Amaryllis sillyramA

Hello, dearies, and welcome to this month’s palindrome entry. It may seem strange at first:

Yay! Asild nakcin! Nick and Lisa, yay!

But know that I have a good reason for making up words this time. The Lovely Lisa of Lemon Gloria has just recently become joined in matrimony to the Dashing Nick! And we are so happy for them! Yay for Lisa and Nick!

Also, “Asild nakcin!” is* an ancient Sumerian exclamation meaning “Let us rejoice!” Woo hoo!!! Yay Lisa and Nick!

* Not really.

Why do sumptuous and presumptuous have such different meanings?

And, hey! Fido, that classic name for dogs? Has to be the combining form of the Latin word fidelis. Faithful! Of course! Heh. I love it when words make sense.

And this month’s palindrome will be our first repeat ever! Because I am lazy. A lazy, lazy lush:

Martini mini-tram!

I recently have been the recipient of a little professional advice on the making of the better martini. It seems a key is to place the vermouth in the glass only, not the shaker, just after dumping the ice water out of the glass. Then swirl the vermouth and dump it too, very thoroughly. Shake that fucker out good. (Do not accidentally throw the glass in the sink.) Then pour the just-stirred (or just-shaken) martini out of the pitcher (or shaker) into the vacated glass. Evidently this way the vermouth does not pollute the entire beverage. It’s just barely there. And yay! It makes a noticeable difference. Thank you, Kip!

M. noticed last night that we have our first bloom of the summer on the Passiflora caerulea vine. Woo hoo!

Edit: omg, I was just looking at some previous posts regarding passion flowers, and noticed that in 2006, the blooming was underway in mid-June! Gee, I knew we were having a slow start this summer but two months’ difference? Crazy!

It’s that time again, folks. Here, then, for your edification and enjoyment, this month’s palindrome:

Mix a maxim.

Now we just need to figure out what goes into a maxim. I’m thinking gin or vodka as the base, similar to a martini. Then something pithy, perhaps. Absinthe? That’s from wormwood, right? (Get it? Wood? Pith? Ha! Ha!) Whoops, turns out wormwood is a plant, not a wood. So, hmm, maybe a bit of nice oaky whiskey. Then, since people fond of maxims can also be the preachy types (according to the definition at dictionary.com, a maxim can be sententious, and those who are sententious can be moralistic) . . . where was I? Oh! I was wondering what the preachy types would like with their vodka. They seem to have the wildest streaks, so let’s say tequila. Or moonshine! Also too, a maxim is a type of old machine gun. Is there a gunpowder-flavored liquor? Or do we have to use actual gunpowder? Ok, so! Our recipe for a maxim, straight up: 1 oz. gin or vodka, 1 oz. whiskey, 1 oz. moonshine, pinch gunpowder. Stirred, not shaken.

Let me know if you have any better ideas. I have no doubt that you do.