New Year's Eve Traditions in the Philippines and Other Countries

Happy New Year to All! Good bye 2020. Welcome 2021.

Twelve Round Fruits in Your Table for Prosperity and Wealth-Filipino Traditions at New Year

The past years, I have posted New Years Eve and Day Traditions and Superstition ( see website at end of this blog) in the Philippines. Today I am reprinting for your information 12 Fascinating New Years Eve traditions from other parts of the world as follows:

Twelve Fascinating New Year’s Eve Traditions from Around The World by

Lucy Marinelli dated: Dec. 07, 2020

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Shutterstock / MEzairi

In the U.S., we usher out the last day of the year with cocktails, ball drops and fireworks. Elsewhere, other types of symbolism play a big role in this final holiday of the season.

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Taste of Home

Japan

Just before midnight on New Year’s Eve, the Japanese eat soba noodles. The Toshikoshi soba, which translates to a “year-crossing” buckwheat noodle dish, has lots of symbolism. The long noodle denotes the crossing from one year to the next. Since it’s an easily cut noodle, it signifies a letting go of the past year’s regrets—a cutting-off, if you will, before the fresh start the new year brings.

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Aripai Leangphet/Shutterstock

Spain

In Spain, with 12 seconds remaining until the New Year, people eat 12 green grapes to bring good luck in the coming year. It’s thought to be bad luck if you can’t eat them all by the final midnight chime. But gobble them down in time and 12 months of good fortune will come your way.

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Taste of Home

France

The French usually ring in the New Year with a huge feast, commonly know as le réveillon de la Saint-Sylvestre. The meal is full of traditional, decadent eats, including foie gras, oysters, lobster and escargot. And, just like in the U.S., champagne is the drink of choice.

Shutterstock / barbajones

Italy

Italians love lentils for their coin-like shape, symbolizing luck and prosperity. A New Year’s Eve dinner usually features this legume to bring on luck in the coming year. Pork is often added to lentil dishes in the form of cotechino, a spicy sausage, or zampone, a deboned pig trotter, to represent the plenitude of the land.

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LI Cook/Shutterstock

Colombia

On the last night of the year, Colombians place three potatoes—one peeled, one unpeeled, and one half peeled—under their beds. At midnight, they pull out the first potato they touch. Peeled means they’ll have financial problems, unpeeled indicates abundance, and half peeled…well, somewhere in between.

Shutterstock / David Carillet

Australia

Australians celebrate the New Year with midnight fireworks in cities and towns throughout the country. Firework displays are launched off bridges, such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, from jetties along the beaches, and on river banks, with the lights of the fireworks sparkling off the water. In a typical year, people pack picnic baskets and arrive hours early to get the best viewing spots.

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Zb89V/Shutterstock

The Philippines

Filipino culture celebrates the New Year by serving 12 round fruits. The round shape symbolizes coins, which represent prosperity and wealth for each month of the upcoming year. Apples, melons, oranges and grapes are popular picks, but any round fruit will do.

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Shutterstock / V. Belov

Denmark

After a traditional New Year’s Eve meal of boiled cod with mustard, the Danes eat a tower of marzipan doughnuts called kransekage, meaning “wreath cake.” It was once called overflødighedshorn (cornucopia), because the whole doughnut tower was tipped on its side, with chocolate and treats spilling out. This traditional cake is also served at weddings and birthdays.

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Shutterstock / Alexander Lukatskiy

Canada

In rural areas of Canada, New Year’s Eve is a time to spend ice fishing with friends. Celebrations on the frozen ponds and rivers tend to last all night as buddies fish in the open or in fishing shacks and perhaps catch a fish or two to help celebrate the coming year.

Taste of Home

Ireland

The Irish have a tradition of banging bread against the walls of their houses on New Year’s Eve. The idea is that bad luck and evil spirits are chased away and good luck is invited in. It also ensures that the coming year will be filled with an abundance of bread and other food.

