, of Webster's Dictionary.
The pages were paper-thin yet crisp and the fragrance of them made me dizzy!!!
In the Beginning...
Crawling up onto my Momma's lap, snuggling between her arms and a book that would take me on great adventures is where my intoxication first began.
The handsome prince, fearless, and undaunted...the super-sized dragon breathing fire so fearsome that I could feel the flames curling around the pages...a damsel trapped in a castle awaiting rescue.
The puppy who day after day dug his way out under the fence to go off into the wide wide world...
The little train that gave me courage because he said "I think I can, I think, I can."
Scuffy that adorable tugboat that found out the place he really wanted to be was HOME.
More and more and more the stories came...from the Bible, from family tales, from a seemingly endless supply of books...
And I was under the spell of words having no will of my own to resist.
Early Learning
This is a Goodie.
Making Words Become Real for Little Ones
No End In Sight...
Lewis Carroll lead me through the looking glass to discover what had not yet been imagined.
Nancy Drew fulfilled my wish to solve mysteries beyond compare even though they were predictable stories... I guess that was the appeal then.
Truman Capote showed me horrors I did not want to know but was powerless to stop reading once the words began to hypnotize me and hold me spellbound.
Mr. Poe found his way into my psyche...as I anticipated what came next in the Telltale Heart...breathless I waited but read on..
Gibran's The Prophet slowed me down a bit as I pondered his words...
Robert Fulghum's rules for living ....all of the things we learned in 'kindergarten' (even if we never went...all of those common sense goodness thoughts)...
Only scratching the surface here as I give a nod to only an inkling of those who have caused me to get lost in the pages of a book unraveling the meaning each word holds.
A Classic ....
More Under the Spell of Words as I Grow Older...
At this time I am immersed in several books about one of our Presidents who shall be a light for all times throughout history as one who made our country and our world a better place---Of course, that is Abraham Lincoln, a man of humble beginnings. A man who was intoxicated by words and found solace in the moments he could steal to read.
"It was through literature that he was able to transcend his surroundings."
Getting lost within the pages of a novel or within an article here on HubPages, it is possible to do as Mr. Lincoln did....time and place is of no consequence (or we may wish it were so) when we are fully involved in a love affair with words.
Abe was a vociferous reader..taking books into the fields where he was supposed to be working to help fell trees or some other mundane but important task. His father would stop his indolence and was known to destroy his books and perhaps abuse him.
All for the love of words....it is difficult for my teeny brain to imagine lusting for a book and having that denied!!
A Plethora of Verbage from which to choose
Perchance you would hear words speak on their own, you may hear them say that their tasks are many and quite burdensome...
"Why...we must soothe, inflame, convince, cajole, bring to laughter, reprimand, advise, assure, calm, embrace, love, shelter, enlighten, and praise. And this is but a smathering of our tasks!!! The trick is choosing just the right one to do our job well---no easy feat."
Excellent: Bursting at the Seams with Words Waiting to be Devoured.
Use Them Well...
"Words...became precious to him never (as with Seward ) to be taken lightly or indiscriminately used."
Again Mr. Lincoln was so hypnotized and enchanted by words that he knew their power. He understood how a nuance would change the whole thought and thus used them judiciously.
Having heard words that may have been indiscriminately used, it is possible to grasp how he felt and believed. Aaaah, that we should all be as wise.
Words spoken cannot be unsaid. Thoughtlessly hurled at others they can cause pain as certain as if a blade were puncturing our skin.
Clear, Simple Language that Gets the Job Done...
Lured by Their Presence
Carefully chosen, thoughtfully considered words arouse our senses instantly.
Lemon....just lemon... each of my senses is awakened as I hear that simple word. My mind calls into play so many experiences that include that one word. "What will come next?" I wonder..a comparison, a recipe, a healthful drink, a delightful beverage???
O, I can smell that tangy glorious aroma just at the mention of the word. I think of all the senses that are aroused it is the sense of smell more than others just at the mention of this fruit.
