Higher
Ground is Worth the Writing
If you would not be forgotten
as soon as you are dead and rotten
either write things worth reading
or do things worth the writing …
And … If all printers [writers] were determined not to print
[write] anything ‘til they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be
very little printed [written] … Benjamin Franklin *
Speaking of worth the writing, I recently wrote in my journal that it’s
time to free up some time so I can write something worth reading.
Unfortunately, I had to think long and hard about the three blogs I currently
own—this one, Blast from Your Past,
and 39 & Holding Club—and
determined at least one of them has to go … yep, you guess it … it will be this
one.
Not quite yet, though. I still have some work to do here. However, with
A.I. generated text AND word definitions, this article space is fast becoming
officially “outdated.” With that in mind, Penchant for Penning’s WordWayzzz
blog will soon go the way of antiquated words, and fade into the tapestry of
life, with its December 2023 post.
Penchant for Penning will remain
sporadically active and I may post notes from time-to-time, but the monthly Wordwayzz
will dissipate. More importantly, Penchant for Penning is and
will always, remain the “parent company” for Blast from Your Past as its
book publisher, and the 39 and Holding Club.
To start its lengthy five-month sendoff, August’s article is appropriately
looooonnngg, with a special wordy project. So take a break on a leisurely
summer day, grab a libation, relax and read on …
Wordsmiths may know the dictionary inside-out, and adding
culture-popular new words is necessary. But creating words specifically
for innovative thought rarely happens. Let’s give it a try with …
OBVUGATE: (äb-vū-gāt; 2023;
origin-L. Rochelle) n. – 1) portal of the mind that leads to astronomical
change; 2) portal in science fiction or example in religious faith [WW #332]
It isn’t just a window in a ship or a hole in layers of the universe. It’s a
portal with a purpose! Whether you awaken to it, step through it, or dream of
it, you’ll know it when you see it.
I conjured up an example for you: “Having read extensively about
natural and supernatural phenomena, Peter immediately recognized the obvugate
when he saw it and eagerly stepped through to his future.” This could be meant
metaphorically, literally, or as the definition suggests, cerebrally.
So, why did I choose to create this word? You’ll need to
ask my dream counselor. Well, I don’t really have one of those, it just sounds
cool. However, I did “dream it up.”
One night several weeks back, I woke in the middle of the night with this
word—and its specific spelling—twirling around in my little pea brain. I
vaguely remembered its appearance in a dream a month or so before.
This dream was more specific, if quite boring. It simply kept
repeating, spelling obvugate over and over—ob-vu-gate—o-b-v-u-g-a-t-e—determined
to be evident when I truly awoke, unlike many dream details that fade with the
dawn.
However, the dream didn’t give me an inkling
to what obvugate means. I figured it was already a word,
simply one I’d
heard or read somewhere that I need to look up for reference,
who knows why … I dutifully wrote it down on waking and went about my day. I
thought no more of it until the next morning when I remembered to check the
dictionary. Nope, nothing like it.
Obvugate is completely made up—you
won’t find it there—yet.
I couldn’t get obvugate out of my mind. I began thumbing
through the dictionary to dissect ob-vu-gate.
The OB prefix is inverse or contrary to its subject. Okay. Since there
is no VU reference, I added the G to get an actual word, VUG,
which is an unfilled cavity in rock. I could have taken ATE separately,
but I thought it made more sense to use the G again, for GATE. We
all know that one—an opening in a wall or fence (basically). Now, I had a basis
for my own definition.
But what did it mean? Again, my dream didn’t stipulate,
however, with more research and in weighing my options, I related back to my
dream for the “feeling” surrounding the word. I added another defining element:
portal.
“VUG” being the central subject and trading heavily on “GATE”(way), I
likened obvugate to a large, filled portal—when you go
through an opening, you find something on the other side, right? Well, my
“other side” seemed to be ethereal … the opening leads to … well, wouldn’t that
be subjective?
I weighed the different types of portals I’ve experienced, added the “feeling”
from my dream, and decided that when we step through an obvugate,
it will take us to … whatever we want! … but know that astronomical,
life-changing transformation is its purpose. Which brings us to …
AUGUST’s Song of
Note ♪
I knew it wouldn’t be simple to match a vintage tune with a made-up
word. On rare occasions we emulate our Big Bro site Blast from Your
Past’s Song of Note—this month provided an opportunity I
couldn’t miss. In my interpretation of obvugate, this is the
perfect example …
Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” moved
quickly up the charts. By June 29, 1973, it had worked its way up to #16 for WFIL/Philadelphia
listeners. It could be the song’s rise came from Stevie’s fans who rallied
‘round earlier in the month, as he lay in a hospital bed recovering from an August
6th auto accident. The near-fatal event left him in a 4-day coma.
The fast-paced, upbeat tune is about
reincarnation and life-altering changes through faith. ♪ … I'm so darn glad he let me try it again
| Cause my last time on earth I lived a whole world of sin … ♪ He
wrote “Higher Ground” in an impossibly short, three-hour creative spell, three
months before his accident.
The New York Times quoted him after recovering from the
accident, “I would like to believe in reincarnation. I would like to believe
that there is another life. I think that sometimes your consciousness can
happen on this earth a second time around.” For Stevie, it was a sign. For me,
his experience defines an obvugate. Rock On ♪ ... 50 Years
Ago this Month …
Word
Challenge: OBVUGATE. This month’s
challenge is not only to be clever in finding ways to use a “new” word, but try
creating your own—it’s fun! We need inspirational
diversions and mental exercise—this is the perfect project. Teachers—wake up
your summer school students and get them in on the fun. Create thinkers and
doers … that’s how we produce extraordinary people. And of course, add obvugate
to your vocabulary, as you fit it into your creative month of fiction and
nonfiction writings, and casual conversations.
Write
first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)
Cheers to learning or creating a new word today!
@PenchantForPen
@Irishwriter
* In the Ben Franklin quote above, the bracketed text is obviously my
addition. But as it’s said about undisputed truths (though also too often,
subjective and misguided rhetoric), truer words were never spoken.
WordWayzzzTM is currently created
for your literary pleasure every first Wednesday of each month. Thank
you for stopping by! Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and
it isn’t harmful to your health! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy.
Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and WordWayzzz comments.
[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by
trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in
her Blast from Your Past series (of
three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT
Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years
1954-1959; and Book
2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic
Seventies!]
LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate
Dictionary – Eleventh Edition, unless otherwise noted. Yes, we sometimes
present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as
“creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a
date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3)
Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how
you use information found here, that may result in legal action.
And
please note, I do not receive compensation from any company or person for
commercial or commodity links I may include in my posts.
E-N-Dzzz
