Words of the Month - Plain Sailing (Part II)

         English is full of so many idioms with nautical origins that I had to split my selection of them into two posts.  This is the second, so if you want to read about the first half, you can find them at Plain Sailing Part I, which I posted back in September.  And now without further ado, here’s the scuttlebutt on some more…

by and large - sailing alternately into the wind (by) and close to the wind (large).  A vessel sailing by and large is covering a range, giving (from about 1665) a metaphorical sense of “for the most part.”  Note, while we’re here, that we also have the metaphor of sailing close to the wind for doing something risky.

dead in the water - originally a ship without wind, utterly without means to move

take the wind out of someone’s sails - If you block the wind from reaching a ship’s sails (usually by sailing upwind of it), you cause them a sudden loss of movement and momentum.  Indeed, they may be dead in the water.

go by the board - fall overboard, the board in both cases being the side of the ship.  The metaphorical sense of being lost or gone is from around 1835.

cut and run - If you need to sail away so quickly that there isn’t time to pull up the anchor, you might just cut it loose.  This entered general use around 1704.

in the offing - in the more distant part of the open sea as seen from shore.  The original metaphor was the distant future (around 1779), but now (since about 1914) it usually implies something impending.

overbearing - originally of a wind that would blow a ship onto its side, but expanded to any overwhelming and repressive force by around 1560.

rummage sale - In the sixteenth century rummage was to stow cargo in a ship’s hold.  That’s where we get the verb of searching through a whole bunch of stuff (and possibly disarranging it).  By around 1800 a rummage sale was a sale of unclaimed goods from a ship’s cargo, sold at the dock.

toe the line - to stand with your toes at a line drawn on the deck,  demonstrating disciplined obedience, from the early 19th century.  (No, the phrase is not “tow the line,” as I have several times seen it written!)

three sheets to the wind - The sheet is the rope that holds the corner of a sail.  If it’s loose the sail can flap around in the wind, and if the sheets of all three sails are unsecured the ship will be out of control.  (This is one of those idioms that I’ve never actually heard anyone use in real life, although I’ve certainly encountered it in literature.)

under the weather - The earlier version of the phrase was often “under the weather bow,” and the “weather” side of anything is the windward - the side that’s getting hit by the roughest weather.  One theory is that sick sailors went below decks, or under the deck where they’d be out in the weather, but another theory is that anything “under the weather” was being hit by tough circumstances.  Although in my idiom the phrase metaphorically refers to physical illness, many of the earlier usages from the early nineteenth century refer to a wider variety of difficulties.

groggy - I covered this one before, but if you missed it or have forgotten, you can find its nautical origins here.

        As this is the last post of the year, I will end with the wish that despite any anxiety about worrisome changes in the offing, I hope you will weather 2025 on an even keel.  As always, may you find joy and share hope.

[Pictures: The Bachelor’s Delight approaching the San Dominick, woodcut by Patrick de Manceau, 1946 (Image from invaluable);

Fair Winds, rubber block print by AEGNydam, carved ca. 1994, edition printed 2013 (Image from Nydam Prints, now sold out);

Korweta, woodcut by Stanisław Ostoja-Chrostowski, 1936 (Image from Polona).]

We Three Kings

         I’m continuing the Christmas story in block prints today, by focussing on a chapter of the story that comes after that first Christmas night.  The arrival of the Three Kings (aka Wise Men, aka Magi) traditionally is considered to be the Twelfth Night of Christmas, or Epiphany, on January 5 or 6.  (Of course the confusion of calendars and denominations means there are multiple interpretations of exactly when that date should fall.)  This means that I shouldn’t really be celebrating the Three Kings yet at all, but for me they’re simply all part of the Christmas story, and if you look at the collection of Christmas block prints I shared in past years (you can find all the links in the previous post), there are quite a few that feature these Wise Men from the East.  This year, however, I’m giving them their own post, and I’ve got a few  block prints of them for you today.

