The Greening of Savannah

It is official: The Saint Patrick's Day festivities in Savannah, Georgia, have begun. Most everyone is wearing green and the sounds of Irish music fills the air. The people here take their Irish heritage very seriously, and have been celebrating St. Patrick's Day for over a century. Many others miraculously become Irish this time of year.


Following is just a few of the many pre-St. Patrick's Day events.

1












Leprechauns used to turn the fountains green for St. Patrick's Day, but now the city has taken over that honor. On Friday, March 11, a huge crowd gathered to see the ritual celebration and to watch Grand Marshal Walter Crawford pour the dye into the famous Forsyth Fountain.


2


2



3





3

Savannah loves its traditions and on Saturday the Tara Feis was held with live performances of music and dance, food, art activities, crafts and games all served up with Irish ceremony. This is a family oriented festival.



4

















Celtic Cross Mass and ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 13.

Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. at Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and the ceremony at 1 p.m. at Emmet Park. A reception will follow the ceremony at the Charles Morris Center.

This Irish Limestone Celtic Cross was crafted in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located in Emmet Park which is named after Robert Emmet, the famed Irish orator and patriot. This cross was erected in 1983 to commemorate Americans of Irish descent.

********************************************

The big Saint Patrick's Day parade will be Thursday, March 17.





5




photo credits:
1.http://www.keytosavannah.com/blog/tagged/fountains
2.http://www.savannahga.gov
3.http://savannahnow.com
4.http://www.waymarking.com
5.http://www.pagebiz.com/claddagh/

Easter Preparations

Often when you are planing a special party, you will make lists of all the necessary things that need to be done. You will want to clean the house, put out fresh linen, decide if you want to have decorations, party favors, music playing, and of course make the big decision of what food to serve.

This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. A day that many christian churches will observe as part of the preparation for Easter. Some congregations will begin with Shrove Tuesday, also called Fat Tuesday, with a Pancake Supper, because Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time for introspection, repentance, and some people will practice self denial.

1

On Ash Wednesday adherents will be reminded that we are all sinners, the inner need to repent, and forgiveness that comes from God. We are mortal, but through the sacrifice of Jesus we have eternal life. An ashen cross will be placed on the foreheads of participants while Genesis 3:19 will be quoted, "...for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." For me this time of reflection helps to focus on the suffering Jesus bore for my sins, His victory over death, and prepare for a glorious and joyful Easter, the day that is also called Resurrection Sunday.


In Psalms 51 King David pours out his heart to God in confessing his sins and asking for forgiveness. This is the text for which Italian Gregorio Allegri, in the 1630s, composed the Miserere Mi Deus - Have Mercy On Me, O God . This composition was to be heard only in the Sistine Chapel during matins of Holy Week, and it was forbidden to transcribe the music under the threat of being excommunicated.

There is an account of then 14 year old Mozart hearing this music while visiting in Rome and writing it down entirely from memory. He passed it on to the British historian Dr. Charles Burney who took it to England where it was published in 1771. The Pope summoned Mozart to Rome, but instead of excommunicating him, the Pope showered praises on him for his musical genius.

Perhaps we should be thankful to Mozart that we may enjoy this music.




To read the verses you might need to double click a couple of times on the YouTube screen, then press the arrow to start the video, and when finished press the escape key on your keyboard.




2





Linking to Charlotte's and Ginger's Spiritual Sundays.




photo credit:
1. www.soulscode.com
2. www.illuminatedleaves.com/hours101.htm
credits:
1. www.classical.net.com
2. www.mirabilis.ca/archives/002951.html
3. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miserere_(Allegri)

Love Story

1
















Love Story
Written by Erich Segal
staring Ryan O'Neal and Ali MacGraw
1970






From the movie Love Story
Words by Carl Sigman, Music by Francis Lai
Sung by Andy Williams


Where do I begin
To tell the story of how great a love can be
The sweet love story that is older than the sea
The simple truth about the love she brings to me
Where do I start

With her first hello
She gave new meaning to this empty world of mine
There'd never be another love, another time
She came into my life and made the living fine
She fills my heart


2



She fills my heart with very special things
With angels' songs , with wild imaginings
She fills my soul with so much love
That anywhere I go I'm never lonely
With her around, who could be lonely
I reach for her hand-it's always there

How long does it last
Can love be measured by the hours in a day
I have no answers now but this much I can say
I know I'll need her till the stars all burn away
And she'll be there

How long does it last
Can love be measured by the hours in a day
I have no answers now but this much I can say
I know I'll need her till the stars all burn away
And she'll be there




3








Linking with Natasha's Sunday Song







photo credits:
1. http://www.hollywoodteenmovies.com/history70s.html
2. http://www.telegraph.co.uk
3. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/books/blog/2010/01/erich_segal_love_story_author.html

George Washington

Besides the information in the above, one of George Washington's favorite foods was ice cream. He like it so much that he had two 'coolers' installed at Mount Vernon in order that he and guests could eat as much ice cream as they chose. This man had taste.




