epidoomiology

The projection of worst-case scenarios in the face of an epidemic.

The government pressed him for an estimate of how many could die. He didn't want to indulge in epidoomiology, even knowing that the numbers were staggering

by Monkey's Dad March 13, 2020

ether/ore

A choice between earth and sky, light and heavy, the option to float or to sink.

One of the women was laughing, smiling, so enjoying the moment that her feet barely touched the ground, while the other had a negative word for everything, her brows clenched, seeming cemented in place. It was clearly an ether/ore choice and he went toward the light.

by Monkey's Dad October 27, 2021

being very careful

The delusion many experience while taking enormous risks with their health and their lives, during the Covid pandemic.

"You're going where??"

"Out to dinner. With friends. We're so done with being locked up."

"Don't you realize it's not safe to do that?"

"Oh, I'm being very careful."

by Monkey's Dad July 21, 2020

daze of the week

Trying to remember what day this is, in the locked-down, shut-in, stay-at-home world.

Was it Wednesday, Monday, Thursday? With nowhere to go, no one to see, they all became daze of the week.

by Monkey's Dad April 21, 2020

ironyclad

Protected from sincerity or deeply-felt emotion by an ironic attitude.

Ironyclad as always, her eulogy for her mother began, "You all know mom? She sends her regrets at being unable to attend today's festivities", but the mourners all understood it was her defense against grief.

by Monkey's Dad March 12, 2020

mlpitb

"My Little Puddle in the Bed": When texted, an intimate erotic endearment, eclipsing the historic 'Ma Petite Chou-Fleur", (my little cauliflower,) and leaving the fabled Frenchman distinctly in second place

"Who's mlpitb?" he asked.
With trembling fingers, she barely replied "I'm ylpitb"

by Monkey's Dad November 21, 2022

Japonica

Accoutrements placed in the service of pampering a woman who protests IANAJ, while being pampered as if she were in the Tokyo Hilton.

Her dedicated copper coffee pot from the Tokyo Hilton, her velvet baby blanket, her monogrammed sterling spoon, breakfast brought to her bedside, at the precise hour requested, pillows fluffed, lap dog placed in her lap, temperature adjusted just so, the blinds opened to the precise degree, her phone charged, as she requests with a simple hand gesture, a personally-selected condensation of the morning's news delivered softly, these and more were her personal Japonica.

by Monkey's Dad May 18, 2020