While today the Brits apparently celebrate a very obscure holiday they call Boxing Day, much of the rest of the world is just cleaning up from Christmas still. Or thinking of how to give away some of the loot they received from Great Auntie So-and-so...which either doesn't fit, is ugly, or makes one sneeze. Question, what do Canadians do?
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Often sung with Christmas Carols...
Good King Wenceslas
By John Mason NealeListen on YouTube Music (Loreena McKennit- below)
Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shown the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.
Hither, page, and stand by me.
If thou knowst it telling:
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes fountain.
Sire, the night is darker now,
And the wind blows stronger.
Fails my heart, I know not how.
I can go no longer.
Lark my footsteps my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly;
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze the blood less coldly.
In his master's step he trod,
Where the snow lay dented.
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, rejoice,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing.
December 26 commemorates the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who is believed to have been the first Christian martyr (he was stoned to death in 36 ce)
SOURCE: Wikipedia
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CBS Sunday Morning on Nov. 31, 2025 published this information (the Sunday after American Thanksgiving)
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I support the World Central Kitchen with my pennies. I have so much more than many people in the world affected by climate disasters or wars. These volunteers are feeding those who are hungry. I saw them at work immediately in Black Mountain and Swannanoa with people lining up after Hurricane Helene came through and decimated so many homes in the western North Carolina mountains. The food was trucked in of course...donated through the organization started by Chef Jose' Andres in 2010.
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And I am cautious about taking more food than I can eat when it is offered through our own food bank. Right now I am sorry that I've let some of it spoil (since it's mostly "day-old" when we get it) when I was hoping to have it for my meals this week. So when the truck came for the last time this year, I didn't go pick up anything. I've got a lot in my refrigerator and pantry! For this I'm very grateful.
Sharing with Thankful Thursday
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Today's goddess:
Source Jenny Mendes Ceramics
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They are so off...tamales are rolled, not tacos, or perhaps at a stretch enchiladas. Now those Mayan virgins might have been doing some rolling. Did I say that? I'm an Elderly Grand-Elf, remember?
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...there are so many saint days that I never knew about. Food and waste and insecurity is a HUGE problem, what is the solution? Carlos sure has a great sense of humor. Barbara, may you never lose you sense of humor. Be warm, well and merry.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't raised to learn a thing about Catholicism, let alone saints...so it's been interesting to delve into a few of them. Since King Winceslas gazed on the feast of Steven, I looked it up.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad about all the food wasted. We froze as much as we could from Thanksgiving, it is the meal that keeps giving. Take care, have a wonderful day and a happy weekend.
Good description of Thanksgiving meal as the meal that keeps on giving...we definitely had left overs for days!
DeleteCarlos is kept pretty busy! I've known rationing and I've known hunger , so I don't waste food. Better buy accurately, save leftovers, serve yourself what you can really eat. It counts. And give useful items to local food banks -- they usually tell you what they really need. But it's okay to be merry at Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYes, merry times are definitely part of the celebrations this time of year.
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ReplyDeleteI was trying to thank you for my favorite narrative, Good King Wenceslas! It's missing the verse about food wine and fuel they're bringing to the man, but I supplied that when I sang along!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, wonder why it's not there!
DeleteExcellent reminders. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnd also, thanks for the taco truck even if it was a little misleading. I did laugh.
Well, Carlos does sound like a good dude.
DeleteCanadians don’t exactly celebrate Boxing Day, but it is a holiday for most people not working in sales etc. Probably every Commonwealth country does this (not sure). I don’t think it is all that obscure.
ReplyDeleteJust another culture for me, like Japanese or Korean, the Brits do somethings that I don't understand at all!
DeleteHope you had nice day yesterday. Did the grands send you any gifts?
ReplyDeleteI heard from 4 grands and my oldest did send me a present. I'm now grateful for texts!
DeleteI do try not to waste food. I make lots of soup with spare veg and my freezer is bursting at the seams!
ReplyDeleteBtw this is jennyfreckles! Not anonymous!
DeleteI am not a fan of food waste. I have also known sparse meals and now a full refrigerator. Life changes, but the mindset of being thankful doesn't. I like Carlos' sense of humor. Be well and thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteAll the virgins need back up!
DeleteI love that taco truck!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting staff!
DeleteGrand elf!
ReplyDeleteThat song bothers me a little, for 2 reasons. First, the poor peasant could surely have used help before the saint happened to see him! And then the poor page, who was worn out, probably because he too was poor, yet the saint made him carry wood, meat and what-all through deep snow! I know, I know, just ablegend, but practically me goes what the heck!
ReplyDeleteHooray for Carlos! He took over so the virgins could have some time off.
ReplyDelete