Beyond Words

I saw the above meme online and I giggled. It made me smile and it made me wonder. What bill is that? Who is that statesman? Off to Google I went…

What I found was fascinating.

Take a look at an American dollar bill. That bill you’re holding first came off the presses in 1957 in its current design. And although we all call our currency “paper money,” it is in fact made from a cotton-linen blend mixed in with red and blue silk fibers. That blend makes the notes more difficult to counterfeit compared to paper and vastly improves its durability. Makes sense as haven’t we all washed money and it comes out just fine? Now we know why.

As for the ink, it too is special but its contents are a secret. But what we do know is that part of the reason money in the washer or pool comes out just fine is because it’s starched to make it water resistant. It’s also over-printed with symbols and then finally pressed to give it that nice, crisp look.

The current design of the United States one dollar bill technically dates to 1963 when the bill became a Federal Reserve Note as opposed to a Silver Certificate. However, many of the design elements that we associate with the bill were established in 1929 when all of the country’s currency was changed to its current size. Let’s pay a visit to what all is on a dollar bill.

On the front of a $1 bill, you’ll see a portrait painted by Gilbert Stuart of President George Washington front and center. Choosing him for this distinction has historical significance and the decision to do so dates back to 1869. It only makes sense as Washington, revered as the father of our country, played an instrumental role in leading the American Revolution, establishing the fledgling nation, and serving as its first president. His inclusion serves as a permanent tribute to his leadership during our nation’s early years.

To the right of Washington, you’ll see the United States Treasury seal and above it, scales symbolizing justice. In the center is a chevron with 13 stars representing the original 13 colonies and underneath it is a key embodying fair and honest measurement as well as locking things up for safe measure. At the very bottom of the seal is the year 1789, when the Department of the Treasury was established.

To the left of George Washington is the Federal Reserve District seal. The name of the Federal Reserve Bank that issued the note encircles a capital letter, identifying one of the 12  Federal Reserve Banks. The sequential numbers of the bank are displayed on the corners of the bill.

Finally, below the FRB seal (to the left of George Washington) is the signature of the Treasurer of the United States and below the USDT Seal on the right is the Secretary of the Treasury’s signature. To the left of the Secretary’s signature is the series date. Money in the bank you might say.

Now let’s flip it over.

You’ll see two circles on either side of “ONE,” both of which comprise the Great Seal of the United States. On the lefthand side is an unfinished pyramid of 13 tiers topped by probably the most mysterious symbol on a dollar bill, the Eye of Providence. A well-known Christian symbol of God’s benevolent watchfulness, the eye was included as a conventional symbol for God’s benevolent oversight. The pyramid itself signifies strength and duration and many also suggest its unfinished form represents America’s status as an unfinished creation.

At the base of the pyramid are the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI for 1776, the year of American independence from Britain. At the top of the seal stands a Latin phrase, “ANNUIT COEPTIS”, meaning “He favors our undertakings.” At the bottom of the seal is a semicircular banner proclaiming “NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM” meaning “New Order of the Ages,” a reference to the new American era. To the left of this seal is a strand of 13 pearls extends that toward the edge of the bill.

On the right side of the back of an American dollar bill is an American bald eagle, wings spread as if in flight. The eagle grips 13 arrows in its left talon, emblematic of war, and an olive branch signifying peace in its right talon. The bird’s head is notably turned in the direction of the olive branch to exemplify the nation’s preference for peace.

Also notable is that the eagle appears behind an unsupported shield, representing the United States now standing on its own with strength and virtue and ultimate independence. The horizontal lines at the top of the shield represent Congress, while the vertical green and white stripes represent the red and white stripes of the American flag. There are also 13 stars floating above the eagle’s head. This portion of the Great Seal of the United States looks very similar to the Presidential Seal, which it’s based on.

Front and center on the back of a dollar bill are also the words “In God We Trust,” the official motto of the United States. It has appeared on U.S. coins since 1864 and its use on all paper currency originated in 1957. The motto was adopted to reflect the nation’s religious heritage. On July 30, 1956, two years after pushing to have the phrase “under God” inserted into the pledge of allegiance, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” the nation’s official motto. The law also mandated that the phrase be printed on all American paper currency. The phrase had been placed on U.S. coins since the Civil War when, according to the historical association of the United States Treasury, religious sentiment reached a peak. Eisenhower’s treasury secretary, George Humphrey, had suggested adding the phrase to paper currency as well.

