Friday, February 26, 2016

Erin Mavourneen! -Postcard Friendship Friday #302


This is one of the most lovely postcards I have seen for St. Patrick's Day.   The beautiful harpist with her flowing hair, blue dress and shaggy companion seem unusual.  I was quite intrigued by the little poem--I am sure it must be a song. 

Thy harp-striking bards
Sing aloud with emotion
Erin Mavoureen
Sweet Erin Go Bragh!

In the old Irish, the word movoureen is the possessive version of the word avourneen which means “darling.”  That means Movoureen would mean “My” darling.  The original Irish was a mhuirnīn, a diminutive of mūirn, which had the idea of affection and joy, or, the one for whom I have affection and who gives me joy.  Since Erin comes from Eirinn, the Irish word for Ireland, the phrase Erin Movoureen could likely mean "my darling Ireland, which gives me joy."   

That would likely mean the last two phrases of this poem would mean, "Darling Ireland, sweet Ireland live forever!"  Isn't that neat? 

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, dear Friends. 

LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

A REMINDER:  Links which do not have to do with Postcard Friendship  Friday will be removedLinks which advertise various products will share that same fateAny and all suspicious links will be reported to Blogspot then deleted.




Friday, February 19, 2016

The Charm of the Morn to you -Postcard Friendship Friday #301


The Irish are a tough independent people.  I am honored that on my Father's side, we can trace our family line directly from Ireland.  With a twinkle in his eye, Dad always said he was part Leprechaun.  As a little girl, of course, I believed every word.  Daddy  was a bit "fey."  

It is no surprise green is one of my favorite colors and that Ireland is an enchanted place I intend to visit one day.  

Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends--thank you for dropping by and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

NOTE: I am SO sorry, Friends--I had the Linky link all ready to go, too.  It is up now!  I apologize for missing on that.  Thank you for your patience.  I was getting ready to speak for a lady's retreat and I guess I just totally spaced adding the link.  

LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

A REMINDER:  Links which do not have to do with Postcard Friendship  Friday will be removedLinks which advertise various products will share that same fateAny and all suspicious links will be reported to Blogspot then deleted.






Friday, February 12, 2016

From Your Valentine - Postcard Friendship Friday #300


I have always loved Valentines Day.  When I was a young girl, every person in my classroom at school would make a red heart pouch to hang on the end of each desk.  All of the children would bring cards for everyone in class.  I could hardly wait to open all the wonderful cards I received.  I saved many of them--in fact they are a part of my extensive Valentine Ephemera collection. 

I adore this Valentine's Day postcard--the little girl's dress is so pretty--and wouldn't I love to see a violet that size!  I thought it perfect for the holiday!

There is a fascinating Valentine's Day legend from long ago.  When the Roman empire became too large, more and more men were recruited as solders and officers--pressed into service to protect Rome's vast lands.  When Claudius became emperor he brought some interesting ideas to the throne.

Emperor Claudius II believed married men were too emotionally attached to their families.  He thought a man with a wife and family, would not make a good soldier.  He believed marriage, with it's strong emotional ties, made men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding soldiers to marry. 

The ban on marriage was a great shock for the Romans, who's tradition of marriage was a huge part of their society.  But the Roman people dared not voice their protest against the mighty emperor.

At that time, there lived a kindly clergyman by the name of Valentine who was known for his powers of healing.  This brave man realized the injustice of the decree. He saw first-hand the grief of young lovers who had given up all hopes of being united in marriage.  So, Valentine countered the unpopular edict by meeting young lovers to perform marriage ceremonies in secret.

But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before the Emperor heard about Saint Valentine, the "friend of lovers."   The Emperor promptly had him arrested for his crimes.

When Emperor Claudius visited Valentine, it is said the great ruler was impressed by Valentine's dignity and conviction.  However, when the Emperor asked this good man to reverse his feelings about the ban on marriage--Valentine refused to change his views, even attempting to share his own Faith with the Roman leader.  As a result, the now thoroughly furious Emperor gave the order to execute Valentine.

During his imprisonment, Valentine's guard, Asterius asked him to heal his daughter of her blindness.  Valentine prayed over the girl and she regained her sight.  According to this charming, yet sad legend, Valentine fell deeply in love with Asterius' daughter.  It is said just before his execution, he asked for a pen and paper to sign a farewell message to the young girl.  He signed his letter with, From Your Valentine, a phrase which lovers use to this very day.

Martyred for love and for his Faith, Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD. 

This brave man left behind a beautiful legacy.  Treasure the ones you love this Valentine's Day.  It is a wonderful day to share how much you love those who are close to your heart.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

A REMINDER:  Links which do not have to do with Postcard Friendship  Friday will be removedLinks which advertise various products will share that same fateAny and all suspicious links will be reported to Blogspot then deleted.










Friday, February 5, 2016

To My Love -Postcard Friendship Friday #299


I adore this beautiful postcard...such sweet faces in the mist of flowers--they are like something I would draw.

This Valentine's Day I will be taking a team of dramatists to perform "The Decision," the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz--a beautiful romance found in the Old Testament of The Bible.

I have always identified with Ruth and Boaz--they seemed to shadow the romance between my husband and myself.  So performing this on what would have been our 32nd Valentine's Day will be a bittersweet weekend for me.  However, God is good and He is full of love. 

Treasure your loved ones--hold them close this Valentine's Day.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.