11 April 2011
Dust and Dander
Hubbs and I had a pretty intense housecleaning session on Saturday - much needed, and double-power is always appreciated. Today, Accuweather has this addendum to the forecast:
Well of all the nerve! How would they even know? I guess news has gone around the world that I have ten cats. Either that, or they need to look up the word "dander" in the dictionary. Too funny.
08 April 2011
Blogging Elsewhere
In case you're wondering where I am, I'm in the midst of an A-Z Blogging Challenge that includes almost 1,200 other bloggers! You can see what I have to say at my Blog Book Tours blog (one of my paying jobs) and maybe learn something about blogging and promoting that novel you have inside you. Or maybe you've already written it. Good for you.
It's still been a little cold here on the high plains, and incredibly windy. I wish it would settle down so I can plant seeds! Everything in the garden is still crispy and brown at this point - well, not everything. I have parsley and other herbs coming up, some of the jonquils have bloomed, and the iris is starting to show some green. And lots of grasshoppers appearing! I ordered 5# of semaspore from Planet Natural and I hope it gets here soon! Or I'll have more of this again, which means not much in the way of natural backyard veggies.
They were everywhere last summer. Looking up recipes for deep-fried grasshoppers didn't deter them one bit, and by July they pretty much had decimated any vegetable matter. I hate seeing them before the lettuce has even begun to sprout! Out, damn fraughts, out I say!
It's still been a little cold here on the high plains, and incredibly windy. I wish it would settle down so I can plant seeds! Everything in the garden is still crispy and brown at this point - well, not everything. I have parsley and other herbs coming up, some of the jonquils have bloomed, and the iris is starting to show some green. And lots of grasshoppers appearing! I ordered 5# of semaspore from Planet Natural and I hope it gets here soon! Or I'll have more of this again, which means not much in the way of natural backyard veggies.
They were everywhere last summer. Looking up recipes for deep-fried grasshoppers didn't deter them one bit, and by July they pretty much had decimated any vegetable matter. I hate seeing them before the lettuce has even begun to sprout! Out, damn fraughts, out I say!
03 April 2011
Around the World
It was 83 degrees here yesterday - just like a summer day. April Fool! Tonight it'll dip to 26 degrees with snow in the forecast. Colder yet tomorrow night with 22 degrees. People will say this is just Colorado, but anyone with a shred of observation ability will notice that the extremes between high and low in a short period of one or two days is... well, pretty abnormal.
Wild times around the world, and I enter this just for the record. The situation in Japan is still dire. Radioactive water continues to leak from a damaged nuclear reactor into the ocean, and debris as well as levels of radioactivity are noted on American shores. Presumably also in other countries. It's a nasty situation and one can only hope it reverses the direction of President Obama's energy policy which is top-heavy in favor of nuclear, ethanol production, and natural gas drilling. Bad choices, Mr. President. Why do the leaders not include in their paradigm the idea of using less energy and greater efficiency? Well, the answer is obvious, isn't it? Someone would be making less money, the less energy being used.
The unrest in the Middle East continues to expand. I don't want to write about that on Sunday, a day of rest from these dreadfully unholy human behaviors. My heart sinks that we are spending resources in Libya, and that my young military family members are in fighting zones. My family has paid way too much for all these alleged "freedoms" so that the vast majority of Americans can feel "patriotic". Let us spend our tax dollars on health here at home, not death in foreign lands.
We took a quick trip to the city to take pictures of Manitou for Ann Parker's novel research. It was crowded with people, like a typical summer day. The road was torn up in front of the Dutch Kitchen where we stopped in for our annual slice of nostalgia and pie. 52 years they've been in business and nothing has changed including some of the signs! We drove up into the neighborhoods perched about the main avenue, and then into Garden of the Gods for some relief from the flatness we live in daily. My eyes and soul desperately need the mountains sometimes, so I can only imagine how much more the native boy needs the reprieve.
Wild times around the world, and I enter this just for the record. The situation in Japan is still dire. Radioactive water continues to leak from a damaged nuclear reactor into the ocean, and debris as well as levels of radioactivity are noted on American shores. Presumably also in other countries. It's a nasty situation and one can only hope it reverses the direction of President Obama's energy policy which is top-heavy in favor of nuclear, ethanol production, and natural gas drilling. Bad choices, Mr. President. Why do the leaders not include in their paradigm the idea of using less energy and greater efficiency? Well, the answer is obvious, isn't it? Someone would be making less money, the less energy being used.
The unrest in the Middle East continues to expand. I don't want to write about that on Sunday, a day of rest from these dreadfully unholy human behaviors. My heart sinks that we are spending resources in Libya, and that my young military family members are in fighting zones. My family has paid way too much for all these alleged "freedoms" so that the vast majority of Americans can feel "patriotic". Let us spend our tax dollars on health here at home, not death in foreign lands.