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OZMedia/Shutterstock

Brazil

In Brazil, particular foods are eaten to invite good luck for the coming year. Seven is the lucky number on New Year’s Eve, so seven pomegranate seeds are eaten to keep the purse full, and seven grapes ensure abundance in all areas of life. Some Brazilians also jump over seven waves in the ocean and make seven wishes for the new year as they leap.

Shutterstock / Africa Studio

Greece

The Greeks ring in the new year by eating vasilopita, a sweet yeast bread. Eaten at midnight, the bread is made in honor of Greece’s revered St. Basil. Before serving the family, beginning with the oldest member, households set a slice of bread aside for the saint and another portion for those in need. A coin is baked into the bread and the person whose slice contains the coin is in for a year filled with good fortune.

 

For details about New Year Eve and Day Traditions in the Philippines and other Part of the World visit:

https://marinduquemyislandparadise.blogspot.com/2019/12/new-years-eve-and-day-superstition-in.html 

https://holidappy.com/holidays/New-Years-Eve-Superstitions-and-Traditions 

Meanwhile enjoy this dish I ate for lunch today with steam white rice

Fish Cod Fillet with Red Peppers and Black Bean Sauce
 

 

Renaming One of My Blogs-Becoming American and Year 2020 in Review

I renamed one of my blogs, Becoming American this year. This was inspired by a vblog named Becoming Filipino by Kyle Jennermann from Canada.

This is one of my widely read blogs with more than 847,900 views as of this writing date. Goals for 2021-To attain more than 1 Million Views:

This week I renamed one of my blogs-Life in the US and in the Philippines:1960 to the Present to: Becoming American. This change of title is inspired by one of the most widely read video blogs (Vlog) about the Philippines by Kyle (Kulas) Jennermann, Becoming Filipino. https://www.facebook.com/becomingfilipino

 

BecomingFilipino is an adventure. It is the journey of a 26 year old Canadian trying to “Become Filipino” through travel, experience, and sharing happiness. Kyle has travel extensively in almost all parts of the Philippines since 2014.

Three of the several hundreds of videos about his Philippines adventures that Kyle has posted in his vlogs are from his experiences in Marinduque- Our second home.

Kyle had posted five other blogs about Marinduque.  Two videos are about the Moriones and Heritage Houses in Boac and the other one is the underground river cave in Santa Cruz.

Here are my six other blogs and total views as of this writing date.

 

The Intellectual Migrant-A Biography-Total Reader Views as of this Writing Date: 819,073.

Snowbirds in the Philippines-Total Reader Views as of this writing date: 36,966.

Marinduque-My Island Paradise-Total Reader Views as of this Writing Date: 492,458. 

I Left My Heart in Marinduque ( not in San Francisco-Total Reader Views: 148,261.

 Marinduque Awaits You-Total Reader Views: 633, 981.

 

Chateau Du Mer Beach House and Conference Hall-Total Reader Views: 329,257

Kyle had also several videos about  Iloilo-my province of birth. Here are three of them

The above videos reminds me of my childhood and teenage years- riding an albino carabao, eating raw sugar cane, seafood dishes (oysters), mango shakes and other Ilonggo delicacies.

Meanwhile, enjoy this photo-My PC Monitor of CDM Main House in Marinduque at Christmas.

and playing mahjong at Christmas Day with Family and Grand Children

and here's 2020 year in Review:

 

US Presidential Ranking based from a CBS Survey- Trump's Legacy

Current Living Ex-Presidents as of this Date 12/29/2020. Trump will join this group after Jan 20, 2021 perhaps not willingly and certainly a sore Loser by not conceding his defeat.
 

Lame Duck President Trump is rank the #1 worst President of the US based on the CBS presidential historians survey. Historians evaluated them based on 10 qualities of presidential leadership, including economic management, international relations, crisis leadership, public persuasion skills and whether they pursued equal justice for all.

To Trump supporters and cult followers this is probably a surprise and a fake survey.  I have seen FaceBook comments stating that Trump is the best President in spite of his mismanaging and poor leadership in handling the Covid-19 pandemic and his attempt to destroy democracy by not conceding and accept his defeat with dignity.