Can you name who’s on the front of the other denominations of U.S. currency? “A Benjamin” may come to mind first, denoting Founding Father Benajmin Franklin on a $100 bill, but here are the rest: President Thomas Jefferson on the $2 bill, (my mom and dad always gave $2 bills in cards and gifts…I still have some stored away,) President Abraham Lincoln on the $5 bill, Founding Father and U.S. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill, President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill, and President Ulysses S. Grant on the $50 bill.

And just for grins, Lincoln is also on the penny, Jefferson is also on the nickel, and Washington is also on the quarter. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sits on the front of a dime and President John F. Kennedy is on the half-dollar.

First of all, I had no idea Benjamin Franklin is credited for the quote on pennies and as for those pennies, you might indeed want to start saving them because after 233 years of production, the U.S. Treasury Department announced production of them will come to an end, the only ones available being those currently in circulation, and that pennies will stop being put into circulation early next year. The statement came following President Donald Trump announcing in February that production was going to stop this year as a cost-saving measure for the budget.The currency that is only worth 1 cent costs about 3.7 cents to make according to the U.S. Mint. Being that a nickel costs about 13.8 cents to make, could they be next?!

The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States and several other countries worldwide. The Coinage Act of 1792 introduced the U.S. dollar at par with the Spanish silver dollar, divided it into 100 cents, and authorized the minting of coins denominated in dollars and cents. U.S. banknotes are issued in the form of Federal Reserve Notes, popularly called greenbacks due to their predominantly green color.

The U.S. dollar became an important international reserve currency after the First World War, and displaced the pound sterling as the world’s primary reserve currency. The dollar is the most widely used currency in international transactions even in trade between countries other than the United States. . You can bank on it!

Such fun and “rewarding” learning all of this. Next up? The $5 bill. JK. You couldn’t pay me to do all the other bills. After all, it took research and writing time and time is money!

He’s crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I’ve heard that a lot the past few days as we had to put down our beloved Beagle Barry. It’s been rough. We miss him so much. We give our hearts to our dogs and they give them back. Loyal to a tee and undeniably Man’s Best Friend, dogs fill a place in our homes and our hearts that no one else really does. But what is that Rainbow Bridge? Come to find out it’s got a long history.

Courtesy of Edna Clyne-Rekhy and Paul Koudounaris

Originally written by Scottish teenager Edna Clyne-Rekhy in 1959 when her beloved dog Major passed, the Rainbow Bridge has become nearly ubiquitous when it comes to mourning an animal. Amazingly, the poem that has touched millions of pet owners remained largely authorless for years. Authorless perhaps for a time, but it still could be called one of the most influential pieces of literature ever written. That wasn’t the plan though.

Photo credit: Paul Koudounaris

According to American author Paul Koudounaris, who dug deep into the poem, Clyne-Rekhy penned the poem and figured it would remain hers and hers alone. After handwriting it, she sometimes typed out copies to give to friends who were so touched by it that they then passed it on. It made its way across the pond when it appeared in a “Dear Abby” advice column in the “Sacramento Bee” in 1994. The newspaper’s wide circulation guaranteed its popularity, which remains today.

The poem paints a picture of a meadow where a pet goes upon death, restored to perfect health and days full of play. One day however, the pet stops playing, turns around, smells up, and looks in the distance where it sees its beloved owner. The two run to each other, are reunited, and walk side-by-side across the Rainbow Bridge into heaven.

This may be contrary to some religious teachings, which believe animals don’t have an afterlife, but I for one hope and pray I will see my Barry and all former dogs in heaven. I picture them all with St. Francis, who loved animals, and am reminded of Romans 8 in which Paul the Apostle writes that God created all and all are “waiting redemption.” Since God created animals, maybe he means them too?

Also, in Rev 21:1-5, Pauls’ fellow Apostle John writes that “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” Maybe that new earth included the animals of the old earth?

Some also say the rainbow is a reference to Noah and his Ark while the idyllic setting of the meadow, filled with loving and peaceful animals, could be in reference to Isaiah 11:6-9 that states:

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling^[a] together;
and a little child will lead them.
⁷ The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
⁹ They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

In any case, my heart is broken and I miss Barry so much. He was our “OB,” our “Original Beagle” and the sweetest of the bunch. We called him a “quirky little dog” because he had his ways that were both baffling and endearing. In between his two ACL replacement surgeries, fear of thunderstorms, incessant barking, insatiable appetite, and the colon cancer that eventually ended his life, was a boy who had the softest ears and was so obedient and loving. As is the case with all rescue dogs, we firmly believe he knows he was rescued and was forever grateful.

