Thanks, Platyhiker. I agree and I will go with your suggestion for a word and save me some time! Thanks!

scathingly ----- yatchings

yatchings ... hesitancy

(Hurrah! An "e"! Things are so much easier with an "e" in play!)

hesitancy ----- asthenic

asthenic ... thespian

thespian ----- hatpins

Hatpins — shanti

shanti -- absinth

absinth ----- obtains

obtains ... rations

rations ----- nations