In this posting I will list only the top Twelve of Forty-Five. For the complete listing visit the website below.  

   1. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)

• Lincoln’s first-place standing in the C-SPAN survey is due to high ratings across the board, but historians hold him in highest esteem for crisis leadership. 

  He led the country through one of its most trying periods, the Civil War, and in 1863 signed the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves.

   
  

  2. George Washington (1789-1797)

  The nation’s first president ranked above all others for moral authority, economic management, and overall performance within the context of his times.

  Washington fought hard for the Constitution, feeling that the Articles of Confederation were not functioning well for the country. He was disappointed to see the country becoming more politically divided toward the end of his first term, and set a precedent by choosing to retire after his second. 

  3. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945)

  Historians laud Franklin D. Roosevelt for his skills at public persuasion, ranking him first among all presidents in that category. He also ranked #1 in handling of foreign relations.

  FDR assumed the presidency during the worst of the Great Depression, but assured the American people: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He also led the U.S. through the perilous years of World War II.

  • 4. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt (1901-1909)

    Theodore Roosevelt ranked highly for public persuasion. 

    Just 42 when he became the youngest president in the nation’s history, he had the excitement and energy to convince Congress to pass progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy -- exemplified by his motto, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” An avid outdoorsman, he oversaw the expansion of America’s national parks.

  • 5. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961)

    Eisenhower jumped from 9th place in the rankings in 2000 to 5th place in 2017, largely due to an increasingly favorable view of his crisis leadership. 

    Eisenhower’s energies were largely devoted to easing the tensions of the Cold War. He obtained a truce after years of war in Korea, desegregated the U.S. armed forces, and sent federal troops to enforce a court order desegregating public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

    • 6. Harry Truman (1945-1953)

      Truman wins praise from historians for his crisis leadership. 

      After V-E Day, when Japan refused to surrender, he ordered atomic bombs to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, finally ending World War II in the Pacific. Shortly thereafter, Truman watched the signing of the charter of the United Nations, established to preserve peace. 

      • 7. Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)

        Jefferson was ranked highest for his vision and agenda setting. 

        He was the the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and during his presidency he acquired the Louisiana Territory, vastly expanding the size of the country, and slashed the national debt by a third. 

        8. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)

        Historians credit Kennedy most for his skills in public persuasion and his vision. He also rates well for crisis management and handling international relations.

        He stood up to the Soviets and successfully defused the Cuban Missile Crisis, vowed to put a man on the moon, and pushed for progress on civil rights. He was assassinated after barely a thousand days in office.

        • 9. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)

          Regan’s ranking in the C-SPAN survey has risen consistently since 2000, largely due to more positive views of his economic management and crisis leadership. He also scored extremely highly for public persuasion skills and setting the national agenda.

          By working with Congress, Reagan was able to pass legislation that sped economic growth and strengthened national defense, advancing his vision of “peace through strength” in the years leading up to the end of the Cold War.

        10. Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969)

        Johnson tops the charts for his efforts in pursuing equal justice for all Americans. 

        Taking office after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Johnson secured enactment of a landmark civil rights bill. He urged the country “to build a great society, a place where the meaning of man’s life matches the marvels of man’s labor,” which became his agenda, resulting in Medicare for the elderly, increased aid for education and anti-poverty programs.

         11. Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921)

        Wilson rated most highly for his vision and ability to set an agenda. 

        He moved many pieces of important legislation through Congress, and in 1917 convinced Congress that America could no longer remain neutral in World War I.  

        12. Barack Obama (2009-2017)

        Obama debuted in 12th place on C-SPAN's list. Presidential historians rated him highly for pursuing equal justice and for his skills at public persuasion.

        His signature domestic policy accomplishment, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was unpopular with Republicans but extended health insurance coverage to 20 million more Americans. His administration helped guide the country through the great recession and rescued the U.S. auto industry.

        Historians in the C-SPAN survey gave him weaker marks for his dealings with Congress and international relations.

        The other modern presidents in their ranking are as follows:

        Clinton (15), Bush H.W( 20), Ford (25), Carter(26), Nixon (28) and Bush W.( 33).
        