Bubbas, as our daughter affectionately called him, is missed by more than me and my hubby. His housemates Nick and Boomer still seem confused and a bit sad. It makes total sense though because dogs are inherently pack animals and they see their pack is missing a member. I’m trying to stay happy and playful with them despite my sorrow because dogs not only feel our pain and stress, they take them on. They are truly amazing animals.

Anyone who’s a fellow cynophile, which I’ve learned is a dog lover, has lost a beloved four-legged family member and knows the pain of doing so. It’s amazing how many people have reached out to me and the level of support from fellow dog owners is so different then that from those who aren’t dog obsessed. It’s the classic case of IYKYK.

In the end, Clyne-Rekhy had many dogs after Major and even used to rescue street dogs. When asked by Koudounaris what advice she had for anyone suffering from the loss of a pet, her response was immediate: get another pet. While we won’t be getting another dog since we are blessed with our other two, it’s great advice.

For now, we’re keeping Barry’s bowl and bed where they are and have his collar front and center in our family room with flowers my sweet neighbor gave me. We love and miss you, Barry. Run free and see you on the bridge someday!

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Like many of my generation, I have a curio cabinet filled with things that bring back memories and things that make me simile, all accumulated over the years, on trips, and as gifts. Two special items are fans. Yep, those fold-up hand-held fans but special nonetheless.

One I bought in Spain and one my niece brought me from Japan, where she lived for many years and where her husband is from. Often associated with both Spanish flamenco dancers and Japanese geisha dancers, fans are much more than simple accessories and have a long and interesting history.

To start with, there are basically two versions of the hand-held fan: the folding type and the rigid style. Both date back centuries, with ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans all having been depicted using fans. The items are also mentioned in the Bible.

Some say the true origin of the fan goes back as far as 4,000 years and in Egypt, where it was considered a sacred instrument and used in religious ceremonies. It was also seen as a symbol of power and royalty and two fans were found in King Tut’s tomb. In fact, archaeological ruins from the 4^th century depict the use of fans.

From there it gets kinda hazy. Both Japan and China stake claim of inventing the modern-day fan and both countries have valid points and history. What is agreed upon is that the folding fan, modeled after the folding wings of a bat, came from Japan while the “fixed” or rigid version was developed in China It wasn’t until the Ming Dynasty that folding fans were introduced in China.

Originally fans were intended for practical reasons like swatting away insects, shielding a lady’s face from the sun or fire, and cooling one off. They were first used by the middle class, who didn’t have staff to fan them or take on household tasks using fans. Both folded and rigid fans became popular imports in 1500s Europe as trade routes opened up.

Fans quickly become exotic and stylish symbols of wealth and class, even falling into the “expensive toys” category. It didn’t take long for well-healed women to soon be seen carrying an assortment of hand-held fans, which were often decorated with jewels and feathers and hanging from the skirts of the likes of even Queen Elizabeth I. They eventually were considered works of art and created by specialized craftsman with many hand-painted on luxurious silk.

This was not the case across the ocean in America though, where the fan had much more humble origins. Fans stateside were rarely jewel-encrusted or hand-painted. Instead, they were often produced and mended by the likes of Shakers and made from straw or paper.

Fast-forward to today, where in Japan the folding fan remains very important in Japanese society and culture; even in that of sumo wrestling. A traditional fan is made from washi paper while fans made of silk are considered the most precious. A fan symbolizes prosperity through its opening up and its single starting point and wooden strips going out from it resemble the various paths leading us through life after the single point of birth.

The color of and pictures on a fan are also full of meaning. A pair of birds symbolize a loving couple, bamboo and pine represent patience, a lion symbolizes strength, a koi carp represents luck and a long life, plum blossoms represent a new beginning, while cherry blossoms represent the love of parents as well as richness and good luck. Typically, fans will consist of an odd number of pictures, as odd numbers are considered lucky.  Gold colored fans are believed to attract wealth while red and white ones are considered to bring luck.

In Spain, fans go hand-in-hand, both literally and figuratively, with classic flamenco dancing. It’s believed that both the fans and shawls used in flamenco originally came from China and Japan but Spaniards have made them uniquely their own through their passionate dance.  Popular products coming through Portugal through trade routes and it didn’t take long for fans to become sought after items, especially by those in Southern Spain where the weather is hot and flamenco originated.

