. . . Tidings of
in wreaths for my Christmas tree.
Rick writes:
I love to explore the uses and origins of words – particularly common words that we never think about any more than a fish thinks about water. What is behind the spells they cast and the sentences they pronounce?
For instance, take "comfort."
COMFORT
This word is based on the Late Latin (3rd to 6th centuries AD) confortare "to strengthen greatly," from com- (expressing intensive force) plus Latin fortis "strong." Sounds a lot like how we use the word "empower" today. Later, in the mid 17th century, the meaning shifted toward describing something producing physical ease.
Then, we have . . .
ENJOY
One of the many definitions of "enjoy" is "to take pleasure in." This traces back to the Old French enjoir which in turn comprises en- "make" plus joir "enjoy," from the Latin gaudere, or "rejoice" – essentially "make-rejoice." (Which reminds me of the beautiful film about Tasha Tudor called "Take Joy.")
So, what's my take on all this? That over time "comfort" and "enjoy" shifted from actions one deliberately did, to experiences one passively received. I think that Bijou's choice of these two words is a suggestion to consider the original active, empowering meanings of these important words.
Creating Zentangle art is active. You choose and make each stroke. You discover an ability to create. You also can discover an ability to deliberately take comfort and enjoy.
O tidings of Comfort, Enjoy . . . Comfort, Enjoy . . . in-deed!
Maria writes:
This ornament was brought to you by Martha and Molly. Molly carefully cut (with a nice sharp) Exacto® knife around a few leaves of Martha's verdigogh and some of my munchin – just enough to slide the Bijouisms into the tiles. Then she attached the tiles back to back with the ribbon in between with double-sided tape.
The gold star was a piece of a wall-hanging the other half of which (a crescent moon) broke years ago. I really loved that thing, so the star stayed with us, wandering from place to place until it found its new home here. The bead is an African black bead with polka dots that I just love. I use them everywhere. I bought a few strings of them at an antique bazaar a few years back.
Winning commenters for the 6th Day of Bijou:
- Dana Jones
- Jennifer Postly
- Carol Graham
Congratulations and would you three please send your snail mail address to Zentangle (at) gmail (dot) com.
Once again, many thanks for all your wonderful comments!
Rick, Maria, Bijou, Molly, and Martha
Beautiful! I need to get a new blade for my Xacto knife to try this. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's also a whole new perspective on the word "comfort-zone". In this new meaning a comfort zone is more like "flow". Doing something which empowers you, which energizes, instead of being lazy and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteOh these are gorgeous! I love them both, so pretty and what a wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rick for the lovely language lesson...definitely food for thought in our busy lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I enjoy your posts, is truly amazing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ornaments!
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful ideas...oh where do I start! Thanks for another beautiful gift idea ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love etymology too, I find it interesting :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I am feeling greatly strengthened while rejoicing over seeing my name as one of the winning comments!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you thank you!
Congratulations, Carol!!
DeleteBeautiful idea.......again
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous and festive project to share with my family and friends.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see tomorrows!
For some time now, I 've been writing "in joy" rather than enjoy. It has changed my perspective on the word! Thank you for all the joy you bring to the world!
ReplyDeleteComfort, enjoy . . . indeed!
ReplyDeleteoo you've given me an idea....I going to try to cut my Bijou into a real leaf....wish me luck : )
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful ideas! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful idea for ornaments. And Rick, I LOVE the word origin information! Thank you! Bless you!
ReplyDeleteMany each of you find "comfort and enjoyment " thus holiday season.
ReplyDeleteHazel
It's always a joy to see and read your comforting delights!
ReplyDeleteReading this post started me humming the Christmas song God Rest aye Merry Gentlemen. "comfort and joy". Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteLove the ideas!
ReplyDeleteI certainly am enjoying these twelve days of Christmas. Very thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteAnother great ornament inspiration! Thanks for the "comfort" that I "enjoyed!"
ReplyDeleteAnother day... another brilliant idea! I think I'm going to need another tin of Bijou tiles!
ReplyDeleteMy studio is my comfort zone! Nothing can stress me when I'm there creating. It's so peaceful there and I enjoy the process of creating there even if it's not successful it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous as usual. I love seeing all the talent
ReplyDeleteMy art and my family are my comfort and joy.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying all of Bijou's words of wisdom, but really enjoyed your word origin explanations. Wow, lots to work on! Thanks for sharing. Brenda West
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhhhh ... comfort-enjoy ... comfort AND joy! I do love Bijouisms & combining them differently ... :)
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhhhhh ... comfort-enjoy ... comfort AND joy! I do love Bijouisms & combining them differently ... :)
ReplyDeleteWith comfort is the way Zentangle can be done..
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I love your play on the words comfort and enjoy! Just looking at your creations has gotten me inspired again to sit down, breathe and make some ornaments.
ReplyDeleteComfort and enjoy - great words to ponder on, especially while tangling!
ReplyDeleteAnother awesome ornament. Love the "comfort" and "joy" tie in to the holiday. Your blogs are the highlight of my day and they make me smile. :) :) :)
ReplyDeletenice idea
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful. Rick's words are thought provoking -- I think I need to start reading my dictionary. This is a lovely ornament or gift idea. So much inspiration comes from your hearts.
ReplyDeleteComfort and enjoy - both words to describe how I feel when tangling. Thank you for your daily inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI always love and enjoy the creative ways you share with us.
ReplyDeleteLovely sentiments, and nice use of the Bijouisms!