        For the complete Listing Visit:
        

https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/presidents-ranked-from-worst-to-best-presidential-historians-survey-2017/?ftag=ACQ449302a&vndid=6114624132833

 And for Trump's Legacy

 

By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The most improbable of presidents, Donald Trump reshaped the office and shattered its centuries-old norms and traditions while dominating the national discourse like no one before.

Trump downplays impact of cyberattack, questions Russia involvement

Trump, governing by whim and tweet, deepened the nation’s racial and cultural divides and undermined faith in its institutions. His legacy: a tumultuous four years that were marked by his impeachment, failures during the worst pandemic in a century and his refusal to accept defeat.

He smashed conceptions about how presidents behave and communicate, offering unvarnished thoughts and policy declarations alike, pulling back the curtain for the American people while enthralling supporters and unnerving foes — and sometimes allies — both at home and abroad.

While the nation would be hard pressed to elect another figure as disruptive as Trump, it remains to be seen how much of his imprint on the office itself, occupied by only 44 other men, will be indelible. Already it shadows the work of his successor, President-elect Joe Biden, who framed his candidacy as a repudiation of Trump, offering himself as an antidote to the chaos and dissent of the past four years while vowing to restore dignity to the Oval Office.

“For all four years, this is someone who at every opportunity tried to stretch presidential power beyond the limits of the law,” said presidential historian Michael Beschloss. “He altered the presidency in many ways, but many of them can be changed back almost overnight by a president who wants to make the point that there is a change.”

Trump's most enduring legacy may be his use of the trappings of the presidency to erode Americans’ views of the institutions of their own government. For complete details visit:

https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2020-12-21/trumps-legacy-he-changed-the-presidency-but-will-it-last

 

The Race, Gender and Nationality of Jesus

My attendance at a virtual Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Saint Peter Basilica in Rome celebrated by Pope Francis the other night reminded me of the following article that I received in my FaceBook messenger a few months ago.  

It hinted on some of the nationalities, race and gender, sexuality and appearance of Jesus. Curious? Read On!

Meanwhile From Wikipedia: The Race and Appearance of Jesus has been a topic of discussion since the days of early Christianity. Various theories about the race of Jesus have been proposed and debated. By the Middle Ages, a number of documents, generally of unknown or questionable origin, had been composed and were circulating with details of the appearance of Jesus. Now these documents are mostly considered forgeries.

A wide range of depictions have appeared over the two millennia since Jesus's death, often influenced by cultural settings, political circumstances and theological contexts. The depiction of Jesus in art of the first Christian centuries gradually standardized his appearance with a short beard. These images are often based on second- or third-hand interpretations of spurious sources, and are generally historically inaccurate.

By the 19th century, theories that Jesus was non-Semitic were being developed, with writers suggesting he was variously white, black, Indian, or some other race. However, as in other cases of the assignment of race to biblical individuals, these claims have been mostly based on cultural stereotypes, ethnocentrism, and societal trends rather than on scientific analysis or historical method

 

And here's the article I received in My FaceBook Messenger a few months ago:  Enjoy and be sure to smile!

 

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black: 1. He called everyone brother. 2. He liked Gospel. 3. He didn't get a fair trial.

 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish: 1. He went into His Father's business. 2. He lived at home until he was 33. 3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin, and his Mother was sure He was God. 

 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian: 1. He talked with His hands. 2. He had wine with His meals. 3. He used olive oil.

 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian: 1. He never cut His hair. 2. He walked around barefoot all the time. 3. He started a new religion. 

 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian: 1. He was at peace with nature. 2. He ate a lot of fish. 3. He talked about the Great Spirit.

 

But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish: 1. He never got married. 2. He was always telling stories. 3. He loved green pastures. 

 

But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a Woman: 1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was virtually no food. 2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it. 3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was still work to do. ________________

My Response to the Message in FaceBook:

Like it. How about a list that Jesus was a Filipino?

