Bound to be Bound

Bound is an unbelievably strange and contradictory word, if you ask me. You probably didn't ask, but since I brought it up and you're here anyway you might as well read about it.

I came across the word bound as I was looking for synonyms for "Spring" so that I could post about how happy I was that Spring was almost here without having to title the post something as silly as "Spring is Coming!"

So before I get to my boring "Spring is Coming" post, you're stuck reading about my thoughts on the word "bound".

It's odd, I tell you. Really odd. And did I mention contradictory? You can be bound, as with bonds. But, once you break those bonds you can bound away, free as a bird (except a jailbird, which is still bound). Maybe this isn't all that great a contradiction, but in my mind it sort of is. If I'm bound with ropes, there's not much I can do. I can barely move, so how can I bound (verb)?

The real contradiction, the one that has confused me for a long time, comes with the word "-bound" (notice the '-'). When you add the word "bound" to other words it has one of two meanings: either you're stuck somewhere (snowbound) or you're heading somewhere (northbound).

My question is: If you're "Homebound" are you stuck at home, or are you going home?

If you're "Snowbound" are you stuck somewhere due to snow, or are you heading into the snow in the mountains to ski or something?

If you're "Troublebound" are you heading for trouble, or stuck somewhere because of it?

Hopefully you can see my confusion. Maybe it's just context that makes the difference. Nobody would think that a "homebound" widow was on her way home. But she still could be...

In other news, I'm glad that Spring's on its way!

It's nice to not have to wear a jacket everywhere I go. It's nice to be able to spend time outside enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. I've repeatedly warned Annie that we're going to do a lot more hiking this year. There are lots of places we've never been and I'm excited to get out and see them. Plus, I'm finally in good enough shape to take on any hike out there.

We probably won't do much camping, but that's just because we both prefer sleeping in a regular bed and showering every day. Maybe one day we'll be more outdoorsy, but for now we'll be daytrippin' it.

Hopefully when you hear from us over the next 6 months and we say we're "naturebound" you'll know that we're heading out into nature, not trapped in it.