2011
In Memoriam
Auld lang syne. There are many interpretations of these lyrics, but I’ve always thought of it as a farewell song. So, as 2011 prepares its final curtain call, I would like to pay homage to a few people who have touched my life — either directly or indirectly.
Rest in Peace.
Image (top) via adfa.org.au.
Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836
May you enjoy and savour the joy of the holiday season, delight in feasting with your family and friends, and may you bow your head in fervent, heartfelt appreciation for all the blessings you received and those that are yet to come.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Cheers,
heatherfromthegrove
Image (top) via Skyscrapercity.com
Today, December 6th, is the Feast Day of St. Nikolaos − or Nicholas, Nick, Ἅγιος Νικόλαος (Greek for Saint Nikolaos), and also known as Sinterklaas (Dutch for Santa Claus).
Yes, Santa Claus was (Oops! I meant, is!) Greek.
After all, didn’t everything and everyone originate from the Greeks? At least that’s what my family (the Greek side, by marriage) keep telling me … didn’t the father in the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, say that the Greeks invented Windex? But, not all of it is said tongue-in-cheek. Such as:
Medical terminology … derived from Greek.
Catholicism … Greek roots (I’ve had some heated discussions on that one – being the Roman Catholic that I am!).
Geometry … Greek.
Yes, this ancient, brilliant and culturally rich civilization is the birthplace of many great things and people, not the least of which is our beloved Santa Claus.
Born (≈ 270 A.D.) in the Greco-Roman town of Myra (in Lycia <of Asia Minor> – now part of modern-day Turkey), Nikolaos was a very pious man. He was also extremely practical, generous and kind. The youngest man ever to become a priest (and later, a bishop), Nikolaos performed many kind deeds, such as throwing bags of gold coins down chimneys to aid the poor and providing dowries for women to save them from lives of lechery. He is often depicted (in art) as wearing dramatic red robes and holding three gold coins. His “Name Day” is the anniversary of his death (December 6) and this day is still a gift-giving date in many countries, although December 25th has become the de facto date for gift exchange within the Christian faith.
St. Nikolaos had a reputation for secret gift-giving and is considered the patron saint of sailors and children, butchers, bakers, and judges. He is also the patron saint of Greece.
What really made him so special? He was a generous soul whose generosity was born of an understanding and empathy for those in pain (physically, emotionally and spiritually). He was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith, which made him all the more compassionate and an ardent supporter for people who were battling a loss of freedom.
Freedom. We live for it. We fight for it. And, we die for it.
Anthony Quinn, as Alexis Zorba, in the film (Zorba the Greek), directed by Michael Cacoyannis.
When that brilliant writer from Crete, Nikos Kazantzakis, wrote his novel, Zorba the Greek, he depicted “freedom” (Greek-style) as:
Alexis Zorba: Damn it boss, I like you too much not to say it. You’ve got everything except one thing: madness! A man needs a little madness, or else…
Basil: Or else?
Alexis Zorba: …he never dares cut the rope and be free.
Which brings me to modern-day Greece. And these are my own personal, editorial comments….
On October 28th, since World War II, the Greeks celebrate Ohi Day (Επέτειος του «’Οχι» Epeteios tou “‘Ohi”, Anniversary of the “No”) when the then Greek Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas rejected the ultimatum made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on October 28, 1940, which “demanded that Greece allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory and occupy certain unspecified ‘strategic locations’ or otherwise face war.”
Today, Greece is embroiled in an economic crisis that is threatening the freedom of their country. The choice: become deeply indebted to the European Union, but maintain solvency OR go into insolvency, but maintain a degree of independence.
In my lifetime, I’ve experienced economic prosperity and not-so-prosperous situations, like: being indebted, and therefore enslaved AND being cash-poor, yet − amazingly − free.
Greece is a proud, gloriously unruly (Zorba-esque), and resilient nation. My personal belief, is that they stand true to who they are and say:
όχι (No!)
