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 | U.S. Patriotic Holidays |
| New Years |
| Valentine's Day |
| Mothers Day / Father's Day |
| Solstice / Equinox |
| Easter |
| Halloween |
| Thanksgiving |
| Christmas |
| All (well... some) of the Others! |
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Upcoming Dates to Watch! Labor Day - September 2nd Yom Kippur - begins at sundown September 15th Autumn Equinox - September 23rd Columbus Day - October 14th
 Ho-Ho-Ho Maypole Dance England, Wales, Scandinavia, Russia: Each dancer holds the end of a colored ribbon attached to the top of a long pole in the ground. The dancers move and the ribbons intertwine around the pole to form a design. A May Queen for the day may be elected. She is selected for her beauty. In Britain she reinacts the marriage between the May Queen (Goddess) and the May King. The May King is also known as Leaf Man, Jack in the Green, and the Green Man. 
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CEO:
Marsha Raymond
HALLOWEEN RECIPES WOLF'S HEART LODGE DRUMMING CIRCLES MY SOUTHERN ROOTS!
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Any Excuse to Get Together...
I'm no Martha Stewart (and these days, that's REALLY a good thing!), and my children are grown - the youngest is 23 - but I have always thought it was a kick to see how people celebrate the holidays and even enjoy seeing the stores decorated (though three months in advance is kind of irritating, must admit).
You may learn something new from these pages on the history of various holidays (particularly if you are Christian). Understanding the history of these beautiful days should not take away from their meanings in your own heart, so celebrate with abandon and joy!
This website is just a little gift from me to you... nothing heavy. Want to 'steal' a graphic for use elsewhere? Just click your right mouse button, choose copy and then go to your own document and hit paste. Have fun!
Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to gie, an to see just who in this home did live.
Looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.
With medals and badges, awards of all kind, a sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, it ws dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home. The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States soldier.
Was this the hero of whom I'd just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to thse soldiers who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year, because of the soliders, like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice, "Santa don't cry, this life is my choice... I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more. My Life is my God, My Country, My Corps."
The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night, this guardian of honor so wiling to fight... then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, "Carry on Santa, all is secure."
One look at my watch, and I knew he was right, Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.
Wolf's Heart Lodge
Southern Living
See the Links area on the left column and go take a peek.
Autumn - Emily Dickinson
The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.
Mr. Groundhog - Sung to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Groundhog,
Take a peek! Take a peek!
If you see your shadow,
The weather will be awful
Six more weeks, six more weeks.
April Fool's Day - On the first of April, it may be a good idea to look the other way if you see a purse lying on the sidewalk. Chances are it will be empty and you will be called an "April Fool" for picking it up. In France, April first is called the day of "April Fish". Children may receive a gift of chocolate fish for their tricks. India celebrates its spring festival of Holi, ending toward the end of March, in which tricks and pranks also play a part.
Mardi Gras - The name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in French. The day is known as Fat Tuesday, since it is the last day before Lent. Lent is the season of prayer and fasting observed by the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian denominations during the forty days and seven Sundays before Easter Sunday. Easter can be on any Sunday from March 23 to April 25, since the exact day is set to coincide with the first Sunday after the full moon following the Spring Equinox. Mardi Gras occurs on any Tuesday from February 3 through March 9. The Gregorian calendar, setup by the Catholic Church, determines the exact day for Mardi Gras.
Keep the Traditions Alive!
What do you call a bunch of grandmasters of chess bragging about their Games in a hotel lobby?
Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!
How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?
Fleece Navidad!
What is Samhain? - Samhain (pronounced: sow-en) is a pagan holiday that is celebrated on October 31. It marks the end of Summer and the beginning of Winter. In the past, Samhain was a festival for the time between the old year and the new year. It was a time for having bonfires and playing tricks. It was also thought a time when people could make contact with departed loved ones and foretell the future.
Today some people have special ceremonies on this day. Some people have parties and other people have special dinners. One interesting dinner dish is called Colcannon. This dish is made of potatoes and cabbage. Items are put in the dish that are thought to tell the future. Traditionally these items are a thimble (for a spinster), a button (for a bachelor), a ring (for a marriage), and a coin (for prosperity).
The seventh day of the Chinese New Year is Yan Yat, “Everybody’s Birthday.” The Goddess Nüwa created human beings by molding them from clay. Farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success. The second day of Chinese New Year is for the ancestors and dieties and is the birthday of all dogs.
Legends describe holly as masculine because it uses it's thorns to protect itself the way a man would use a weapon to protect himself. Ivy is considered feminine because it entwines or embraces whatever it is near. Mistletoe is thought to bring good luck and fertility . A 15th century Christmas carol tells of the contest between the holly and the ivy for the place of honor in the hall. The song is a duet with each part claiming his or her superiority. In the end the holly, with its red berries, wins over the ivy and its black berries.
The legend of kissing under the mistletoe has it roots in a Scandinavian myth. Legend has it that the Norse God, Baldur was protected from evil by everything that came from the elements of fire, water, air and earth. But an evil spirit formed an arrow from mistletoe and killed him. The tears of Baldur's mother, Frigga, became the white berries of the mistletoe. His life was restored and Frigga, being the Goddess of Love and Beauty, is said to have kissed anyone passing under the mistletoe. The myth of mistletoe spread throughout the land and even enemies would call a truce when they met underneath it.
I hope you enjoy my new OrgSite!
May the Lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all of humankind.
The custom of decorating homes with evergreens during the holiday season has been practiced worldwide for thousands of years. Evergreens are symbols of enduring life because they stay beautiful in the winter when most plants wither and die. They have always been associated with winter festivals. It was believed that the evergreens held magical power because of their perennial greenness. Homes were decorated with these plants in the hope of enticing the spirits of the woods inside to bring good luck in the coming year.
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