Tag: history

family

Happy Holidays

Andi

The holidays are upon us! When you hear “Happy Holidays” what do you think of? Most people probably think of Christmas and Hanukkah, maybe Kwanzaa. But did you know that there are many more holidays that fall in the month of December? I gathered up some info and crafts to do with my kids on the holidays and I thought it might be interesting to share some of those fascinating facts.

Starting on December 6, there is Saint Nicholas Day or the Feast of Saint Nicholas, preceeded by Krampusnacht on December 5. This is mostly celebrated throughout Europe in honor of the Saint that legendarily left money in people’s shoes to help them through hard times. Instead of keeping all his great wealth to himself, he gave to the less fortuanate. According to the story, he left the dowry for two girls too poor to pay any in their drying shoes by the fire in secrecy at night so that the girls were able to marry. Our tradition to hang stockings by the fireplace also stems from this legend. In some areas there is a legend that the day before Saint Nick’s Day a half goat half demon comes to punish bad children before Nicholas arrives. This demon goat is called Krampus. The night of the 5th children leave their shoes out, some with hay or carrots for Saint Nicholas’ horse. Then, the morning of the 6th, children awaken to find small gifts or poems in their shoes.

Bodhi Day falls on the 8th day of the 12th Lunar month, this year it fell on December 8. It is the date that Siddharta Guatama first experienced enlightenment sitting under a Bodhi tree. This day is not observed by all Buddhists however. Many celebrate a different holiday called Vesak which observes the birth, enlightment and passing of Guatama. Celebrations of this holiday include covering a Bodhi tree with lights and lanterns and meditating. The biggest celebration occurs in India where the Bodhi tree he sat under still lives nestled next to a Temple.

This year Hanukkah Begins on December 10th and last until the 18th. Also called the Festival of Lights, this is Jewish Holiday. Though not one of their most sacred holidays, Hanukkah has achieved cultural prominence, most likely due to its closeness to Christmas. Hanukah celebrates the succesful rebellion of the Macabees against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The Talmud states that the Temple’s menorah burned for 8 days even though there was only oil enough for one day’s lighting. Celebrations include playing a game with dreidels, eating oil based foods, and lighting the Menorah each night. The dreidel game is played because of a legend that the Macabees used the tops to cover the fact they were studying their sacred texts, which was illegal at the time. The oil based foods are to signify the sacred oil that burned for so long, and the 8 candles signify the 8 days it burned. My favorite are the Latkes. I love Latkes.

December 13th marks the day of Saint Lucia. A Swedish Holiday that commemorates a martyr that legenadrily snuck food and water to early Christianas hiding from the Roman Emporer underground. She couldn’t carry candles to see as her hands were filled with provisions, so she crafted herself a crown of candles made from Holly and Ivy. St. Lucia’s Day is celebrated with sweets given out by the eldest girl dressed in white and donned with a candle crown. These sweets are often gingersnaps and washed down with coffee.

Multiple Holidays ancient and modern revolve around celebration of the Solstice. Many of these traditions were obsorbed into the traditions of Christmas, and so many probably couldn’t distinguish them as seperate holidays. Most prominent and still observed is the tradition of Yule. This has been celebrated since Pre-Roman times throughout ancient Germanic and Scandinavian Culture. It is traditionally tied to the Wild Hunt and the Norse God Odin. In Germanic tradition, a large feast was held, and a sacrifice was borught to the Gods. People, happy the long nights were getting shorter, would bring pine branches inside and make wreaths of them or deceorate their homes with them. They often built huge fires or placed candles in their windows. The Yule Log is another ancient tradition that revolves around burning an ash tree to honor Thor. Today, this holiday is observed by modern day Pagans and some Satanists. Many observe some version of both Yule and Christmas, while others adher as closely to the ancient tradtions as they can. Yule is significant becasue it preserves ancient tradition and culture and should not be washed away by the larger Christmas Celebration.