Growing up my sisters and I took flamenco lessons and I still love the dance to this day. It is considered a very seductive dance that incorporates emotion, grace, and style in a performance full of power and passion. If you’ve never seen a live flamenco performance, I highly recommend doing so.

Brides have jumped on board the fan wagon and fans are making their way down wedding aisles in many forms. One way is to provide folded versions for outdoor wedding guests while another option is a more rigid version complete with wedding party or wedding schedules printed on them. Another popular trend is to incorporate fans in a bridal or bridesmaid bouquet.

The fashion world has of course not missed the boat on this one, with many a fashion house incorporating fans on their runways and splashing their logos on fans of all fashions.  So in style are fans, that designer versions were given to front row VIPS at a recent Dior Couture show, of course emblazoned with the design house name and logo.

Ironically it was Dior’s home of Paris where Jean-Pierre Duvelleroy launched his fan house in 1827 and it stands today as one of the rare French fan makers still in existence. The well-known French fan maker and leather goods manufacturer is credited with introducing the notion of “fan language” to his fans. Some say it was just a marketing ploy by him and other manufacturers to sell fans, but I personally like the concept; a concept that has never been fully debunked.

In the courts of early England and Spain, it was said that fans were used in, yes, a secret and unspoken language of sorts. These hand messages were clever in that they allowed a woman the ability to cope with stifling and restrictive social etiquettes. And according to a recent exhibit on the history of fans at Purdue University, Joseph Addison, publisher of “The Spectator” in the early 1700s, is credited with opening an academy for women to be trained in the use and handling of a fan, saying “women are armed with fans as men with swords and sometimes do more execution with them.” Amen sistas!

So, what exactly was this secret language? Jules Duvelleroy’s “Language of the Fan” leaflets included a code supposedly used by women for centuries. True or not, I’m a fan.

Some of those codes were:

• “We are watched”: Twirl the fan in the left hand
• “Follow me”: Carry the fan in the right hand in front of face
• “Do not betray our secret”: Cover the left ear with the open fan
• “I hate you”: Draw the fan through the hand
• “I love you”: Draw the fan across the cheek
• “I wish to speak to you”: Touch the tip of the fan with the finger
• “Yes.”: Let the fan rest on the right cheek
• “No”: Let the fan rest on the left cheek
• “You are cruel”: Open and shut the fan
• “We will be friends”: Drop the fan
• “I am married”: Fan slowly
• “I am engaged”: Fan rapidly
• “Kiss me”: Bring the handle of the fan to the lip

With the heat of the summer upon us, maybe it’s time to fan up and speak the language!

I was recently scrolling through social media and came upon a lengthy post by singer Lauren Daigle. If you are familiar with her, you know her message is always positive and uplifting. If you aren’t familiar with her, you’d look at a photo of her and guess she’s more of a Grateful Dead fan then that of the Greatest One. This post however, was a little different.

Evelyn Henson

In it she shared multiple examples of being confronted by several negative and aggressive people in one day for totally unnecessary reasons. They didn’t recognize her but made sure they gave her a piece of their obvious conflicted minds. She went on to ask followers “what’s happened to us?” Why are there so many angry people out there? (And please, no one word answers here dealing with hate.) Can’t we all be kind and spread joy instead of bitterness and anger? It made me think and made me a little sad.

You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

Common saying, right? Those flies are pretty happy right now because there’s a whole lot of vinegar out there and very little honey. I get it. People are pissed. People are hurt. People are worried. People are resentful. It’s okay to disagree. It is another matter to disrespect someone as a person. When that happens, game over for me. Insulting me and my beliefs personally will never get me to listen to your side or assess your argument. The minute you name call, I’m out. We can express our displeasure and let people know we are disappointed, but come on people, do it like adults and do it with courtesy and respect.

James Clear

I subscribe to author James Clears’ simple yet motivating weekly newsletter that consists of three ideas, two quotes, and one question to consider each week. I love getting them and almost always walk away with some type of inspiration. Again, they’re simple but so good.

One of his three ideas recently was “the way to help someone is not to critique what makes them smaller but to encourage what makes them larger.” Pretty sure Lauren Daigle would agree.

