‘Flowerpot traumas’ to ‘Aria listening?’

Flowerpot Traumas.

An interesting juxtaposition, don’t you think?

It’s a word combination that’s been stuck in my head since Oct. 27, 2022. That’s the day those were the words I used to solve The New York Times’ Letter Boxed game.

I’ve remembered them for multiple reasons. First, I rarely solve my daily Letter Boxed addiction with just two words. It usually takes me at least three – and sometimes five – words to complete the puzzle.

Also, just listen to that pairing: Flowerpot Traumas. What could that possibly mean?

Perhaps it’s the title of a murder mystery. Consider these possible plots.

• After inheriting her grandmother’s beloved garden shop, Emily unearths a series of cryptic notes hidden in the flowerpots. As she unravels the mystery, she uncovers long-buried family secrets that could change her life forever.
• A renowned artist, Max, experiences a creative block and retreats to a country cottage. There, he discovers that the flowerpots in the garden have a magical ability to reveal past traumas of those who touch them, leading him on a journey of self-awareness and healing.
• During a summer internship at a historical estate, college student Sarah uncovers a hidden journal detailing the tragic love story of the original owners, marked by a shattered flowerpot. As Sarah delves deeper, she realizes that this past misfortune mirrors her own tumultuous relationship, guiding her toward a path of reconciliation.

Hey, Dianne Hollis Lundy – “Sister” to me and my friends – are you listening? Maybe one of these scenarios could be the basis of the next novel in your Summerfield series. And, readers, please remember that particular word combo: “Are you listening.”

Brief family promotion: My sister, Dianne H. Lundy, has written a series of books set in the small town of Summerfield, and they’re available online at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble. The storyline of the latest one, “Summertime in Springfield,” sounds similar to the fictitious plots revealed above. It’s a blending of mystery, action and romance described like this:

“Miss Betty Applewhite, Summerfield’s unofficial matchmaker, is determined to get another young couple together. She uses the ploy of having one of her cats stuck in a tree to summon both the fire department and police department, hoping to unite a female firefighter and a young police officer. Realizing that this can’t go on forever, she devises a plan to have them assist her in the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program for feral cats.

“They reluctantly agree, but a mystery soon develops as cats begin disappearing around the town. The mystery deepens as two young boys disappear while fishing. Will the cats be found? Will the missing boys be rescued? Will Miss Betty’s plan come to fruition? The answers are revealed as the plot develops in ‘Springtime in Summerfield.’”

All this to say what you probably already know if you’re a regular “Journey” reader – I’m fascinated by words. It doesn’t take much to propel me a down a path of pondering and pontification about language.

Consider this word combo I’ve been contemplating for years: Aria Listening. (See, I told you to remember that word grouping.)

It sprang from the catchphrase that the late minister V.E. Howard used in his long-running gospel radio program. A pioneer in religious broadcasting and a native of my home community of Rocky Branch, V.E. became known for the question he used to emphasize a scripture or an important point – “Are you listening?”

I’ve been waiting for years to use my takeoff from that – Aria Listening? – as the name of a comedy quartet.

So now I have just one question. Can I find three other singers out there who want to join me?