May you spend this Easter in peace with your family and friends.
Below, Josephine Marie Palova ties ribbons to the braided willow “karabac” according to the old Czech Easter tradition.
Assimilating into the American culture, we added the Easter egg hunt.
Celebrating the old Czech Easter tradition of “mrskacka” with shots of plum brandy.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Czech Easter extends to Easter Monday
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
The major difference between Czech and American Easter, is that Czech Republic has an Easter Monday celebration.
On Easter Monday, the custom in the villages calls for “whipping” of the girls and women to commemorate Christ’s whipping before he was crucified. Boys and men braid the whips from willow branches.
The teams head out early in the morning on Easter Monday. The ladies of the house have readied the ribbons to tie to the whips, shots of plum brandy and colored eggs. The leader of the team carries the longest whip with the most ribbons.
The Monday festivities are known as “pomlazka.”
Some boys carry wooden “rattles” that make deafening noises ushering in the jolly “whipping team.” The rattles were used instead of church bells. Legend has it that the church bells left for Rome.
Slovak variation on Monday Easter feature pouring water or cologne on girls and women.
Women color the eggs quite often in onion skins for natural brown look. Depending on the region, the Easter feast features “kolache,” a festive traditional pastry of modest origins. Kolache are common also in Czech communities across the USA; Cedar Rapids, Bannister, West Texas and countless others.
The Easter meal, again depending on the region, will be most likely “rizek” which is a breaded pork, veal or rabbit fried steak with mashed potatoes accompanied by home-made preserved fruits.
Roasted goose or duck can be an alternative.
In Moravia, the host will offer a shot of plum brandy to greet you at the doorstep. The plum brandies are a pride of each household, and as such they differ based on the plums. Plum brandies are made in local distilleries with equal pride in their craft.
Families get together from far and near to duscuss the latest news; who died, who got married or divorced and to gossip about neighbors and friends.
When we transferred Czech customs to North America in the 1990s, we kept the Easter “whipping”, the plum shots, while adding the American egg hunt and having a leg of lamb with herbs for Easter dinner.
We do miss the “kolache” pastry, since I do not know how to make kolache.
Stay tuned for posts about Czech traditions in America including the elusive “kolache.”
Pictured above: Easter lamb pound cake, colored eggs called “kraslice”, braided whips and a wooden rattle.
The feature photo: Gentle whipping on Easter at the Pala household somewhere in Midwest America. Pictured are: Ludek Pala, Jakub Pala & Maranda Palova.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
The Triduum inspires with its mysticism
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Parnell, MI- The Easter Triduum started on Holy Thursday evening with the Lord’s Last Supper, that has inspired countless generations of artists beginning with DaVinci’s renaissance painting in 1498.
The catholic priests around the world washed the feet of their “servants” or parishioners to show humbleness. Fr. Mark Peacock of St. Pat’s Church in Parnell encouraged to share the act of humbleness by washing other’s feet at home.
The entire three days known as “Triduum” are filled with symbolism and mysticism as the feast of the Lord’s Passover begins on Thursday and ends on Saturday night.
Today, on Good Friday, the lectors will read the “Passion” of the Lord Jesus Christ according to one of the four gospel writers. This served as a basic premise for Mel Gibson’s 2004 controversial movie “The Passion of the Christ.”
In the Passion, Jesus was Betrayed by Judas.
The Triduum ends on Holy Saturday night with the great vigil of Easter at 8 pm.
Easter Sunday ensues with the resurrection of Christ Jesus, the Lord.
The symbolism of the Catholic Church also inspired another controversial work; American author Dan Brown’s 2003 novel “The Da Vinci Code.”
I often use the elements of catholic mysticism and symbolism in my fiction as in the short story “White Nights “ and the one I am currently working on:
”The Writer, the Nun, and the Gardener.”
These stories are in my new book of short stories that I am working on “Shifting Sands II.”
Palm Sunday marked the start of the Holy Week on March 25. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Monday led with the feature photo of the Palm Procession in Jerusalem.
It was the only time I bought a print copy of WSJ for $4. I almost passed out at the counter of the Honey Creek shop in Cannonsburg when the clerk named the price.
But, the image of the Franciscan friars and Roman Catholic clergy carrying the palm fronds at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City spoke out loud. I almost dropped the paper staring into the cupola centering the color image on top of the fold of the newspaper. The WSJ used to be black and white only without any photos.
Holding the paper in my hands, I realized this was also history before print goes out completely.
Watch for excerpts that show the power of symbolism.
About feature photo: A procession after the Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper on Thursday evening walks to the Chapel of Repose at St. Pat’s in Parnell.
