Happy Easter everyone!
Sam and I are posting our blog today instead of Monday because we wanted to wish you all a happy Easter.
Pope Francis made a plea for peace last year in his first Easter Sunday message to the world, decrying conflicts in the Middle East. Like popes before him, Francis urged Israelis and Palestinians to find the courage to resume peace talks and end a conflict that "has lasted all too long." In reflecting on the Syrian crisis, Francis asked, "How much suffering must there be before a political solution can be found?”
Speaking of resolving a conflict, here in the states, a U.S. attorney has announced that a deal between the US government and 19 holders of more than $5 billion U.S. dollars in terrorism-related judgments against the government of Iran has been approved. Quoting an Associated Press article printed in The National, Larry Neumeister’s report says:
“Although Iran insists there is no evidence that Iran was involved in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Iranian assets will be distributed to the estates of victims killed on that day. Besides September 11 victims, the settling creditors include families and estates of victims of the 1983 terrorist bombings of US Marine Barracks in Beirut, the1996 terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia and terrorist attacks in Israel and elsewhere.”
Middle East geography 101:
Since it seems to Sam and me that the Middle East is one wild and crazy place, we have renamed many of the countries there with names we consider to be more reflective of their cultures. For instance, we have come up with: Weirdterkastan; Usberserkastan; Cacaastan; Saute Arabica; Yemen Yimini; Syringea; Idgypt; KooKoowiat; Miseryrael; Iranamok; Iraqusan; Bwahabahrain; Jordanairestan; Untied Arabal Commiserates; Quasar; Omanyman; Armonnia; Packmanistan; Arfgagistan; Asyougageon; Sydpress; and so on. Do you recognize any of these countries?
A few facts about Easter:
Before we close out today’s blog, Sam and I also would like to make you aware of a few facts about Easter that maybe you didn’t know: Hot cross buns come from wheat cakes that once were baked in honor of Eostre. Christians added the cross on the top and had the cakes blessed by the Church. Hanging a hot cross bun in the house is supposed to protect your abode from fire and bad luck. The rabbit (aka Easter Bunny) originally was a symbol of the moon to ancient Egyptians. The hare was a totemic animal of the goddess Eostre, symbolizing fertility for spring. As anyone who has ever raised rabbits can attest, they are pretty fitting symbolism for fertility. The Easter Bunny seems to have originated in Germany, where he was a kind of Springtime Santa Claus, delivering Easter treats to children. Children would build a nest for him to leave their eggs in. This eventually became our modern Easter basket.
Bet you didn’t know that Easter eggs once were used as birth certificates. During the 19th century, when many families were unable to travel to the closest town hall to file a birth certificate, an egg would be accepted as a method of identification. The egg would be dyed and inscribed with the birth person’s name and birth date. It was completely legal and accepted by courts and other authorities. Sam and I can just imagine a guy accidently frying an egg for breakfast though and being scolded by his wife that he just destroyed evidence of his kid’s birth. A few Easter customs: In England, doors and windows are opened on Easter Sunday so that the sun can drive out any evil within. If it rains on Easter morning, it will rain on the next seven Sundays (think the groundhog knows about that?). If you find a double-yolked egg on Easter, it is a sign of good luck. If you get up early on Easter and go for a swim in a cold stream your rheumatism pain will be eased.
Finally, if you get up early enough on Easter morning you can see the sun dance for joy. Sam and I buy that. Happy Easter!
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