Maybe it’s all the stuff I’m hearing and seeing out there that has me on this wavelength and music always proves prolific. Just yesterday driving, The Vaughn Brothers’ 1990 hit “Tick Tock” was the next selection on my playlist. Boy were they ahead of their time as they sang about a dream in which everyone worked together and got along. “Time’s ticking away” they sang. Brother Stevie Ray is probably rolling in his grave seeing how the times haven’t really changed in so many ways.

Indeed, times are tough right now. Hate, unrest, and bitterness abound. Friend groups and even families are fracturing. I’m feeling it personally and it hurts. Sadly, I can’t fix it. It’s disheartening and it’s depressing. Most of all, it’s just wrong.

What to do, what to do?

Love your enemies. That’s what. At least that’s what Jesus so famously preached during his Sermon on the Mount. If you’re any level of Christian, I’m guessing you know the scripture. But, are you living that scripture after you religiously (excuse the pun) attend mass or service or are you harboring hate and letting it fill your heart as you go about your life. Hmmmmm…

There’s an old Texas saying that suggests “Hug your friends tight but your enemies tighter…hug them so tight they can’t wiggle” and Oscar Wilde once famously said, “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much.” He and Texans may be onto something and the Japanese would agree.

There is a form of Japanese martial art called aikido. The idea is to absorb the aggressive energy of your opponent, move with it rather than against it, which will frustrate your opponent until he comes to the point of realizing that fighting is useless. I wish many out there right now would take their “fight” to this level.

It is said that hatred does more damage to the person in which it is stored than to the person on which it is poured and no amount of vindictiveness or destruction ever leads to anything good. It’s also said that gentleness is actually a sign of moral strength and ultimately fosters harmony in relationships and builds trust. It is the combination of self-control, compassion, and humility and boy could we use a giant dose of gentleness. Peaceful and respectful disagreement…not insults and violence…should be all of our goals.

Here’s where I might lose some of you. I recently read Mrs. Trump’s “Melania” book and, say what you want about her based solely on her husband, the woman is highly intelligent, educated, and accomplished. She ends her book with an excerpt from a speech she gave last year. Here is an excerpt of the excerpt that I hope we can all learn something from:

“We have always been a unique union but courage and common sense must ascend and bring us back together as one. Let us not forget that differing opinions, policy, and political games are inferior to love. And let us remember that when the time comes to look beyond the left and the right and beyond the red and the blue, we will ascend above the hate, the vitriol, and the simple-minded ideas that ignite violence. Let us reunite. Now.”

We all need to find a better way to disagree, to be better winners, and to be better losers. Life happens. We don’t always get our way. So, as we head into the Lent homestretch, let’s all look in the mirror and truly own the division we might be causing. Take all “buts” and justifications out of it and take a step back. Is it really doing any good or is it doing more harm than good? Is it truly changing anything or just creating negativity? Maybe it’s time to fast from differences and feast on unity. Can I get an amen?

This past Friday my husband and I were in an Uber headed to the airport and headed home. It was around lunch time so we talked about where we might grab a quick bite to eat while waiting for our flight. He mentioned he was craving Jersey Mike’s, which he loves, but then realized it was Friday and it’s Lent so meat was a no no and a no go. I responded that maybe there’s a McDonald’s there and we can get a Filet-O-Fish. Yeah, I know, don’t tell Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. but those little fish sandwiches are a Lenten tradition for many. And quite perfectly, they were created by a Catholic and for that very reason.

It all stems back to the Catholic tradition of not eating meat on Fridays during Lent and an innovative franchise owner named Lou Groen. A devout Catholic, Groen came up with the idea of serving a fish sandwich to customers at his Cincinnati McDonald’s restaurant. It was introduced in 1963 and the legacy continues nationwide. So popular is the sandwich, that it once had its own mascot called Phil A. O’Fish, who premiered in 1976. Dressed in a sailor suit and net and ready to go fishing, he no longer exists but love for his namesake sandwich remains.

As a Catholic, Groen was looking for a Lenten Friday meal but as a businessman he was also looking for something that would prevent customers from fleeing down the street on Fridays to a local fish joint. The sandwich was somewhat of a risk for a restaurant based mainly around hamburgers, but Groen’s creation of a simple breaded fish patty on a bun with tartar sauce and a slice of cheese was brilliant. With 87 percent of the Cincinnati population being Catholic, his creation and research paid off. In a big way.

