Fall is Here -Postcard Friendship Friday #187

I apologize for the lateness of the day in posting PFF.  I had minor surgery yesterday and am moving a bit slow today.

I had been sensing Autumn in the summer's sun shadows.  Yesterday, she arrived in full force.  Though the sun was shining--the air was filled with nostalgia.  Cooler temperatures, pale sunshine, a brisk breeze.  Fall is here.

I'm going to make this entry short as I still don't feel all that good.  Blessings, joy and peace to you all.

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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.

 

Love Mends Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

I love this postcard of a broken heart.  I remember what Jessica Tandy, one of the actors on the wonderful movie Fried Green Tomatoes said of broken hearts.  She said, "a heart can be broken, but it keeps a'beatin' just the same."

Thank the Lord for our dear ones--the family and friends who make life worth living--your love really does mend a broken heart. 

Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

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

September Sapphire -Postcard Friendship Friday #186

September is one of my favorite months of the year.  It has a certain nostalgic feel to it--something both sweet and sad, yet exhilarating.

It is no wonder the sapphire is the birthstone for September.  The stone's rich intense blue echoes the blue skies which often accompany summer's sojourn into Fall. In olden times, Persians believed the earth rested upon a giant sapphire and its deep blue color filled the sky.

An ancient tradition tells us Moses was given the Ten Commandments on tablets of sapphire.  The sapphire has long symbolized divine favor, truth, sincerity and faithfulness.  These lovely jewels were worn by kings, queens and high priests. The British Crown Jewels are full of large blue sapphires.  Indeed, Prince Charles chose a sapphire engagement ring for Princess Diana.

In days past, the sapphire was once thought to have healing powers.  The stone was said to remove  impurities, to clear a person's mind of illness and was considered a powerful talisman--a guiding star for travelers and seekers.

I have loved blue sapphires all my life.  Too bad I wasn't born in September!  lol  Have a marvelous day, dear friends and 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.

It's a Heart Tree! -Guest Heart Thursday

I was looking through my ephemera files to find a heart for today's Guest Heart Thursday.  I came across this charming postcard and decided it to be perfect for this day--it is a lovely glowing day--not quite Summer, not quite Fall. 

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

We Will Never Forget -Postcard Friendship Friday #185

I will never forget the morning two airplanes were flown into the twin towers, another crashed into the Pentagon and still another crashed in a field--the intentions of the terrorists thwarted by the heroes aboard.

We were up early, I was sitting in the window seat reading my Bible.  My husband turned on the television just in time to see the wreckage the first airplane had left.  News reporters were speculating about some kind of accident.  Then we watched in horror as the second jet exploded into the second tower.

I will never forget the quiet of the skies as all aircraft were ordered to land and stay put.  There was an eerie silence everywhere.

Nine months later we traveled to New York City.  Our visit to the wall of remembrance, and the viewing of Ground Zero was an experience our family will never forget.

Our hearts continue to go out to those who lost their lives and the families who will never be the same.  We will never forget.

* 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.

A Wink and a Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I couldn't help laughing at this little fellow--he certainly is full of himself!  I couldn't resist posting him today.  I think I knew a couple of fellows in grade school who believed they truly were "God's gift" to the girls!

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

Happy Rosh Hashanah -Postcard Friendship Friday #184

Happy Rosh Hashanah!  This is the joyous celebration of the Jewish New Year.  The name Rosh Hashanah is Hebrew for  'head of the year.’ It begins in the month of Nissan, which is recorded in history as the time of year when the Israelites, who had been made slaves by the Pharaoh, were set free.  This is also known as Passover.

There is also a lovely tradition of greeting one’s friends and family, saying, “L'Shana Tovah,” which is Hebrew for 'may you have a good year.' 

The New Year has the longest prayer service of all the Jewish holidays aside from Yom Kippur. The New Year consists of two half days from around 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. of prayers in the synagogue. Kol Nidre lasts around three hours in the evening and Yom Kippur lasts a full day until sunset. The prayer book used on the New Year is the Makhzor, featuring Unetaneh Tohkef, which reflects on life and death. Avienu Malkeiun is another famous prayer Jews greatly appreciate which means 'Our Father Our King', in Hebrew.

During Yom Kippur, the people reflect on their sins and ask for forgiveness, as represented by the 24 hour fasting process. This takes place a week after the New Year.

Tashlich takes place in the synagogue on the first day of the New Year. In Hebrew, tashlich means 'casting off' and represents casting aside the prior year’s sins. Bread, or other foods are tossed into flowing water.  To break the fast, apple slices dipped in honey and honey cake are eaten—representing a sweet new year for all.  At the very end of Yom Kippur, the shofar is blown once to end the fast and start the full New Year.  The shofar is made from a ram's horn, which gives it a beautiful and hauntingly distinctive sound.

The history surrounding this holiday is both fascinating and moving.

Happy Rosh Hashanah and thank you for joining us for 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.