Today's word

anodyne \AN-uh-dyne\ - 1. serving to alleviate pain  2. not likely to offend or arouse tensions : innocuous

I'm sure I have understood this word in context before, but I sure didn't recognize it by itself.

Today's words

regnant \REG-nunt\ - 1. exercising rule : reigning  2a. having the chief power : dominant  b. of common or widespread occurrence

As soon as I saw this word I was pretty sure I knew what it meant, figuring something along the lines of its first definition. The 2b definition even make sense in the context of the first two. I'd have never gotten the pronunciation right, though; the Latin "regnat" would have crossed me up, and probably will if I ever encounter this word again. 

parvenu \PAHR-vuh-noo\ - one who has recently or suddenly risen to an unaccustomed position of wealth or power and has not yet gained the prestige, dignity, or manner associated with it

Maybe I've seen this one before, but it seems new. I'd have mispronounced it, too.

Today's word

chowderhead \CHOW-der-hed\ - dolt, blockhead

Hmm. Not even remotely related to soup. And I doubt I'll ever use this one.

Today's word

meed \MEED\ - a fitting return or recompense

At first I thought I'd never seen this word, but it seemed more familiar when I read the examples.

Sibs

Twice this week - once online and once in person - I have been witness to an older sibling teasing a younger brother. Both times it has brought tears to my eyes.

The fact that I am not alone doesn't keep me from feeling so lonely sometimes.

Today's word

soigné \swahn-YAY\ - 1. dressed with great care and elegance : well-groomed, sleek  2. elegantly maintained or designed

An adjective which rarely applies to me.

SB

I have been feeling really unenthusiastic about having a "Super Bowl party" this year, complete with dishes representing each of the teams. So I thought I had escaped when we decided we'd just smoke a little salmon to have as an appetizer and maybe have a Denver omelette for brunch.

Then I casually mentioned last night that I should have thought to do up a tri-tip for tomorrow. So now I am, and now people are coming over, and our house is a wreck, and I have too much to do, and I'm concerned we don't have enough food for a change, and my mood is as gray as the day has been, and I'm tired already.

Thank you, God, for friends, and food, and cooking skill, and a house to clean. And thank you for my new tri-tip hook that I get to break out tomorrow.