The World According to Linda

Linda MacDonald-Lewis (A.K.A. The Bard at Large) - A true Scot at heart

Monday, December 21, 2009

The New Year is Calling ....Hogmanay's Coming

Another year is quickly coming to a close, though many of us are still working on the preparation for Christmas, including myself.
Christmas is fast followed by the New Year's Eve celebrations around the world. One of the largest of these will be taking place in Edinburgh - " Hogmanay ".
As the folk (that hold to auld traditions ) head home after the celebrations, ...they will lock their doors. These doors will not be opened for any but....a tall handsome man carrying a bottle of  spirit with him...(though in today's world...it could be a woman as well), ...only then, ... will they be welcomed into the house to share in the bottle (no doubt) and this is called "Firstfooting". The first to have footing into your hoose for the new year, ...bringing with them good fortune and well-being in the form of friendship and libation to bring the New Year in ...the proper way.....sounds great doesn't it?

This time of year is for reflection, ...reflection of all the things that have come to pass in the last year and the influence it has all had on each of our lives. To say good- bye to those people and things that have forever passed from our lives and to welcome all those things that are lurking in the future for us.

It is my sincere hope that each of you have a wonderful Christmas, ...and a very Happy Hogmanay!
( NOTE: If you happen to stumble in my direction...in the wee hours of the moring on the 1st day of 2010,
and you happen to have a bottle in your hands, ...I prefer a good single-malt to any another libation!)
LOL!

Happy Holidays,
Linda

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Royal Mail - bless 'em

I know we like to poke fun at the mail carriers, and this is not just a local phenomenon but world-wide.
This time of year with all the posted cards and packages, all mail carriers have their backs up against the wall trying their best to make deliveries in a timely fashion.

Scotland with it's remote lay-out and small villages dotting the landscape has been (no doubt) a challenge down through history. But, that hasn't seemed to hindered the mail getting through.

I once sent a package to a business in Inverness. I didn't have the completed address ...but had been assured by people down through the years ...that it shouldn't matter!

So I addressed it this way:

Harley's Pub and Grill
(upstairs) on the High Street
above a local dress shop
Inverness
Scotland       UK

2 years later I stopped by the Pub and there was the sign I'd sent them next to the mirror behind the bar.
The local carriers (no doubt) knew exactly where I intended the package to go. And had probably had a pint or two in the establishment down through the years themselves.

Another remarkable thing in Scotland is...
you can "Ride with the Royal Mail".

If you need to go to a remote area that no public transportation travels to...you can (with proper notification)
go to the local Post Office and request riding out to the area with the local Postman (woman). If you arrange it so you can normally hitch a ride back in a few days. Brilliant!

This is a very good way to have a "public service" actually serve the public, save petrol, and...
the postman know everyone and most everything going on in the local area, ...so your tour will be very informative in local lore.
So if you're ever in an area in Scotland where you'd like to venture out farther... but don't know how to get there... check with the Royal mail and see if they can help you out.

Happy Trails,
Linda

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

"Once in a Blue Moon" ....

We've all heard that expression but many don't know what it means.

A Blue Moon is when 2 Full Moons fall within one calender month.
That would be the case this month. There was a Full Moon on the 2nd...
and another will come on the 31st.

This month (Dec.21st) also will see in the celebration of Auld called Winter Solstice.
This was one of the significant events with the Pre-Christain Celts.
It was seen (and is still seen by many that practice "The Old Ways" today)
as the day of the Death and Rebirth of the Sun (The birth of the Sun (son) sound familiar?)

Later it would be called 'Yule' or the Yuletide.

The Full Moon following this Winter Solstice celebration is considered to be the most powerful Full Moon of the year for ancient rituals.

This day (Winter Solstice) is of course the day that is the shortest in daylight and the sun is the lowest in the sky.
On the next dawn with the rebirth of the Sun, the days begin to grow longer and the sun slowly grows stronger, until we reach the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year).

Candles, bonfires, and torches were lit to welcome the Sun back to the Earth and all those good things that come with it...the melting of snow and frost, warmth, light and the promise of a fruitful and prosperous Spring and Summer for all.

Another fact ...brought to you by...
Linda

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Christmas Shopping

Dear Folk...

It's turning cold and the snow is soon to fall...or so they say on the news programs....

If any of you have a need for goods from the shop and can't make the trip...feel free to contact me through the
email address at the sidebar. If you know what the item is and it's possible to ship it out to you I would be willing to do that.
Also...if you are planning a trip to the coast (and th shop) on a day that is when the shop is not open ...
just contact me through this same email address....and we can make an appointment to meet up at the shop.

The Homecoming Events in Scotland have now come to a close for the year. And what a year it was!!!!

The next big event will be in 2014...with the 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, should be a hoot.

Back on the American Homefront...Burn's Night Supper's are just around the corner...Jan 25th.
I will list as many event venues as I can find, over the next weeks.

I trust you're all staying warm and healthy.
All the Best,
Linda