Random Musing: S is for…

Sauntering through the month, we now find ourselves in the land of S.

I was just reading a remark from someone who was bemused by the fact that food inspires so many words that mean a jumble, assortment, or heterogeneous mixture.  The person goes on to mention a few such words, one of which I hadn’t heard before – salmagundi.  Based on a type of mixed salad plate, salmagundi has also come to mean a hodgepodge.  I do like a good jumble, and now I have a new word for it.

I also have a few S items to share that make up a little salmagundi.

• First let’s talk about sincerity.  It’s been suggested that the etymology of the word comes from sine (without) and cera (wax) and refers to ancient Greek and Roman sculptors who were skilled enough not to use wax to cover flaws in their work.  I find that fascinating, and somehow it makes the idea of sincerity all the more appealing to me.

• Also appealing to me is Summer.  I’m not referring to the season, although that is delightful as well, but rather to Summer Pierre, the cartoonist. Here’s her latest published cartoon.  I particularly love those last panels, where she has come to understand she’s always been more or less alright.  This strikes me as so profound, in exactly the way comics often are about our lives. So now I’m musing on all the ways and habits I’ve held on to, that I can let go of because I’ve proven something else to myself.

• The card I pulled to start off my week was sanctuary.  I often draw a card, and then layer additional cards on it as the week goes on. It becomes a beautiful nuanced dance.  But today starts with sanctuary, and I’m musing about both how important it is to me, and also all the ways I might tweak my actual space as well.

• Finally, I’m musing about solidago, more commonly know as goldenrod.  My goldenrod hasn’t started blooming yet – it seems a bit late.   But I’m beginning to notice some trees turning colors, which is rather early.  Nature is always full of surprises.  I  look forward to the goldenrod blooming as they are such fabulous bee attractors.  Here’s hoping they won’t disappoint me this year.

What “S” thing has you musing?  Have a favorite word for hodge-podge?  Have any thoughts about summer as we’re in the final weeks?  Do tell – you know I love to hear.