        First is a classic, a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, in which the three magnificently attired kings show up with their gifts at the ruined stable that’s hardly even a porch.  Joseph looks pretty sullen and suspicious about this, but Mary is being more gracious.  My favorite thing about this one is how the baby Jesus is grabbing for gold as if it were candy!  (At only 12 days old he shouldn’t be grabbing for much of anything at all, but he was a precocious child in many ways.)

        The next piece is cropped tightly in on the people.  The kings have removed their crowns, but only the one in the foreground is really focussed on the baby.  The others seem to be watching Mary instead.  I really like all their faces.  As for Mary, however, she looks a lot more zoned out than I would expect.  Admittedly she may be pretty exhausted by her newborn, but I know I would have been a lot more interested if three astronomer kings from foreign lands had unexpectedly shown up to pay homage to my offspring!

        The third piece is quite simple, but I find it very pleasing.  One of the kings has removed his crown as he kneels before Jesus, and seems almost to be kissing his feet.  Above, the star is whizzing up the sky, and another of the wise men is watching it, perhaps just confirming the address.  Despite the relative roughness of the piece, the faces are all pleasant.  Mary is serene, and the baby has the hint of a smile.

        I include one more little bonus detail from a painting by Hieronymus Bosch.  This king is very handsome, not to mention elaborately dressed, but what caught my eye is that it looks like he’s brought his pet dragonling to the party!  Closer inspection leads me to believe that this is more likely a parrot or similar bird, but needless to say I like the dragon interpretation better!

        Whether Jesus was presented with gold, candy, or dragons, the real lesson here is to be willing to see the bright stars, follow the signs, and acknowledge the miracles of love that may manifest in the world.

[Pictures: The Adoration of the Magi, woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, 1511 (Image from The Met);

The Adoration of the Magi, woodcut by anonymous copying one by the workshop of Lucas van Leydan, ca. 1515 (Image from Philadelphia Museum of Art);

Adoration of the Magi, woodcut from Legenda Sanctorum trium regum by Johannes Hildesheimensis, 1490 (Image from The Met);

Detail from Triptych of the Adoration of the Magi, oil on panel by Hieronymus Bosch, ca. 1494 (Image from Museo del Prado).]

Beginning to Look Like Christmas

         Not only am I finally able to give some thought to Christmas, but we had a lovely winter-wonderland snow yesterday, and today is looking very seasonally appropriate for both the solstice and Christmas.  Therefore, here are a few wood block prints to celebrate the season.

        I’ll begin with the snowfall, and a piece by Tsuchiya Kōitsu (Japan, 1870-1949).  This one reminds me of our walk last night, with the sparkling snow covering every twig in white lace against the black velvet of the night.

        A different snowy view shows a city, and where the first piece captured snow in its luminous magic, this piece captures the muted grey feeling that a snowy day can have.  I love the black and white geometry of it, contrasted with the hazy sweep of the blowing flakes against the  black buildings, and the fine lines of the sky.  This one is by Asa Cheffetz, a favorite of mine whom I’ve featured frequently before.  Different as these first two pieces are, they were both made the same year: 1943.

        Shifting into Christmas mode, I also have three manger scenes to share.  The first is from Albrecht Dürer in about 1502, from a series of 20 wood block prints depicting “The Life of the Virgin.”  This one shows the adoration of the shepherds, and some of the details include the star in the upper right, angels in the upper left and also clustering around the baby, and the ruinous state of the stable, which I mentioned in a previous post on Nativity Scenes (link below).

        Second is a much smaller view of the Holy Family, with Mary and Joseph adoring their miraculous baby while a couple of oxen look on.  We don’t actually see the baby at all, but the tuft of hay in the manger creates a star or halo of light in the dark, illuminating the faces of the parents.  This appears to have been made as an illuminated initial letter, and I like the way it’s designed around the capital N.  This one is by Lorenzo Homar (Puerto Rico, 1913-2004) and was made in 1962.  (I’ve featured some of Homar’s work before, as well.)