The year it was introduced, the sandwich saved the franchise and became a permanent menu fixture. During Lent, the original location sells more than 500 fish sandwiches a day, making up almost 20 percent of sales. Outside of Lent, those numbers are 70 per day and only six percent of total sales.

Originally made with halibut, the Filet-O-Fish now consists of Alaskan Pollock, a type of cod, due to halibut being too expensive. The fish is caught fresh and not raised on farms and what kinda sets it apart is the fact that the bun is soft because it’s steamed. It’s the only sandwich on the Micky D’s menu with a steamed bun.

The franchise remains in family hands; a family that has not only passed down the business but their Catholic faith as well, through generation after generation. My guess is they’re all abstaining from meat this Lent and probably enjoying a Filet-O-Fish. Or two.

So why do Catholics not eat meat on Lenten Fridays? The tradition stems from early Christian teachings that emphasize penance and sacrifice. Come to find out that Lutherans and Episcopalians, among perhaps others, also follow the custom.

Abstinence is a form of penance and penance expresses sorrow and contrition for wrongdoings. It indicates an intention to turn away from sin and back to God. It’s also a sacrifice for most and so by refraining from eating meat, we are reminded of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice for us: His very life. Since Jesus sacrificed His flesh for us on Good Friday, we abstain from eating “flesh meat” in His honor.

Flesh meat includes the meat of mammals and poultry, including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. Fish don’t belong to the flesh meat category. Also, according to 9^th century definitions, fish don’t bleed so they don’t count as “meat.” In addition, back in the day, flesh meat was more expensive and often reserved for feasting and rejoicing whereas the cheaper fish was eaten more often and not associated with celebrations.

In the end, it’s all done in a spirit of humility and aligns with the concept of Lent being a period of giving up certain pleasures and appreciating the many blessings in our lives. Sometimes it really is as simple as a piece of fish on a bun. Just ask McDonalds.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! We are all a wee bit Irish today and I’m guessing you are wearing green as you read this as we all honor the land of leprechauns, fabulous golf, U2, step dancing, Guinness, shamrocks, green beer, Irish coffee, and St. Patrick. But who was the saint named Patrick and why do we celebrate him in such a big way?

Forever tied to Ireland, Patrick wasn’t born on the Emerald Isle but in Britain. When he was 16 young Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders who took him to Ireland and sold him as a salve. He spent many years there herding sheep and turning to God in prayer. He escaped when he was 22 and made his way back to England where he spent 12 years in a monastery. Legend has it that he had a dream in which the people of Ireland were calling him back. The dream is said to have been the voice of God encouraging him to spread Christianity across Ireland and convert the pagans. Patrick returned to Ireland and began preaching the gospel, building churches, and converting many. Born of wealth, Patrick lived in poverty and suffered greatly until he died on March 17, 461. He is said to be buried in Down Cathedral in the County of Down in Ireland and ironically, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the day he died, not on his birthday.

My favorite part of the St. Patrick story is that he used the shamrock as a way to teach the Holy Trinity. The simple green plant grows abundantly in Ireland so he cleverly used it to explain the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His idea was so convincing that even pagan rulers converted to Christianity and to this day the sprout is often called the Catholic rose.

The shamrock has three leaves and is considered a clover plant but what is the difference between it and the four-leaf clover? The latter is the result of a mutation in the clover plant that causes it to sprout four leaves instead of the normal three. These four-leaf wonders are very rare and is why they are considered a universal symbol of good luck.

Patrick loved incorporating other traditional rituals in his lessons for both simplicity and proof. Because fire was sacred to the Irish, Patrick superimposed a sun onto a Christian cross. Today this cross, called a Celtic cross, is one of Christianity’s most popular.

Another cross, St. Patrick’s Cross of Ireland, also makes up part of the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom. When you look at the flag, you can see it is actually made up of three different crosses:  St. George’s red Cross of England, St. Andrew’s white Cross of Scotland, and St. Patrick’s red one. And to be clear, the UK is considered all of Great Britain – England, Scotland, and Wales – with the addition of Northern Ireland. Ireland is considered its own republic.

Funny thing is, as much as a celebration and party St. Patrick’s Day is today, from 1903-1970 it was considered a religious holiday according to Irish law, which required pubs remain closed for the day. Squeal! The law was reclassified as a national holiday in 1970, paving the way for the opening of drinking establishment doors and green beer. In the Diocese of Ireland however, it is still considered a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning Catholics are obligated to attend mass and receive the Blessed Sacrament.

