Choosing an ancient Latin idiom with which to dub my humble abode on the worldwide web was no matter of happenstance. As I sincerely desire my tiny star here in the vastness of cyberspace to be both worthwhile and of some significance to some being other than myself, I thought it necessary to select a domain name which reflects both its raison d’etre and my point of view. I could find no better term with which to begin than “cum grano salis” that is, “with a grain of salt”.
Upon studying the roots of the term, its history and the myriad of manners in which it is commonly interpreted, I knew immediately that there simply wasn’t another name for me. In it, I discovered the framework around which to build what I hope will be a comfortable and welcoming dwelling where others may find respite, enjoyment and repose. (Excuse here my references – my husband is a builder and I am a homemaker and a hostess – ah, what a combination!) With this term, not only did I have the opportunity to adopt one meaning, but I was able to embrace several, and to further unravel the tightly woven fabric of my take on life.
At best, my thoughts are but a drop in a bucket (my first choice for a domain name – already taken, of course), yet they seamlessly coincide with all that “cum grano salis” has to offer. How encouraging to know that the trifling nature of my own approach could be somehow connected to such a grand term, and a Latin one at that. Let me explain…
The gist of the term is that some things simply should not be accepted blindly and that when evaluating other things – a statement, a thought, a word – one should do so somewhat skeptically, with caution and reserve. Things are not always as they seem, all sources are not as reliable as they claim to be, and all people do not value honesty as they should. So, nowadays, assuming the role of a quasi-skeptic (look out for that Latin) and taking life, along with the persons who populate it, with a grain of salt makes complete sense if not common sense as far as I’m concerned.
The expression I have chosen to espouse as my own also alludes to the fact that some things should not be taken seriously. That in mind, taking LIFE with a grain of salt isn’t such a bad idea either. I have found that being way too serious is a prominent foible of my own (one of those “marriage mirror” discoveries, so to speak (more on these later)), so I wouldn’t mind entering the realm of this weblog with a slightly more lighthearted and less anal attitude.
As if all this were not enough to choose the name, the very first written reference to the idea of taking with a grain of salt may actually date back to the ancient description of a Pompeian antidote for poison. Wow! Leave it to us Italians! Many people also take the expression with a grain of salt literally and gastronomically, interpreting it to mean that everything tastes better with a little seasoning, making food more palatable. I wish it worked the same way with life! I don’t know about my readers, but in addition to some tasteless dishes now and then, I find myself encountering quite a bit of venom in the vortex we call everyday life. I don’t care how much salt one dumps on it, there’s no disguising bad food or bad attitudes. Bad is bad and distasteful, distasteful, period! I’d like my weblog to be something of a forum denouncing and counteracting the toxic mindset with which people find themselves challenged on a daily basis, especially mommies and stay-at-home mommies to be more specific. Hey, like they always say write what you know!
