St. Patrick's Day Parade - Janet Lane Walters 3BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #St. Patrick #Parade

 

St. Patrick’s Day On Hold

 

 

Though today is St. Patrick’s Day there will be no parade in NY City or in the town not far from my house. Though I’ve never gone to the one in the city, I understand it’s quite the affair. The one in the town near where I live is also a fun time. I usually don’t go because it’s too cold but I love watching the pictures in the paper and ones friends have taken. I have a trace of Irish in me but not on the green side. Doesn’t stop me from feeling a bit of festivity on that day. Just heard from my daughter that the parade in Savannah has also been cancelled.

 

I think of the stories I’ve been told about the country and of how my great-great came to this country and lived in a town called Fall River, Mass. I also had a chance to visit Ireland and spent a few hours in the town where she was born. A rugged hilly area and a small town tucked among the hills in northern Ireland. The greens of the countryside were stunning and the people friendly though at times I had trouble understanding them. Mr friend had a harder time with the language. I still have pictures from that long ago visit.

 

One of those pictures brings back memories of the collie and how the shephers showed us how the god herded sheep. What a fascinating thing to watch. No voice commands, only hand and body signals were given.

 

I also remember the rapid tour we took with my friend’s mother seeing so many sights and so much green. The Giant’s Causeway was a magnificent sight and the bus ride on the steep road quite a thrill. So this year, I’ll celebrate by looking at some of those pictures my friend and I took without the parade.

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Sanity under quarantine, by J.C. Kavanagh

The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends
Book 2 of the award-winning YA series

Hammer it.

Screw it.

Glue it.

Three phrases that got me through a two-week quarantine with my partner, Ian.

Oh, and wine. 

Yes, number four phrase would be: Glass/bottle/box of wine.

I'm so very fortunate to live on a few acres in rural Ontario. If not, quarantine would be a biahtch, as Jayden, one of the main characters in The Twisted Climb series, would say. At home, there are multiple trails to wander through, wood piles to chop and arrange, animal tracks to investigate and birds to feed. Also renovations to design and build. And wine to drink.

Deer, fox, rabbit and barn cat tracks.

Red-breasted nuthatch jumped in the foreground,
deer tracks in the background.

Evening grosbeaks arrived in February, much earlier than usual. 

Wild turkeys enjoying birdfeed that the cheeky blue jays scatter.

They come for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ian and I enjoying an outdoor break.

Being quarantined can have its advantages. For my partner Ian, it's feeding the birds and working from home. For me, it's having Ian at home so we can work on our renovations. Yah, I'm a "git 'er done" kinda gal so when he's not on the computer or calling his guys, we're getting things done in our basement. The plan is to set up a private, two-bedroom, one bath, living room and kitchen apartment. The bedrooms, bathroom and living room are complete. We've been working on building the foyer and coat closet for the last couple of months. On weekends, our habit is to enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the work day and admire our handiwork. I have to admit - it's one of the treats keeping us sane. Is that a bad thing?

Kitchen window frame buttressed and bolstered. Also glued and screwed.

Half wall separating the foyer from the living room.
Bolted, hammered, glued and screwed.

Live-edge black walnut top,
ready for sanding and epoxy coating. No screws!

There is one thing, though, that truly keeps our sanity in check: unruly and filter-filled facetime conversations with the grand girls.

 

Being in a quarantine environment can be tough, but we make the most of it. Thank God for grand-girls, renovations, country air and Ian. Oh, and wine.

Check out my award-winning books if you're looking for an action-packed, adventure-filled series. You'll find out why Jayden is 'Queen of the Bully Biatches.'

https://bookswelove.net/kavanagh-j-c/

Stay safe! 

J.C. Kavanagh, author of
The Twisted Climb - Darkness Descends (Book 2)
voted BEST Young Adult Book 2018, Critters Readers Poll and Best YA Book FINALIST at The Word Guild, Canada
AND
The Twisted Climb,
voted BEST Young Adult Book 2016, P&E Readers Poll
Novels for teens, young adults and adults young at heart
Email: author.j.c.kavanagh@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/J.C.Kavanagh
www.amazon.com/author/jckavanagh
Twitter @JCKavanagh1 (Author J.C. Kavanagh)

Some Spring Celebrations

 

         Spring marks the end of winter and the beginning of summer. The vernal equinox, falling on March 21, when the length of the day and night are equal, marks the beginning of spring.

        Since ancient times, the vernal equinox has been celebrated in many cultures around the world. In Christianity, Lent is the prominent spring-time observance, signifying Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for forty days, while Easter, appropriately enough, marks the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Indeed, many other cultures, such as the ancient Egyptian, celebrated the rebirth of their main Deity Osiris, every year during this period.

In Persia, the festival of Nowruz, which dates back to the pre-Islamic Zorastrian civilization, is celebrated joyfully, even in present times. It is Iran’s New Year, and is observed by visiting friends, family, and sharing meals.

        The popular Hindu festival of Holi occurs in Spring as well. Also known as the ‘Festival of Colors,” it is a time of celebration, merry-making, love, and forgiveness. Children (and adults) throw colored powders and water on each other, all in good fun. While mostly observed in India, it has now spread to other places in the world.

        By far the largest festival in China, the Spring equinox marks the start of the country’s Lunar New Year. A seven-day festival. It features the iconic red lanterns, dragon dances, fireworks, banquets and parades. Exuberant celebrations are held all over the world.

Best wishes to all on the Spring equinox!

 

        Mohan Ashtakala (mohanauthor.com) is the author of "Karma Nation," a literary romance and "The Yoga Zapper," a fantasy. He is published by Books We Love. (www.bookswelove.com)