Readers words build column

   My last three columns culled contributions and questions about my penchant for playing with words.

   Three weeks ago I asked readers to contribute encephalitic edibles (brain candy).

   Carol Daniel, who does gigs in Gwinnett with her Piccadilly Puppets noted beauty salons like Wave Length and Shear Looks in Lilburn and Hairitage and Mane Priority in Norcross.

   And some wordsmiths craft their own names into ear-catching sounds. Aviell Hairworks in Norcross is a downsized version of owner David Bell with the D’s and B edited out. Has a much better ring to it, don’t you think? Jatema, a coffee house in Lawrenceville I thought was a merging of java, tea and malt, maybe, turns out to be a special blend of the owners’ names: James and Ted Maciuszek, who offer many special blends from coffees and teas to local musicians to myriad meetings of church groups, scrapbookers and knitters. (Info: 770-638-9492)

   And speaking of special blends, if you’re ever driving behind me and wondering why I’m slowing down for no apparent reason, it’s because I’m savoring fanciful flavors like vanillamarettoccino on the QT billboards.

   My eyes recently converged on Focal Point Optical in Norcross and I met For Goodness cakes owner, Melonie Stanger, who is on staff at the Carl House, which Gwinnett Magazine named “Best of Gwinnett” for weddings, business meetings and retreats.

   Local musicians toot their horns in witty ways. My co-worker Denise Thomas, a guidance counselor, turned me on to Antonio Allen, a jazz saxophonist who performs selections from his CD “Lost without Hymn” every Tuesday night at Stonecrest Mall. Rachel (Isley) McDowell, a Brookwood graduate and her husband, Thomas do weddings and whatnot as A-Liszt entertainment.

   Regarding my Oct. 26 breath/spirit connection, Lawrenceville psychologist Joel Hitt commented: “In the Greek language the word for spirit is pneuma The word for breath also is pneuma (for instance, “pneumatic” tires in our language) I was hoping you would make the point that these concepts merge in other cultures more so than in ours.”

   Woody McKay of Stone Mountain wrote: “Added interest for me from your dolphin article: In Hebrew, the words for breath, wind and spirit have a common root. Follow this through the Scriptures and it gives a fascinating connected message.”

   McKay, who once wrote a column titled “McKay While the Sun Shines,” teaches courses on scripture for retired professionals at various colleges in the metro area.

   Last week’s column inspired several dads to share memories of reading with their children that were very touching. As for my final word last week, yes, I carefully chose that one. Buffett fans are not imitatorheads, emulatorheads or duplicatorheads. And so, I repeat: My final word is parrot

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