Presidents' Birthdays

Today we celebrate Presidents' Day, but it not the birthday of either Lincoln or Washington. Lincoln was born 2-12 and Washington was born 2-22. Official the federal government celebrates only Washington's birthday, and since it is celebrated on the third Monday of February, it will never actually fall on his birthday. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act did NOT combing Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays, although there have been numerous attempts to do so.

Close Encounter with the Fat Man

Rochester NY is known as the Lilac City. Beautiful and fragrant lilac trees throughout the city, making the spring bursting of flowers look like a sunnier continuation of winter snowstorms.

On one wintery day my parents took me for a walk. I remembered the fragrant Lilacs in Spring smelling so sweet. It was in great contrast to what I smelled now, in the depths of winter.

I smelled snow. White, fluffy, fresh snow.

The absence of odor and the blanket over the earth was spooky.

At night there was a glow. Red, green, yellow, blue, white. Red, green, yellow, blue, white. Red green, yellow, blue, white.

We went down the hill on our street named Hilary Drive. Decorated trees, tinsel sparkling, yard art appropriate for the winter and Christmas season. Candle-lined driveways. Grey smoke rising from chimneys.

It was quiet. Peaceful. I felt like a mysterious guest having descended on winter-wonderland. In my five year old mind's eye, I replayed the last night's movie of Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer. Peacefully parading with proud parents among eager children.

We made a right turn. I had never been down this street before.

Where were the giggles coming from... Who was being amused this late at night? Why were so many children and their parents outside?

I think we were coming up to a barn or farm of some kind. The barn yard noises were here. Braying donkeys, neighing horses, barking dogs, hooting barn owls,

Patience I was told was a virtue. Do you know that means nothing to a youngster standing in line. For what? A petting zoo?

Slowly we inched forward and I heard fewer animals. What I saw was unbelievable: real life Rudolphs!

Harnessed together, we slowly passed all the reindeers of my childhood movies. But this was no movie: I heard the deep rumbles, and round laughter.

Ho Ho Ho.

There he was, on his sleigh: red velvet suited, white bearded Santa.

I saw him. In person. Waiting for me!

Santa! Hello Santa!


This article was written by guest blogger, Lou Polur.

Thanks, Lou!

Happy Easter!

Why is Easter so early this year?
Why does the date for Easter change every year?
And tell me why Greek Orthodox Easter is April 27, 5 weeks away?!

Rev. Bob said that the lunar calendar is used and the first Sunday after the first full moon of Spring is determined to be Easter. So Spring was March 20 and the full moon March 21 and Easter March 23.

I wonder why there are still other calendars in use? I thought we had perfected it and this is the best and most accurate one. Still every thousand years or so we'll be off by 10 minutes...

And someone please tell me when the eggs became plastic? I remember Easter Egg Hunts with pastel-colored hard-boiled eggs...