Character traits: Pleonasm, Fanfaronade, Solivagant May 8-22

Pleonasm [ple-o-nasm] 1. (n) the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea, redundancy. 2. an instance of this; as free gift or true fact. 3. the redundant word or expression

Fanfaronade  [fan-far-o-nade] 1. (n) an arrogant or boastful talk. 2. fanfare

Solivagant [soh-LIH-va-ghent] 1. (n) a lone wanderer. 2 (adj) characterized by solitary wandering; rambling alone

Markus and Jilly

By:Carrie Keiser

Standing there looking out over the valley from this height, Markus could not believe how blessed he was. The beauty of the majestic mountains had always captured him. He especially enjoys them in solitude. This is a concept not everyone can understand, only those who lean towards the solivagant life.  His penchant for wandering around alone had always been hard on his relationships. The women in his life had never quite grasped the appeal and need he had for just disappearing for days or weeks at a time, until now. He had met Jilly one afternoon while wandering the snow-capped Mission ridge in Western Montana.  She too had been out exploring, letting her feet take her wherever they might, when she had walked right into him. They had stared deep into each others eyes for a few intense moments and had seen themselves reflected there. 

Introductions were brief and they parted ways, walking away while still facing one another. It was lucky that neither was walking towards the drop-off.  Later, on that same weekend, they had once again met on the trails and instantly felt that it was not a coincidence. This time numbers had beed handed over and a date set to meet for a bite to eat. 

Walking away from that second meeting, Jilly pondered on the likelihood of meeting someone like her. In all her 27 years she had never met another person who quite enjoyed the solitude of wandering. She had of course hoped to one day find a kindred spirit. That fateful meeting had been 4 years ago now and they had had dinner the following week.  They not only had nature wandering in common, they also found they shared a similar interest in books and food choices.  

Jilly and Markus had been married 6 months later in the very spot they had collided. They had been traveling and wondering the country together and separately since that day.  While she still enjoyed the solitude of alone wandering, she was feeling a shift in her, one that had her leaning toward the need to do things with Markus to share with him in this love of nature and she was feeling the need for a small hand in hers to teach and guide along in life.  This was scaring her, she had never wanted to be a mother and she had never talked to Markus about this recent desire. 

Markus and Jilly had been in New Zealand to explore and enjoy the beauty of that country. They had a base camp but rarely went in the same direction during their daily wandering. Today he was distracted by his mind, he couldn’t focus on the sights before his eyes.  He had thought his life was near perfect, but lately Markus felt a prickle of doubt: someone missing, something that wasn’t quite perfect in his choices. He sat himself down on a large rock under a tree near the trail he was on to think on it.  What could possibly be out of sync? They had the ideal jobs, Jilly was a nature photographer and he was a freelance writer, allowing them to do exactly what they loved and getting paid at the same time. Markus closed his eyes and leaned his head against the tree trunk and fell asleep.  In his dream he was holding the hand of a small child sharing his love of nature. He looked down but was unable to see the child’s face. Disturbed by this he was brought awake and as his eyes flew open, he was met by the sight of his beautiful wife and she was smiling a very odd simile. He looked questingly at her.

Jilly had been searching for Markus to discuss this need when she came upon his sleeping form on the side a trail. As she stared down at his handsome face, he suddenly opened his eyes. Surprise and love registered in his eyes. Jilly slowly sat down next to him and as she reached for his hand. At the same exact moment Jilly and Markus said, “I want a child.” Markus and Jilly laughed and instantly cried with relief, neither had thought the other would be OK with this. Markus gathered Jilly in his arms. Perhaps the days of wandering alone had come to and end and surprisingly they were both perfectly fine with that.

STORY SLINGERS PROMPT

"talks too much or repeats something"

5-8-22

Daren Flynn

BEVERLY

Beverly used too many words

She never gave her vocal cords

A well deserved rest

Even when welcoming a guest

No matter what she was doing

Whether she was calm or stewing

No one else was given a chance

Their thoughts and comments to advance

Then one day much to her surprise

Husband Tim stopped her to advise

That there was a price to be paid

And, no doubt, a case tone made

That when your talking causes you

To pay the clerk more than is due

You should curb your vocalizing

And avoid rationalizing

The chicken you bought at the store

Cost what you thought and a bunch more

Now, my dear, don't scream and holler

That hen cost you a hundred dollar

Story Slingers

May 8, 2022

Myrna Flynn

Words No o ne uses: Pleonasm, Fanfaronde

Jane Dough was invited to a party for uppity-ups only. Even though she was not an uppity-up, a lady she knew, Jane Moore, wanted her to come and get her opinion of one of the most uppity-ups that no one liked to be around. (Oh! I forgot. Jane is a psychologist who specializes in helping individuals who do not socialize well.)

Thomas Jones the 5th is one of those that does not seem to get the "hint" of why people do not like him. Everyone loves his wife, Judy, who makes friends easily. She always smiles and seems to know just what to say to anyone to whom she is talking. People can tell she is really interested in them.

Sad to say, Thomas is only interested in himself. He is a very handsome man. He is just over six feet tall, wavy black hair, a body that many men wished theirs were like, teeth that were perfect, without caps and crown. But he had one big failing, he was pleonasm and fanfaronade. He bored everyone with his constant boasting and arrogance.

Jane signaled Janet and told her that if Judy could convince Thomas to come see her, she would do her best to help him. To her surprise, he was eager to come. They met twice a week for counseling. Jane could not tell if she was making progress or not.

One morning, Thomas was shaving and was given an epiphany. He called Jane and told her he finally could see how he was a bore to be around. With Judy's help, the next time went to a party, he was able to control his egotism and boasting. All of the guests could not believe that it was the same person.