Stateside, it all started as a political holiday when American Irish immigrants organized themselves and commemorated St. Patrick with annual parades and festivities to demonstrate their political and social might. Ironically, there are more Irish in the U.S. than in Ireland! There are an estimated 34 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry but the population of Ireland is only 4.2 million.

St. Patrick today, along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures and his prayers can be found among all walks of life. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and the Fifth Avenue Neo-Gothic icon ranks right up there with the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. And, in case you’re wondering, St. Patrick isn’t only revered by Catholics. He is honored with a feast day in the Episcopal Church and is also venerated by the Orthodox Church.

Parades and festivals will happen in many places today, but perhaps the ones in New York, Boston, and Chicago rank highest. Surprisingly, St. Patrick’s Day is also a big event in Dallas. As with everything in Texas, it is done in a very big way in Big D! In Chicago, the Chicago River is colored green and green beer and whiskey flow abundantly throughout the city. And it’s WHISKEY, not WHISKY. Irish spell the scotch with an added “e,” while their Scottish neighbors omit the extra vowel. American-made whiskeys also add the “e.”

Lastly, the color green. It’ll be everywhere you look today and be ready to get pinched if you’re not wearing it. It’s definitely tied to St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish, but it’s also tied to jealousy. “Green with envy” is a common saying but my lads, it’s nothing to celebrate. Today and every day, let’s take a cue from St. Patrick and be giving not envious. It’s a trait that will make all eyes smile, not just those Irish ones.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and the luck of the Irish to you!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! We are all a wee bit Irish today and I’m guessing you are wearing green as you read this as we all honor the land of leprechauns, fabulous golf, U2, step dancing, Guinness, shamrocks, green beer, Irish coffee, and St. Patrick. But who was the saint named Patrick and why do we celebrate him in such a big way?

Forever tied to Ireland, Patrick wasn’t born on the Emerald Isle but in Britain. When he was 16 young Patrick was kidnapped by Irish raiders who took him to Ireland and sold him as a salve. He spent many years there herding sheep and turning to God in prayer. He escaped when he was 22 and made his way back to England where he spent 12 years in a monastery. Legend has it that he had a dream in which the people of Ireland were calling him back. The dream is said to have been the voice of God encouraging him to spread Christianity across Ireland and convert the pagans. Patrick returned to Ireland and began preaching the gospel, building churches, and converting many. Born of wealth, Patrick lived in poverty and suffered greatly until he died on March 17, 461. He is said to be buried in Down Cathedral in the County of Down in Ireland and ironically, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the day he died, not on his birthday.

My favorite part of the St. Patrick story is that he used the shamrock as a way to teach the Holy Trinity. The simple green plant grows abundantly in Ireland so he cleverly used it to explain the trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His idea was so convincing that even pagan rulers converted to Christianity and to this day the sprout is often called the Catholic rose.

The shamrock has three leaves and is considered a clover plant but what is the difference between it and the four-leaf clover? The latter is the result of a mutation in the clover plant that causes it to sprout four leaves instead of the normal three. These four-leaf wonders are very rare and is why they are considered a universal symbol of good luck.

Patrick loved incorporating other traditional rituals in his lessons for both simplicity and proof. Because fire was sacred to the Irish, Patrick superimposed a sun onto a Christian cross. Today this cross, called a Celtic cross, is one of Christianity’s most popular.

Another cross, St. Patrick’s Cross of Ireland, also makes up part of the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom. When you look at the flag, you can see it is actually made up of three different crosses:  St. George’s red Cross of England, St. Andrew’s white Cross of Scotland, and St. Patrick’s red one. And to be clear, the UK is considered all of Great Britain – England, Scotland, and Wales – with the addition of Northern Ireland. Ireland is considered its own republic.

Funny thing is, as much as a celebration and party St. Patrick’s Day is today, from 1903-1970 it was considered a religious holiday according to Irish law, which required pubs remain closed for the day. Squeal! The law was reclassified as a national holiday in 1970, paving the way for the opening of drinking establishment doors and green beer. In the Diocese of Ireland however, it is still considered a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning Catholics are obligated to attend mass and receive the Blessed Sacrament.

Stateside, it all started as a political holiday when American Irish immigrants organized themselves and commemorated St. Patrick with annual parades and festivities to demonstrate their political and social might. Ironically, there are more Irish in the U.S. than in Ireland! There are an estimated 34 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry but the population of Ireland is only 4.2 million.