 

Photo Credit: NY Daily News

Can you write three proofs that Jesus could have been a Filipino ( not seriously, of course) . Here's mine

 

1. He ate with his hands. 2. He kiss his relatives on the cheek upon entering the room and 3. He was always late for most of the events he was suppose to attend.

 

Related Post: Read in the Internet: Jesus was Gay*

 

1. He surrounds himself with 12 men, he called his Disciples

2. He loves wearing flowing robes and linen garments and running naked

3. He never married( remain celibate) and had no known girl friends   

 

* https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/apr/20/was-jesus-gay-probably

 

Meanwhile enjoy these photos of my recent nite light purchases from Lampeez for Christmas Decor

 and some of my BD/xmas gift for this year, 2020

A Scarf (muffler), Biden-Harris mug, Lampeez cross and a John Kennedy Christmas Ornament

 

Christmas Lights in the Fabulous 40's Neighborhood of East Sacramento

Ditas Christmas Lights this Year- at the Fabulous 40's Neighborhood of East Sacramento

This year after a Christmas Eve Dinner at Ditas House in East Sacramento, David and I had a short drive enjoying the Christmas Lights of the Fabulous 40's Neighborhood of East Sacramento. This year due to Covid-19 there are more cars than people ( walking) enjoying the Christmas lights. Here's three videos highlighting the Christmas lights.   

Car Tour and Christmas Music

The Fabulous Forties neighborhood is part of the East Sacramento district. President Ronald Reagan lived at 1341 45th Street while serving most of his term as Governor of California. The "Fab '40s" is the historic terminus of a once extensive streetcar network that covered nearly all the historic neighborhoods of the city. Forty-sixth street at J Street was the turnaround point for the J Street Line making it one of the widest streets in East Sacramento. 

The lots between 38th and 47th Streets and bordered by J Street and Folsom Boulevard are among the largest in East Sacramento, creating the concentration of larger houses that gave rise to the area's name. Up until the Great Depression, the grand homes of the "Fab '40s" were considered to be the modern day equivalent of a suburban mansion. Now they are considered architecturally spectacular large to mid-sized houses in a very pricey location.

For Details visit:

https://www.kcra.com/article/fabulous-40s-christmas-lights-east-sacramento-2020-pictures/35023723

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of some of my gifts for Christmas this year

A Biden-Harris coffee mug, a dark blue scarf ( muffler), a  cross Lampeez nite light and a John Kennedy White House Christmas Ornament.

 

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass and Other Activities

Last night we had dinner at Ditas House. After Dinner David and I drove in the neighborhood to see the Christmas Lights and Decor of the Sacramento's Fabulous Forty's Neighborhood.  Then it was almost time to attend midnight mass celebrated by Pope Francis. The following photos is worth more a thousand words. 

\

Meanwhile enjoy these photos of my new Biden-Harris mask and Ditas Yoga Decors in her home.

 

Now, Its Time to say Merry Christmas in Several Languages:

https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2019/12/time-to-say-merry-christmas-in-several.html

 

Celebration of Life: Macrine J.Katague via her Favorite Music (Christmas)-Part 14

It is now Christmas in the Philippines. Here in the US it is Christmas Eve. Ditas, David and I are staying home. We plan on cooking Ox Tails Kare Kare and have a ZOOM Get Together of Relatives along with Carenna in the Netherlands at 4PM Pacific time. We hope you can joined us virtually this afternoon. 

Meanwhile enjoy Part 14-the end of the series on Macrine J Katague Celebration of life via her favorite music . Here are four of Macrine's favorite Christmas songs both in Tagalog and English.

Josh Groban - O Holy Night

 

Himig Singers -Payapang Daigdig ( Peaceful World)

Pasko Na Sinta Ko ( Its Christmas Now, My Love)-Valenciano-Guitar

 

Vienna Boys Choir- Silent Night in German

This song Macrine and I sang in Tagalog during our mid-night Christmas mass concert here in our local catholic church in 2005. I will never forget how she encouraged me to sing duet with her for the whole congregation to hear and enjoy. 

