she who blogs

A Good Day

When my blog buddy Lissa and I exchanged blogs back in February I had the pleasure of meeting Selma.

Today while putting together a profile about Selma to publish here, I read her most recent post.

It brought back memories of Easters past for me, and I know it will for many of you.

 

I often feel blue on Good Friday. More than at Christmas it is a day when I miss my family in Ireland. Even after all these years.

I miss the ritual of going to church. Of wearing my new shoes and the dress stiff with starch. Of my cousins Jessie and Patrick breaking the Lenten fast early with chocolate drops and humbugs, brazenly popping them into their mouths during the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. Of the time Patrick gave my other cousin, Aine, a gobstopper that stained her lips blue and she had to spend the rest of the day being told she was a sinner by my grandmother.

Of the time when my sister was only about three and she got Christmas and Easter mixed up and kept shouting out in the middle of the church:’ What happened to the baby Jesus?’

My Aunt Nellie cried during the liturgy once, overcome at the pain Jesus must have felt as he was nailed to the cross. She is one of the few people I have met whom I felt lived in a Christ-like way.

My Grandfather, a normally quiet and unassuming man, used to sing with such passion I would stand with my mouth open, surprised at the clear, powerful voice coming from this man who usually let my grandmother do all the talking.

I miss the ritual. The sanctity. The reverence. When I was in church on Good Friday and again on Easter Sunday I was convinced I believed. I did believe.

It is hard not believing as much.

On this Good Friday, whoever your gods are, I hope you find a moment of clarity and faithfulness where you feel that life is precious and sacred and maybe even a little divine.

I hope you remember that the things we held dear as children stay in our hearts long after we have grown. And that memories and love have a power all of their own.

I miss my family today but in some strange way I know they are with me.

Even after all these years.

L’uova di Pasqua: The Italian Easter Egg

Easter in Italy is generally much less commercialized than in the United States, but there is one tradition that recalls the Easters I knew growing up:

L’uova di Pasqua. The Italian Easter Egg.

As you can tell from the photo, these are not those little bite-sized, even two or three bite-sized eggs you’re using to seeing. These are hollow and range in size from palm of your hand to ginormous (think: wrap your arms around it to carry it).

I bought some yesterday just to show you what an egg looks like wrapped and unwrapped:

Then since it was open, well, we had to smash it, because the eggs usually have a “sorpresa” (surprise) inside. Depending on how much you paid for your uova di Pasqua, your surprise could be a dinky little toy or something more substantial, but still a toy nonetheless.

Having spent a whopping €1,50 ($2) on each one of these, we got dinky. And here’s P putting the stickers on the pathetic plastic car:

Stylin’ when it’s done, though, isn’t it? “Collect them all!” says the insert.

And in case you’re wondering, there’s no Easter Bunny and definitely no marshmallow stuff or jelly beans. Thank goodness for my mom! I love jelly beans, and now so does P.

Buona Pasqua to those who are celebrating!

 

More From Michelle Here

Another Opportunity For Folks With Big Hearts

Holidays are around the corner, and I’ve noticed that people open their hearts to others this time of year. Especially I see that knitters and crocheters all over the internet keep their hands busy creating items to give away. But, you don’t have to be crafty to give … just creative. You can purchase handmade items from someone on Etsy, or talk a friend into making a handmade gift and you pay the shipping!

That’s what I’m told at Sharing Our Gifts. They have a special program going on right now, and the deadline is almost upon us, to make hats and mittens for women and children at the Lee Shore Center in Kenai, Alaska, which provides a safe haven for women and children escaping from domestic abuse and sexual assault. That sounds like a place that could use the warmth of our love.

The project in Alaska is the second project in an ambitious goal of 50 projects for 50 states. My friend Barbara, who was one of the main participants in Share A Square two years ago, is collecting these and needs them by November 25th.

No, I didn’t give you a lot of time on this one, but if you are crafty I bet you make the time. Or, you can buy a handmade gift from a crafter … you know they would be happy to make a sale. That’s my “good” for this Only The Good Friday.

What’s yours?

I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend. Please join these other fine folks who occasionally post their “good.”
RV Poetry; Candid Karina; All My Great, or Not So Great Adventures; Inside Mo’s Mind; Thorne’s World; Down River Drivel; Duward Discussion; Ramblings of an Unstable Mind; Insightful Nana; Newbie Lifeline; Everyday Tarot; West of Mars; Life’s Journey; Round Circle; Barbara’s Travels; Blog of Revelation; Desert Diva; Blogjem My Life As It Is

Related posts:

1. Only The Good Friday # 9: HAP
2. My Optimism is Challenged
3. In Emergencies, The Red Cross AND Facebook Are Good
4. I Knew That People Had Big Hearts
5. Helping Others To Dress For Success

Visit Shelly at This Eclectic Life

 

Do They Have a Fourth of July In England?

