Mastering Maundering

 

maunder - verb - to talk in a rambling manner; to move or act in a dreamy or idle manner (Google)

The English language tends to be on the surprising side. Perhaps some would postulate that "surprising" is euphemistic and that what it really is, is confounding. Take the verb maunder for instance. I found it while reading Lois Banner's authentic 2012 biography of Marilyn Monroe, The Passion and the Paradox. Just in case you didn't notice, the word has two unrelated definitions so that context clues located within the same sentence would be totally necessary to determine the writer's intended meaning. Apparently, Marilyn was often guilty of both: chatting away incessantly or ambling about as if sleepwalking. I am guessing that if you really tried, you could very well do both simultaneously albeit it would take cognizant effort, and everyone would question your sanity. 

This past Friday, I did a bit of essential maundering (definition 1 and 2) separately at a very upscale wedding on Long Beach Island in New Jersey. The set-up would have pleased any suburban sybarite within a radius of at least 200 miles. The reception was held at an elegant yacht club on the bay side of the island. Facing west, guests on the back deck had the opportunity to view a picture-perfect sunset while imbibing top-shelf booze and indulging in sundry selections at a raw bar during the cocktail hour. It was at this time that the maundering (definition 1) was at its best. There was even a soundtrack provided by two-tenths of the Earth-Wind-and-Fire-esque band (a pianist and saxophone player), imported from Philly; however, those engaged in conversation had to up the ante in terms of volume just to be heard. And before I knew it, there was cacophony, which caused me to want to relocate anywhere peaceful enough to maunder (definition 2) on my own. So I drifted inside only to find myself maundering (definition 1) with the grandmother of the bride, banter which continued until everyone from the exterior migrated into the interior, and the band began to play with such vehemence that any and all maundering (definition 1 and 2) ceased to exist, and guests either tried to shout above the music or gave in and danced to it. All in all, though, I would have to conclude that the party was exceptional, with or without any opportunity to maunder in either sense of the word although ultimately, I found that maundering (1 & 2) was practically effortless.

And now I find myself alone on Monday with only the second definition of maunder to contemplate. On the other hand, neither you nor I have the time to go through the day in a dream-like or idle state. Maundering may have to wait until the weekend unless I can get back to reading about maundering Marilyn today :).  

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