ideas and language

[Frederic]

This is a general thread about any writing-related fancies that may cross our minds. (And what isn't writing-related?) Do you love words? Do you have any good stories about them? Let's talk about our dictionaries, inspiring ideas we've come across, things we've seen in the course of a day that have made our writerly/readerly ears perk up, new words that have jumped out at us and followed us home . . . you know, that sort of thing!

[Frederic]

I'm amazed that you bring that up! I have a friend who reads the Farmer's Almanac, and she often informs me of the names of the full moons we're experiencing. She did indeed tell me about the Full Wolf Moon that we just saw! (It was bright and clear here!)

That concept of "spunk water" is fascinating!

As I was growing up, I remember the Foxfire Books in my parents' bookstore. If I'm not mistaken, they were a collection of folk beliefs, remedies, etc. -- I'd guess that they mentioned "spunk water"!

It sort of reminds me of that thing in Cold Mountain where you hang over backwards at the top of a well while someone holds your feet, and you can see the future reflected in the water.