minim \MIN-im\ noun

I feel like I'm using these to measure my amount of focus while packing- I can't keep focused on one thing for more than a minim.  Mind constantly darting around the room, as am I.

accoutrement \uh-KOO-ter-munt\ noun

Packing up my room today, and while I pride myself on not having a ton of stuff, I've still been stopping here & there and muttering: 'where did all this stuff come from, and why do I still have it?'  Goodwill, here I come!

pervade \per-VAYD\ verb

Well... Today was the day of the 2 trips to the dump, and the full-bodied whiff of skunk both trips, so I feel Merriam-Webster rocked it today.

damask \DAM-usk\ noun

Spectacular sunset with every shade you can think of!

menagerie \muh-NAJ-uh-ree\ noun

Have been hiking a great deal this week, as there are lots of great trails maintained by the Damariscotta River Association (including one with canoes! Just bring your own paddles!). I'm going with the 'a varied mixture' definition today of this one. Covers all bases: plants, critters, insects.

proficient \pruh-FISH-unt\ adjective

So knitting and I have a rocky relationship history. My mother is proficient beyond words in this art; I can knit one, purl one, and that's it. Tackling this purple scarf yet again with a great backdrop.

hypnagogic \hip-nuh-GAH-jik\ adjective

I can't think of a better word to kick off my Maine vacation. Book and blanket in hand.

gazette \guh-ZET\ noun

Grabbing one of these and heading into the sun now.

maffick \MAF-ik\ verb

I want to!!  Why wait for Saturday; I'll maffick TODAY!

hiatus \hye-AY-tus\ noun

I've made a ridiculous mistake, and the only excuse I have is that I'm desperately in need of a hiatus.  My brain has clearly taken a leave of absence, so the rest of me should as well... after I try some damage control.

Recalcitrant - and a synonym quiz

With two ushering shifts today, this Word-of-the-Day makes me NERVOUS.

Dear last Yale-related commitments,


Please don't be too difficult.   I will offer cookies to the ushering gods later in exchange for your good favor.  I have no good ushering fight left.

pacify \PASS-uh-fye\ verb

The theme of my ushering position as Concierge.  Yes, yes, dear patron- when you show up 20 minutes late to a show, we will have to late-seat you in another seat to not disturb the patrons who showed up on time...

agog \uh-GAHG\ adjective

Finally, Obama!  Thank you!

torrid \TOR-id\ adjective

My throat is definitely feeling a bit that way.  Death & taxes are always certain, but so are allergies & pain, unfortunately.  Wish my day had been a bit more "ardent & passionate," rather than "parched," but you can't win them all, eh?

This unhappy camper will perk up soon, I promise.

satiety \suh-TYE-uh-tee\ noun

Ha!  Merriam-Webster is keeping tabs on how much I gorged myself at the surprise birthday brunch yesterday, and this is exactly how I feel today.  Merriam-Webster: 90 points.  Ashton: 8.

validate \VAL-uh-dayt\ verb

Ugh.  Lots of travel in the past 24 hours, but for a dear friend, so I feel I shouldn't complain... but with a number of things in limbo recently, the endless road did nothing to quiet my mind.  Worrisome worse-case-scenarios kept popping into my head instead of solutions, despite me trying to push them out.  Time for bed, where sleep will hopefully quiet the mind for a bit.

bon vivant \bahn-vee-VAHNT\ noun

Why, thank you, Merriam-Webster!  I have been honing my foodie skills as of late... and increasing my waistline :)

lunette \loo-NET\ noun

Was admiring the one in the sky tonight.  Very Realistic Joneses of the night sky...

cachinnate \KAK-uh-nayt\ verb

Definitely referring to me and my friend Molly today.  She had rented a Zipcar to go to her orthodontist and graciously invited me to tag along, and boy, did we have an American, suburban day filled with loads of laughter.  Marshall's, Panera Bread, coffee, Barnes & Noble, driving two stores over to find parking as close as possible to the front door, rather than walking the 1 minute.  If only there had been a Costco along the way...

abstruse \ub-STROOSS\ adjective

I took a train ride today- my second of what will be three this week- which always gets me thinking.  about things.  And stuff.  And usually other stuff.  There are many things that I don't understand fully, but I've noticed that more & more, I'm really fine with it.  I certainly always seek to learn & grow, but at the end of the day, I feel like all of life's little mysteries should be difficult to comprehend, to an extent.  That's what prompts the need for art.