Tahimik na Gabi

Tahimik na gabi; Banal na gabi
Lahat ay kalmado; lahat maliwanag
Sa Birheng Ina at kaniyang Anak
Banal na Sanggol na mahinhing humihinga
Natutulog na kapayapaan
Na parang sa langit ang dama

Tahimik na gabi; Banal na gabi
Mga pastol; naroon sa sabsaban
Mga papuri ay maririnig
Mula sa mga anghel ng langit
Si Kristo ay ipinanganak
Tagapag-ligtas natin Siya

Tahimik na gabi; Banal na gabi
Anak ng Diyos; ilaw ng pag-ibig
Liwanag nagmumula sa Iyong mukha
Ay nagsisilaw ng pag-babasbas
Hesus, Panginoon
Sa Iyong pagkapanganak

 May You Rest in Peace, my love (Pangga)!   

I Heard your voice in the Wind Today

Here's the special video during her 40th day anniversary!

https://vimeo.com/459996857

Merry Christmas to ALL!

 

Celebration of Life: Macrine J. Katague via her Favorite Music (Guitar)-Part 13

This Part 13 out of 14 on the series, Macrine J. Katague, Celebration of Life via her favorite music.

Macrine also loved classical guitar music. In this series I am featuring Malaguena and Spanish Romance- two of Macrine's favorite pieces.

"Malagueña" (Spanish pronunciation: [malaˈɣeɲa], from Málaga) is a song by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. It was originally the sixth movement of Lecuona's Suite Andalucía (1933), to which he added lyrics in Spanish. The song has since become a popular, jazz, marching band, and drum corps standard and has been provided with lyrics in several languages. In general terms Malagueñas are a flamenco dance style from Málaga in the southeast Spain (see Malagueñas (flamenco style)).

The melody that forms the basis of "Malagueña" was not of Lecuona's invention. It can be heard in 19th century American composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk's solo piano composition "Souvenirs d'Andalousie." Based on Gottschalk's international renown, it is reasonable to assume Lecuona heard it and either wittingly or unwittingly co-opted it in composing his most famous piece. Further research is required to determine if Gottshalk's composition and the melody popularized as "Malagueña" is itself a based on a folkloric Spanish tune.

The authorship and origin of this famous piece have always been subject to widespread speculation. However, this solo guitar piece has been attributed to a host of musicians - Narciso Yepes, Vicente Gómez, Miguel Llobet, Francisco Tárrega, David del Castillo, and Antonio Rubira, to name a few.

This sustained uncertainty regarding its genesis has led to the incorporation of the word “anonymous/anónimo” into its name. The authorship conundrum is instigated by three primary reasons - the lack any concrete claim, the persistent desire to circumvent copyright fees, and the publishing companies’ inherent lust to claim lucrative copyright of this renowned guitar piece.

One of the early publications of the piece is attributed to Antonio Rubira, a Spanish guitarist. This version, titled “Estudio para Guitarra” was published in Argentina by J.A. Medina e Hijo somewhere between 1913 and 1925. Isaías Sávio, another composer and guitarist, has also cited Antonio Rubira as the author in his work “Romance de Amor.” Sávio further mentioned how the work became famous in Buenos Aires and attracted further attention from local publishers. Ricordi, an Argentinian publishing company, currently attributes Antonio Rubira as the author of the piece.

Meanwhile enjoy the following photo from my album

My crystal animal collections-reminds me of pleasant memories of our travels abroad when Macrine(RIP) and I were still young from the 1980's to early 2000's.

 My turtle nite light guide me to the Bathroom in the middle of the Night

 

Today is the Winter Soltice in the Northern Hemisphere

 

Winter Soltice Celebration attracts thousands at Stonehenge-Photo by CNN.

Just a reminder today, December 21 is the Winter Soltice here in the November Hemisphere. Today is the day with the shortest daylight and longest night of the year. Here's what Wikipedia says: 

The winter solstice, or hibernal solstice occurs when one of the Earth's poles has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern). For that hemisphere, the winter solstice is the day with the shortest period of daylight and longest night of the year, when the Sun is at its lowest daily maximum elevation in the sky.  At the pole, there is continuous darkness or twilight around the winter solstice. Its opposite is the summer solstice. Also the Tropic of Cancer or Tropic of Capricorn depending on the hemispheres winter solstice the sun goes 90 degrees below the horizon at solar midnight to the nadir.

