Dictionary.com is one of my most used sites (yes I'm a language nerd). Every day there is a new word posted as their "Word of the Day". I thought today's word Alembic was very fitting to incorporate into my brand new blog Turning My Thoughts Inward.
Alembic: 1. Anything that transforms, purifies, or refines.
2. A vessel with a beaked cap or head, formerly used in distilling.
Quotes:
The dream-world of their experiences in the wood near Athens becomes a kind of ' alembic ' which they pass through to a truer perception of reality.
-- Ronald P. Draper, Shakespeare, The Comedies
But the more he read the more he was astonished to find how the facts had passed through the alembic of Carlyle's brain and had come out and fitted themselves, each as a part of one great whole, making a compact result, indestructible and unrivaled...
-- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Origin:
Alembic is derived from the Arabic word al-anbiq , which means "a distilling cup." It developed its broader meaning in the 1300s.
The dream-world of their experiences in the wood near Athens becomes a kind of ' alembic ' which they pass through to a truer perception of reality.
-- Ronald P. Draper, Shakespeare, The Comedies
But the more he read the more he was astonished to find how the facts had passed through the alembic of Carlyle's brain and had come out and fitted themselves, each as a part of one great whole, making a compact result, indestructible and unrivaled...
-- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Origin:
Alembic is derived from the Arabic word al-anbiq , which means "a distilling cup." It developed its broader meaning in the 1300s.
If I took all the fancy words out, and broke it down into the technical, I'd be talking about making Moonshine. However, I will beg to differ that alembic vessels were "formerly" used. Nothing "form
erly" about people making a little bit (or a lot) of White Lightning. Actually, Moonshine is making quite a tasty comeback in the hills of North Carolina. If you happen to peek in a friend's freezer, and notice that the jug full of "water" isn't freezing, it's probably not water.
erly" about people making a little bit (or a lot) of White Lightning. Actually, Moonshine is making quite a tasty comeback in the hills of North Carolina. If you happen to peek in a friend's freezer, and notice that the jug full of "water" isn't freezing, it's probably not water. So, that's the technical meaning. What got my attention was the 1st meaning - "anything that transforms, purifies or refines". I like the idea that we can all improve ourselves, transform and become better. Obviously there are quite a few people in the US who feel the same, or else Julia Roberts' Eat Pray Love wouldn't have been such a hit.
Being that I am a first-timer with the blogging world (besides the random comments I make on MyFavoritePalendrome's blog) I'm sure this will be awkward, silly and not much fun...but let's face it, all first times are that way. This will be a work in progress, and that is the whole point of my title, Turning My Thoughts Inward. Anyone reading this will be lucky (or not-so-lucky) enough to have a peak into my undertaking of self-evalution, discovery, health maintenance and, even possibly the hopeful attempt at "a truer perception of reality". The goal is not for purification - no reason to shoot myself in the foot- but we'll go with transformation. Change is always good.
I may decide after writing this post that this is not for me. But I've always been a joiner, so I might as well jump on the bandwagon and become a blogger:)