Although when an amazing slice of lemon meringue pie comes my way, O, my...my salivary glands kick into gear.
What power words have!!!
And that is just one of skadillions that I could have chosen that intoxicate and hypnotize us on a daily basis.
We hear them, feel them, taste them, spy them, and smell them ....each time they are encountered.
Even those among us who are denied one of those senses can still find a way to experience the joy and splendor of words.
A New Take on Mr. Fulghum's Book.....Adorable
Words that I Love to Feel Roll Off My Tongue.
Persnickety---it begins like a sweet little kitten purring and then rolls sassily off my tongue...
Perspicacious---a wanna' be high-brow word that struggles to race from within
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious---It's just fun to say!!! And just as much fun to spell.
Cantankerous---Grumbly sounds that fall over each other as they come forth
Zippity-do-dah---Just wanna' kick up my heels and dance ...
Okay, okay..just three more? I could go on and on and on ...
Cantankerous---Visions of grumpy 'old people' dance in my noggin'
Chivalrous----There it is...another wanna' be high-falutin' word...
Ta da.....for the very last one....
Fiddlededee---A smile creeps over my face when I hear it and when I use it which I do sparingly...
One Wish...
A silly little wish I have had for far too long..
You may think we daft or dotty like Grandpa Joe in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I admit this but it is a risk I must take.
My wish sometimes is:: to have electrodes placed on my headbone so that I could ingest ten or more books all at the same time....hoping that my brains do not issue forth all over the pages of the novel in my hand!!!
There it is....my secret is out...I hope it safe with you.
Truly hypnotized and drunk with the flavors that each new word brings, j'ai terminé.
*French is a language I have adored since my earliest years and would have been a French teacher had my Southern accent not been so heavy.
Source
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham LIncoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Thank you, Marilyn
Join this challenge..... http://mdavisattiers.hubpages.com/hub/Have-YOU-Said-It-A-Writing-Challengeshared by Marilyn (mdavisatTiers ) here on HubPages.
Scrabble is a favorite that I often play online now
One of my greatest passions is playing scrabble. I often play on my phone and never tire of it.
This game was one my Daddy and I began playing together when I was five. He got me hooked. And he did not LET me win. I am not sure that I ever 'won' but he was teaching me new words and strategies all the while so I never felt like a loser...many great lessons wrapped into one.
© 2015 Patricia Scott
Related
Four Scores and a Doomed Proposition - A response to Jodah's Writing Challenge
Using Words: The Writer's Resource; How I Value and Use Words to Create a piece of Writing: Response to a Challenge
Free Verse: 'Across the Universe': Based on The Beatles' Title; a Response to a Challenge
An Exercise for Exploring Writing Ideas
Comments
- AUTHOR
O yes...The Wheel is a fav of mine...and it certainly is much easier sitting on this side of the screen. And like you reading is a passion begun on my Mothers and continues today. Angels are headed your way this warm Monday morning that promises to be very HOT. ps
Reading and learning new words is so much fun. I was hooked on reading as a child and the love of learning has never left. Word games are also fun. One of my current favorites on television is Wheel of Fortune. Do you watch it? The filling out of letters is undoubtedly easier in the comfort of one's home than in person with cameras, lights and an audience.
- AUTHOR
How sweet you are to say such uplifting things. I only wish there were more hours in the day so I could work on a book. There is just so much to do that keeps me from my passion.
Hoping all is well with and yours, Susie. Angels are winging their way to you this evening ps
Patrica, you sure do have a way with words and did a lovely job writing for Marilyn's challenge. Once again the remarkable person that you are come shining through.
- AUTHOR
Hi drbj You have a clever way to using words to entertain and inform as well. So glad to see you stopped by. So sorry for the delay in getting back...moved!!! Need I say more??
Angels are on the way to you this evening ps
Patricia - I enjoyed your treatise on words beyond words. Words fail me when I try to describe the pleasure you imparted with each word. Your wording is that of a worthy wordsmith. And I loved that 'weird' video.
