Thursday, October 29, 2009

Samhain / Halloween

Since this is the time of year when all those ghosts and goblins come out to scare us ... I thought I would do a little update on how Halloween originated and thought it would be worth a blog!

Did you realize the traditions of Halloween come from Irish heritage? As millions of children and adults participate in the fun of Halloween on the night of October 31st, few will be aware of its ancient Celtic roots in the Samhain festival. In Celtic Ireland about 2000 years ago, Samhain (pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne) was the division of the year between the lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter). At Samhain the division between this world and the Otherworld was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through. It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane, when it’s magical interval when the mundane laws of time and space are temporarily suspended, and the Thin Veil between the worlds is lifted. Communicating with ancestors and departed loved ones is easy at this time, for they journey through this world on their way to the Summerlands.

The family's ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. People wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves as harmful spirits and thus avoid harm. Bonfires and food played a large part in the festivities. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into a communal fire, household fires were extinguished and started again from the bonfire. Food was prepared for the living and the dead, food for the ancestors who were in no position it eat it, was ritually shared with the less well off.

Christianity incorporated the honouring of the dead into the Christian calendar with All Saints (All Hallows) on November 1 followed by All Souls on November 2. The wearing of costumes and masks to ward off harmful spirits survived as Halloween customs.

The Irish emigrated to America in great numbers during the 19th century especially around the time of famine in Ireland during the 1840's. The Irish carried their Halloween traditions to America, where today it is one of the major holidays of the year. Through time other traditions have blended into Halloween, for example the American harvest time tradition of carving pumpkins.



Stay tuned kiddies ...TOMORROW ... the history of the pumpkin and Halloween!!!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Please pull your pants up!!!

My friend works in a high school and she came accross this clip, I think it is great!! AND I agree ... PLEASE PULL YOUR PANTS UP!!!!

Friday, October 16, 2009

Foto Friday ~ Sharing - taken 10/09

see the little guy in the corner looking at me ... (click on foto to enlarge)





Monday, October 5, 2009

Kids ... the innocents

Someone sent these to me and I thought they were cute!

A father was at the beach with his children When the four-year-old son ran up to him, Grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore Where a seagull lay dead in the sand. 'Daddy, what happened to him?' the son asked.. 'He died and went to Heaven,' the Dad replied. The boy thought a moment and then said, 'Did God throw him back down?'

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A wife invited some people to dinner.. At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said, 'Would you like to say the blessing?' 'I wouldn't know what to say,' the girl replied. 'Just say what you hear Mommy say,' the wife answered.The daughter bowed her head and said, 'Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they Were on the way to church service, 'And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?' One bright little girl replied, 'Because people are sleeping.'
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After the christening of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, 'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, And I wanted to stay with you guys.'

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3-year-old Reese : 'Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name. Amen.' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy was overheard praying: 'Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am.'
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Friday, October 2, 2009

Foto Friday ~ Two Photos

My Great-Great-Great Grandfather's headstone



My Great-Great-Great Grandmother's headstone