 

Yes, of course they do, silly!

It's neatly ensconced between the third of July and the fifth of July.  Quite convenient, is it not?

Oh.

You mean, do they celebrate American Independence Day?

Well.... wouldn't that be a little like Tina Turner sending red roses to Ike Turner on their anniversary?
Then again, maybe not. 

The British do not collectively do cocaine-- they let Pete Doherty take one for the team.   And as far as I know, the US is not an abused wife.

(and plus, there was no blow back in the 18th century, but don't tell LiLo that)

Oh wait!  You mean, do they have a day where they blow things up and have all manner of cool fireworks?  They do:  it's called Guy Fawkes night and I hear it's the sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.  Guy Fawkes and pals tried to blow up Parliament, you know.

I know huh?  Apparently crazy-assed bombers, assassins, conspirators and murderers are not solely in the realm of our kooky, violent, terrorist-mad world.  I bet you knew that, huh, Mr. Lincoln?

Happy fifth of July, everyone!  Have a nice one.

Visit Madame Meow

Yes, of course they do, silly!

It's neatly ensconced between the third of July and the fifth of July.  Quite convenient, is it not?

Oh.

You mean, do they celebrate American Independence Day?

Well.... wouldn't that be a little like Tina Turner sending red roses to Ike Turner on their anniversary?
Then again, maybe not. 

The British do not collectively do cocaine-- they let Pete Doherty take one for the team.   And as far as I know, the US is not an abused wife.

(and plus, there was no blow back in the 18th century, but don't tell LiLo that)

Oh wait!  You mean, do they have a day where they blow things up and have all manner of cool fireworks?  They do:  it's called Guy Fawkes night and I hear it's the sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.  Guy Fawkes and pals tried to blow up Parliament, you know.

I know huh?  Apparently crazy-assed bombers, assassins, conspirators and murderers are not solely in the realm of our kooky, violent, terrorist-mad world.  I bet you knew that, huh, Mr. Lincoln?

Happy fifth of July, everyone!  Have a nice one.

Visit Madame Meow

Accountability April - Who's With Me?

 

Okay folks, here it is, April 1st. I was going to be all clever and give you some big April Fool’s Joke, you know, tell you I was quitting blogging, or I had gotten married on my cruise, or some such silly thing, but…well…I’m just not that good of a liar, so I’ll spare you, and instead get serious about my big project for April.

My Twitter friend Lisa and I had a discussion recently about the fact that our NaNo novels have pretty much laid untouched since November 30th or so. All this hard work put into reaching the 50k words, and then, as soon as the month ended, they were pushed aside like all of our other unfinished works in progress. One more to add to the list of started, but never completed manuscripts.

So, we decided that it was time to focus on those novels once again, and the month of April was to be the month in which we would do so.

And then we thought “There must be others out there in the same boat, others who’s NaNo novels are just sitting, waiting for encouragement to be picked up again”. And also, what about those New Year’s Resolutions? The promise to lose 10 lbs. The goal to hit the gym 3 times a week? The decision to quit smoking? The plan to declutter your house one room at a time? How many of those resolutions have been forgotten and pushed aside?

It is not too late to take them up, and THIS is the time my friends, April has just become the month in which you will be held accountable for those projects.

So, we invite you to join us for Accountability April, a month long challenge to get back to those projects we have let slide.

Lisa and I are both going to be working on our NaNo Novels. But you don’t have to be a writer to join us, any of those resolutions, or any other task you’ve been meaning to tackle will do.

Join us in being productive this month, won’t you?

Here’s what we’ll do. Every Wednesday I’ll post an Accountability April update. I’ll let you know how I’m doing on my novel, how many words I’ve written that week, or what kind of time I’ve spent on edits, and I’ll share other mini-projects I’m working on each week.

You will post on your own blog your very own Accountability April post, giving your readers an update on your own progress with whatever your project may be.

Then, stop on by and leave me (and/or Lisa) a comment letting us know your post is up, with a link.

If you don’t have a blog, but would like to participate, just leave a comment with an update on how you are doing.

What do you think? Are you in? If you ‘d like to join us and think you can get a post up this week with your own project plan, go ahead and do so, and link back here to let us know. Even if you can’t get your post up this week, start working on your project, and post next Wednesday and stop by with your update then.
 