And then, slowly and steadily, pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and start fresh.
Back to St. Nikoloas – his name means “victory for the people” − very apropos. I will leave it at that.
One more word, to my own, special and beloved Nick ….. as well as all the other Nicks in the world who celebrate their Name Day today …. χρόνια πολλά (hronia polla / Happy Name Day) !
One evening a Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, “My son, the battle is between 2 wolves inside of us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”
The Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
— Author Unknown
This is the time of year when it would behoove all of us to press the “Pause” button and take some time to contemplate how we treat others — which is, in essence — a direct reflection of who we really are.
I have a bee in my bonnet. And it’s buzzing around one word: Courtesy. Or lack thereof. A false sense of entitlement, perhaps.
Some examples:
The list goes on and on….
So, here’s a shout out to all of us in this, the season of light, love and thanks: feed the Good wolf.
Image via oneheartbeatdrums.com.
Happy Thanksgiving!
This is one of the twenty-five or so parrots that fly into the sea grape trees in our front garden. They are exuberant, colorful birds that squawk loudly — as they happily nibble on the grapes (their boisterous behaviour is probably a direct consequence of inebriation — from the grape juice!). When I look at these two beautiful trees, which form a welcoming canopy over the front of the house, and the abundance of ripe grapes and tipsy parrots — I feel happy and grateful for these gifts of nature, gifts that can’t be bought in the Mall – or anywhere else, for that matter.
To my family and friends who know of my weakness for “the Grape,” it is no surprise that I would have a house with a yard that smells like a vineyard — crushed grapes everywhere (you can’t avoid stepping on them!).
Although we haven’t honed our wine making skills as yet, we are feeding some of the people in our neighborhood. 
The trees have large branches that flow over the front fence to the street, providing shade on the sidewalk and tasty bounty for passers-by. Often, I go out to the front gate, and give them paper bags to gather the ripened grapes. Sharing a harvest of grapes with neighbors. It just doesn’t get better than that.
” Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life… a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seed time and harvest, the ripe product of the year – and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God. “ ~ Ray Stannard Baker (David Grayson)
This past week, I worked 14-hour days – to complete a book draft for a very unique client of mine. Down to the crunch … and with very little sleep. When I did sleep, I dreamt of leopards … leopard spots, leopards grazing, leopards roaring, leopards everywhere. You’re probably wondering, “what’s the deal with the leopards?” What can I say? I like cats. They’re independent, somewhat eccentric, and always finicky.
I am exhilarated that this phase in the project is over. But now, time to get some zzzzzzzzzzz’s. “To sleep, perchance to dream…”
Images via itsasunnymoment.blogspot.com and pondstonecommunications.wordpress.com.
Almost finished with the first draft…..am so tired ……
Why, oh why do I do this to myself? Here’s George Orwell’s theory:
Image via writetodone.com.
I’m working on a unique book project for a client in the Managed Print Services industry. The book is replete with leopard undertones (you’ll have to read it to find out why) and the deadline for the first draft is looming closer. November 9th…9th…9th….(the echo is getting louder in my head, or maybe I have a bad case of tinnitus). In any event, I’ve officially entered into what I refer to as the writer zombie zone. And it’s Halloween. Coincidence? I think not.
The countdown has begun, and the midnight oil is burning. If or when I manage to sleep for a few hours or so, I’ll probably have psychedelic dreams of leopard spots. And very revealing leopard outfits (don’t ask).
Oddly enough, I enjoy the pressure. It fuels me.
What is less than thrilling is having to stare at a computer screen for hours and hours on end. Especially when my eyes start to play tricks on me. And when the lights keep flickering on and off, due to the incessant thunderstorm activity here in South Florida (it’s still hurricane season).
So, to all the zombie writers out there, I commiserate.
Hark! IT is beckoning to me….. gotta get back to the zone.
Images via scalliwags.co.za and flipside.theiet.org.
Every writer should know this, but sometimes we forget ….
heatherfromthegrove 