Am scoring double points for this ABC Wednesday as it will be the last ’Q’ post I can claim to be a Quinquagenarian. Ascribed to any person from fifty to fifty-nine years old but the quicksands of time are down to a few weeks quota of grains before the next decade.
quinquagenarian
I’d assumed the word derived from Quin=5 only to find it literally is Latin for 50 - quinquaginta – which makes me wonder why numerically this is represented by an L and not a Q. Since quinquagintagenarian is a bit of a mouthful, even for those with all their own teeth, it is presumably foreshortened to roll off the tongue.
antiques
In terms of time immemorial, a quinquagenarian is half an antique, quivering between a collectible and a cast off. It conjures mixed images of seedy decay…
quintet
the quiet acquisition of decrepitude…
quaint
…to Agasse’s quixotism in his quakerish quintet of ‘The Chalon Family in their London Town garden’
quirky
As both gardener and quinquagenarian, I’m on a quest for the quirky, quaint and oddly picturesque which is often to be found in life’s last quarter.
Am making this a quick getaway post as I leave to reacquaint myself with family for a few days but before departing, I invite you to participate in my Quizaway:-
Quizaway
- click image above to enlarge and guess the ID species, family or name
- giveaway of (50) seeds of Knautia macedonica ‘Watercolour Mix’
- winner is the nearest correct answer out of the bag
- answer below or use the contact form
- UK only entrants alas as postage is prohibitive
Pre, post or plain quinquagenearians are welcome to add their thoughts….and join the queue of posts at ABC Wednesday
WOW! Again I say Wow!!!!! My humble contribution is a mere drop in the ocean compared to your fantastic contribution! I loved it all.
Denise ABC Team xx
Denise read my post..Quiet?
I can’t guess the quiz – doesn’t look like animal, mineral or vegetable.
b-a-g read my post..Foxgloves (30 APR 2012)
nevertheless you shall be the recipient of the seed giveaway b-a-g
I’m guessing at a macro detail of a purple leaf.
your’re the nearest guess and the furthest away!
This was quite a postI hope you have some quality time with your family! Is the mystery plant a coleus?
This is a lovely fun post, and my first time to read that word. Now i learned a bit difficult word. I am discriminated to participate (haha), good because i don’t know it. One thing sure, it is beautiful.
well I hit the middle of my 50s in 2 weeks and will be slowing to 60….I plan to stroll into older age…too much life to live yet…and with retirement 1 yr away it will be a new phase…what a quaint, quirky quiz and quest!
Donna@Gardens Eye View read my post..Gardens Eye Journal-May 2012
I so enjoyed your repeated use of words with Q. What a wonderful exercise!
The Sage Butterfly read my post..All the Books from The Earth Day Reading Project 2012
I got all tongue tied reading this post Laura. Will have to practice saying “quinquaginarian” in readiness.fortunately i have a few years to practice.
What a very inventive post!
Phew, Welcome to my world you will be a sixinquagenarian just like me. Never mind it isnt painful, in my case I just avoid mirrors.
Hang on, what do you mean ‘last quarter’? Third quarter, surely? (Or did I misunderstand?) Wonderful word. Used to like saying ‘Quinquagesima’(seventh Sunday in Lent)(Sunday or week?) as a child.
You make the ‘quiet acquisition of decrepitude’ sound desirable – definitely aspirational.
Great post. Probably enjoyed it best of all I’ve read here.
Lucy Corrander read my post..SHEER INDULGENCE – A PLANT I CAN’T RESIST MAKING MUCH OF
think its the start of the last quarter! Thanks for the re-tweet Lucy and the kind words
great to come back to all your comments though no correct guesses:-
- used up my quota of Qs here, Denise
- not a coleus Deb but quite variegated still
- love learning new words too Andrea
- it will come around quite quickly Donna so keep the pace slow and easy
- quaintly alliterative PP
- lucky to have the time to practice Janet
- think its a case of ‘the mirror cracked from side to side’ Alistair
I’ll reach the last year of my forties in coming months. I am very impressed that you were able to include so many words starting with the letter ‘Q’. Enjoy your time with family and Happy Birthday.
Mary@Going Native read my post..In The Vegetable Garden