Holidays Archives - Page 15 of 20 - View from the Front Porch

19 02, 2018

Why I think President’s Day is a Strange Holiday

By judythemorgan|2018-02-01T17:36:41-06:00February 19th, 2018|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|3 Comments

Three things strike me as making Presidents Day holiday strange.

1. There’s no universal agreement on the actual name of the holiday

Most American holidays are clear-cut in what we are celebrating or honoring, i.e. 4^th of July, Thanksgiving, or Martin Luther King Day.

Not so with Presidents Day. Ask several people what President’s Day recognizes or why we celebrate, and you’re likely to get totally different answers.

Fact is, President’s Day originated to recognize George Washington’s actual day of birth, February 22. It was the first federal holiday to celebrate the life of an individual and joined only four other national bank holidays – Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving.

Then under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, which was passed to create more three-day weekends and increase retail and tourism revenue, it became known as Presidents’ Day and included President Abraham Lincoln whose birthday is February 12.

2. There’s no clear clarification of which presidents are being honored

Popular culture gradually shifted the emphasis from recognizing Washington and Lincoln to a day to recognize the lives of American presidents generally.

Interesting to note that the Federal government still labels the third Monday in February on official calendars as Washington’s Birthday.

3. There’s no agreement about whether to use an apostrophe or not

Sometimes the apostrophe isn’t used at all (as in Presidents Day), sometimes it is placed between the last two letters (President’s Day), and sometimes it is after the last letter (Presidents’ Day).

No specific title for the holiday is a little confusing, especially if you happen to be an English teacher.

Seems reasonable to say those three things make Presidents’ Day or President’s Day or Presidents Day a slightly strange holiday.

Wouldn’t you agree?

14 02, 2018

Words from Mount Rushmore – Thomas Jefferson

By judythemorgan|2018-02-01T21:54:44-06:00February 14th, 2018|Holidays, Wednesday Words, Wednesday Words of Wisdom|0 Comments

Mount Rushmore is known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” an iconic symbol of the United States carved into the southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest.

Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created the design depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt and oversaw the project’s execution from 1927 to 1941 with the help of his son, Lincoln Borglum.

Borglum along with four hundred workers used dynamite and pneumatic hammers to blast through the rock quickly along with the traditional tools of drills and chisels as the heads of the four presidential heads took shape in the face of Mount Rushmore.

Arduous and dangerous work, it is amazing that no lives were lost during the construction. If you ever see it in person, you will stand in awe as I did.

In honor of Presidents Day, February 19, Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom will be from the Mount Rushmore presidents this month. Today’s words come from President Thomas Jefferson. His face is to the right of George Washington.

12 02, 2018

Valentine’s Day Random Facts

By judythemorgan|2019-02-03T17:40:44-06:00February 12th, 2018|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday, Valentine's Day|0 Comments

The origin of St. Valentine’s Day is found in the story of Saint Valentine, who, on the evening before his execution, wrote the first valentine, addressed to the daughter of his jailer, and signed the greeting “Your Valentine.”

That was in the 5th century. Since then Valentine’s Day has become a major commercial holiday.

The National Retail Federation anticipates over $18.2 billion will be spent on Valentine gifts this year. Of that amount, the Greeting Card Association expects $1 billion to go for greeting cards. Flowers will account for $2 billion and candy for $1.7 billion.

Cards, flowers, jewelry, and fine dinners are all very romantic gestures to express love for one’s sweetheart on this special day. But, gifts don’t have to involve great expense. Nothing’s better than a homemade Valentine card or a home cooked meal served by candlelight.

2018 will be a very unique Valentine’s Day because February 14 also happens to be the first day of Lent 2018, Ash Wednesday.

Interesting to note that Easter and April Fool’s Day will also fall on the same day this year. It’s the first time in 73 years.

Stop and think about it though, we shouldn’t be surprised.

We experienced a Blue Moon in January and unique things always happen once in a blue moon.