Next post: Czech and Slovak Easter traditions.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
As my horoscope states, I am quite on the edge today.
I am trying to sort through tons of information; everything from Bell’s Oberon summer release, Facebook mess, First & Second amendment demonstrations, “Stormy” interview with Anderson Cooper, stormy weather in Michigan, Kim’s message about China, and Easter Triduum preparations.
Amidst all of that, I am getting ready for the Calvin College Festival of Faith and Writing from April 12 through April 14 in Grand Rapids.
I am waffling back and forth between two manuscripts to submit to the Festival. Only one is allowed via the Submittable app. It’s a good thing that I have manuscripts to choose from for publication.
Most of the workshops and festival circles have filled up already. The roster of speakers is so huge that I just don’t know who to pick.
“It can be an overwhelming conference,” wrote my fellow writer and friend Tamela. “I heard Anne Lamont a few years ago…she was awesome.”
The iPad calendar is showing me that I have a webinar in one minute, and a meeting at noon.
I already missed the “blessing of the oils” @St.Andrews Cathedral yesterday.
My facebook friend warned me that he is shutting down his account, because he doesn’t believe FB provides a net-positive contribution to the world.
“We all have a finite amount of time to invest,” he wrote. “The return on investment of my time on Fb, other than the connection with my immediate family, is not worth it.”
Oh, yes; Facebook and fear. I have yet to write about that. I promised that to my fellow writer Sheryl.
“What’s up with that fear?” she asked.
We’re picking up my brother Vas on Good Friday in Paris, MI. That is, if he decides to come and spend the Easter with us.
My parents Ella & Vaclav Konecny are staying in Venice, Fl for Easter.
Stay tuned for full post about Czech & Slovak Easter traditions right here on EW Emma’s Writings.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, the great Russian playwright and short-story writer, said that you must first incubate your story idea for at least two days, so it comes out right.
http://www.tarot.com/daily-horoscope/taurus
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Things are good in Lowell
By Emma Palova
EW Emma’s Writings
Lowell, MI – Since the winter doesn’t want to go away under the deceiving spring sun, people from far and near flocked to the 22nd annual Lowell Expo today.
The theme “Expo Olympics” was fitting since the temperature this morning was 30 degrees Fahrenheit. But, that’s exactly what the Lowell Chamber of Commerce Liz Baker always hopes for this major chamber event.
“It’s the only event I wish for bad weather,” she laughed.
It was the place to be whether you wanted to network, show off what you got, gossip or just plain have fun.
The Lowell High School was packed to the rafters with vendors, community organizations and visitors.
At each booth or in the hallways, you were sure to bump into someone you knew.
A bluegrass musician, your local weatherman or your dentist; they were all right there.
From your city council member, Vergennes zoning administrator to the radio station.
And of course, the Lowell High School Band was playing on the center stage.
The kids gathered at the Oak Meadow Tree Service Inc. booth. And I recognized harnessed to the rope, local photographer Bruce Doll struggling to get down.
‘Bruce, you gotta stick to your programs and photography,” I thought to myself.
Local businessman and city councilman Greg Canfield was standing by the Lowell Area Trailways display.
“What are you doing here?” I asked. “How’s your hotel doing?”
“I am here for the city, the trailways,” he answered.
As I turned around to leave, Canfield said:
“Things are good in Lowell,” he quickly added.
The Fallasburg Historical Society booth no. 129 was the real reason why I came to the Expo. I wanted to deliver the sign-up sheet for the FHS E-newsletter.
There was changing of the guard at the FHS booth. And the new guardians of history were all in black to commemorate the recent passing of late Mr. Edwin Roth lovingly called Ed. At 98, Ed was the oldest member of the FHS, and one of the founding members.
Last year, he still manned the FHS booth accompanied by daughter Jeanne Roth Vandersloot. Just like he had for many decades.
“Mr. Edwin Roth with his passion for history remains an inspiration for all of us,” FHS spokesperson said.
“Isn’t that amazing that there are still newspapers,” said FHS president Ken Tamke.
Tamke found a clipping of Ed staking the Fallasburg historic district register marker in 1999.
He proudly showed off the best kept secret of the FHS; and that is the scrapbook with newspaper clippings going back to 1926.
I encouraged the lady standing next to me to sign up for our E-newsletter.
“I ve already signed up,” said Judy Miller smiling, as she examined the arrowhead artifacts.
Yes, the FHS encourages the preservation of history, both in print and digital.
Because today’s news are tomorrow’s history.
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Fallasburg Historical Society president Ken Tamke shares memories of the oldest and one of the founding members of the FHS.