Also, we'll be pushing each other along, and encouraging, and keeping tabs, and checking in daily through Twitter, so you'll want to be sure to follow us, and let us know you're participating, so we can follow you in return. Here's me on Twitter: CandidK and Lisa.

Looking forward to getting accountable with you!

VISIT CANDID KARINA

Love Thursday: Lovers’ Island

Thanks to faithful reader, Gil, here is a spectacular photo of what has been dubbed “Lovers’ Island” off the coast of Croatia:

Its amazing heart shape was discovered by viewers of Google Earth; even owner Vlado Juresko hadn’t realized before that his uninhabited island was such a perfect heart until people started requesting to stay there.

Speaking of romantic locations, if you’re looking for a nice spot to celebrate Valentine’s Day or any day, do check out two articles I recently published with the BootsnAll Travel Network:

Five Great Valentine’s Day Getaways in the USA

Six Romantic Getaways Around the World

(And feel free to give them thumbs-up, Stumble love, etc.).

Happy Love Thursday everyone!

Do you play around with Google Earth?

VISIT BLEEDING ESPRESSO

Birthday Bash 2009

 

To celebrate my birthday (actual date is January 24), I decided to do a giveaway for a whole week. I've never celebrated it before, not in any big way. Mostly I ignored the day. But this year, I thought it would be nice to actually celebrate it. Starting January 24 through January 31, I will be giving away one item(s) per day. What I'm giving away? Why, books of cause, but there a few other items as well. Visit "leftover reveries" for full details.

Happy! Happy! Happy! and all that jazz!!!

Well, howdy y'all.  Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannakah!  Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Holidays...Just Happy! Happy! Happy!

I must say that I am glad the season is over!  So many services..not enough time to catch my breath.  I am just beginning to feel somewhat normal...Epiphany is here...and soon Lent will be upon us!

Anywho...I just wanted to pop in to say hello and to wish you all the best year ever!  My kids and I will be attending the Inauguration and while I doubt that we will be anywhere near enough to see, I hope to get some pics.  It is a moment in time that I just want to be a part of.  (even though I am a little leery of crowds of that magnitude).

I bring you good wishes from Shanel, who is in Africa now.  She has no wireless internet capabilities and I believe she makes a trip somewhere to use a computer.  She is doing well and doing fantastic work over there.   She says:  " <em>Please give my regards to all the women at she who blogs</em>".  Soon's I fall into some extra money, I plan on visiting her, and Imbi in the Netherlands....(one of these days)...sigh!

My health is fine (knock on wood), and my daughter and I are healing our relationship.  I am amazed at her.  I'll post something from her as soon as it is published in our church newsletter.  I thank God for this second chance for a real mother/daughter relationship.

My son is doing better.  Grades are where they should be, just keeping my fingers crossed that he is consistent.

Well...that's about it from me.  What's going on with you?

Visit Andrena at Getting a Grip on Grace

HOWL-IDAY POSERS

 

 

we interrupt this nap...to bring you some holiday cheer!!...how does one motivate us to wear the ridiculous head gear that appears so festive to those not actually wearing it?...why, biscuits, of course!!...new biscuits...extra-special **holiday** biscuits!!...we'll do most any crazy thing for one (or two or three...) of them...but L., well, fashion diva that she is, remains unconvinced about the chicness of our holiday headgear...mom's "all the dogs are doing it" was met with a full blown hound howl!!...who can argue with *that*?!?!?

may all of you have a very merry Christmas from all of us here at dogblog!...
 

http://www.ognipiacere.blogspot.com/

 

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

-St. Augustine

This Greeting has Been Cleared by my Attorney

From me ("the wishor") to you ("the wishee") please accept without obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, politically correct, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I wish you a financially successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2006, but with due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures or sects, and having regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting you are bound by these terms that:- This greeting is subject to further clarification or withdrawal. This greeting is freely transferable provided that no alteration shall be made to the original greeting and that the proprietary rights of the wishor are acknowledged. This greeting implies no promise by the wishor to actually implement any of the wishes. This greeting may not be enforceable in certain jurisdictions and/or the restrictions herein may not be binding upon certain wishees in certain jurisdictions and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wishor.

This greeting is warranted to perform as reasonably may be expected within the usual application of good tidings, for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first.

The wishor warrants this greeting only for the limited replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wishor. Any references in this greeting to "The Lord", "Father Christmas", "Our Savior", "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer" or any other festive figures, whether actual or fictitious, dead or alive, shall not imply any endorsement by or from them in respect of this greeting, and all proprietary rights in any referenced third party names and images are hereby acknowledged.

This greeting is made under United States Law. Dated this 24th day of December two thousand and eight.

Visit Wicked H