The winter solstice occurs during the hemisphere's winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, this is the December solstice (usually 21 or 22 December) and in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the June solstice (usually 20 or 21 June). Although the winter solstice itself lasts only a moment, the term sometimes refers to the day on which it occurs. Other names are the "extreme of winter" (Dongzhi), or the "shortest day". Since the 18th century, the term "midwinter" has sometimes been used synonymously with the winter solstice, although it carries other meanings as well. Traditionally, in many temperate regions, the winter solstice is seen as the middle of winter, but today in some countries and calendars, it is seen as the beginning of winter. 

From the New York Times dated 12/20/2020: Tomorrow is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the longest, darkest night of a long, dark year.

This winter’s darkness is as literal as it is metaphorical, with the catastrophic toll of Covid-19, and fear and dread for what is to come. But as some faith and politics reporter writes, it also serves as a reminder that for millenniums, “humans have turned to rituals and stories to remind one another of hope and deeper truths.”

There is some solace for the darkness: On Monday night, Jupiter and Saturn will almost kiss in the night sky, appearing as one bright planet. The last time they came this visibly close to each other was in the year 1226. Go out and look southwest in the hour after sunset.

For those looking for greater meaning, “this is the end of an era and the beginning of a new one,” said the astrologer Chani Nicholas.

Personal Note: Let us celebrate this Day by accepting reality. If you are a Trump supporter/cult follower, accept defeat with dignity. Rally to President-Elect Biden call for unity to accelerate the Healing of the Nation. May 2021 may a year of  Unity and Healing!

 

Roman Catholic Mass On-Line and Some Major Events in 2020

Today, 4th Sunday of Advent, my 86th Birthday, I attended Catholic Mass on line, that is On TV sponsored by Heart of the Nation.org.   Today's mass reminded me that a momentous event in US history has occurred. This event is the election Of Joe Biden the second Roman Catholic ever elected in the US. In case you have forgotten, the first one was John Kennedy.

For the last year couple of years, Macrine (RIP) and I had been attending Catholic Mass on TV. Two reasons: Macrine's poor health since 2016 and the Covid-19 Lockdown in March 2020. Heart of the Nation broadcast on Television is my favorite Channel. Here's today's mass.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwGU6l_R2OE

Last week homily during mass discussed that year 2020 is called Annus Horribilis ( Horrible Year) and the coming year 2021 will be hopefully Annus Gratia ( Year of Favor( Grace). 

I really identified with the above homily, so it inspired me to search for major events in 2020 that I considered horrible as follows:

1. The mishandling of covid-19 Pandemic by Trump

2. The Impeachment Hearings of Trump

3. Black Lives Matter Protest

4. The Beirut Explosion

5. Trump Tests Positive for Covid-19

For the Good news:

1.  Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Nov. 7, defeating President Trump( with over 7 million popular votes) and  with a critical assist from his birth state, Pennsylvania, which delivered the votes to propel him to victory and end one of the most contentious elections in recent memory.

2.  Biden announced Aug. 11 that he selected the California senator as his running mate, making her the first black woman and the first Asian woman on a major party’s presidential ticket. Harris became VP elect on Nov 7, 2020.

3. News as of 12/13/2020

• The Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine can now be administered in the US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield said Sunday.
• The loading process of the first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine has begun in the United States, with vaccines heading to all 50 states.
• Health experts are warning it's likely the US won't see any meaningful, widespread impacts from vaccinations until well into 2021.
• In Asia, Japan and South Korea both reported their highest yet single-day rise in cases since the pandemic began.

For Details visit: https://nypost.com/list/major-2020-events/

And Finally

And For Todays News here's CBS Sunday Morning News featuring the Forever Young Chorus-group of people who are in my age group.

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/sunday-morning-full-episode-12-20-2020/#x