        Focussing in still further, this last piece shows only the Madonna and Child.  By Desmond M. Chute (England, 1895-1962), it’s quite simple.  There are no angels or shepherds, only the merest suggestion of a background, and no finely carved intricate details.  I like the simple pattern and fringe of Mary’s wrap, offering both visual interest and the story suggestion of an ordinary homespun blanket.  The halo belongs not to Mary or Jesus individually, but embraces the two in their relationship together.

        If you want to explore more wood block print scenes of the Christmas story, I’ve shared a bunch in past years, so you can revisit these prior posts:

Nativity 1

Nativity 2

Nativity 3

Merry Christmas (2017)

Merry Christmas! (2018)

Merry Christmas! (2019)

Merry Christmas! (2021)

More Merry Christmas! (2022)

        Plus, Happy Hanukkah (2017)

Happy Hanukkah! (2019)

Hanukkah Greetings (2020)

        Whatever holidays you may be celebrating at this time of year - or even if you don’t feel much like celebrating at all - may you find moments of peace, sparkles of joy, and the embrace of love.

[Pictures: Sumidagawa Suijin Forest, woodblock print by Tsuchiya Kōitsu, 1934 (Image from Ohmi Gallery);

Cold Chimneys, woodcut by Asa Cheffetz, 1934 (Image from The Clark Museum);

The Adoration of the Shepherds, woodcut by Albrecht Dürer, ca. 1502-3 (Image from the Davis Museum at Wellesley College);

Pesebre, wood engraving by Lorenzo Homar, 1962 (Image from Princeton University Library);

Madonna, woodcut by Desmond M. Chute, ca. 1915-1924 (Image from Art Institute of Chicago).]

Further News

         As my ridiculously busy season finally winds down, I hope to be able to get back to a more regular schedule of sharing excellent block prints and fantasy with you.  For now, however, here’s one more post just to give you links to some more things I’ve been doing that include content everyone can access.

        • On Dec. 11 I was a guest on Story Hour, an on-line program hosted by Laura Blackwell and Daniel Marcus, that live-streams author readings every Wednesday night.  I read aloud two full short stories from Bittersweetness & Light - “A Life for a Life” and “Love Potion”- and you can watch the recording here.  My fellow author on this episode was Jo Miles, who shared a fun and satisfying Christmas story, so I recommend that you listen to her reading to help get yourself in the holiday spirit!

        • My poem “Knitting” was published in the Winter 2024 issue of New Myths magazine, which just came out.  You can read my poem - and the entire issue - here.

        If you’re local to eastern MA and art is more your thing, I do have pieces in two group shows that are up now.

        • Illumination is Gallery Twist’s annual festive group show in Lexington.  There’s no theme, but there’s an emphasis on twinkling lights and merry mood.  I have seven pieces to be found somewhere among the more than 200 on display throughout the beautifully decorated space.  The exhibition will be up through January 5.  (Info here.)

        • Art with Heart is at TILL Wave Gallery in Watertown.  The gallery space is somewhat hidden by lots of construction on the street, but once you get inside you’ll be

embraced by beauty and color!  I have three pieces in this exhibit, which will be up through January 18.  (Info here.)

        Wherever you are, and whether or not you visit my particular activities, do be sure to find ways to bring beauty, art, story, imagination, and community into your life!

[Pictures: Stills from Story Hour, Dec. 11, 2024 (Images from Story Hour);

NewMyths Winter 2024, cover art by Rita Oakes (Image from NewMyths.com);

Gallery Twist postcard including detail of Ghost Pipes, rubber block print by AEGNydam.]

Poet Laureate

         I am absolutely thrilled to announce some Huge News: I have been named the Poet Laureate of Needham, MA!  Okay, this may not be huge news on the global level, but it’s hugely exciting to me, having loved poetry and fancied myself a poet for about as long as I can remember.  (Regarding which, I plan to share in a future post some of my own history with poetry.)  But what exactly does it mean to be a Poet Laureate?  Well, on the larger scale, such as the poet laureate of an entire nation, it’s an honor for eminent achievement, but at the local level it’s more like being a cultural ambassador to bring more poetry into the life of the town.  In my case, since Poet Laureate of Needham is a brand new position and I’m the first to fill it, I’m a bit of a guinea pig and I get to contribute to making it up as we go along.

