Although it may seem I’m late in wishing William a happy birthday, I might actually be on time.
While traditionally Shakespeare’s birthday is celebrated April 23, it’s not certain what day he was born. Something about birth registry and waiting a few days blurs the true date.
Besides, birthdays weren’t that big of a deal in Shakespeare’s time, unless you were of nobility. I imagine Queen Liz I had quite the bash.
Bring on the birthday fun!
The more common folk instead celebrated their saint’s day. Shakespeare’s saint’s day was St. George, the purported dragon slayer guy.
Cakes and candles came upon the scene much, much later.
In fact, Shakespeare didn’t get a party until after his death. He even got a parade.
Not late but perhaps elated
So Shakespeare might not have blown out candles and made a wish over an iced confection on his birthday, he did get a parade. It only took a century or so to get one.
Anyway, happy birthday, William. May your words continue to live on.
June 14th commemorates adopting the flag of the United States, which all began June 14, 1775.
No worries if you didn’t even know about it. The banks are open, so is the library, and there will be no parades or a big star-studded concert at the nation’s capitol.
I will celebrate by hanging out our flag and by going out to dinner. Then again it’s my birthday and what better way to celebrate than to have flags hung out and enjoy a night out.
Hope you find a special way to celebrate Flag Day—even if it isn’t your birthday.
Don’t be fooled—Only in resorts is this showy light display evident
Traditionally people associate Christmas and its various holiday garnishes with the Dickens ideal: snow, carols, festive meals, gift exchanges—along with the modern additions of multiple opportunities to attend a plethora of events ranging from craft fairs to baking workshops to White Elephant exchanges to the ubiquitous children’s church pageant.
Christmas is not the huge wintery event here in Okinawa. It’s strangely different, if not refreshing, to not be reminded every minute in every place that this is Christmas time.
Okinawans, from what I have seen so far, acknowledge Christmas in their own unique way. For instance, the three story mega mall has the usual festive yuletide trimmings hung throughout the stores, which cater to resident tastes. There are some Western stores such as Gap interspersed, but for the most part the mercantile is mainly Japanese in consumer orientation.
Makes sense, doesn’t it? The shoppers are 99.9% Japanese shopping in stores catering to their needs and preferences. Then why, oh why, is all the piped holiday music in English?
This question did not get answered.
Around the island only an occasional house is festooned with lights. In fact offices and stores only discreetly acknowledge the season with decorations. An office counter might sport a miniature snowman or the grocery store might display enticing holiday food items like the end cap of Martinelli’s. Although Travel guides sell the island as a season of lights, it’s not really promoting the holiday. One tourist spot, the American Village (really, this is a place—think anime crossed with Disney overtones) advertises the holiday light display will be up through March. I think most Americans tend to cast a discouraging eye towards neighbors who have lights up after the first week of January. The HOA might have ruffled feathers if lights are up through March.
The big ingredient is also missing in Okinawa: there is no snow. Balmy days provide the going weather. That Currier and Ives setting is not happening. Snow on palm trees? In actuality, the Japanese treat Christmas more as a type of Valentine’s Day with romantic excursions.
And you know what? I am absolutely okay with the lack of the usual festive trimmings that seems to be expected, at least in the good old USA where I am usually celebrating Christmas. I like the idea of a low key celebration.
This year Christmas is in Okinawa with my son and his family as we await the birth of his son.
Pause.
Now that sounds like a Christmas with meaning. The way it was originally intended.
While this year’s Christmas has no snow and minimal Ho Ho Ho, it has greater significance for me as we focus on the joy of welcoming a new member to the family.
May your Christmas be cheery and bright as you reflect on the importance and reason for the season.
When Shakespeare’s works are mentioned the association with him runs towards love stories, as in Romeo and Juliet or tragedies like Hamlet or even sweeping historicals found in the Henry plays.
Not necessarily Shakespearean
Monsters may not be the forerunner feature in his stories but Shakespeare did populate his plots with creatures, witches, and ghosts—oh my, he certainly did. In fact, most of his well known plays contain monsters or scary aspects.
Romeo and Juliet: Juliet about to take the friar’s prescription for a faked death believes she sees her dead cousin’s apparition. Then there is the part of waking up in the family crypt surrounded by her cousin’s recent corpse and long dead relatives. *cue creepy music*
Hamlet: Our titular hero receives a guilt trip from his dead father’s ghost—not once but twice.
Julius Caesar: Brutus must contend with great Caesar’s ghost.
Macbeth: Not only is there the ghost of Banquo there is a trio of weird sisters.
Cymbeline: another batch of ghosts.