- AUTHOR
This was a fun challenge...I have not participated in too many of them but could not resist this one.
Angels are on the way to you this afternoon. Thanks for visiting ps
Love the challenge and look forward to reading more responses from Marilyn. I really like persnickety and cantankerous too! Voted interesting.
- AUTHOR
How precious you are Faith to say such kind things about us. We have learned to make the best of the worst situation. It is not that we were born with more strength or courage than others but we made a choice to LIVE in the light and not to dwell in the dark place.
Thank you again for your kind words.
Angels are once again on the way to you sweet Friend. Hoping all is well with you and yours. ps
Aw, thank you for telling me that for I did not know that, dear Patricia!
I am looking over your hubs now to find a lovely one in celebration of your beautiful daughter to possibly link to my celebrating women hub, if you do not mind? You and she are such tremendous role models to women everywhere for your sheer strength in persevering through difficult trials and still remaining optimistic and loving towards others.
You and she are the real deal when it comes to women, please know!
Lots of hugs and Angels heading your way, sweet woman
- AUTHOR
That is spot on....I cannot imagine never reading. I only wish I could take more hours of every day to read!!!
This was a fun write because I am totally hooked on words and language and all.
Thank you so much for visiting once again.
Know that Angels are winging to you this evening ps
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies, said Jojen. The man who never reads lives only one.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
Words can create a world, or destroy it. Words have far more affect than most people realize. Words mold our attitudes and our outlooks and in turn, our world.
Very thought provoking. Voted up and BAUI.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Theresa...yeppie, country through and through, that's me. We do talk about high falutin' things all the time :D
Thank you for your votes and for taking the time to stop and read.
I am always delighted to see you visit as you were one of the first to make me feel welcome on HubPages.
Hoping your Monday and the rest of your work week is lovely.
Sending many hugs and blessings and Angels your way ps
Hi PS,
Wow, this is a brilliant response to the response and what an interesting challenge it is! I love all of your intriguing stories using words and your love of words.
I am so sorry that I missed this wonderful read here somehow?
I love your fun words to you saying, plus I did not know that others anywhere ever used the phrase high-falutin' LOL I was so delighted when I read that, as we say it here all the time.
Up and across, tweeting, pinning, G+ and sharing
Hugs and many Angels on their way to you and yours
- AUTHOR
Hi Peggy
Yes I am learning so much too through reading. I am still ploughing through the books on Abe and Mary Todd. They are long books and very detailed and tiny font so I usually snuggle in bed with them at night and read till my eyes cross.
Yes, too, I would have taught French ...I had such a heavy accent I would have probably said "Parlez vous, francais, y'all"...and that would have been the end of that. I did have a minor in it but never used it much after college. Perhaps one day I will travel to France to experience the language up close and personal.
thanks for your kind words. Every day is a treasure to us.
Know that many blessings and hugs and lots of Angels are on the way ps
- AUTHOR
Thank you Sheila. I love love Scrabble. I had double pnuemonia about seven years ago and was forced to be dormant (a state I am not thrilled with on my best day :D)...so I had my grandson drag out the Scrabble and he I played and played.
Now I play on my phone and when he is about we play 'pass the phone' Scrabble, taking turns . I guess I am forever a Nerd ...
Thanks for stopping.
I am hoping all is good with you and yours.
Angels are winging their way to you once again this Sunday morning ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks for visiting, Manatita....It was a fun hub to do...I am totally enthralled with words and another hub about writing and all is holds in store is soon to appear.
Always nice to see you.
Angels are on the way to you this morning . ps
Great read, Patricia, and great use of words. wonderful attempt at Marilyn's challenge.
Like you Patricia, my parents introduced us to books early on and that love affair has continued to this very day. I never would have known that Lincoln's father actually destroyed some of his books. Horrors! I also learned something about you...that you like the French language and would have liked being a French teacher. Amazing what can be learned by reading! This was a fun hub to read. Hope this day is a rich one filled with blessings for you and those you love.
