TURNING SEVEN
This little nugget turns seven this month.
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Monday, September 14, 2020
EIGTH ANNIVERSARY
Boat Shoes And Button Downs celebrates its eight anniversary this month. Many of you know that I have gone through several health issues over the last few years, which didn't allow me to post as much here as I would have liked. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has severely limited my resources and opportunities, also hindering my ability to post here as regularly as I would like. My hope is that I will be able to correct that as I continue to move forward through this new reality we are all living in now. I am very grateful for this blog and the creative outlet it provides me, but most of all I'm grateful all of you. Thank you for the love, support, and patience you've shown me throughout the years. I really do appreciate it.
Friday, August 28, 2020
Sunday, August 16, 2020
Sunday, June 21, 2020
FOREFATHER'S DAY
Father's Day is a time to celebrate fathers. Since my father passed away in 1986, I thought I take a moment to remember all of my forefathers.
My Great-Great-Great Grandfather
Daniel Weiss (White)
Daniel immigrated with his family to America in 1855, from Bruchstal, Baden, Germany. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of him.
My Great-Great-Grandfather
Bernard White
My Great-Grandfather
John Henry White
My Grandfather
Raymond John White
My Father
Cyril John White
Wishing Everyone A Happy Father's Day!!!
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Friday, November 1, 2019
Thursday, October 31, 2019
LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
Ever since I was a small child I have carved a Jack-O-Lantern on Halloween. This is, perhaps, more significant as I approach a rather significant birthday that celebrates entering a new decade.
While some people might consider this a bit childish, I view it as a way to keep family traditions alive. It keeps me in touch with my loved ones who shared in these rituals in the past, but are no longer with us today.
Halloween has it's roots in the Celtic feast of Samhain, which celebrated the ancestors who had passed away, so it's only fitting that my Jack-O-Lantern helps to keep the memory of my ancestors alive for me.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
CEMETERY SPIRITS
As we move into the darkest time of year we pass through a time known as All Hallowstide. The time when we celebrate Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day, the three days of remembering our our ancestors and loved ones who have passed on.
This was a major Thin Time for the ancient Celts who celebrated Samhain on Octobert 31 - What we call Halloween. Samhain was the feast of the ancestors, and it was also both the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year, thus they believed that the veil between the worlds - this world and the next - was thinnest. During this time they believed that the spirits of their loved ones could walk the earth, and so they would place candles in carved turnips and set them outside to light the way as these spirits continued on their journey. They would also leave plates of food out to nourish their ancestor as they continued on their way. I think you can see the beginnings of what we now call Halloween. In fact Halloween is the holiday that is most closely celebrated today as it was in olden times.
As Christianity began to spread throughout Europe, they began to incorporate parts of the local traditions, with a Christian twist, into their rituals. November 1, became All Saint's Day, honoring the holy Saints of the Church, and so Samhain (October 31) became known as All Hallows Eve or Halloween.
While the indigenous people of Europe readily accepted the feast to honor the Saints, it still didn't fill their need to honor the ancestors. The Church met that need by establishing All Soul's Day on November 2. This feast of souls was intended to be a time for us to remember and honor our family members and loved ones who had passed away. Thus, we came full circle to the original celebration of Samhain.
Here's wishing everyone a very happy All Hallowstide!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)