Art for Heart's Sake

jerkwater

small, unimportant, and often poorly run (used about towns or businesses)

disastrous

causing great damage or harm

liquidated

sold off assets to turn them into cash, often at a loss

proposition

a suggestion or offer, especially a business-like one

abruptness

suddenness; the quality of being unexpected and quick

averted

prevented something bad from happening

bosh, poppycock

nonsense; foolish talk

appraisingly

in a way that judges someone’s value or ability

scrawl

careless, messy handwriting or drawing

crude

rough, simple, and not skillfully done

squinted

partly closed one’s eyes to see better

lopsided

uneven, with one side lower or smaller

elfishly

in a mischievous, playful way

palsied

shaking or trembling, especially because of illness or age

variegated

having marks or patches of different colours

smears

messy, rubbed marks of paint or colour

valet

a man’s personal servant who takes care of his clothes and appearance

insolvency

the state of being unable to pay debts

insatiable

impossible to satisfy; always wanting more

godawful

extremely bad or terrible

smudge

a blurred or dirty mark, often from paint or dirt

foist

to force someone to accept something unwanted

raucous

loud, harsh, and unpleasant sounding

anomaly

something that is unusual, unexpected, or different from normal

inarticulate

unable to express thoughts clearly, especially from strong emotion

gurgles

bubbling sounds made in the throat, often showing surprise

admonished

warned or scolded someone gently but firmly

inconspicuous

not easily noticed; not attracting attention

can’t do a thing with him

be completely unable to manage or control someone