Our almost-spring has reverted to winteriness today, so it’s back to the old Africa album for Square 22 and a bit of midday heat. Am imagining too the smell of the bush – spicy sundried grasses and hot peppery earth – and in my head the seamless kroo-krooing of doves. And because it has amused me ever since I heard it from a tipsy guide in Zambia, I make no apologies for repeating it again here: when it comes to zebras’ butticles, he told us, each has its own unique set of stripes. He further suggested that this was how the offspring recognised their mothers. I have no idea if this is true, but am happy to go along with it if only for the butticles, since they sound more decorous than buttocks and so have remained discriptor of choice in the Farrell household when referring to that particular part of the anatomy. And anyway, zebras do sport such very handsome ones.
Tish Farrell 
Bee keepers often paint a different color on each hive so the bees know which is theirs. I saw the other day of a sea otter baby that got lost and the founders took her back out to the sea and she called and her mother swam to her. Nature is amazing.
I agree, nature is never to be underestimated for its intricacies.
Some things you don’t see until they’re pointed out, but now I don’t think I’ll see another zebra without admiring its buttocks.
🙂
“butticles” – oh,fabulous! And yes I have been told that story too. I guess the babies need to have some point of reference 😀
It makes sense doesn’t it.
Ha, ha, ha, butticles indeed!! I love it (or them, being in the aggregate here.) They have such pretty butticles, too. Thanks for brightening my day with this.
janet
So happy to brighten your day, Janet.
I think I will adopt that word…:-D
🙂
“Butticles” is brilliant. I love how chance discoveries of words or phrases lead to them becoming part of a family’s unique vocabulary. Kids are a great source of these, but tipsy guides are definitely to be commended too.
Hope Spring returns forthwith.
I love the way we can play with words. A good antidote to the predictive mindset speak that we often get mired in.
“Butticles” what a joyous word! So much better than any other word I’ve heard to describe that part of a body. 😁
Any word that makes one smile inside and out, has to be good doesn’t it 🙂
and so shiny too!
Well burnished butticles 🙂
lol!!!
Butticles needs to be the Word of the Year! 😀
It’s a good one, isn’t it!
Do you know that butticle is a combination of butt and barnacle meaning a really annoying person who just won’t go away? 🤣 Nevertheless, I like your use of it . Those zebra definitely qualify. Hope your weather soon dewintrifies.
Now that is an interesting version, Sylvia, I can surely make good use of it in the Brexit department! 🙂
🤣