Christmas falls on December the 25th. There is some debate about the date and why its in December, but whatever the reason, modern celebrations fall in late December. This is a Christian Holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus. Modern tradtions include a candleight service the night before and what is called a Longest Night service to honor loved ones not able to celebrate with their families. Gifts are given and a large meal is usually made. Some more secular traditions involve writing letters to Santa and Hanging Stockings for him to fill for good boys and girls. This is by far the biggest December Holiday in the United States and it often dominates stores and media for an entire two month stretch between November and December. Christmas is special becasue it brings families together to make memories.

Boxing Day Falls on December 26th and is also Saint Stephen’s Day. It originated in the UK and is still observed in many places that were or are part of Britian. This was a day traditionally meant as a relaxing day for servants and when their masters or employers would give them a gift. Saint Stephen’s Day is a religious Holiday honoring the first Christian martyr, Stephen.

December 26 also begins the celebration of Kwanzaa, an African American Holiday as a celebration of life. It focuses on African Heritage, Unity and Culture. It is based on African Harvest festival traditions from various regions and was first celebrated in 1966. Many people don’t know much about Kwanzaa perhaps because its still relatively new. Its traditions include a large feast usually falling on the 6th day, lighting a candle in a special candle holder called a Kinara, and playing music.

Lastly, as it falls on the last day of the year, comes Omisoka. This is Japanese tradition for families to gather together and prepare for the coming year. They might purify their homes of bad spirits, repay debts, or bathe themsleves and then relax. Close to the end of the day they will eat long noodles as part of an old tradition to carry over to the next year. At midnight many visit a Temple or Shrine to bring the new year in with a clean, pure beginning.

So the next time somone tells you “Happy Holidays!” You will have a little more knowledge about what all those holidays are. I am of course no experts on World Cultures, these are just a tidbit of what holidays are observed around the world. If you have any additions or changes, let me know, I’d love to learn about them! And of course, Happy Holidays!!

family

Santa Claus

Andi

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Santa Claus. And I like him so much for a couple different reasons.

Santa was real! Or at least Saint Nicholas was real. He was a Turkish monk born around 280 A.D. Which was a long time ago! He inherited a fortune from his parents, but decided to give it all away. He became legend for traveling around the world helping those in need. Helping others is not a bad thing to be known for! The tradition of hanging stockings for Santa to fill came from a legend of St. Nicholas as well. Many years ago, when a woman was married, her parents would give a sum of money to the groom. This was called a dowry. If you were poor and your parents unable to afford to give a groom a dowry, there was the possibility you wouldn’t be able to get married or that you would be trapped in poverty. There was a father like this who had 3 daughters. According to legend Saint Nicholas came one night and left each woman a sock full of enough money for a decent dowry assuring they could marry. This may seem like a crazy origin story, but at the time, the dowry was a big deal that had a huge affect on woman. Giving them the money no doubt aided the family tremendously and his unconditional kindness did not go unnoticed.

Santa Claus came to the US in the 1800s with the Dutch who called him Sinter Klaas. They were also the ones who introduced the making sweet goodies for Santa and being good to get presents from him. His story quickly caught on with American families and his popularity soared.

In 1822 Clement Clarke Moore wrote a Christmas poem for his daughters entitled “An Account of a Visit from St Nicholas” in which he described the Jolly Chubby Santa we picture today. It was Thomas Nast, though, who first drew Santa Claus in a red suit and tiny sleigh. Combining these two gave us the image most recognizable as Good Saint Nick. In a very short time the white bearded rosy cheeked jolly old man became the Santa we know and love today.

St Nicholas and later Santa Claus is a man known for joyfully giving. He spends his time helping other people and loves to do so. He does not discriminate because he gives to all the children all over the world. While some parents want to use Santa as a threat to make their kids behave, that’s not what Santa truly is.

The real magic is when you grow out of the childhood wonder and discover a big mystical man doesn’t come down your chimney on Christmas Eve. Because you get to become that magic for someone else. If you are a parent this appears in the sparkle in your children’s eyes. You get to share happiness with the person behind you in the drive thru line by buying their sandwich for them. You get to sit down with a struggling friend and hold them. You get to help the mom juggling her kids and grocery bags by distracting the crying one with silly faces in the checkout line. You can give a gift to the kid who’s parents are frantically working to make ends meet and may not be able to give them a gift.

