All posts by Author Emma Palova

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North American Solar Eclipse April 8 2024

Sky gazing with special eyewear to watch the solar eclipse.

Although we are located 120 miles from the path of totality, I could see the partial solar eclipse with 94 percent sun coverage in West Michigan.

The feature photo was taken with an Android at 2:50 p.m. by Ludek’s co-worker. I didn’t have much luck with my iPhone or iPad even when I used a filter.

The eclipse was special because it fell on our daughter’s birthday and our name day according to the Czech calendar. I have a few fascinating stories about the Czech calendar. Subscribe to get access.

Copyright (c) 2024. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Solar Eclipse 2024

Happy birthday to our daughter Emma.

Also happy name day to all Emmas today April 8.

Apple Podcasts

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy of Tim Doppel’s The Wind That Did Not Blow.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/for-the-love-of-books-podcast/id1559434959

Easter Monday traditions in Czech Republic

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Easter Monday is one of the biggest holiday traditions of the year in the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The signature trademark of “schmigrust” is the whipping custom of women and girls in exchange for colored eggs, ribbons, and shots of Slivovitz. Men braid the whips from willow branches and decorate them with ribbons. In Slovakia, the custom takes a different flavor of pouring cold water on women.

Come celebrate “schmigrust” with Moravian Sons Distillery and their spirits during our regular tastings at your favorite liquor store in Michigan.

Go to the distillery website for more info at

Pictured below: a giant rattle to scare away bad spirits, the folk art of making Vizovicke pecivo, the whips, and the cookies.

Adhering to the custom, Josephine ties a ribbon to an Easter whip.

Camp NaNoWriMo starts today April 1

I will need all the angels by my side as I finish the draft of my new book.

Copyright (c) 2024. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Happy Easter 2024

Wishing you a blessed Easter as we move into spring .

For the first time in years, the only Easter tradition I kept was the Easter Triduum at St. Pat’s Church in Parnell. The strict three day ritual wraps up the Holy Week for Catholics with Easter Sunday.

I skipped the coloring of eggs and baking. I couldn’t resist buying Cadbury chocolate eggs, and peeled the colorful wrap off thinking about the past Lenten season and the near future.

It will be day by day, as it should be anyway as my parents age. I was happy we could get together for Easter. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for them to travel. We enjoyed a delicious meal together: a crown of pork, sauerkraut and dumplings. Al-Bos Cafe provided desserts since no one had the energy to bake anything.

One Czech tradition we kept was making canopy sandwiches aka “chlebicky.” These creations originate in Czech buffets or delis, and they can get pretty elaborate; just ask any Czech. I dusted off the Easter willow whips with ribbons, a tradition that continues to fascinate the Americans.

According to the old customs in villages, teams of boys and young men head out on Easter Monday morning with whips made from willow branches. When the lady of the house opens the door, she gets whipped in

exchange for eggs and shots of brandy.

To be continued on Easter Monday.

Copyright (c) 2024. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.

Happy St. Joe

Happy St. Pat’s

It’s a day of celebration when everyone is Irish in the USA. It has a different format in Ireland where the country suffers from the same thing that happened in the Middle East, according to my Irish friends, Mary & Frank.

It’s a solemn saint’s holiday. You can flip it around any way you want. You will get the same result.

So, beware of the Leprechaun.

Happy St. Pat’s from Moravian Sons District https://moraviansonsdistillery.com

On the trail

I met my dinner this morning, a crawfish crossed the trail to the pond. Now, this was a first. I’ve ran into deer and fox, and who knows what else, but never a delicatessen creature of the waters belonging mostly to Louisiana.

At first I thought, OMG someone let their lobster loose. My first instinct was to pick it up and throw it in the water. But, after yesterday’s close encounter, I changed my mind. The rest of the walk was peaceful.

I have regained my balance mainly thanks to two sessions of Yoga and Lenten meditation.

Follow me during this special Lenten time. It’s the fourth week of Lenten, and I am learning about the difference between flogging and scourging.

I am still attempting to record the podcast with retired history professor Albert Bell about “You’ve Got Blackmail.”

Copyright (c) 2024. Emma Palova.

Service Club Beach in Venice

This is where I go to the beach when I am in Venice. I hope they free the stranded whale. My recent pics from Service Club where I worked on my new novel with a draft titled The Jewel.

My Journal

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