Friday, March 30, 2012

April Fools Day and Fish - Postcard Friendship Friday #109


I’ve always wondered about the association of April Fool’s Day and fish. One can find many vintage postcards with ladies in lovely clothing, cradling a dead fish! 



No one really knows exactly when April Fools Day, or how All Fool’s Day actually began.  Most historians believe it started in 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX.  When the Gregorian Calendar was introduced, New Year's Day was moved from April First, to January First.

But in those days, news didn't travel quickly, so some people learned of the calendar change several years later.  Until then, they continued to celebrate the New Year in April.  Yet there were others who were rebellious about the change, who refused to acknowledge the new calendar date and who continued to celebrate the New Year in April.

These rebels were labeled "fools.”   People made fun of them and sent the dissenters on "fool errands."  People would often send these defiant folks invitations to nonexistent parties and played other mean-spirited practical jokes upon them. 

Apparently people called those celebrating the new year on April Fool’s Day "poisson d'avril," or "April fish."  It has the idea of a young naive fish, which is easily caught. A favorite joke at that time, was to hook a paper fish on people’s backs without their knowledge.  It is thought that sticking a paper on someone's back with the words "kick me," evolved from that ancient tradition.

As time passed, the world adopted the new calendar celebrating the New Year on January First.  However, the custom of prank-playing on April First continued. April Fool's Day eventually spread to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French.

So now you know why April Fools Day cards often have fish on them!

On a more personal note, our Grandfather was born on April 1st, so this date has a special meaning for me and my family.

*  NOTE: 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

 



Thursday, March 29, 2012

Bedewed Roses - Guest Heart Thursday


This is the 500th post since I started blogging in 2008!  It's hard to believe that much time has gone by.  Here is another Rose by one of my favorite artists--C. Klein.  I see hearts in the petals of the roses, and in the leaves below.  Just an exquisitely inspiring piece of artwork.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Just an Easter Postcard - Postcard Friendship Friday #108


I love this postcard.  Normally Easter chicks are fluffy and sweet.  I am not sure what these cuties are thinking of--but there seems to be a bit of the "gangsta" going on here!  I would not want to meet these two in a dark alley!

Happy Easter everyone!

*  NOTE: 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

 

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Many Joys - Guest Heart Thursday


I love this artist's work.  I recognize it whenever I see it...this one is particularly lovely with that dewdrop on the petals.  The heart is the bud--and it is upside down.

Have a lovely day, everyone!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!


Friday, March 16, 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #107


Ever forgotten to wear green on St. Patrick's Day?  When I was in school, if one forgot to wear green that day, one would receive a hearty pinching from just about everyone.  I was spared, of course, because of my green eyes.  (phew)

The tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day started in Ireland, where party goers believed  leprechauns and other fairy creatures would be given power to pinch anyone they could see.  A person wearing green was said to become invisible to these fairytale critters.

Oddly enough, pinching a person not wearing green on St. Patrick's day isn't an Irish tradition.  Rather, it started in America in the early 1700's.

The tradition reportedly started as a reminder that leprechauns and other fairy folk could sneak up and pinch anyone who wasn't wearing green on St. Patrick's Day.  The catch was, if someone pinched a person wearing green -- then that person had the right to pinch back.   Heh.

I'm SO glad I have green eyes.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, everyone!

*  NOTE: 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

 

Friday, March 9, 2012

Springtime Shamrock - Postcard Friendship Friday #106



I love the green of Shamrocks which seem to herald the arrival of Spring and sunshine!  This is a reproduction of a vintage postcard.  I bought a pack of the ones I loved best, back in the early 1980's.  I lived with my precious Grammie at that time.  She loved cards as much as I, so I would often surprise her with them.  Going through her things, Sissy found this postcard I'd given to her around that time.

Grammie is gone now, so this is a lovely reminder of our great friendship.

*  NOTE: 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

 

Friday, March 2, 2012

Fun and Sun - Postcard Friendship Friday #105



I have a special spot in my heart for Kewpie dolls.  My darling Sissy Clytie has been going through some boxes of cards saved by our sweet little Grammie.  Sissy happened to come upon some postcards she thought I would like.

I lived with my Grandmother for several years before I met my husband.  Grammie and I were best friends--this card is one of those I'd given her.  Our grandmother loved little dolls, especially Kewpies.

In light of the weather here in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, I am celebrating the idea of sunshine, spring and warmer weather.  It has been grey for WAY too long!

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

*  NOTE: 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

 



Thursday, March 1, 2012

Unicorn Heart - Guest Heart Thursday


A friend of mine sent this wonderful heart lineart.  It is from an old Dover catalog.  I still have several of those wonderful books from the 1980's.  Dover Catalogs were full of ideas and beautiful samples of what they were offering.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!