Whimsy and Wonder.

The Pottery Barn Teen catalog (which I love) put these two pretty words together on a spread. Both words sound just like their meanings. Whimsy has that light wh sound like a fairy's breath before a giggle. The sy is a bit grounding, giving the word some authority. It's compelling. And wonder has that magical w. But the ond has those grounding consonants that tie the word to an object...probably something that shines. Whimsy flits. Wonder stops to gaze in awe.

I can see the two words like fraternal twin sisters. Wonder collected glittering rocks and smooth branches as she wants to climb every tree she sees. Whimsy collects coins (which she gives to Wonder), feathers, bits of foil wrappers, and flowers too pretty to be called weeds. Wonder is too slow for Whimsy, and Whimsy is too flighty for Wonder, but they adore each other.

My Favorite Verbs (Sound or Meaning).

• Scribble
• Write
• Read
• Impress
• Discover
• Express
• Peruse
• Kiss
• Cradle
• Purchase
• Shine
• Gild
• Rest
• Snuggle
• Explore
• Gather
• Collect
• Sip
• Stack
• Swim
• Trust
• Believe
• Enjoy
• Dance
• Spin
• Twirl
• Shuffle
• Consume
• Surprise
• Fulfill
• Embroider
• Fashion
• Study
• Desire
• Sleep
• Chime
• Color
• Sparkle
• Glimmer
• Caress
• Curate
• Cultivate

What are your favorite verbs?

What Enchants Me.

• My (very) old copy of YM Beauty. All that talk of fancy makeup soothes me even when I remember but don't take out the magazine.
• The massive music box at the Biltmore's Christmas shop.
• Oliver's little pajama pants with tigers on them.
• The book stacks by my bed, promising great reading adventures coming soon.
• The mermaid drawing my mother made for me.
• The moment as the theatre when the lights fade and the orchestra gives the first notes of the overture.
• A well-stocked Gelly Roll display.
• Oliver's sneaking into our bed at night--we usually don't know until morning.
• A little sparkle on random objects like hair ties.
• Bic For Her pink and purple pens. They're beautiful; I don't even care about the faulty branding and advertising. 
• Rock candy reminds me of going to the candy store with my best girl friends during Winterfest in Gatlinburg. I remember being so happy then.
• Instant messaging and texting--they still don't seem real. I remember Dad showing me that I could IM with my friend Tracy.
• Sephora. The feeling of darkness surrounding well-lit displays of bottles, palettes, and compacts with wild colors and plenty of glitter.