Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with leading you on a meandering tour of the virtual garden of delights and curiosities and thoughts that make up my world – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words.
D is for..
daffing: (noun) A Scottish word meaning fun, merriment.
Anne Lamott has said: “Laughter is carbonated holiness.”
I love that sentiment. I admit I find a great many things amusing and delightful; and in truth, it especially pleases me that I can hold this perspective, as I was once a very solemn and fearful child. Now laughter is second nature, and you’ll often find me saying I’m committed to keeping my feet on the joy trail.
Humor is such a personal thing though isn’t it? I find it fascinating how different we all, and what our individual inclinations are. For instance, I don’t much like physical comedy, but wordplay makes my heart happy. My brother can invariably elicit laughter in me so extreme I’m often gasping and crying, and we have to resort to not looking at each other so we don’t set one another off again, all the while our respective partners roll their eyes indulgently.
But fun and merriment isn’t entirely tethered to laughter. One of the things I’m really appreciating is how collectively in this time of global isolation and shelter-in-place orders, how we’re all navigating and evolving the ways we manage to have fun. For families with kids, this can be particularly challenging, but it genuinely fills my heart to see how people are stepping forward, offering help, generating ideas, reading stories to one another, facilitating art lessons, There is no doubt these are difficult times, on so many levels, for so many people, and yet I can’t help but celebrate how much kindness is circulating.
I confess I particularly like this admonishment from the late poet Jack Gilbert. It seems especially apt for these times.
“We must risk delight . . . We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world. To make injustice the only measure of our attention is to praise the Devil. We must admit there will be music despite everything.”
So I offer kudos to those who can hold merriment, who can hold space for fun, who can find things to laugh about, and who can generate smiles. No one has to do it full time – we only need remember we’re living in the beautiful possibility of reciprocity – a cycle of giving and receiving. We need each other, and we need laughter as much as we need tears. We need strength and comfort at times, just as we can be the ones offering that at other times.
So what about you? Are you finding your way to fun and merriment? Have something amusing to share? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Hari OM
…I know I am need of some… referring yesterday’s word, the battery is low and production of my own humour is rather less than usual. Having to do it for an ailing father as well – that’s stretching things! I shall mention this word to him and see if he relates to it! YAM xx
Stretching things indeed. I hope you find many amusing things to refresh you, and many nurturing things to replenish you.
I like that Jack Gilbert quote. I agree with his point of view. As for making our own fun, we’re doing that but we also have the advantage of needing to tend to the yard and getting the outdoor furniture out of basement storage so in some ways life seems quite normal. And that’s fun.
Excellent! We’re still a little chilly here, but I saw the first leaf of a tulip poking through the dirt, so Spring will be coming on full blast soon I think. I think a lot of folks are going to find outdoor chores around the house more fun than they’ve been in the past.
Dear Deborah – I am wanting to do a roundup of various A to Z blogs and would like to quote the following text over on my blog https://how-would-you-know.blogspot.com/
Over at the Garden of Delights – Deborah Weber is spreading positivity and has a lovely quote “from the late poet Jack Gilbert. It seems especially apt for these times.
“We must risk delight . . . We must have
the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless
furnace of this world. To make injustice the only
measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.
We must admit there will be music despite everything.” ”
Is that ok with you?
Andrew
Sure Andrew, I’m fine with that. And I’ll look forward to seeing your roundup. I’ve been by your blog, and just can’t figure out how to leave a comment. I see the email message link, but I’ve never seen that before as a method of commenting.
I’m trying to keep my sense of humor and the cat’s antics help with that. Pure physical humor! Everyone laughs at different things. I am a fan of subtle, sarcastic, dry humor which most shows and movies don’t do these days.
Cats can be hilarious, although they never seem to like it when you respond with laughter. 🙂 This time of seclusion might be perfect to screen some old films with the kind of humor you love.
Dear Deborah.
Delighted with Anne Lamott’s quote, holy bubbles of happiness are bursting out and making me smile a mile long smile.
And I continue to grin as I read about you and your brother.
Indeed. “Kindness is circulating.”
Earlier today, in my badaud avatar, I watched a pair of bulbuls prancing on branches of mulberry, feasting on its fruit and painting our yard purple with their droppings. It amused me no end.
Thank you for a daffing post today.
Making me smile Arti with your use of two of my abecedarium words in your comment – nice going! I had to look up bulbuls – and I grinned at some of the photos showing them with little pointy feather caps. Made me want to style my hair that way.
Daffing is a fun word to say. Our dog is bringing us the most fun and enjoyment lately.
It IS fun to say! I love words that make me smile as I roll them around. And yay for doggie antics that keep you smiling.
I am constantly struck at all the cleverness that people are finding in all of this. Some of it is certainly dark humor but that appeals to me. I’m just continually amazed at the creativity (and also kindness) of humans in hard times…I guess we are pretty resilient, after all.
It’s so true Candace – these times are showcasing our cleverness and resiliency. It certainly makes my heart happy to see so many demonstrations of that every day.
Oh yes, laughter is important, especially now. My boyfriend is funny and makes me laugh. It’s actually not easy to make me laugh. I like smart humor!
Perfect!
I like to watch funny movies, stand-up comedy, and reading funny cartoons and stories. I’ve got a subscription to Funny Times newspaper that I’ve had for years and there is always a lot to smile about in it.
We enjoy Funny Times as well. Keep smiling!
I fully agree with the poet’s quote. In times such as this, staying positive and smiling are important. I’ve got some friends on SM most of whom I haven’t even met. We try to crack jokes and keep each other sane (not just now but always). 🙂
Sane, smiling, and friends – you’ve got it covered!
I am trying to find merriment in these days. It’s not always easy. But yesterday we had a long Skype role-playing session with my friends, and we laughed ourselves silly. It made me feel better 🙂
The Multicolored Diary
Oh excellent! And you have me smiling at a Skyped RP session – definitely fun idea.
I like the sound of that word.
It makes me smile as well. Thanks for stopping.
I’ve found some fun, yes, but also feel awkward navigating all this. Especially when I venture out to pick up groceries (I order ahead and they bring them to the car!) I love the part of not having to do it for everyone. Every one of us, though, can do something.
When in history has the whole world had this much in common?
Indeed Eli, I think you’re absolutely right. Finding our footing seems a day-to-day (sometimes even moment-to-moment) task and it certainly does feel awkward. And I absolutely do believe we all have contributions to make, even if they aren’t headline worthy. There is no doubt in my mind that this is an unprecedented opportunity for all of us to really understand in the most profound way we are indeed all connected.
We’ve actually had some lovely times in the past weeks as our family doesn’t have as many excuses to go off and do our own things, and we’ve ended up with more time doing the things we enjoy together: watching some TV and movies together, playing games, quizzing each other on puzzles and riddles over meals… There is plenty of daffing in the midst of these crazy times.
Black and White (Words and Pictures)
Most excellent Anne – I love to hear it.