Have a HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

5 02, 2018

A Wordless Love Story – February 2018 Update

By judythemorgan|2018-02-01T10:35:19-06:00February 5th, 2018|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

On February 4, 2013, I originally posted this blog about a six-minute animated film that mixes hand-drawn and CGI animation to tell a love story

Unfortunately, the YouTube video I chose is no longer available. You can, however, watch this Disney trailer.

The Disney Animation video premiered at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in June 2012 and won the Best Animated Short Category at the 2013 Academy Awards.

As a romance writer, I think Paperman does a fabulous job of telling a wonderful love story without using a single spoken word. It’s the perfect blog for the beginning of February, which is why I’ve revised my original 2013 blog and am posting again this year.

Enjoy as you prepared for this month of love.

15 01, 2018

It’s Martin Luther King Day

By judythemorgan|2018-01-14T15:32:54-06:00January 15th, 2018|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|2 Comments

Martin Luther King’s calm civil disobedience and charismatic leadership inspired men and women, young and old, here and around the world.

He inspired so many that, in 1964, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize – the youngest man to receive the prestigious honor.

Through his lectures and dialogues, he stirred our conscience. His words continue to be as meaningful today.

President Ronald Reagan signed legislation in 1983 to establish a yearly federal holiday to honor the man and his accomplishments. Today has been designated as that day.

As you honor Dr. King today, pause and consider these MLK quotes.

On Leadership

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

On Love

“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”

On Getting Along

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

On Faith

“Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

On Service

“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Additional legislation passed in in 1994 establishing Martin Luther King Day of Service to encourage citizens to use the federal holiday as an opportunity to give back to their communities. Why not let this MLK Day be the start of a year in which you make a positive impact?

25 12, 2017

The Christmas Scale – Joy to the World

By judythemorgan|2017-12-03T09:58:42-06:00December 25th, 2017|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

This is my all-time, very-favorite Christmas video. Since I post it every year, I guess you figured that out.

If you have a piano around round your house, try playing the C scale. Start on middle C and play up to the next C. Then play back down the scale again. Start on the 8th note and pause on the 1st note, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th.

Listen as you play. What you’ll hear is the good news for Christmas .

“Joy to the World! The Lord is Come.”

Chicken Wrangler Sara and I will be back in January. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas week with your family and friends.

Merry Christmas!

22 12, 2017

Nativity Scenes

By judythemorgan|2017-12-21T09:56:38-06:00December 22nd, 2017|Friday on the Miller Farm, Holidays, Miller Farm Friday|2 Comments

A Blog by Chicken Wrangler Sara

I began collecting nativity scenes before the birth of our first child, Catherine. Beekeeper Brian was selling pens at craft fair booth and traded a pen for a wooden nativity set. We thought it would be something our child could safely enjoy. I also made a cloth set which has since gone to live with Catherine.

Our collection includes a plaster of Paris piece which I painted at a vacation Bible School when I was in elementary school and another clay set Matthew made in junior high.

The one I brought back from our time in Mexico is painted tin and very light weight. As such, it tends to fall over and last year I didn’t set it out. This year I hadn’t made a decision about it but the grandmother of a piano student from Mexico saw it and lovingly bent each piece so it would stand upright.And they are still standing.

Each time I walk past the coffee table, I remember her kneeling and arranging each piece of the nativity. It is amazing to think that the birth of a child so many years ago still has an impact on people today.

20 12, 2017

Christmas Vocabulary – Deck the halls

By judythemorgan|2022-12-10T16:26:16-06:00December 20th, 2017|Holidays, Wednesday Words|2 Comments

This Christmas phrase is easy to understand. When you say, “It’s time to deck the halls,” you mean putting out holiday decorations.

But did you realize the phrase can be traced back to a 16th-century Welsh drinking melody?

In 1862 Thomas Oliphant, a Scottish musician penned the English-language lyrics from that Welsh tune into the familiar yuletide carol we sing today.

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

The first line explains why decking the halls means to decorate or adorn. In the 18^th and 19^th century homes were literally adorned with holly branches and other greenery like ivy and mistletoe at Christmastime because it was festive and readily available.

