September 29, 2022

2022.09.29
Random linguistic thing... over the past year or so I've noticed the phrase "I appreciate you!" - usually in contexts where I would have expected "Thanks, I appreciate it!"

To my ear, appreciation of, like, a whole person is... big, kind of representing long term behaviors. I mean maybe that's the point, to express a general sense of long term gratitude about the holistic person? (And yes, I might well be overanalyzing it.)

But I don't know if the "appreciate you" form is regional (I first noticed it on/from Ted Lasso, so I associate it with his midwest courtesy and kindness) or newly growing in popularity, or if I've just never noticed it before...
Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious, to believe that the world could still change for the better. And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly cold that one is tempted to say, 'What do I care if there is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.' Yes, evil often seems to surpass good. But then, in spite of us, and without our permission, there comes at last an end to the bitter frosts. One morning the wind turns, and there is a thaw. And so I must still have hope.
Vincent Van Gogh

Ran into this tumblr post after reading the book "Braiding Sweetgrass". The agricultural finesse displayed by first peoples is astounding.