bling-bling

Recently on another blog, I commented that I have an odd repulsion to the word "bling-bling." I wondered where the word came from, and why everyone seems to be using it. Today the answer found its way to my email inbox:


bling-bling (bling-bling) noun

Expensive, flashy jewelry or other items.

[From hip-hop slang, apparently imitative of the sounds of
the clanging jewelry, or of the light reflecting from them.]


I am not much of a hip-hop fan. I like the idea that the word is imitative of the sound of the jewelry it describes, or the light reflecting. But there are other, better words. Clinquant, for one:

clinquant (KLING-kuhnt) adjective

Glittering, especially with gold or tinsel.

noun

Tinsel; glitter.

[From French, present participle of obsolete clinquer (to clink),
from Dutch klinken (to clink).]



The main place I come face-to-face with "bling-bling" is in the tack shop, where it has latched itself on to halters, bridles, stirrups, stock ties, riding crops and whips, even spurs.

I love sparkly things. I love the way the sun sparkles on still water. The sun glittering through newly green leaves. A horse's coat that shimmers in the sun.

I do NOT, however, want fake jewels on my riding attire, or my tack. Give me good well-oiled leather, plain, and nice fabrics without piping or insignia.

There was a beloved vintage dress once, discovered in the bottom drawer of a dresser in a junk shop, that came from Paris and had tiny mirrors and sequins sewn into the bodice. The skirt was voluminous and made of a rich merlot fabric that was iridescent. The entire dress shimmered. I loved that dress, and wore it for signature occasions through a number of years.

It is gone now, and thank goodness, because if I wore it and anyone said the word "bling-bling" something, although I'm not exactly sure what, would be ruined.

Thought for the day: words have great power.

gifts from above

Yesterday a squirrel fell from the sky and landed quite literally at my feet. (no harm was done, as he took off when Keats the cat came running to check him out)

Then the great runic X appeared.

This morning a mysterious seed fell from nowhere onto the dining room floor. I saw it land and heard the tiny click as it hit the hardwoods. I have soaked and planted it to see what grows.

intention

Today I am sending something out - one of my strange and lovely birds is ready to fly.

If you will, send some energy to help it find its new home.

Quickly, before the cold sets in again.

finger on the pulse of the universe

everything is illuminated

Yesterday's focus was illumination... and I was pleased and surprised when I looked up from my chair to see that the object of the sun's focus through my window was the desk and the work in progress.