Saint Valentine

February 14, Valentine's Day, The Official Holiday of Lovers. A Day of cards, love notes, chocolates, and roses  .Originally February 15th was a Roman pagan holiday. But when Christianity took over, the Church instituted the feast day of Saint Valentine, who was martyred on February 14th. He was already considered the patron saint of happy marriages, betrothed couples, and lovers. So this custom transferred into Valentine's Day.
A couple of traditions that started in the Middle Ages was the giving of cards with handwritten notes, and also giving roses. Cupid was bringing sweet nectar to the Gods, and spilled some of the nectar on the ground. Out of that ground grew a rose, and so the rose became considered the flower of Love.
Today Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries besides our own, and is not restricted to couples, but a day to honor anyone special. Did you give/get your rose today? I did. Happy Valentines Day.

MARDI GRAS / FAT TUESDAY

Today is Paczki Day-have you had yours?only 700 calories!YOU PICK THE NAME! It's the party day before Lent starts. Mardi Gras came to New Orleans in 1718, but the Parading started in 1856, and what a spectacle they are. Colorful beads are thrown off the floats , and the beads are as much a symbol of Mardi Gras as the Paczki's are.

The Winter Solstice

Today marks the shortest day and longest night occurring in the Northern Hemisphere. The WINTER SOLSTICE! We call it the first day of winter as do astronomers also. It happens in December 20, 21,22,or 23, although the 23rd is rare, not since 1903. The word, solstice, is derived from the Latin word "solstitium" which means the "sun stands still". On this day it moves so slowly it seems to stand still and also reaches its southernmost position over the Tropic of Capricorn. This day is cause for celebrations in many countries. Stonehenge in the United Kingdom is a popular place for people to gather in both summer and winter to watch the sun. In Ireland a large monument was built between 3000 BC and 2500 BC. It is believed to have been designed to capture the Solstice sun's rays. In 2012, December 21 was considered "doomsday" by some people, as the Mayan calendar ended that day. Now that you have had your history lesson, I will just say-I'm glad the days will be getting longer. I like more sunshine!

Here Comes Fall!

This is the first day of FALL-can you believe it! It was 80 degrees-I love it! This week is a gift!!!
The weather is perfect for taking down flower beds, which I was doing today, burning brush accumulated from the storms  and for just sitting in the sun watching the sandhill cranes. We have 2 that visit us regularly.

This weekend is the Tough Mudder event at MIS. If you are not familiar with this-it is an obstacle course designed by the British Special Forces and it is Tough! It involves mud, ice water, walls, electricity and other trails. You can be proud just to finish.

The other event this weekend is the Clinton Fall Festival. Clinton is 15 miles east of us on US12, and they put on a great Festival-been doing it for many years.
So you have things to do   or   just sit in the sun!

The BLUE MOON tonight!

You've heard of once in a blue moon". That's because this real "blue moon" happens only every 3 years. To define it-it's when 2 full moons happen in the same month. According to those that know, it may look bluer tonight because of tiny particles, from an unusually active fire season, are flooding the atmosphere. Someone has named it the FLOATING BLUEBERRY! So, get outside tonight, around 10pm or so, and check it out. There won't be another blue moon until 2018!