The Tempest: A sassy sprite named Ariel and whatever Caliban is supposed to be.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: speaking of sprites, Puck reeks of mischief galore.
Shakespeare inserted monsters into his plots because he pandered to the paying crowd and those folk of the Renaissance were a thrill seeking, superstitious bunch, queens and kings especially.
While Shakespeare created several memorable monsters his penchant for monstrous acts should be noted.
Offhand there is fratricide, homicide, verbal abuse, racism, sexual abuse, dysfunctional family relationships, and a mention about being wary when it comes to pie at dinner.
So—
Forget loading up on Frankenstein and Freddy for fright night watching. Instead save your anticipation for scare by streaming some Shakespeare.
Sunday, September 10th is Grandparents Day. Last year I booked a signing at Barnes and Noble at it was so successful I’m going back this year.
Mmm, I’m a bit younger
If you are in the Spokane Valley, Washington area this Saturday be sure to stop by the Barnes and Noble. After story time at 11 am I will be signing books until 3pm.
If you can’t make it you can purchase a book from your favorite online source and let me know and I will send you an autographed book plate.
Celebrating somedays!
Someday We Will celebrates that special connection between grandparents and grandchildren. The book was inspired by my visits with my granddaughter. I couldn’t wait for all those special somedays we would share together.
My frames are red—but I don’t think the illustrator knew that!
And my second grandchild is due for her debut coming up the end of this month! I can’t wait to read my book with her.
June 14th commemorates adopting the flag of the United States, which all began June 14, 1775. There is the story of Betsy Ross stitching up the flag, of course, and there is the lesser known man, a schoolteacher, Bernard J. Cigrand, who led a quiet campaign to create a place the date of recognition on our calendars.
It’s a holiday many people do not notice. My current office calendar doesn’t even have it marked. And it’s from my alma mater. I’ll have to speak with them about that.
Everything is still open: banks, libraries, government agencies. There will be no parades. No special store sales. You might see some flags outside. That reminds me *scampers outside quickly*
Ah—that’s better. Although it is supposed to rain today so we will have to see…
Hope it doesn’t rain on my birthday parade
June 14th happens to be my birthday, and for too many years I believed my mother who said, “All the neighbors know it’s your birthday and they have hung out their flag for you!”
I would still like to believe the flags are out for my birthday. I will settle for a card or call from my family.
Included in my bio is “hammock aficionado.” Summer is not summer without setting up and reveling in the joy of my hammocks. Yes, that would be plural.
Palm trees are not included in most locations
I have two: one for the sun and one for the shade.
I’m not sure when my fascination with hammocks began. There is something so richly rewarding being suspended above the ground, being cocooned.
I’ve owned the camper’s delight (find two trees and secure it), the classic macramé weave, and currently own a deluxe double wide frame complete with umbrella (for the sun), and my portable frame (for the shade).
Summer starts once the hammocks are set up. Double deluxe takes some thought as it is so unwieldy that once it is positioned that is that. Relishing the gentle early morning sun rays is a pleasant way to start the day. The umbrella helps stave off the intensity of the afternoon sun, and there is nothing like dozing in the double deluxe in the early evening when the sun drifts behind the trees, filtering the shade so there are paths of sunlight and shade whilst I recover from my landscaping projects. Aah!
My little shade model is not as comfy, but being on a lightweight frame it can be easily moved wherever is best. From mid June to end of summer it travels all over the backyard.
It is the end of summer once I acknowledge it’s too cold to hang out in the hammock. I have been known to wrap up in a blanket to catch the last bits of the sun before acknowledging summer is done.
Isn’t this hard to resist?
Hope you enjoy Hammock Day. If you have no hammock then treat yourself to this marvelous means of enjoying the summer.
Thanksgiving comes around in November and getting together with friends and family can be emotional for some. Needing a few choice words to express feelings might be handy.
verklempt: overly emotional and unable to speak.
velleity: a mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to obtain it.
stultify: to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, especially by degrading or frustrating means
thrawn: contrary; peevish; stubborn
longanimity: patient endurance of hardship, injuries, or offense; forbearance
foofaraw: a great fuss or disturbance about something very insignificant
megillah: a lengthy, detailed explanation or account
brabble: to argue stubbornly about trifles; wrangle
fustigate: to criticize harshly; castigate
gasconade: extravagant boasting; boastful talk
nescience: lack of knowledge; ignorance
frumious: very angry
snollygoster: a clever, unscrupulous person
beamish: bright, cheerful, and optimistic
Let’s hope if someone should start a megillah at the table no one will fustigate or brabble should it lead to gasconade. Instead, the gathering be one that is beamish.
Pam Webb 