Words I Dislike

In contrast to the Good Words of yesterday, there are some words that I do not particularly like. I am a word aficionado, so it's unusual to find a word to be unappealing. Nevertheless, it does happen on occasion.

Two words that I will never purposefully use are:
Snuggle.
Cuddle.

It's not that I have any aversion to the actions contemplated by those words. Context is everything: these words have juvenile connotations that are uncomfortable and inappropriate when discussing adult relationships and interactions. When I see/hear an adult exclaiming, "I love snuggling with my sweetie!" or something similar, I cringe. Snuggling and cuddling are for small woodland creatures and very young children. Not for grownups.

Perhaps I am too rigid in my definitions, but this is how I see these words. Is there an applicable word for such an activity between adults? I have yet to determine what that might be.

I would like both the appropriate word, and perhaps even a little bit of the activity embodied therein.

This might be as close to snuggling with one another as the small dogs ever get.

Good Words

Herself speaks.

This past week, I had the six-month post-biopsy follow-up testing done to check on the stealthy breast lumps I carry with me. The phone didn't ring in the days after the ultrasound, which I hoped would be a good sign (they do tend to call right away when something is amiss). I could not rest easy, though, until I read the report for myself. It was available this morning.

I have never been so delighted to see the words "stable" and "benign-appearing".

Amen, hallelujah. 

Overseer

New Old Dog runs out of gas on our morning walks, and opts to be carried while he supervises Tiny Dog. Bless him. 

Crescent

It is hard to tell from the photo, but the moon is a lovely crescent in the cool of the evening.

Nice.

No.

Side-by-side with Halloween decorations. TOO EARLY, STORE. 

Old

New Old Dog has been exceptionally clingy lately. I am not quite sure why: is he not feeling well? Has he developed separation anxiety after the many (albeit relatively short) trips over this summer? Is he just getting Old Old?

I am not sure. I hope we can figure out what, if anything, is bothering him, and help him to feel better.

Good boy, Old Man. 

Camping Burrito