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| Mick with mountain berry pie |
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| The famous Dutch Treat with curried cabbage |
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| Looking down on Manitou Springs |
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| Driving through Garden of the Gods to Cheyenne Mountain |
01 April 2011
Of Symbols and Ceremony
Ceremony in different cultures and religions has always fascinated me, and today I picked this up at the online listserv of an eastern orthodox Catholic church my husband paints icons for. It's part of their very intriguing Easter (Pascha) ceremony.
The Pascha Basket
After the midnight Paschal Liturgy, we all gather together to bless the Pascha baskets. These baskets have been carefully prepared with many of the foods from which we've been fasting during Great Lent. There are several foods traditionally included in the basket. These are: a yeast bread, a bitter herb (horseradish)
Bread: The Easter Bread (Paska, Kulich, Tsourekia)~ A sweet, yeast bread rich in eggs, butter, etc. Symbolic of Christ Himself who is our True Bread as well as a symbol of the New Covenant: the Jews made unleavened bread, and we, the Children of the New Covenant, make leavened bread. Kulich is the traditional Russian bread, and Tsourekia is the traditional Greek braided bread, Paska is Ukrainian & Carpatho-Rusyn. The braided form of this bread is a display of the Trinity. Sometimes a round loaf baked with a golden crust decorated with a symbol indicative of Christ. A cross of dough is placed on top encircled by a plait giving it a crowned effect, or Greek abbreviations for the name of Christ. The letters XB indicate the Slavonic for "Christ is Risen." The Carpatho-Rusyn version often has a tunnel of sweet cheese dough baked in the center of the loaf.
Meat: Ham is the meat popular with Slavs as the main dish because of its richness and symbolic of the great joy and abundance of Easter. Others may prefer lamb or veal. This is usually well roasted or cooked as well as other meats prepared in advance so that the festivity of the day will not be burdened with preparation and all may enjoy the Feast. Meat is included in remembrance of the sacrifice of the Old Testament Passover, which has been replaced by Christ, the New Passover and Lamb of God. This is directly from the prayers said, we see that the meats represent our Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb of sacrifice, obeying the will of the Father, as did Abraham who was ready to offer his only son to the command of God.
Sausage: (Kolbasi) A spicy, garlicy sausage of pork products, indicative of God's favor and generosity
Bacon: A piece of uncooked bacon cured with spices. Symbolic of the overabundance of God's mercy to us.
Soft cheese: (Hrudka or Sirets, or Russian Paska Cheese) A sweet custard-type cheese that is shaped into a ball or mould and decorated. The sweet taste is indicative of the moderation that Christians should have in all things. Also, creamed cheese can be placed in a small dish and both are decorated with symbols made of cloves, peppercorns or currants.
Salt: A condiment necessary for flavor reminding the Christian of his duty to others as well as a reminder that we are "the salt of the earth."
Butter: This favorite dairy product is shaped into the figure of a lamb or small cross or placed in a bowl and decorated with a cross. This reminds us of the goodness of Christ that we should have toward all things.
Eggs (decorated/colored red): (Pysanky - pronounced - pi-sun-ki) Hard boiled eggs brightly decorated with symbols and markings made with beeswax. Indicative of new life and resurrection. The red egg is likened to the tomb or sepulchre from which Christ arose. As the egg is sealed, but holds life in itself, and that life in the shell breaks it open and comes out as a new life, so was the grave of Christ sealed, but it contained life eternal which burst its seals and gave to us a new eternal life. This is because of the miracle of new life which comes from the egg, just as Christ miraculously came forth from the tomb. The red coloring of the egg recalls to us that by the blood of Jesus upon the Cross we were freed from sin and death. Tradition also says that Mary Magdalene gave the first egg to the Roman emperor Tiberius, when she was brought before him and accused of being a Christian. She took the egg and by it demonstrated the belief of Christians in eternal life, and by her presentation, was able to persuade the emperor to stop the persecution of Christians.
Horseradish or Horseradish mixed with grated red beets. This bitter herb ultimately serves as a reminder of the first Passover (horseradish is eaten as a traditional part of the original Passover meal) and of the bitter sufferings which Christ endured for our sake. Sometimes the herb is colored red with beets, symbolizing the Blood of Christ. The bitter herb is also to bring to mind the Jews' forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
Candle to place in the center of the Paska Bread. This can be festively decorated or a plain beeswax candle.
Wine: figurative of all the good things of life, wine reminds us of the earthly gifts that come from God.
Decorative cloth to cover basket These articles are placed in a wicker basket and a ribbon or bow is tied to the handle. A decorated candle is placed in the basket and is lit at the time of blessing. A linen cover usually embroidered with a picture of the Risen Christ or symbol with the words "Christ is Risen" is placed over the foods when brought to the church. In some places a large Easter Bread (Paska) is made and brought separately in a large linen cloth. Thus each of the foods in the Pascha basket have rich meaning, as does everything in Orthodoxy. Glory to God!