        So far I’ve kicked off with participating in two poetry programs at the public library.  Both programs had been in the works for a while and were organized by others; I got to waltz in at the last minute and participate enthusiastically without having had to lay the groundwork.  First was a session of the poetry discussion group “Cup and Chaucer,” and second was an after-school program for teens to play with found poetry, blackout poetry, etc.  (The kids had fun with the transgressive thrill of cutting up old books!  I went with the ransom note or refrigerator magnet style of poetry, and my creation - with golden glue for even more glamour - can be seen in the photo.  Click to enlarge.)

        I’ll be putting a little Poet Laureate column in the library’s monthly newsletter, and we’ve got lots of other ideas in the works including hosting some poetry events, presenting my own work, doing some workshops in the schools, adding poems to town events, and more.  (When I refer to “we” I mean primarily the library’s director Rob MacLean and technical services director Tamara Dalton, who are my support committee.  Plus I also want to thank Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick, whose idea it was for Needham to have a Poet Laureate, plus all the members of the selection committee, and of course the Needham Council of Arts and Culture and Mass Cultural Council, which awarded a grant to help support this program.)

        If you want to read more about all this, you can find an article from Needham Local here: Needham’s Poet Laureate Finds “Magic” in Written Word

and an article from Needham Observer here: Needham names first Poet Laureate.

         Because this role is all about bringing people together through literary arts, and fostering connections in the community, I’d love to hear ideas for what we should consider doing.  If you’re in Needham, what programs would you like to see?  If you’re elsewhere, do you know of any similar programs that have done cool things?  Go ahead and send me your brainstorming!  Given the small size of the grant and the finite limits of my time, we won’t be able to do everything, but I’d certainly love to consider lots of creative ideas.

[Pictures: photo and poem by AEGNydam, 2024;

other images from Needham Free Public Library and Needham Local.]

Good

         Another short blog post, but this one is to direct you to a little more to read.  This month’s issue of Friends Journal includes my short story (or possibly more of a prose poem) entitled “Good.”  I think it’s timely for Thanksgiving week because it’s all about reminding us how incredibly good and beautiful Creation actually is.  We should absolutely be full of thanksgiving for the bounty of harvest and resources that help us thrive, but also more broadly for the whole miraculous interconnected web that makes everything thrive.  This should also prompt us to understand that when that web of creation is torn, when parts of it can’t thrive, we all fail.  So please read my story, feel gratitude for the blessings of this world, and renew your commitment to manifest all that love in caring for it all: the natural world, our fellow humans, our interconnectedness, our responsibility toward the future…  It is all worth giving thanks for, and it’s all worth working for.

        The illustration in the middle of the story is one of my block prints made a while before I wrote the piece, but obviously exploring the same ideas.  You can read this previous blog post about the making of that piece: Behold, It Is Good.

        Yes, there’s been a bit of a theme over the last few blog posts.  That’s something of a coincidence, since some of these things have been in the works for months and months, but I’m also leaning into it since I myself certainly feel the need of it right now.  I suspect that a lot of others need it, too.  If you’ll be getting together with family this week I know there may be some fraught moments.  I know some of you may have interactions that are painful, depressing, offensive, enraging, and exhausting.  But please just try to remember that Love is always there to support us if we can just tap into it.  And it is Good.

[Pictures: Friends Journal, November 2024;

Behold, It Is Good, rubber block print by AEGNydam, 2021 (originals sold out).]

Sunbunny Loves You

         Okay, maybe this is a bit cutesier than I usually do, but if it prompts a smile from anyone then I count it a success.  The idea of “sunbunny” came into my mind over a month ago - I started carving this block during a show back in October - but I only finished and printed it this week.  Part of the delay was that I hadn’t actually planned all the details in advance and had to make up a lot of the patterns as I went along.  (My other new block I just printed at the same time is in a very different vein indeed, but I’ll save that for another time.)