National Geographic
www.buzzle.com

photo:
www.hubpages.com

The Kingston Trio

1















2
















3











Kingston Trio original members were Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds

It was a summer in the late 1950's. I was 16, had my driver's license, and I was working. Except for work, which was more like play because I was a counselor in a day camp, my time was my own and I could pretty much make my own schedule. On Thursday nights the counselors met to have supper and discuss the happenings of the camp week. Afterwards the group would go to the movies, swim, play putt-putt or sometimes just sit around and talk and eat pizza. Some of the counselors were all ready in college so I felt pretty grown up by being a part of this pact. I felt self reliant, dependable, knew what was going on, and much more together than my parents were. Or so I thought.

At the same time American folk music was becoming The Music across the nation. From California's beach club scene, the Kingston Trio had arrived as one of the most popular folk music groups and already gaining international popularity. Their music was everywhere - records (r-e-c-o-r-d-s, if you are younger than 30 you might have to look it up), radio and TV. Everywhere, so why did I not know? It was my father (why/how did HE know), my father that clued me in when he gave me their album "The Kingston Trio." That was the first of a soon to be collection. Thank you, Dad.


The Kingston Trio







Linking to Natasha's Sunday Song where you can hear a bevy of muscial selections.








photo credits:
1. http://compvid101.blogspot.com/2010/12/remembering-dave-guard.html1.
2. http://www.kingstontrioplace.com/dave.htm2.
3. http://nrmem.blogspot.com/

Perry Como's " It's Impossible"

Combining a gentle voice with a pleasant personality, Como celebrated in life and in song romantic love and lifelong fidelity. He parlayed these values and his ability to express them in song into one of the most successful careers in twentieth-century popular entertainment. http://www.perrycomo.com/




IT'S IMPOSSIBLE

It's impossible, tell the sun to leave the sky, it's just impossible
1




It's impossible, ask a baby not to cry, it's just impossible
2





















Can I hold you closer to me and not feel you goin' through me?
3




Split the second that I never think of you? Oh, how impossible




























Can the ocean keep from rushin' to the shore? It's just impossible
4



If I had you, could I ever want for more? It's just impossible























And tomorrow, shouldya ask me for the world, somehow I'd get it
I would sell my very soul and not regret it
5



For to live without your love--It's just impossible















Can the ocean keep from rushin' to the shore? It's just impossible

6




If I had you, could I ever want for more? It's just impossible























And tomorrow, shouldya ask me for the world, somehow I'd get it
I would sell my very soul and not regret it
7




For to live without your love--It's just impossible


















Impossible, immmmmm-impossible

8












This post is linked to Natasha's Valentine's Day Sunday Song.









photo credits:
1.www.planetsave.com
2.www.purplecrying.info/sections/index.php?sct=4&sctpg=40&
3.occupyfun.com/photos/photo.php?title=Polar-Bears-Romantic-Hug
4.www.imagesunion.com/image/Easy-Waves/
5.gurdjieffbooks.wordpress.com/category/joseph-azize-page/george-adie-joseph-azize-page/
6.www.beachpicturesbeachpictures.net/beach_picture_waves_Tydan.htm - by Tydan
7.hd.engadget.com/2009/04/22/nasa-celebrates-earth-day-with-some-hd/ - by Richard Lawler
8.cardsbystefanie.com/id1.html

Once Upon A Time

This is a continuation of the prior post.

Sound logic would have had me check the county records to see who owned the house, and possibly find out other information. Tossing sound logic aside I drove back to the property and knocked on the door of the house closest to the gates.

The curtains were drawn, no one came to the door, and there was not one chair on the big front porch. I had the feeling that no one lived there anymore, but I knew that something was going on due to the sign beside a tree in front of the house.




















