Curmudgeon has always been one of my favorite words. I remember the first time I heard it. I can’t recall how old I was… but I can remember hearing the word.

Now… I thought it was some sort of being like a Troll. Or a Leprechaun. But they had smudgy soot on their face. And a big nose. A Curmudgeon.

I know now that it is a person of ill temper… or a surly person. But I like the thought of a crumply old character sitting under a bridge somewhere… snarling at people.

Chortle. Now there is a good word. When I first heard this one I thought the person dancing or jumping or something. But the true definition is so much better… a snorting, joyful laugh or chuckle. You know someone is having a really profound and truthful laugh… when they chortle.

Front Loader. This word makes my list tonight because of a guy name Neeles. His occupation is construction. I love that guy. I used to like the way he said “Front Loader.” It always made me want to learn how to drive one. Tell your friends and neighbors about this guy. That’s how much I think of him.

Guardian is another favorite word. Now this spun off from the whole Angel concept. I am sure that is the context in which I heard the word in its entirety…. for the first time. You know. A Guardian Angel. But prior to that I knew Guard Dog. So there it was. My first impression of that angel was some kind of big bullying strong armed type. Thug Angel. Rough Winged.

I mean…. shoot. I thought the Archangel was the only angel who was on Noah’s Boat. Ark Angel.

But back to Guardian. I still really like that word.

I think there are guardians all around us. Some of which we are aware… and others that we have no conscious understanding of.

Yep.

And some of us ARE guardians. Or can BE guardians… if we so choose.
I think it might be a good job to take on.

Watching out for others. Caring for one another. And I bet the pay is great.

It might even cause you to chortle.

“If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.” – Joseph Addison