ReplyDeleteDebbie Butterfield
O, I LOVE that African bead!!!! Thanks for the explanations of those words, that will stay in my mind if I use one.
ReplyDeleteZentangle is definitely a joy to create and it is such a comfort to look at after the final line is drawn!! Thank you all for sharing this art form with the world.
ReplyDeleteI am so enjoying seeing all the different ways to incorporate my tangles into decor and gift items. Thanks for the wonderful ideas and the posts that go along with them that give me food for thought.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the WoRd History Lesson, a very interesting one of comfort being strong. Great words for this time of year, comfort and enJOY.
ReplyDeleteWishing you tidings of comfort and joy also. Hmmm, I wonder where the word "tidings" came from
ReplyDeleteSo simple and elegant! Love these❤️ I'm going to try to make one and I have the same beads. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love learning about words too. I like the sort of play on the Comfort and Joy phrase.... and I like the black/white playing off of each other in this ornament.
ReplyDeleteI love the ribbon sandwich with beads, and the origin of words! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI find myself looking forward to these posts of yours - thank you. Tidings of comfort enjoy is absolutely brilliant, I shall be singing that to myself all day; don't think I'd better frighten the other shoppers by singing it loud though.
ReplyDeletePaula (PEP)
I, too, love words and all the meanings beyond our current definitions. Finding strength in comfort is a powerful idea. There is so much comfort in creating with intentional, beautiful lines and time!
ReplyDeleteI am loving these 12 Days posts. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteO tidings of comfort and joy....thanks for sharing the many ways of a Zentangle Christmas!
ReplyDeleteRick, I love your take on comfort and enjoy. It really speaks to me this time of year. This has also really made me want to work more on my bijou tiles. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLaurie Patterson CTZ5
So creative & fun
ReplyDeleteComfort and Joy... Another beautiful and thoughtful post that brings me back to my centre and pushes away those stresses leading up to Christmas! I particularly love the detail created with the verdigough cut so finely to surround the Bijou tile - exquisite! I'm really enjoying these inspiring posts!
ReplyDeleteThank You Thank You Thank You, The gift of becoming a CZT this year was such a blessing in my life...and now the Bijou daily reminders just hit the spot.
ReplyDeleteThank you this post.
ReplyDeleteThe exact knife bit was splendid…just made the ornament sing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea.
My whole being is comforted when I tangle. Self care and self healing are my Zentangle words. I can never thank you enough for bringing Zentangle into my life. Becoming a CZT opened up my world to so many comforting and enjoyable endeavours. Merry Christmas from Canada.
ReplyDeleteLove the comfort. The combination of black, cream and white gives it a vintage look
ReplyDeleteI love the star! I have an old decorative box with moon and stars that's travel across country with me! Beautiful Bijou treatment
ReplyDeleteJust MAGICAL....12 days of inspiration, wonder & comfort...I surely do enjoy...Merci beaucoup, Bijou.
ReplyDeleteThese are all such great ideas!
ReplyDeleteMay we all find "comfort" and "enjoy" this holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI, too, love exploring word origins. Thanks, Rick. Molly makes me want to get out my exacto knives and try something like this. Of course, I don't have a beautiful gold star to go with mine, but I'm sure I could find something interesting among the jewelry charms I've been collecting. Glad to see that the star has a new home, even though the moon is long gone.
ReplyDeleteThese posts have inspired me to think how I could create a banner using Bijouisms and tangling as a decoration for our yearly February "sharing" at the West Hartford library's gallery where students and CZTs share some of their creations. So many great ideas!
ReplyDeleteA nice little play on words and a cute trinket/ornament.
ReplyDeleteWe need this marvelous respite right now, our outside world is somewhat unsettled which affects all of us. I appreciate the heartfelt expressions of comfort and joy. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnother lovely inspiration for holiday decor and gifts! Thank you, thank you, thank you! And I concur, I need a brand new Exacto blade!
ReplyDeleteReading your blog is always so inspiring. I want to make some zen ornaments with ribbon in between to hang in my kitchen window. :)
ReplyDeleteLove all the comments. Went to a Zentangle class last night and am fired up with inspiration again. Now I have some projects and things to work toward. Thanks for all the ideas. Jo D
ReplyDeleteComfort and joy are in short supply these days when we look at the news around us. We all have to strive to make our own worlds joyous, and provide comfort to those with whom we share the planet. Small, deliberate acts of creativity, such as those inherent to creating Zentangles, can do exactly that--make us stop, take a deep breath and proceed with the business of living a life inspired by joy, not despair.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is a joyful time for most, sad and lonely time for others. Your message came as great comfort to me. Thank you so much for sharing these precious ornaments and thoughts with all of us.
ReplyDeleteFrom Utah,
grbev
Love the sharing on the meaning of words. And they are beautiful when nestled within tangles.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing Bijou nestled in a tile! So cozy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the insight into the words comfort and joy, Rick. Very lovely ornaments. It's a treat to open your emails every day.
ReplyDeleteI love Bijou's take on origins of "enjoy", especially with this Christmas season. "Let us be glad and rejoice..." The ornament idea is nice. I'm thinking it would be nice to make a mobile of Bijou's take on tangling, or an arrangement that they are on ends of wire spring out at different angles for my "enjoyment" and "inspiration" when tangling. Thank you Maria and Rick for sharing and growing this wonderful community. Someday I hope I find a means to join you and become a CTZ.
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