        My busy schedule continues and I’ve got one thing to prepare for after another, and indeed often several things to prepare for at the same time as each other, which is my excuse for another short post just to share this one little feel-good block.  But let me build a little anticipation by revealing that I’ve got some big news brewing that I’m really excited to share!  To be clear, it’s only big news in my small pond, but I do hope it will be an opportunity to spread my vision of love, joy, and connection just a wee bit wider.  I can’t wait to tell all, but in the meantime, if you’re feeling down, remember that sunbunny loves you.

[Picture: Sunbunny Loves You, rubber block print by AEGNydam, 2024 (Image from NydamPrints.com).]

Bittersweetness, Light, and Love

        Back in January I launched a Kickstarter campaign for Bittersweetness & Light, a collection of stories, poems, and art.  One common theme of the work is that it’s all various flavors and genres of speculative fiction (sci fi and fantasy), and the other common theme is that it’s all about looking for the best in others and the world, affirming joy, and finding reasons for hope.  As I’ve been putting this book together over the course of the year, the clouds of anxiety have continued to gather, so that it has indeed been bittersweet to be bringing out a book about hope just when I and so many people I know have been feeling such a desperate need for it.  And as I’ve been shipping out the finished books to my Kickstarter backers over the past week, my heart has been torn in two.  Half of me feels like it’s petty and pathetic to be talking about a mere book in such desperate times, but the other half of me truly believes that sharing our stories of hope and love is actually one of the most important things we can be doing right now.  Only if we can build up our connections with each other, only if  we can reach out to each other with our stories, and only if we can encourage each other to keep looking for the good all around and never stop loving… only then can we survive.

        Already I’ve heard from a few people that receiving the book this week was exactly what they needed, and that gives me hope that this whole project is indeed worthwhile.  Whenever I feel helpless and it all seems pointless, I keep reminding myself of the words of Joey Hartmann-Dow: Art changes people, and people change the world.

        If you backed my Kickstarter and haven’t yet received your book, I'm taking the last batch to the post office tomorrow, so you should look for it in your mailbox soon!  If you didn’t get in on the Kickstarter campaign but are curious about the book, you still have to wait a little while.  The Kickstarter backers are all getting advance copies, and the official release is not until January 6, 2025.  However, I am hoping to figure out how to make it available for pre-order by the end of this month or December, so I’ll be sure to let the world know if I can make that happen.  In the meanwhile, don't forget to look for instances of love and kindness, and whenever you find joy and hope, be sure to share it!

        To help with this desperate need for us to send each other love, I’ve made a new set of notecards based on a bunch of my block prints that focus on messages of love.  I send emails all the time, and texting certainly has its value, but a handwritten card is still something special.  What do you think?  What’s your favorite way to reach out to friends and family?

[Bittersweetness & Light, by AEGNydam, info at NydamPrints.com;

Love cards, designs by AEGNydam, at NydamPrints.com.]

Keep Loving

         I can’t say much right now, so I’ll just share one of my recent rubber block prints.  The idea came from vintage seed packets and, of course, the fact that we need to plant these seeds more than ever right now.  Spread them far and wide, tend them carefully when you can, but sow them wildly into the wilderness when that’s all you can manage.  They just might be an invasive species - in the best possible way.  Whatever happens, don’t ever let anyone stop you from feeling love and sharing it.  Love your neighbors; love the Earth; love honesty, integrity, and truth; love those who are most vulnerable.  Love is probably the only thing that can save us.

[Picture: Seeds of Love, rubber block print by AEGNydam, 2024 (Image from NydamPrints.com).]