Many also believed the boughs of holly brought good luck and, from the time of Celtic Christians, Christmas holly’s prickly leaves were a reminder of the crown of thorns Jesus wore at his Crucifixion. The red berries symbolize His blood giving a religious emphasis to the Christmas decorating.

Today, glass ornaments, lights, blow-up yard art, and other adornments join with fresh greenery when we deck our halls.

But, I’m guessing, at one time of another while we’re decorating we hum, or sing, the words to Deck the Halls.

18 12, 2017

Cardinal Sightings

By judythemorgan|2017-12-17T15:55:08-06:00December 18th, 2017|Holidays, Make Me Think Monday|1 Comment

We see cardinals are everywhere during the holiday season—on Christmas cards and holiday wreaths and nestled in decorations. If you’re fortunate enough, you might catch a glimpse of one outside.

The female is a soft, warm tan color with a bright orange bill and red edging to the wings and tail while the males are the vibrant red. Non-migratory birds, they remain in an area all their lives and they mate for life.

Our bird-friendly yard provides many cardinals to watch. Their brilliant color, musical songs, and dedication to their mates have always intrigued me.

Watching males gently offer seeds to the female in a kiss-like gesture warms my romance writer heart.

Cardinals have long been symbolic of beauty in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of sorrow, and renewal in the midst of winter. There is an old folklore saying that, “When a cardinal appears in your yard, it’s a visitor from heaven.”

When you consider the word cardinal comes from the Latin word cardo, meaning hinge or axis, it’s not too far-fetched to see why many cultures believe a cardinal is the doorway hinge who carries messages back and forth between our Earthly world and the Spirit world.

Choctaw tribes believe a sighting is a relationship omen. If you’re single, seeing a cardinal could be a sign your status is about to change. Or, if your relationship is in trouble, a cardinal sighting is a warning that things need to change.

Other Native American cultures believe cardinals help predict changes in the weather, serve as watchers and guardians, or provide a sign of what direction to travel or follow. Their red is believed to offer protection from enemies and illness.

The Native American shaman medicine wheel includes the four sacred (or cardinal) directions: north, south, east and west, and the four cardinal colors: red, blue, black and white. The color red is associated with the East on the medicine wheel. Words spoken toward the East are said to be carried on wings and delivered directly to the Spirit.

Wherever the symbolic meanings come from, the chirp of the brilliant colored male is hard to ignore when he’s trying to gain your attention. Maybe he is signaling a message.

Or, maybe he’s simply saying, Merry Christmas.

13 12, 2017

Christmas Vocabulary – Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

By judythemorgan|2017-12-14T13:51:04-06:00December 13th, 2017|Holidays, Wednesday Words|1 Comment

Mistletoe has always been a magical, mysterious, and sacred plant of folklore since the time of the Druids. This Christmas phrase refers to a tradition of kissing under a sprig of mistletoe that probably dates to the ancient winter festival Saturnalia.

In Victorian times, kissing under the mistletoe signaled a marriage proposal. When all the berries were gone from the original sprig, there could be no more kissing. If a girl remained unkissed at the end of the evening, she could not expect to marry the following year. Christmas mistletoe was then burned on Twelfth Night lest all those who did kiss under it never marry.

Another mistletoe kissing tradition dictates that a person standing under a ball of mistletoe cannot refuse to be kissed. Such a mistletoe kiss could mean deep romance or lasting friendship and goodwill.

On the other hand, when a couple in love kiss under the mistletoe, it is seen as a promise to marry, as well as a prediction of happiness and long life.

The interesting thing is that a mistletoe plant is actually a parasitic and eating any part of it can cause poisoning. That’s why you find artificial mistletoe used in kissing balls today.

I love the romantic idea of meeting under the mistletoe for a kiss. Would you expect less from a romance writer?

To encourage the tradition, I decorate with two artifical mistletoe balls during the holidays. One is a very old plastic bell and the other a silk ball.

Whether you believe all the folklore or not, mistletoe balls can make for fun at Christmas celebrations when someone whispers “Meet me under the mistletoe.”