The word of the day for March 31, 2007 is “guttering” — transitive verb 1 : to cut or wear gutters in. 2 : to provide with a gutter. intransitive verb 1 a : to flow in rivulets b of a candle : to melt away through a channel out of the side of the cup hollowed out by the burning wick. 2 : to incline downward in a draft <the candle flame guttering>. noun 1 : material for a trough along the eaves to catch and carry off rainwater. b : a low area (as at the edge of a street) to carry off surface water (as to a sewer) c : a trough or groove to catch and direct something <the gutters of a bowling alley>.
Lloyd was using a detached high-pressure hose nozzle to open a drain path through the maple blossoms that the rain brought down. Water was spilling over the edge of the gutter directly over the front steps. Anyway, he tip-toed on the edge of the porch, using the corner post as support. Then, just as the downspout opened up, he lost his grip on the nozzle. (Don't be alarmed, folks, just the nozzle.)
So yesterday, between the rain spats, he had to climb a ladder to rescue his nozzle from the downspout. I’m somewhat glad he didn’t wait for me to spot for him. Watching the first operation was scary enough. He didn’t tell me that he had also taken one of the toilet plungers up the ladder to ensure the spout was clear.
The quote for today is from Richard Matheson (b. 1926), U.S. screenwriter, and Roger Corman. Roderick Usher (Vincent Price), The House of Usher, staring at a candle as he discusses the madness in his family (1960):
Two pale drops of fire. Guttering on the vast consuming darkness. My sister and myself. Shortly they will burn no more.
;^) Jan
3 comments:
I remember reading somewhere that the American Native Indian language has many concepts and meanings for one word. Who would have stopped to think that our language use displays some of these principals in such a simple word as guttering?
As for Lloyd and his acrobatics? Men! They are all the same. They don't seem to think ahead to the possible consequences of their actions. Your heart must have been in your mouth the second time Jan. I have one just like him at home, but his 'forte' is 'murdering' trees. One day, one nearly got him back in the woodland behind us. Lol! Jeanie
Hi Thank you for your visit to my journal. I am glad to have found your one. I am not nearly as knowledgable as you and jeanie with regards words...but I sure do enjoy reading and learning....hopefully as I go along.... So I have put an alert on your journal so will receive them in the future. I did laugh at you calling the new car a Kangaroo...it is actually a Kangoo....however my sister was saying today when we were out that as it is a Kangoo Impresion it could be called a Kangaroo's Expression !!!!! Sybil
Thanks for commenting in my journal. Enjoyed browsing through your journal!
Guido
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