Tag Archives: Easter

Apr17

Happy Easter! Happy Passover!

Posted on by
Standard

Three important celebrations were held on the evening of Friday, April 15th, 2022.

I attended a very moving service at Sage Hills Church in Wenatchee. It was in English and I was there live and in person. For the past several years I have always done a Good Friday service in English online as I’ve been in Mexico.

Back at home in Aguascalientes the occasion was the beginning of the Feria, the first one since 2019 because of Covid. This usually annual festivity takes place over a number of weeks and spans an area from Centro all the way to La Isla.

Friday also marked the first seder of Passover for those of the Jewish faith around the globe.

Whatever holiday you are celebrating this weekend, blessings to you for health and happiness.

Happy Passover!

Happy Easter!

Feliz Pascua!

Apr4

A Year Later

Posted on by
Standard
A Year Later

It’s now Easter of 2021, and the second Easter of the pandemic. Last year I was in Mexico and didn’t go to church. At that time I avoided crowds and religiously wore my mask when I went out for my daily walks. I went out only to buy food or use the ATM.This year I’m in Leavenworth. I went to church on Good Friday and am going to a service today, Easter Sunday. I usually wear a mask only when I go into a public building or a shopping mall. I seldom wear a mask when I’m out walking unless I’m in the downtown area where there tend to be lot of people.My favorite place to walk is in the town of Cashmere. Here are some pics I took the other day while strolling down Cottage Avenue.When I’m in Mexico I don’t get to see the flowers and trees budding. And I’ve missed it.Cashmere is amazing when it comes to scarecrows and Halloween in October. But I did see some Easter decorations including this tree.I stopped at the bakery and was delighted to find hot cross buns. I haven’t tasted those in eleven years. In Mexico Easter is synonymous with empenadas.Happy Easter to those who celebrate. Easter 2021 is definitely better than Easter 2020. But I do wonder if we’ll still be wearing masks in church in Easter 2022.

Feb24

Leprechauns

Posted on by
Standard
Leprechauns

I have no idea why but leprechauns have been on my mind. Maybe it’s because St. Patrick’s Day is coming up next month. Walmart had cookies out and Dollar Tree had decorations out. And both stores had Easter treats and other paraphernalia out.

It looks like I’ll be here in Leavenworth for Easter this year. That will be a first. I’m usually in Mexico. I wonder if the snow will be gone. April 4th is still a ways off. It’s getting warmer and rain is replacing the snow.

Back to leprechauns. Do you remember the movie Darby O’Gill and the Little People? I remember seeing it as a child. And it featured leprechauns.

Anyone out there ever in a Brownie pack? One of the sixes in my pack was leprechauns but my six was pixies.

When you see pics of leprechauns they often have a spark or twinkle in their eyes. They appear to be mischievous little sprites. And they’re always male in gender.

Leprechauns have their roots in Irish folklore. Pics often show them to be short and dressed in a green coat and buckled shoes. They also sport a top hat and their profession is shoe making.

One legend is that if you can capture a leprechaun he will trade you his treasure for his freedom. Another legend is that he will grant you three wishes.

Although leprechauns possess a certain charm, they are deceitful and are not to be trusted. They may make promises, but after all, is there ever really a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow?

Apr11

Happy Easter!

Posted on by
Standard
Happy Easter!

Easter is different this year. We’re all experiencing a virtual Easter.

For the past ten years I have celebrated Easter in Mexico. I’ve been in Culiacán, Guadalajara, Mazatlán and Aguascalientes.

I’ve gone on the Walk of the Cross in Guadalajara and in Culiacán with my Catholic family and friends. I’ve had Easter dinner with a variety of friends.

This year I’ll be alone in my room. I’ll have lots of church services online to keep me company.

Have a blessed Easter everyone!

Apr1

Feliz Pascua….Happy Easter!

Posted on by
Standard
Feliz Pascua….Happy Easter!

The year is 2009 and it is my first Easter living on my own in Winnipeg. It’s been just over two months since my marriage ended. And it’s also my daughter’s birthday. I am living in a cramped one bedroom apartment and have decided to have my kids over for Easter dinner. Kyle is bringing Krista and Kimmy is having dinner with a friend and they are joining us for dessert.

When I moved out, my children insisted that they weren’t interested in any of my English bone china so it all went to an antique auction, as did all the silver they didn’t want either. In anticipation of this dinner, I had gone to a thrift store and picked up four dinner plates and cutlery. Until then I’d been using paper and plastic.

Kyle and Krista had already arrived when my phone rang. It was Kimmy with a change of plans. She and her friend would be joining us for dinner after all. I was delighted but asked that she bring along another dinner plate and some cutlery as there would now be five of us.

When they arrived, I was struggling to prepare a batter for Kimmy’s birthday cake. My ex had dropped my Kitchen Aid when I moved out and it was jammed. Kimmy laughingly picked up a whisk and beat the batter by hand.

We had a wonderful dinner together and sat around talking for quite some time after. And then out came the family photo albums. We all had a great time looking at baby pictures and other memories surfaced as we came across photos taken at such places as Disneyworld and The Alamo.

The year is now 2018 and my tenth Easter on my own. I woke up to a brilliantly sunny day here in Mazatlan. I attended a mass at the Cathedral although I am not Catholic. Then a friend and I went out for brunch to a small Mexican restaurant. We sat in the Plazuela Republica afterwards, listening to a guitarist. Later on today I am meeting friends at another Mexican restaurant for dinner. I also look forward to strolling along the malecon and listening to the waves.

As wonderful as it is here today in Mexico, I would give anything for even just two minutes more with my children back in 2009.

Happy Easter to all of my readers. Enjoy your day with your loved ones.

easter14-3a1a4c4a7507b5739f12d1bd66895fab

 

Apr10

Semana Santa

Posted on by
Standard
Semana Santa

Semana Santa has arrived, that dreaded time of year when the beaches here in Mazatlan are packed due to the invasion of vacationers from inland areas in Mexico. Children have two weeks off from school and the beach is always a popular spot. Of course there is also the added nightmare of the rerouting of traffic in an attempt to alleviate some of the congestion.

137775-Mazatlan

I will be hiding out at the pool in our condo complex for the next three days.

privada-de-marsella-620-privanza-mazatlan-sinaloa-1460677-foto-33

Then I will escape to Culiacan for a long overdue visit with my Mexican family.  We will attend the procession Friday morning to the cathedral. There are also special masses to be celebrated. Although I am not Catholic, I enjoy attending church and observing the traditions with my family.

Semana Santa is a busy time for all modes of travel, especially buses. Buses are crowded and it’s necessary to purchase tickets in advance, as opposed to merely showing up at the bus station and purchasing a ticket at the last minute, which is usually the norm here.

182781_zoom

When I lived in Canada Cadbury creme eggs symbolized Easter. When I lived in Guadalajara empenadas were prominent. I miss both of these, but I do look forward to a pina colada raspado in Culiacan. But most of all, I look forward to spending Easter with my family. After all, family is what life is all about.