It's too bad that children now days don't share the love of words and reading. I used to love to play Scrabble, but now haven't played for years. I may have to fix that! This is a wonderful hub! Voting up and awesome!
- AUTHOR
You are so right, Ron. As I mentioned I am totally immersed in three Lincoln books at this time..long but well written books which tell of a Lincoln that I know only in part.
the more I read of him the more I admire and know that he was indeed a thinker far beyond the years he lived. From humble beginnings he came and that is such a testimony to our mantra that we can become whatever we choose if we put our minds to it. and your thoughts on Mr. Lincoln are so spot on.
Thank you for once again stopping to visit. Know that Angels are on the way to you this evening. ps
Very interesting. As you highlight, Lincoln is a great example of someone who knew the importance of words. The man who showed us that, despite the mathematics, "four score and seven" does not equal "eighty-seven" understood the power of exactly the right words in exactly the right situation. Such choices came to him not only because of his brilliance, but also because of his diligence. We may not be able to match the brilliance, but we can be committed to the diligence.
- AUTHOR
Thanks Ann for all of your comments....something has been up with the commenting recently. I am always touched when you all go back and put them on again (by the way, I do the same thing).
So appreciate your kind words and your visit.
many Angels are on the way once again this morning ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks Ann for all of your comments....something has been up with the commenting recently. I am always touched when you all go back and put them on again (by the way, I do the same thing).
So appreciate your kind words and your visit.
many Angels are on the way once again this morning ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks Audrey.
We do have so much fun with words especially those of us who are under their spell and find we MUST write something very often.
Thank you for visiting....
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Ann...I felt like a little kid as I wrote this piece. Thinking about words, their power to transform my feelings and thoughts as well as those of others is a grand exercise and takes me to places I may or may not wish to go.
this challenge was a hit for me.
Angels are on the way to you this morning, Ann. ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks Audrey for stopping by. As I have mentioned in some other comments this was a fun hub to write. It is always fun for me to reflect on words and how many ways we can use them and how they have already been used in so many wondrous poems, stories, novels, and speeches. The possibilities are endless
Know that Angels are winging their way to you this morning ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks Rachel. For some discovering your writer self comes later as it seems to be in your case. I love writing...I may never be famous or make gazillions of dollars but I still love it!!!
You just keep on sharing and I will keep on reading especially those lovely recipes thank you for the votes.
Angels are on the way to you this morning. ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks DDE for visiting.... this was such a fun topic to piece words together to show how I feel about words and all.
Angles are on the way to you this morning ps
Two comments now and they've both disappeared! Is this another hub glitch; I made sure I posted the second one and I'm pretty sure I posted the first too! All positive - a great hub; hope you haven't been deprived of other comments too.
All the best,
Ann
- AUTHOR
Thank you Marilyn I appreciate you coming back...several of us have had trouble with comments....I got both of yours How kind of you to return
Angels are once again on the way to you ps
- AUTHOR
You are so welcome, Marilyn. It is one of my favorite challenges.
How can be not be intoxicated by the plethora of words that come our way daily?
Thanks for this lovely opportunity to share.
Angels are winging their way to you this morning ps
I left a comment here ages ago too! Wonder what happened to it.
Just to say that this was such great fun and a wonderful response to the challenge. Scrabble was one of our family games when I was young too.
Love reading, love words and agree with you entirely.
Superb hub, ps.
Ann
- AUTHOR
Hi almost neighbor ----Marilyn I have it on my phone too....not my first app but not far behind.
I am glad you enjoyed this...it was a delight to compose.
KNow that Angels are on the way to you this afternoon ps
- AUTHOR
Venkatachari Thanks for both comments. Our language is filled with many fun words just as I imagine yours is.
Nice to see you again and know that Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks Catherine...our words get the job done for us and we learn and experience so much by enjoying the words of others.
I appreciate you visiting.
Angels are on the way to you this morning ps
- AUTHOR
Thanks for checking to see if the comment was here. I have been having some trouble with comments too.
