dragoon /vt./ to force someone to do something. coerce.
dragoon /vt./ 1. Mostly by guilt and even a few tears, my children finally dragooned me into putting up the Christmas decorations. I don't know why I detest this job so much, but the deed is done. My real problem is that I think Christmas decorations look absolutely garish in the light of day, and only really like them twinkling away at me at night. Also, it really has been too hot to even think about Christmas. Then Friday, it clouded up and rained (real winter weather for sure) and so I pulled out the boxes. Honestly, I am a big fan of the old-fashioned English Christmases...where you go gather holly and pine boughs on Christmas eve, light some candles and (voila!)...one magical night to celebrate the birth of the King of Kings.
(my new wool wall...it's supposed to be snowman supplies...minus the snow.)
dragoon /vt./ 2. Our bishop asked the young women to clean the church every Saturday until the end of the year. I felt put-out, over-worked, and a bit fed-up. All week, I fussed inside between acknowleding that I was lucky to have a building to clean and worship in, and feeling dragooned into giving up my precious Saturday morning for "more church service." (Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Oh, yes.) I had a wonderful experience, though, cleaning and scrubbing with "my girls" (who only needed gentle persuasion to show up and help...they are so good.) I felt lighter and happier as I left that building than I have this whole holiday season. And wondered, again, why I have to be dragooned into doing anything for the Lord...because, as usual, any bread I cast upon the water, comes back toasted and buttered.
dragoon /vt./ 3. We went to Amy and Jim's house last night for dinner. (I know, I know...lucky me.) This was the first time we've ever really met Jim (he doesn't remember us from the wedding reception...other things on his mind apparently). He said he was being dragooned into being "demure" for our benefit...but I believe he really is that charming and gracious. The food was incredible...even cake for dessert. (I never get to the cake part of hosting...just getting the meal on is a job.) The conversation and the company were even better than the food (and that is saying something!) and I was again so grateful for the forces that have been at work to bring us back together. And even better than just back together...together with "our one-and-only's" which somehow made us more complete and whole than I remember. We had to dragoon the kids into the car when it was time to leave...they begged and begged to stay...and Jim offered the spare room. I can't wait to have them over this way...we don't have a spare room though, so they'll have to bring sleeping bags.