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.

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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! 

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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! 

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Flight of the Yellow Birds -Postcard Friendship Friday #183

I had all kinds of ideas as to what I would be posting today.  All of those flew out the window in the wake of a lovely dream I had a few days ago.

I dreamed my sweet husband and I were at Mumsie's house.  He was fixing a flat tire.  Mom and I were sitting on in the grass nearby watching.  It is the oddest thing, but Mumsie was young again, long dark hair flowing down her back--we were laughing together like young girls.

Suddenly I saw these beautiful little yellow and orange birds in the trees overhead--they were tiny, just the size of my thumb, so sweet, a whole flock of them.   I pointed them out to Mums and we watched as they flitted to land all over the giant oak tree.

And then--these chicken-sized, bright yellow, feathery creatures joined the tiny birds. I kept saying, "Do you see what I'm seeing?" My husband was about to come to where we were sitting, but I gestured for him not to move--I was afraid they'd fly away.  So we sat there very quietly.  

To our astonishment, rather than flying away, they came down and let us pet them.  They were so soft and feathery and bright--not afraid of us one bit.  Their antics made us laugh.  And then I awoke.

It was the dearest, funniest dream I've had in a long long time

Have a lovely 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 postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Under a Red Umbrella -Guest Heart Thursday

After weeks of sunshine it is stormy and grey today.  I didn't realize how much, as a native Oregonian, I have missed the clouds and rain!  It should be gone by tomorrow, but we've had some soakers already today.

I thought this postcard perfect for Guest Heart Thursday.  Truly it IS nice to have a sweetheart!

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

Ride the Wind Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #182

Today is Ride the Wind Day!  No one seems to know how this holiday got started, but it is a fanciful, heavenly idea.  I once had the privilege and pleasure of taking a hot air balloon ride...I will never forget that experience.  It seemed so natural to be floating overhead--no motor, just the rush of the flame as we drifted along.

One of the funny things I read about this day is that on August 23, 1974, John Lennon, one of the Beatles reported that he saw a UFO in New York City!

When I was four years old my family and I went through the great Columbus Day Storm.  It was a cyclone which made its way up the coast from Mexico.  Though we have had some big storms since, its like has not been seen since.

As a small child, I don't remember being afraid--even as we stood in the middle of the field watching the winds flatten Grandpa's barn, whipping tons of hay into a prickly mass over our heads.  I watched the winds roll up the flat roof of our home like an old fashioned sardine can, tossing it off to the side.

I've loved the wind ever since.

Have a lovely windy 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! 

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For the Sake of Argument -Postcard Friendship Friday #181

This is our week of family gatherings and reunions!  My brother and his delightful family are visiting from out of town, then there's a big reunion later on at my Uncle's place. 

Which brings to mind some of my favorite reunion memories.  I have written about how much, as a child, I loved to listen to Dad's brothers and sisters debate every topic under the sun--yet how much love they had for one another.

I once asked Mom why they argued so much.  She smiled and said, "For the sake of the argument."  Which seemed perfectly plausible to me.

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! 

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National Polka Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #180

 

The Polka is a dance which involves a man and a woman performing a series of triple steps to happy, lively tunes which are usually played on the accordion.

Apparently the dance has been around a long time.  Some say the Polka originated in Bohemia during the 1800s.   Others insist the dance was invented by a girl named Anna Slezak, in the year 1834.  It was around that time, the dance gained popularity in ballrooms around the world. 

Here in the States, during Oktoberfest, dancers often perform the Polka in groups wearing wonderful costumes.  From what I hear, it is GREAT exercise, too!

Have a lovely week 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.

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