According to the obituary, Edwin Roth still cut his own wood at 95. He was second generation Swiss, and proud of his ancestry. He never missed an FHS event, and attended the Tri-River Historical Museum network monthly meetings.
Frank Brechbiel gave him rides to meetings.
“It’s the least I can do,” he said last summer in Clarksville.
Mr. Roth’s secret to long life
“To say Ed lived life to the fullest would be a vast understatement. His spirit will of course live on, his legacy, one of many, Fallasburg village today.
“I believe we all marveled at his longevity in our individual quests to find the fountain of youth. Ed’s answer was simple, eat right, live clean, and another nugget he shared with me last Christmas with a large smile, “Don’t go to Doctors”! That was Ed.”
Ken Tamke
Excerpt from FHS President’s message on the passing of Mr. Edwin Christian Roth on March 8,2018.
via FHS President’s spring message
Copyright (c) 2018 Emma Blogs, LLC. all rights reserved.
It was my second best St. Pat’s celebration. This time in Hubbardston.
Watch for full story about Shiel’s Tavern oldest liquor license and the Irish dance troop.
Copyright (c) 2018 Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Getting ready for St. Patrick’s @Hubbardston in Shiel’s Tavern. The tavern has the oldest liquor license in the state of Michigan.
Stay tuned for full coverage including the Irish dance troop.
From idea to paper, bit, print & market
LowellArts to form a writers group
Lowell, MI- Are you a writer or an author interested in networking to gain insights into the publishing industry?
Have you encountered endless obstacles on your writing journey that seem to lead nowhere? Are your manuscripts collecting dust? Do you have a stack of rejections from agents?
Have you ever doubted yourself on your writing journey from the original idea to seeing your book on the bookshelf at the local Schuler Books store or at your hometown library?
Are you still wishing you could see your screenplay on the big screen?
A writers group will bring confidence and synergy to your writing, screenwriting & publishing efforts. It will help streamline them into a flow of great content for publishing: print, digital, audible and/or all of the above.
It will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and insights with fellow wordsmiths.
You can start by joining the Facebook group: Writers Loop
https://www.facebook.com/groups/880655965317296/
Contact Emma at 1-616-550-3885 or email me at emmapalova@yahoo.com
Also follow my publishing blog Edition Emma Publishing
http://editionemma.wordpress.com
For more info on LowellArts go to:
About the feature photo & logo:
The path shows the poet’s Meandering journey through the woods of the publishing maze. The lights of insight are shining on it.
The poem is by an unknown poet
I see a pleasant path, and I begin to ramble
On either side are thorns and rocks
The ground is full of brambles……..
Fallen trees to trip me, the woods are very dark…..
But around the corner, and down the path,
I think I can see a park,
I think I’ll walk on the path today, the woods are too scary..
The path is my way,
It has a few hills as I walk toward the park,
But the sun is shining, and I am not in the dark……
It is simple to do….
Just stay on the path,
And we’ll walk with you!
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
This is the mainstay of my author events discussions: How to start and finish your book in 2018
1-Write every day at a set time that works the best for you.
2- Keep a diary for notes, take the diary with you wherever you go. It can be a paper diary or on a device. I use OneNote & a paper diary. Bookmark content that inspires you on the computer.
3- Set a certain quota of pages per day you want to write.
4- From the get go, have an end in mind as far as finish date, and a visual picture of the final product.
5- What do you want to accomplish with your project? In other words why are you writing your book or screenplay?
6- Go with the evolution of your plot and/or character. It will surprise you, but go with it.
What do you do when you get a writer’s block?
You continue to write. It’s the only way to fight it. Maybe you write about something else, and then come back to the first writing project, but you write.
Picture yourself as a long haul truck driver, who’s taking a load of avocados from Mexico to Michigan. It has to make that distance to the store before the produce rots. You can stop along the way, but eventually you have to deliver the avocados to the store.
So, you start out with really hard not ripened avocados, and on the way they ripen, just like your plot and/or character. Maybe along the route you add-on asparagus, and pineapple.
But, you really can’t stop that truck, right?
7- On that long lonely route, you will doubt yourself and so will others. But, in the end it’s the deliverance of the produce that really matters.
8-Deliver yours.
via How to finish a book or a screenplay
Stop by this afternoon at LowellArts from 1 to 4 p.m. for Emma’s book signing event. Ask me questions live during that time on Facebook or on Twitter.
Emma on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/emma.palova.9
Emma on Twitter
My next event is the Calvin College Festival of Faith & Writing from April 12 through April 14.
http://www.ccfw.calvin.edu/festival
Copyright (c) 2018. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
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