This Christmas season do something kind for someone you know. Be benevolent to a stranger. Send someone a smile.
What kind of world would we have if everyone tried to be a little bit like Santa?

Art

A Golden Piano

Andi

Look at this piano! Just take a moment to revel in its beauty.

This is the parlour in the now museum home that belonged to Margaret Brown. She is most commonly recognized as the wealthy woman that survived the sinking of the Titanic. She’s even known as The Unsinkable Molly Brown. She was portrayed by Kathy Bates in the James Cameron film, which was some on point casting by the way. She was well travelled and returning home from Egypt when she boarded the Titanic. I think what makes her significant is not as much the fact she survived, many wealthy passengers survived, it’s that she took it upon herself to help the survivors. She gave them the socks off her feet and the coats she had on. She organized a survivor’s aide fund before they even got back to shore to help the people who lost their entire lives to the ocean.

This piano was not original to the house, but based on photos we do have of the home, this piece fits into their decor. It was magnificent. The sides were painted with country scenes. The keys darkened from age and use. I saw it when I stepped into the house and I wanted to cry it was so beautiful.

The house did have some extra decor because it is so close to Halloween and they do Haunted Victorian Tours. The cobwebs for instance don’t normally belong. However, the spooky extras made the house feel like I was in the Addams Family living room, so I didn’t mind.

The piano was, by far, my favorite part of the home. I wanted to hear it play, but I knew I couldn’t, and it looked as though it hadn’t been played in a very very long time.

I love that art doesnt necessarily come on a canvas in a frame, or even in marble or clay. Art can be in many forms, in any form really. It can look like a painting, or a stained glass window, a piece of music, or an intricate golden piano. Art is beautiful.

family

Old Quilts

Andi

I have several quilts that were hand made by great great relatives. My grandma grew up on a ranch and my grandpa on a farm through the Great Depression. They didn’t make things to be pretty or perfect. They were made with scraps and made to be used. They were made to last.

These quilts don’t fit right on our bed. Some of them are oddly shaped. Like this one that is way longer than it is wide. It’s a little frustrating. I want to use them, but they don’t provide full bed coverage and don’t look as emaculate as the comforters. They are fine for covering up my cold toes, but they don’t cover the bed completely and so, don’t look as pretty.

But the quilts have a unique history store bought comforters don’t have, and they are a perfect weight. They keep me warm and cozy. So I couldn’t put my bed on the cover of a Better Homes & Gardens. But how many of those covers have a family history covering the beds?

family, My Story

Adolescent Travel

Andi

All of the road trips I took with my grandparents were when I was fairly young, 10 and under. As I got older, and consequently they did as well, health complications and more frequent doctor appointments kept them from travelling like they had before. They would still go, as much as they could, but it was never quite as far or for as long. But as I got older, I started being able to go on my own, sometimes with a group of other teens. My first job was to pay for a vacation. These were the travels of my youth. Each one of these could probably make up an entire post all by themselves, and maybe I’ll go into more detail later.

To anyone who lives in America who can, I strongly suggest travelling outside of the U.S. Being able to immerse yourself in other cultures and lifestyles gives you a unique persepactive on the world. It’s good to know there are many different people who live rich and full lives that don’t look or live like we do in the States. We are but one peice of the bigger world puzzle.

The first time I travelled outside the United States, I visited London. I loved it there, and absolutely would love to go back. I don’t think I could live in such a big city, but the magnificence of the history drew me there. There is so much to tell, I could probably fill a book. I do remember this huge difference in people. The people who lived there I suppose are accustomed to tourists and were overly kind to us. But the other tourists were slightly rude and unkind. One of my favorite stops though had to be Westminster Abbey. This photo is unedited and was entirely accidental, but it is perfect. Th Abbey is the final resting place of quit a few people, but also still holds regular services. It was almost haunting to stand in. The place is beautiful and striking and serene.