After the midnight Paschal Liturgy, we all gather together to bless the Pascha baskets. These baskets have been carefully prepared with many of the foods from which we've been fasting during Great Lent. There are several foods traditionally included in the basket. These are: a yeast bread, a bitter herb (horseradish)
Bread: The Easter Bread (Paska, Kulich, Tsourekia)~ A sweet, yeast bread rich in eggs, butter, etc. Symbolic of Christ Himself who is our True Bread as well as a symbol of the New Covenant: the Jews made unleavened bread, and we, the Children of the New Covenant, make leavened bread. Kulich is the traditional Russian bread, and Tsourekia is the traditional Greek braided bread, Paska is Ukrainian & Carpatho-Rusyn. The braided form of this bread is a display of the Trinity. Sometimes a round loaf baked with a golden crust decorated with a symbol indicative of Christ. A cross of dough is placed on top encircled by a plait giving it a crowned effect, or Greek abbreviations for the name of Christ. The letters XB indicate the Slavonic for "Christ is Risen." The Carpatho-Rusyn version often has a tunnel of sweet cheese dough baked in the center of the loaf.
Meat: Ham is the meat popular with Slavs as the main dish because of its richness and symbolic of the great joy and abundance of Easter. Others may prefer lamb or veal. This is usually well roasted or cooked as well as other meats prepared in advance so that the festivity of the day will not be burdened with preparation and all may enjoy the Feast. Meat is included in remembrance of the sacrifice of the Old Testament Passover, which has been replaced by Christ, the New Passover and Lamb of God. This is directly from the prayers said, we see that the meats represent our Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb of sacrifice, obeying the will of the Father, as did Abraham who was ready to offer his only son to the command of God.
Sausage: (Kolbasi) A spicy, garlicy sausage of pork products, indicative of God's favor and generosity
Bacon: A piece of uncooked bacon cured with spices. Symbolic of the overabundance of God's mercy to us.
Soft cheese: (Hrudka or Sirets, or Russian Paska Cheese) A sweet custard-type cheese that is shaped into a ball or mould and decorated. The sweet taste is indicative of the moderation that Christians should have in all things. Also, creamed cheese can be placed in a small dish and both are decorated with symbols made of cloves, peppercorns or currants.
Salt: A condiment necessary for flavor reminding the Christian of his duty to others as well as a reminder that we are "the salt of the earth."
Butter: This favorite dairy product is shaped into the figure of a lamb or small cross or placed in a bowl and decorated with a cross. This reminds us of the goodness of Christ that we should have toward all things.
Eggs (decorated/colored red): (Pysanky - pronounced - pi-sun-ki) Hard boiled eggs brightly decorated with symbols and markings made with beeswax. Indicative of new life and resurrection. The red egg is likened to the tomb or sepulchre from which Christ arose. As the egg is sealed, but holds life in itself, and that life in the shell breaks it open and comes out as a new life, so was the grave of Christ sealed, but it contained life eternal which burst its seals and gave to us a new eternal life. This is because of the miracle of new life which comes from the egg, just as Christ miraculously came forth from the tomb. The red coloring of the egg recalls to us that by the blood of Jesus upon the Cross we were freed from sin and death. Tradition also says that Mary Magdalene gave the first egg to the Roman emperor Tiberius, when she was brought before him and accused of being a Christian. She took the egg and by it demonstrated the belief of Christians in eternal life, and by her presentation, was able to persuade the emperor to stop the persecution of Christians.
Horseradish or Horseradish mixed with grated red beets. This bitter herb ultimately serves as a reminder of the first Passover (horseradish is eaten as a traditional part of the original Passover meal) and of the bitter sufferings which Christ endured for our sake. Sometimes the herb is colored red with beets, symbolizing the Blood of Christ. The bitter herb is also to bring to mind the Jews' forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
Candle to place in the center of the Paska Bread. This can be festively decorated or a plain beeswax candle.
Wine: figurative of all the good things of life, wine reminds us of the earthly gifts that come from God.
Decorative cloth to cover basket These articles are placed in a wicker basket and a ribbon or bow is tied to the handle. A decorated candle is placed in the basket and is lit at the time of blessing. A linen cover usually embroidered with a picture of the Risen Christ or symbol with the words "Christ is Risen" is placed over the foods when brought to the church. In some places a large Easter Bread (Paska) is made and brought separately in a large linen cloth. Thus each of the foods in the Pascha basket have rich meaning, as does everything in Orthodoxy. Glory to God!
The first time I had horseradish and beets was at a Jewish home and it was served on whitefish. Excellent! You can see the crossover in traditions by that one condiment alone. I don't believe horseradish is an herb, and so am not sure why it's referred to this way.
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