This was a fun topic for me to write about and I am glad you enjoyed it ps
- AUTHOR
O thanks for all of your kind words and thank you , too, for keeping my secret.
Enchanted and totally under the spell of words is how I spend my days.
Know that many Angels are on the way to you this afternoon ps
Good morning, I added a comment yesterday about how great this hub was, and I'm not seeing it. I didn't want you to think I was ignoring this wonderful example of an outstanding hub, and an informative, creative and interesting take on the challenge. Your references were on target and the Scrabble one is a favorite of mine. ~Marilyn
This is such great fun and a great response to Marilyn's challenge! You've given us some wonderful words and I love the 'Word Crimes' video? Best tuition I've seen for a long time.
I know what you mean about words, books, input..... Scrabble was an early family game in our house too and I loved playing with the letters, even making up my own words.
Well done! Instructive, entertaining and encouraging piece. Love it!
Up+++ & shared.
Ann
I love reading books and always have and started reading to my daughters at a very early age and in turn they did the same with their children. I never did, however, have the gift of writing, weather it's a story or a poem or whatever, but always admired people who did. I enjoyed your hub and voted up and awesome.
Blessings to you.
Greatly appreciated! I like the way you present your hubs. Voted up!
I didn't see my comment here. I commented immediately after Georgescifo. Ours were the only comments then.
Anyway, I once again say it is an awesome response to the challenge. You have presented it so beautifully and enchantingly. I could not skip any line in it It was so great.
- AUTHOR
O I love that....words to be 'challenged'....what fun. I am learning sooo many words playing against the computer...I am keeping a list to add them to words I did not know but want to know. I love love crossword puzzles too...do one each day at least one...my Daddy was the CP king...he did the puzzle in the Orlando Sentinel from beginning to end each day.
Thanks for stopping by.
Angels are on the way to you this gorgeous Florida morning ps
- AUTHOR
O I do hope they find their way back to them. Both of my grandsons enjoy getting lost in books and I am so glad.
Thank you georgescifo for stopping by this morning.
Angels are on the way to you this morning. ps
Patricia, I love this, and your secret wish "IS" safe with me.
You have no idea how much I enjoyed this.
Thumb-up, Useful, Funny, Awesome, Beautiful and interesting.
This usefully awakened new ideas, tickled my funny bone, awesomely produced visions and peaked my interested.
Blessings and Hugs {:)= ss
Aww fiddledeedee! I loved this hub! I think I shared some of these favorite!
Awesome, Patricia! You weaved some enchanting magic with your words here. It's so wonderful, amazing, superb and what you say "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".
Voted up and awesome.
Good morning, what a wonderful take on my challenge. I love the references to early learning, how words help us understand our world, and of course - Scrabble. It was the first app on my new phone.
Thanks so much for participating and I think you've created a great stand alone hub to help others remember our building blocks - words. ~Marilyn
What a fun hub. You made me think about the first books I read (and had read to me) and the most memorable books after that up to the present day. I love what you did with this challenge. I still have a special feeling when I open up a brand spanking new book. I still prefer paper to kindle. Voted up ++
"Some books are to be tasted"....that says it all, doesn't it? A complete sensory experience, reading a wonderful book. Beautiful job my friend. In many ways, all writers are so alike with similar experiences growing up...but then we are also unique with our own vision of the world and our use of words to describe that vision. What a great gig this writing is.
blessings and love winging their way to you
bill
Patricia, this is an amazing mixture of words and blended together beautifully. You mentioned scrabble, one of my favorite games. I once belonged to a scrabble club. We would meet once a week in each other's homes. We made one rule of our own, if a player used a word and it was challenged, and if it was indeed a word, we made extra points, so of course I scanned the dictionary for words to be challenged. I also love crossword puzzles. Your father sounds like a wonderful man. Thank you much for sharing your words with us.
Getting addicted to words and books is something that the current generation is very much lacking. taking word games and puzzles is one of the best way to improve yourself. Thanks a lot for sharing this interesting hub.
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