I also was fortunate to visit Spain. My biggest take away from that visit was food. I came home with manchego (cheese made from sheep milk), nutella, and churros. All of which I now see all over the US. They were probaby here before but I hadn’t taken notice of them. I remember there being an entire museum about the Spanish Inquisition, I got one room in and had to turn around and leave. Some of the church buildings still have chains and cages hanging from the walls. This photo is the town of Toledo. This is where I bought my sword that I do still have. There were also quite a few castles in Spain, more than I remember being in England. And let me tell you, the Spanish knew how to glam it up. There was one room that had a ceiling covered entirely in gold pineapples.

For Christmas one year my older brother promised to take me to a concert. So, of course, I picked a concert in a totally different state. He told me ok, but this was now like 5 years of Christmas gifts. He and I went to Pensacola, FL in November, when noboy else was there. This was also the year after the big BP oil spill. The beaches were empty but it was Florida, so it was still pretty warm despite being winter. The white sand was flecked with hardened black oil. We also went to the Naval Aviation Museum, which of course was full of airplanes. Beautiful and big and filling the entire building. This was also the city in which I had my first glass of champagne and the absolute best corned beef sandwhich I have ever put in my mouth. It was huge, so big, I could barely get my mouth around it. Layer upon layer of thinly sliced melt in your mouth beef. My mouth is watering thinking about it again. That was a good sandwhich.

In 2010 I went to Romania. This was a youth group trip, so I wasn’t alone. Sadly, this put limits on what I could do. For instance, I saw Draculas castle! Well, I saw Bram Stokers home. On top of a massive hill, overlooking a small town. But nobody else wanted to go up to it, so I never got to go inside! However, we did visit some Roman ruins. It makes me feel kind of dumb that the country I was in is called ROMANia and I didn’t put together that it had anything to do with Rome. The country was a common summer destination for wealthy Romans and many had palaces and summr homes there. It was one of these vacation palaces that we were able to see. It was surreal to stand there in a crumbled home someone lived in a couple thousand years ago.

Budapest was next. This was the same youth group trip since Hungary and Romania are right next to each other. We didn’t spend as much time here, so there’s not as much to tell. What I remember most is the breathtaking architecture. Every building was ornate. This is their parliament building, but it wasn’t the only beautiful work in the city.

In 2011, 2012, and 2013 I attended OshKosh AirVenture. For those who don’t know, this is the biggest airshow in the US that takes place every year. It takes over the whole town for a week. The event is massive. I’ve been 3 times and I absolutely want to go again. When I went, I was in school for Aviation Maintenance Technology and would go with my school. I can still smell it, that crisp, sharp, airplane smell mixed with grrass and tent vinyl. I want to be in the air again so badly. It’s been too long. These trips were some of the most purely joyous.

Do you remember I said I loved old churches? This is the organ in Trinity Churh in NYC, and yes, I loved it. Look at those pipes! In comparison, these aren’t the biggest organ pipes I’ve seen, not even the oldest, but there is still something special about them. Maybe because this church is part of my own nation’s history? I also tried to go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral but at the time it was under renovation and all I got was scaffolding. The intricacy of these old places of worship astounds me. They are works of art.

Close to NY is New Jersey, which is the home of the Cake Boss. No, he was not there when we visited, sadly. Nonetheless this place was so crowded, but good gracious was it worth it. His cakes really are that good. He has a reputation for a reason. It was light and sweet, but not so sweet it makes you sick. My mouth is watering again.

I have had a strong fascination with the Civil War for years. The politics of it, the fuzzy grey areas people tend to look over. Even now, we still have people fighting over it. “It was actually about states rights!” Some yell. Others respond, “it was about slavery!” The debates over whether or not to tear down Confederate statues or leave them be. One of the most prominent battles of that war was at Gettysburg, and of course Lincoln’s most well known speech. We visited both sites. The battlefield is now speckled with statues and monuments of both Confederate and Union soldiers. This one is in honor of Pennsylvania soldiers from both sides. By far the biggest, most likely because Gettysburg is in PA. The location of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address also has a monument but is in a graveyard. White stone after white stone marking the final testing places of many young soldiers.

Just a few of the snapshots from my youth adventures. As a teen and young college student I travelled far and wide. I was incredibly fortunate to be able to make such trips. These were a peice of the mold that shaped my mind, and I am eternally grateful I had the chance to experience them.