National Author's Day

         November 1 is officially National Author’s Day here in the USA.  I had naturally assumed that this was some recent gimmick along with the other near-infinite “official” days promoted by people trying to sell things, but it actually turns out to have a longer history than I’d suspected.  The idea began during World War I, by avid reader Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, who wanted to thank and appreciate the authors whose work had given her so much pleasure.  The Department of Commerce made it official in 1949.  But regardless of the history, I’m all in on author appreciation!  So, what should you do to celebrate National Author’s Day?

  • Read a book, of course!

  • Share your favorite books on social media. #NationalAuthorsDay

  • For less-well-known books in particular, post reviews, suggest your local library add it to their collection, and spread the word directly to everyone else you know who might like it.

  • Dress up as your favorite character.  (Explain to everyone that you’re not just late for Hallowe’en.)

  • Write a story or poem.

  • Send a thank-you note to your favorite (living) author.

        Right now I’m reading Unnatural Magic by C.M. Waggoner.  So far I’m really enjoying the world-building - both the interesting structure of the world and the masterful way the details about it are woven into the telling of the story.  However, I’m not very far into the book yet, so only time and more pages will tell whether this becomes a favorite.

        As for my own Author’s Day activities, here’s my unboxing photograph (because I don’t like videos) of Bittersweetness & Light!  Today I’m putting together the first round of packages to be sent out to Kickstarter backers.  Great excitement and much jubilation!

[Pictures: Photo by AEGN, 2024;

Graphic that was shared around on social media without attribution, so unfortunately I don’t know who designed it.]

Words of the Month - The Quick and the Dead

         Traditionally Hallowe’en may be a time when the quick and the dead may come into contact, but nowadays that phrase sounds like a reference to the folklore that zombies are slow!    What does it really mean?  Quick comes from Old English, where it meant “living, alive.”  The meaning of speed (compare with the notion of life in our current usage of lively) was in use by about 1300, and has now completely superseded the original meaning.  Other than encountering the archaic meaning in archaic English, such as the King James translation of the Bible, there are only a few places we still see remnants of this old definition.

cut to the quick - to injure someone deeply (usually figuratively - and old-fashioned)

quick - the tender part under your fingernails, especially if you chew your nails down to the quick.

quicksand - sand that can move and swallow objects as if it were alive

quicksilver - metallic mercury, which is fluid at room temperature.  Archaic in scientific use, but still encountered in its metaphorical sense to describe things that are shifting, changeable, and hard to predict.

        The word dead also goes back to Old English, but has kept its meaning ever since.  However, it does occur in a few words and phrases that might surprise you.

dead-center - Why is the exact middle of something dead?  This comes from lathes and other rotating machinery in which the center point is unmoving and still, as if dead.

deadbolt - a kind of lock that uses a solid bolt, rather than one with a spring.  You can see again the sense that movement is “living” while anything that doesn’t move by itself is “dead.”  (1808)

deadlock - although it was used in 1808 as a synonym of deadbolt, the sense of “complete standstill, stalemate” came first, from about 1779.

deadpan - a method of delivering humor without expression, the dead here is once again the sense of “stillness or lack of vivacity,” while the pan is slang for “face.”  It comes from the USA in the early 20th century.

deadline - although the definition “time limit” dates to 1920 in newspaper jargon, it may have been influenced by an earlier quite literal usage from about 1865: a line inside the perimeter of a Confederate prison, at which any prisoner who touched the line was to be shot dead.

undead - this originally meant “not dead,” as its elements would imply.  Not until the very end of the nineteenth century did it come to be applied to vampires and such that are not exactly dead, but not exactly alive either.

        And just for a bonus, two words from the Old French/Latin root for “dead”…

mortgage - literally “dead pledge,” because the contract “dies” when the debt is paid in full, or when the payments can no longer be made.

amortize - literally “to make dead,” again because of the idea of reaching a permanent end to a contract or ownership.

        All these words certainly remind us, just as Hallowe’en itself might do, that “in the midst of life we are in death.”

[Pictures: Adam tills the earth, woodcut by Hans Holbein, 16th century (Image from Wikimedia Commons);

Der Kandelgiesser, woodcut by Jost Amman, 1568 (Image from Yale University Library).]