Auntie Rach,is the upcoming winter festival what we now have to call Christmas 🎄?
It was just my way of not saying C…mas in case anyone thought it was to soon! I am known for being a bit Humbug so that’s just me! You are spot on there @Obelixx that actual Christmas is supposed to be a Christian festival and should be referred to as such - if that’s what/why you are celebrating.
I believe the holiday in question has changed meaning over the decades and people don’t tend to use it practice or celebrate Christian faith but for something more to do with family/social gatherings, spoiling loved ones with gifts and food, having something to look forward to in the dark months etc. Nothing wrong with the evolution to this, but maybe an argument to refer to it as a winter festival. More inclusive? More modern? I wonder what it will look like in another few hundred years?? If we commit to being ‘greener’, value sustainability, care about not creating plastic pollution etc, then many of the associated trappings and luxuries will be out. (Tinsel, I’m looking at you).
Breakfast done and dusted. Overcast so far, no wind and a load of sheets and towels to hang out. Beziers markets this morning . One place for clothes, shoes etc. And another for fresh fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately, 2 years ago the two markets were separated into two different areas and not within walking distance. A lot of the atmosphere has vanished. Still. A trip to the library to collect a book I reserved. That'll be the morning shot to pieces...again!!
Day trip to Oxford today, with Chicklets, sisters and nieces. Youngest niece is at Uni there so we thought we’d gather for some festive shopping. We are the polar opposite of Bah Humbugs.
On which note, thought I would share some pics of the shop windows in Farnham (our local town)…..snow art in a way I have never seen it before. Lovely 🥰
Good morning all 😊 ☕️ I hope all have had a restful night.
It seems that humans all over the world have felt the need to celebrate the winter solstice, getting together to share time and feasting with friends and family … after all it’s about the only time that farmers and growers have a bit of free time on their hands and full stores of harvested and preserved food. In Northern Europe we called it Yule, in China it’s Dong Zhi, Peru has Inti Raymi, the Middle East has Yalda Night, Hopi tribes in N. America marked the shortest day with Soyal to help the sun return, and the Roman festival of Sol was on 25 December.
It’s acknowledged by the Christian church that its festivals were piggybacked onto celebrations that already existed and a certain amount of ‘spin’ was used to ‘Christianise’ the existing traditions … the words of the carol The Holly & the Ivy are a clear example of ‘Christianising’.
The same was done to the traditional spring time festival of rebirth … Eostre … after all what have eggs to do with the Christian story other than as a rather tenuous symbol of rebirth/resurrection.
So as far as I’m concerned, call our amalgam of Midwinter Festivities just that, or what you will … Christmas, Yule or whatever means something to you … it’s getting together with family, friends and neighbours, being thankful and sharing what we have and looking forward together to brighter days that’s important.
😊
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Goodness me ... am I the only one up this morning!?!
I've just been on my GP Practice website, sent them a week's BP readings and requested an appointment with a nurse for a blood test for my thyroid levels ... they'll text me back next week. All very straightforward.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Breakfast done and dusted. Overcast so far, no wind and a load of sheets and towels to hang out. Beziers markets this morning . One place for clothes, shoes etc. And another for fresh fruit and vegetables. Unfortunately, 2 years ago the two markets were separated into two different areas and not within walking distance. A lot of the atmosphere has vanished. Still. A trip to the library to collect a book I reserved. That'll be the morning shot to pieces...again!!
Have a pleasant day everyone.
Tui
Day trip to Oxford today, with Chicklets, sisters and nieces. Youngest niece is at Uni there so we thought we’d gather for some festive shopping. We are the polar opposite of Bah Humbugs.
On which note, thought I would share some pics of the shop windows in Farnham (our local town)…..snow art in a way I have never seen it before. Lovely 🥰
It seems that humans all over the world have felt the need to celebrate the winter solstice, getting together to share time and feasting with friends and family … after all it’s about the only time that farmers and growers have a bit of free time on their hands and full stores of harvested and preserved food. In Northern Europe we called it Yule, in China it’s Dong Zhi, Peru has Inti Raymi, the Middle East has Yalda Night, Hopi tribes in N. America marked the shortest day with Soyal to help the sun return, and the Roman festival of Sol was on 25 December.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I've just been on my GP Practice website, sent them a week's BP readings and requested an appointment with a nurse for a blood test for my thyroid levels ... they'll text me back next week. All very straightforward.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.