a.word.a.day achates

(you know who you are)

Achates

PRONUNCIATION:

(uh-KAY-teez)

MEANING:

noun: A trusty friend or companion.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Achates, the faithful companion and friend of Aeneas, in the epic poem Aeneid by the Roman poet Vergil (70-19 BCE). In the story, Achates is called fidus Achates (faithful Achates) and he accompanies Aeneas everywhere in his adventures.

from boxes

Caddy got the box and set it on the floor and opened it. It was full of stars. When I was still, they were still. When I moved, they glinted and sparkled. I hushed.

-Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury.

I'm reading an old favorite. And I'm finding things I'd forgotten. The picture is also an old favorite.

aging

this elderly old guy has been diagnosed with renal failure.

considering he is 18 years old, and this is the first time he's been diagnosed with anything, I think he's done a pretty good job.

and now he has weeks, months or even a year left.

he doesn't know he's sick. he's more concerned with the birds chirping outdoors. and he is enjoying the expensive new prescription cat food.

I hope he never knows he's sick. and his 18th year is a peaceful one.

planted, not planted

everything outside is waking up.

I realised today that it had yet to occur to me, to start some seedlings. usually by now my windowsills are full of little plants.

for months now, it has just seemed that something is always out of place.