Art, family

Beauty from Pain

Andi

I want to talk about one of my favorite artists for a moment, which is Vincent Van Gogh. And I want to talk about him because he was talented and unique, but also tormented and lonely.

Vincent was born in the Netherlands, but moved several times throughout his life, living quite a bit around France. He was very religious, at one point attending seminary. But school was just not his cup of tea. He dropped out of different schools more than once, despite being decent at keeping good grades. Instead of focusing on his studies, he would wander about the countryside and walk for miles and miles each day. He loved being outside in the quiet of nature.

He consistently wrote to his brother throughout his entire life, and it’s from these letters that we can really catch a glimpse into this man’s life. Many people speculate that Vincent had a mental disorder, but as medicine was not what it is today, no one is 100% certain what it was. What we do know is that he experienced severe episodes of depression. He admitted himself into a mental institution for a time, during which he painted a Starry Night. We also know he felt panicked at times, he kept a dreadful diet, was addicted to coffee, and saw no real appreciation for his work during his lifetime.

In this way I feel oddly connected to Vincent. I don’t suffer from manic depression, but I know the feeling of uselessness. Like I have no gifts, no special talent, like nothing I will do will ever matter to anyone. He was unappreciated in his time, and he felt intense pain. Sometimes that aching pain is overwhelming, and the intrusive thoughts make the dark corners creep in. Everyone wants to feel like they have a purpose, and when you don’t, you feel lost. You begin to wonder, why do I keep trying? I will never be successful at anything. Everything I love to do, I suck at. Like I have a curse to be bad at everything I like. And this feeling pops up at the weirdest times, when you least expect it. But we do have one thing he did not, we have much better mental health care now. I can search and find a professional to help me. And it saddens me he didn’t.

But you know one thing that carried with Vincent throughout his entire life? His art. He is one of the most prolific artists of all time. He used color and texture in ways not seen before. He saw beauty in things, no one else saw. So, I suck at gardening. I’m bad at video games. I sound like a wheezing horse when I sing. But I’m going to keep doing it. I’m going to buy another tomato plant, and try again. I will continue singing in the kitchen and no one will stop me. And I will keep playing games I love because I like playing them and for no other reason. Because 🖕🏽 you dark creeping thoughts, you won’t overcome me.

Vincent Van Gogh never saw his namesake museum. He never knew his painting could sell for nearly 4 million dollars. He won’t ever know that he is taught in art classes. But we do, we know his legacy, we can love him now. Maybe somehow, he can see us from the great beyond, and maybe he’d shed a tear. And maybe he’d tell you, no matter the negativity, never give up on the things you love the most.

family

Paper Portal

Andi

I pulled out a book from my shelf this morning titled Adventures in American Literature. It is a collection of short stories and poems all dating before 1900, and I was enjoying the light reading before the day really got started. Whilst flipping through I noticed a lot of margin notes and scribbles. They were all over in that scrawny cursive like my grandmother used to write in. I bought this book at an estate sale, so I know nothing about the previous owner, save for her name scribbled inside the front cover in that same scrawly cursive.

Upon reading these margin notes though I can surmise she was an English teacher, and wrote her lesson plans directly in the book. They say things like, “what is the rythym” and “finish further reading section on Tuesday” some as simple as “melancholy” and “tone?”

I also found some scribbles written in ink that look like a child’s doodles. Probably sitting at grandma’s house bored and found a book to look at.

This one however is the only note with a date, 3/12/31. Its marked with rhythm above the lines and Monday written beneath it. It’s like a paper portal into an American classroom 90 years ago. The feel of the pages, the smell of the old leather binding, even the way she writes, and of course the date stamp. Meaning this note has been sitting in the book nearly 100 years after being used to teach children about poetry. The poem she was noting here says this:

To him who in love of Nature holds

Communion with her visible forms, she speaks

A various language; for his gayer hours

She has a voice of gladness, and a smile

And eloquence of beauty, And she glides

And then continues on the next page, but the teacher did not continue notations. I’m curious why. The poem is clearly not finished, and yet the following page is empty of hand writing.

History preserves itself in tiny capsules like this and leaves us with little mysteries to wonder at and enjoy.