Respect your Cat Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #113

Today is Respect Your Cat Day.  I could not find any history on how this holiday started, with the exception that on this day in 1384, King Richard the Second issued an edict forbidding the consumption of cats.  I just couldn't imagine anyone having a cat for dinner--except as an honored, if not interesting guest.

I have enjoyed the company of cats since I was a little girl.  Dogs are wonderful critters and I have made friends with quite a few.  But there is something about the independent nature of cats, combined with an endearing love they have for those they choose as friends, which captures me every time.

Today, March 28th, for many years now, we celebrate Respect Your Cat Day.  I'm glad there is such a holiday to pamper and cuddle up to these darling furry little friends.

The picture above is of our beloved Toez.  She is a polydactyl cat.  She's quite adept at using her mitten paws to get into just about everything.  Here she is at the window, er, rather--interactive kitty TV.

Have a lovely day with your furry 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! 

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The Music of Thy Words -Guest Heart Thursday

Such a lovely sentiment.  Have you noticed when people we love speak, it is often just like music in our ears?  I can attest to that.  There are so many I adore--too many to list here--dear ones who's words fill my heart with music--the music of joy.

Sweeter than the song of birds, 

Is the music of thy words.

 
Happy Guest Heart Thursday, sweet Friends.

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

Happy National Fragrance Day! -Postcard Friendship Friday #112

Today is National Fragrance Day. Though no one knows how the holiday came to exist, it is rumored the perfume industry likely had something to do with it.

Perfumes have been in use for hundreds of years. In the olden days, fragrance was used to hide body odors when frequent bathing was a luxury.  The word perfume comes from the Latin phrase, "per" meaning "through" and "fumus" meaning smoke."  Which makes sense, as the first perfumes were actually incense.

In ancient times, the most celebrated use of perfume was to embalm the dead.  When I think of embalming, and mummies--Egypt comes to mind first.  But as the years went by, perfume came to be used by all Egyptians.  Eventually citizens were commanded by law to perfume themselves at least once a week. They took elaborate baths, soaking their skin in oils which helped to protect their bodies from the drying effects of the hot sun. Egyptians invented many scented creams and emollients for this use.

The Egyptians even created a god they called Nefertem, which translated means, "the lord of the nose."  In ancient hieroglyphs this fellow was pictured with a lotus blossom hovering over his head. 

I think the strangest use of perfume in ancient Egypt, was the custom of making perfumed cones from animal fat, or bees wax, which was scented with the aroma of the lotus flower.  There are hieroglyphs which show what these cones look like.  The aromatic cones were worn perched atop their wigs.  In the heat of the day these cones would melt down to cover their hair and bodies with a wonderful aroma.  It seems to me that style would look a tad peculiar. However, looking back at the styles of the 1980's--one might feel the same way about certain fads then!

Perhaps the most famous ruler of Egypt was Cleopatra. Cleopatra loved perfume—perhaps the fragrance she used was a part of her allure. After the assassination of her lover, Julius Caesar, she left Rome to become the queen of Egypt. There she greeted Mark Antony, a Roman politician, on a ship with perfumed sails. It is said that Cleopatra's arrival was announced by clouds of perfume before her barge came into view. Antony also fell under her spell.  Though the story does not end happily, it is a romantic one.

Have a lovely fragrant day, 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 pieces you love and tell us why you like them.

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My Heart's Best Gift -Guest Heart Thursday

 

As the cleanup from our Chimney fire continues, I often pause to give thanks.  I thank God for His protection.  Things could have been so much worse.

I get emotional thinking about all the people who have helped us, prayed for us.  I am so thankful to those who support us and love us, despite our many flaws and faults.

My heart's best gift is that of love and thanksgiving.  I am especially grateful to my dear friends who have been such an encouragement over these past few weeks.  You know who you are.  ((hugs))

Have a lovely day and 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.

Ireland Forever! -Postcard Friendship Friday #111

Over the years I've wondered about the meaning of Erin go Bragh and how that phrase relates to Ireland and St. Patrick's Day.  I finally thought to look it up.  Erin go Braugh is the English translation of an Irish phrase Eirinn go Brach.  It is used to express allegiance to Ireland.  It is most often translated as Ireland forever, literally Ireland til' doomsday--or the end of time.

Considering the long and sometimes tragic history of the Irish, their allegiance to their country touches my heart.  As Dad once told me, once you win the heart of an Irishman, it is yours forever.  Their fierce loyalty to family, friend and country is a beautiful thing.

I am sorry I've put this up a little late.  We are still recovering from a frightening chimney fire.

I'm expecting the crew of folks who are cleaning away smoke damage to be here shortly.  (grin)  I had no idea what went into cleaning up after a fire.

The crew has been cleaning every nook and cranny of our house for almost two weeks!  These wonderful hard-working ladies are hoping to be done today.  I am in awe of what they've accomplished.  I believe our old house is cleaner than it has been since it was built over 100 years ago!

Have a lovely weekend 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 pieces 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.

Golden Harp of Ireland -Guest Heart Thursday

It does my Irish heart good to see all the wonderful cards one can find celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  I especially love this golden heart-shaped harp.  To someday play the harp, is on my "Bucket List!" 

There is quite a history behind the harp and the Coat of Arms of Ireland which  is usually seen as a golden harp with silver strings, on a blue background.  References to this emblem as being the arms of the King of Ireland can be found as early as the 1300's. 

They were adopted by King Henry the 8th of England when he ended the period of Lordship of Ireland and declared Ireland to be a kingdom in 1541.  When the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland were united as one in 1603, the harp was integrated into the unified royal coat of arms. 

This became was adopted as the emblem of the Irish Free State when it separated from the United Kingdom in 1922.  They were registered as the arms of Ireland with the Chief Herald of Ireland in November, 1945.  

Have a merry-hearted day and 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.

The Wearing of the Green -Postcard Friendship Friday #110

In the 1700's all of Ireland's lands were confiscated by the British.  Over 500,000 Irish Irish families were evicted, or were forced to pay rent for the homes and lands they'd previously owned.

In response to this injustice, a full-fledge rebellion broke out.  In 1791, in opposition to British rule, the Irish formed a political group called the "United Irishmen." The symbol of this group became the green banner with a golden harp on it.

After attempts by the British Government to extinguish the United Irishmen, a series of small battles broke out in the countryside. In 1798, the rebels stood their ground at the battle of Vinegar Hill, near Enniscorthy. The Irish were sadly outnumbered and many brave men died. From that time onward the "wearing of the green" has been a symbol of Irish unity and cultural identity.

During the great famine, when millions of Irish left their homeland for America, the "green" came with them,  symbolic of the Irish struggle for independence.

In the U.S, the first St. Paddy's Day parade took place in 1779.  Since that time there are parades all across America celebrating the wearing O' the green.

I am proud of my Irish heritage.  The Irish are big-hearted, sometimes hot tempered, spunky and tough--as well as innovative, smart and creative.  And not to mention a bit fey!

Have a lovely weekend, 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 pieces 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.

My Heart is in Ireland -Guest Heart Thursday

 

I have always loved Ireland.  My Father's ancestors hailed from that fair green land.  I love Irish music--there's something about it which pulls at my soul.

When I was a little girl--and even now, I would dance a little dance all on my own.  It wasn't until years later, watching River Dance, that I realized what I was doing was a version of an ancient Irish dance.

Some things are inborn in one's heart and soul, I think.  My heart is in Ireland!

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.