As I started back to my car a gentleman came from the house next door. Though I wasn't doing anything wrong I would not have been surprised if he had asked me to leave. Instead he ask if he could help. Well, he just happened to be related to the family that had lived in the house where I had just been. I was so glad that I had not tried to peep through the windows. He was very nice and did not seem to mind my questions. This is what I learned.






















The county dates this tree to be 300 years old. They are trying to save it, but I am concerned that the road will come very close to the roots.


















Children used to scamper, squeal and play under the arbor behind the house. Now it stands unattended.























There is no sign indicating that this tree will be saved, but it does have its own legacy. You can see the cement cover where there was once a well. An acorn found its way to this site and grew into a mature tree. One day without warning the ground gave way and the tree dropped about eight feet into the ground. Dirt was shoveled in around the tree truck to fill the hole and it was expected that the in time the tree would die. That was thirty years ago.



And now the rest of the story

Once upon a time two families lived next door to each other and the husbands and wives were very good friends. Many years went by and each couple lost their spouse - one becoming a widower, and one becoming a widow. To the delight of their children the two later became more than friends, fell in love, were married, and were very happy together. He moved into the house where she lived which was the farm house her ancestors had built in the 1800's.



















After some time the gentleman decided to show his love for her by building a fine home on the grounds where they lived. He wanted her to have a house that would mirror those from an earlier era; a style that he knew she admired. He researched books and talked with professionals to find out all the details, small and large, so the house would be a true replica.

Because it was taking time to gather the information and convert the data to actual plans, he decided that he would go ahead and put in a more substantial set of gates where the path led from the road to the barn located toward the back of the property. They were looking forward to the day when construction would begin on their new home, and even more excited about moving in.













In the lower right hand corner you can see the gates, and the path that ambles to the northwest where a barn used to be. The pathway then goes south between two houses and back to the road.


Some stories do not proceed the way you would choose, and I wish I could change this one. Just before the ground breaking was to occur his lady love took sick and died. He had no interest in going further with the plans in which he had invested so much time and work. This house was to be a present for his wife, and without her it meant nothing. He would rather live in the old farm house where they had shared happiness together.

Time went on and he too passed away. Later their children decided to sell the property to the county for the purpose of developing a park.

Today the gates are closed and padlocked, much the way you bundle your memories and tie them with a blue ribbon.

Where to?

Have you ever had a nagging question about something you have seen for years, and one day you say to yourself, "OK that's it. I am going to find out more about this. It may not be my business, but...so."

Let me introduce The Gates. These have been in my periphery vision every time I drive down this particular road, and I do not remember when they were not there.



















Closed and padlocked. From this angle you may not be able to tell it, but there is no real drive on the other side, and it has been this way for years. There is only the path that the grass mower has made. From where I took this picture there is no evidence that there were ever any structures there.

























I wonder if there used to be a house? If so what happened to it? Nothing left behind to give you any inkling.

With those famous words in mind: Tomorrow is another day I aim to find out what was once behind the wrought iron gates.

Celebrating Nutella

Today, February 5th, is World Nutella Day. Why?

Because Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy, and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso have solemnly declared it so.
















In their words, "It is a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella." This is a holiday they began in 2007, and it is fast becoming a tradition for many.



For a wee bit of a contribution to this day of celebration - and in conjunction with the 14th - I have added my two cents to this card.













































On Monday February 7th, you can click on World Nutella Day to see the Nutella recipes, pictures, art work, etc. that participants around the world have submitted.

In the meantime, if you would like to participate check out World Nutella Day Participation.






An earlier post about Nutella is here.

card credit:
Hallmark - Kim Anderson

SURREAL - part two

Teresa of The Altered Paper and Creations by Tee offered a wonderful grouping of some of her creations in her giveaway, and I was one of two people that was fortunate enough to win.

When I opened the parcel I found all the items presented in this lovely sheer, drawstring bag.




















The giveaway included 3 tag/book marks sporting one of Teresa's favorite historical characters, Marie Antoinette,




















and a cake of hand made chocolate soap. One whiff - no doubt - its cocoa. My husband said,"You mean I can't eat it?" I wish it were possible to put a scratch-and-sniff patch here so you could tell just how delicious it smells.






















But that was not all. Teresa had these extra gifts that she decided later to add. Sometimes things just get better and better.

She made this Valentine tag which is constructed with a smaller tag on the larger tag,























and this beautiful Valentine ATC.

























This is the equivalent of getting a Valentine early. Thank you, Teresa.

You can view Teresa's Etsy shop here.