Dictionary and Thesaurus Work

Fun:

Definition: action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter.

Synonyms: amusing, blithe, blithesome, carefree, cheerful, cheery, convivial, enjoyable, entertaining, festive, frolicsome, funny, gay, glad, gleeful, happy, jocund, jolly, joyful, joyous, a lark, lighthearted, lively, perky, playful, sunny, vivacious, absurd, amusing, droll, entertaining, hilarious, ludicrous, playful, ridiculous, silly, whimsical, amusement, indulgence, joy, luxury, pleasure, recreation, relaxation, satisfaction, thrill, to be entertained, be fond of, be pleased, delight in, dote on, drink in, eat up, flip over.

Fun is play, pleasure, gaiety, merriment, source of enjoyment, amusement, playful, often a noisy activity, and teasing. Happiness is contentedness, joy, delight, and satisfaction.

Why is it so hard to pin a single idea on fun? Because there are so many ways to have fun. I had fun this month celebrating the Fourth of July with family. For the last many years, I had not made plans for the Fourth, but felt lonely when I knew there was a village-size party going on just a few miles away. I must have said something to my daughter, because she included me this year, and I am forever grateful. Grandkids are great fun, and usually nonjudgemental. We went to the pool, ate a yummy meal and had a sleepover. Then they came to my house and we joined the village celebration; parade, pool, bandshell and barbecue. My oldest son joined us and he is always fun to have around. He takes great delight in people and outdoor activities. He brought his dog, so we had 3 dogs playing in the yard.

This week I am teaching at Summer Wonders, which is a wonderful program for gifted kids by the Center for Gifted in Northbrook, Illinois. I couldn't have imagined what fun it would be. I am teaching first through third graders how to make and fly kites, paper airplanes, and rockets. The kids are so enthusiastic to have these skills and actually have their object fly. I had to cram all last week to gather materials, learn what would be appropriate for their age (I taught 3-5 year-olds with disabilities most of my career), and develop a plan of action for the class. Worth every hour I put into it. 

Earth Day 2024

I just scanned all of my posts since 2008 and was appalled to see that this is my first Earth Day post, although I did a whole year on Climate Change.  

I used to do a lot of activities on Earth Day. As a preschool teacher, we collected recycling all month and I hauled away a car full with the kids cheering. With older kids, we discussed nature and what we could do to help our planet. Children always want to help improve our planet. They are by nature optimistic. 

The first Earth Day occurred in 1970. I had married my first “wasband” and he was anti-political, so we did nothing. The next few years I was scrambling to put my life back together, and I wasn’t doing a very good job. So didn’t really pay attention to it. Finally, in 1980, I joined a journalist in the area where I lived to create an Earth Day event. It was in a small town, and the national press was playing down Earth Day as if it were passé. I didn’t let it get to me, because I had children by then and it meant a lot to me to ensure that they had a better quality of life.

I returned to my home town in 1989 with the kids, and was very happy to see the coverage of Earth Day in1990. Each decade has become more important as our climate conditions deteriorate, and now I am fighting for my grandkids and my kids. I’m grateful it has become a worldwide movement.

When I worked in technology, I remember a theory about change. First are the pioneers, the people who are on the bleeding edge of change. They are often discredited. Then come the early users, then the masses, and occasionally even the Luddites that don’t want any change. We have made it to the third stage, hoorah! People all over the world are solving our problems, fighting the forces that would condemn our planet to death. We can solve our problems, we just have to get past denial and work together!

The Opposite of Fun

I recently had some surgery that left me with a surprisingly painful recovery. I had no energy to read and TV was more boring than usual. I basically rested for a week. It was definitely NOT fun. I should have called a friend or family member, but I felt I had nothing to say. When we are in pain, physical or mental, it is hard to reach out to others. It was hard to find joy in those circumstances. I didn’t even walk my dog, which made us both  miserable.

My mom was a nurse, who stayed home with me when I was sick. When I would get bored from laying around, she would say, “Just rest.” It was the opposite of fun. 

As a single parent, I had severe migraines. When I could rest, I was still miserable. (The worst was driving fifty minutes  to get home, but that’s another story.)
Curiously, I discovered something about this period in my life. Every time I was laid up, there followed a burst of creativity. I came to accept the NOT fun times and look forward to what followed. I never knew if it would be writing, sewing or new friends, but it was always more fun than resting.

Pre-fun

More fun is planned for the coming month. Concerts, travel, Zooms, and my usual fun with famiy, quilters, singers, poets, and friends. You'd think I'd be happy, and I am, but for me, there is always anxiety. I calm myself by cleaning (presently cleaning closets), playing video games on my phone, and generally making a mess, which will have to be spotless soon. I have perfectionistic tendencies, which makes me clean my house almost spotless before I have people over. I know, that's why I never have parties. I am grateful for a doggie that takes me for long walks. That always lessens my anxieties. How about you? Do you get nervous before an unusual event in your life, like travel or hosting?