catholicpagan

Hogmanay - Hug Many

Celebrate the coming of the New Year like a Scot.

New Years Celebration or Hogmanay in Scotland is legendary for merry making and going nuts! I heard about the two week party when I was just a wee lassie on ma mammy's knee. Really. My mother and father talked about the many party events going on in Glasgow Scotland. When we moved to America they'd have their Scottish friends over on New Years Day to party and sing "Auld Lang Syne" which always brought tears and a bit of sadness to the otherwise jolly celebration. As immigrants they missed home and especially it seemed at New Years. People travel from all over the world to Scotland for this big party that takes place throughout all of Scotland. 

Them Scots like a wee bit of fun. Och aye! What's under that kilt, I wonder? Do you?

Because of the importance of New Years to the Scots and my family's tradition, I dedicated a whole chapter to Hogmanay in my novel "The Skye in June" for more go to book website.

Happy New Year in 2009! Enjoy.  

                                                                                   www.2camels.com/ photos/hogmanay.php

Excerpt of Chapter 15 - Hogmanay in San Francisco ~

Cathy dunked her cloth into the bucket and stopped washing the bay windows as she meditated over the soapy bubbles and remembered past New Year’s Eves in Scotland. The days before the event were always very busy with giving the house a thorough cleaning, as was the tradition. It was thought that starting the New Year with a tidy and neat house would bring good luck. Besides hauling the carpets downstairs to the backyard for a hard beating to clean them, all bedding and curtains were taken to the steamie, as laundromats are called in Scotland. On the family’s last Hogmanay in Glasgow, it was decided that Annie was old enough to help out while Granny B watched the young bairns. Cathy and Annie pushed the baby pram crammed full of curtains and linens along the streets, meeting other mothers and daughters on the same journey.

After waiting in line in the December chill they bought a ticket to enter the huge steamy room, smelling of wet clothes and soap. The steamie was full of women and girls, laughing and gossiping as they scrubbed their laundry on the washing board. Piece by piece they scrubbed up and down in big sinks filled with hot water, and then wrung it all out by hand. They hung the laundry on wall racks for drying, and placed larger items in big, hot cupboards that were pulled out of the wall. The gossiping and joking never stopped. The work was hard, but the excitement of the upcoming holiday created a festive atmosphere. In reflection, Cathy realized how much she missed those times, especially the companionship of her mother and sisters-in-law at the holidays. Still, she was excited as the girls were about the party. With every wipe of the window, she assured herself that her family would be blessed anew.

If you'd like to see or read a hilarious (but sad in a few things) true to the times story see  "The Steamie" - most likely if you're not a Scot you'll no ken what's said in the film much.

Sited ~ Witch Flying Over Rio

I was caught up more in the moment rather than the reality of running down a sharply tilted platform upon the command of my young Brazilian co-pilot yelling, "Run June, run!"   Swept away! High as a kite. But, honest I didn’t inhale once – I was so petrified. If I was on my broom was all I'd be in more control. Wings aren't my normal flying way.

But here I am awaiting the wind prediction just before taking off - wings above me. Helmet in place.

 Well, that was my main thought as the slight wind swished by and a lone bird circled close. The beaches spread out long and so far, far down from where I was. 

Whew. What a trip, man! Even for a witchy woman.

 Watch out for flying witches.

Winning Women

I'm celebrating two of my women friends' rewards & awards. One woman, my long time friend Suzette and Vivian, a new young friend, recently won first place awards. Suzette for her writing abilities and Vivian for her horsewoman skills. Suzette finally followed, with zest, what she had enjoyed for a long time as a hobby. Vivian knew that horses were more than a passing interest of a teen and even with a heavy school load, stayed with what she values. They are an inspiration to me and I hope to you also to live to your fullest potential.

When Suzette Martinez Standring and I first met for a  professional purpose, we soon became friends upon discovering that we both grew up in immigrant households (she, first generation, me, FOB), went to Catholic school in San Francisco with the “real” nuns, shared some common spiritual and metaphysical interests and liked to laugh a lot.

Although she moved to the East coast we remain close friends. 

Besides letters, I've enjoyed reading about Suzette's life's happenings  on her website. True to her personality, they’re interesting, entertaining and often, hilarious.

Recently Suzette won the Royal Palm Literary Award for her book The Art of Column Writing with Art Buchwald, Arianna Huffington & other Successful Columnist. 

A worthwhile read for anyone who wants to start and/or advance a career in article and columns writing.

Listen to her sage advise on how to sharpen your writing skills as Suzette talks about her book on Jeanne White's radio interview.

 Blue Ribbon Vivian 

Much younger than I, Vivian Twu and I met about a year ago when I was running the volunteer program at Millwood Ranch  

Vivian came to help care for horses that had no special person. 

She didn't say much going around her business with caring for a rather reserved horse that didn't warm-up easily to her care-taker. Vivian was as the horse, also a bit reserved and I worried at time that my hard line stand with volunteers might be discouraging more than helpful for the petite 18 year old. 

In time I found that Soon I was to learn that Vivian was a quiet force of energy with a mind of her own as well as a keen understanding of horses. Always willing to know more about her volunteer duties, she knew when to listen and when to step away to think. The longer we hung out I learned that we shared a similar quirky sense humor and strong opinions.

In time Vivian left for school to pursue her ambition of being a big animal vet.  Recently I received an email from her sharing that she won the first place blue ribbon in the  ' Little I" International Livestock Show at UCDavis for Horse Showmanship.  Vivian, you’ve stayed true to yourself, your purpose and passion. I admire you. Blessed be. 

I write about these women to inspire other females to live with their unique talents and abilities with faith and confidence. Women have yet to realize the value in what they give and are gifted with, whatever that is. Women who are and will help change and heal the world for the better.  So mote it be.