St. Patrick today, along with St. Nicholas and St. Valentine, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures and his prayers can be found among all walks of life. St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and the Fifth Avenue Neo-Gothic icon ranks right up there with the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. And, in case you’re wondering, St. Patrick isn’t only revered by Catholics. He is honored with a feast day in the Episcopal Church and is also venerated by the Orthodox Church.

Parades and festivals will happen in many places today, but perhaps the ones in New York, Boston, and Chicago rank highest. Surprisingly, St. Patrick’s Day is also a big event in Dallas. As with everything in Texas, it is done in a very big way in Big D! In Chicago, the Chicago River is colored green and green beer and whiskey flow abundantly throughout the city. And it’s WHISKEY, not WHISKY. Irish spell the scotch with an added “e,” while their Scottish neighbors omit the extra vowel. American-made whiskeys also add the “e.”

Lastly, the color green. It’ll be everywhere you look today and be ready to get pinched if you’re not wearing it. It’s definitely tied to St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish, but it’s also tied to jealousy. “Green with envy” is a common saying but my lads, it’s nothing to celebrate. Today and every day, let’s take a cue from St. Patrick and be giving not envious. It’s a trait that will make all eyes smile, not just those Irish ones.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and the luck of the Irish to you!

My husband loves pretzels. He eats them almost every day and every time I go grocery shopping; I grab a bag for him. Me? Not so much. Unless it’s one of those decadent Auntie Anne’s in an airport, I pretty much could live without pretzels. Okay, the Dot’s Pretzels are pretty good too! Funny thing about my hubby is that he prefers the twists to the rods or the sticks. And just plain ole pretzels, nothing fancy or flavored. Those twists, come to find out, have an interesting history and what a perfect day to share it being the first Sunday of Lent.

Their origin is said to date back to the 600s when Catholic monks began making them by taking a long strip of dough and arranging it in the shape of arms folded over the heart. The three holes left by creating this shape represented the Holy Trinity and legend has it that these treats of twisted baked dough were given to students as they learned their prayers. At the time, crossing one’s arms was the traditional posture for prayer. In today’s Catholic churches, anyone who has not made their First Holy Communion crosses their arms in this manner as they make their way up the Communion line to receive a blessing.

But what about the name?

The monks called their little breads “bracellae,” which is Latin for “little arms” and from which we got the German word “bretzel.” And, interestingly enough, the Latin word for “little reward” is “pretiola,” which is pronounced “pret-zi-oh-la” and sounds a lot like “pretzel!”

This is all very timely for another reason. In a word, Lent. You see, back when pretzels were first concocted, the rules of abstinence and fasting during Lent were much stricter than today. Catholics were forbidden from consuming dairy, eggs, or meat. Pretzels, made using only flour, water, and salt, were the perfect answer to a perfect fast.

Their symbolism doesn’t end there.

Back in the early 1600s, they were are a symbol of union in Switzerland. Weddings of royal couples often featured pretzels to represent the bond of matrimony and, according to legend, this may be where we got the phrase “tying the knot.” Lastly, the intertwined shape of a pretzel also symbolizes love in many parts of the world as at first glance, their shape resembles a heart.

In addition, pretzels are also easy to make, affordable, and most aren’t fried or full of chemicals and additives. They can be found everywhere from carnivals, charcuterie boards, kids’ lunches, and yes, airports! Today they come chocolate and yogurt coated and sometimes with sprinkles. They come in flavors ranging from cinnamon sugar to honey mustard to spicey. Pretzels are so prevalent that they have their own National Pretzel Day on April 26 and October is celebrated as National Pretzel Month.

That’s probably a pretty popular day and month in Pennsylvania, as Pennsylvanians eat more pretzels per capita than any other state. The state also produces 80 percent of the country’s pretzels and in 1993, the state opened the Pretzel Museum. Julius Sturgis would be so proud, as he opened the first commercial pretzel bakery in Lititz, Pennsylvania back in 1861. It was about that time that Swiss and German immigrants introduced the pretzel to North America. They too would be proud as the U.S. pretzel industry boasts an annual worth of $550 million and the average American consumes an average of 1.5 pounds of pretzels a year. Pretty sure my husband raises the average on that one but we won’t go there.

Shockingly, pretzels almost didn’t make it. In the early 20th century, they were considered German fare and anti-German sentiment during World War I resulted in a distaste for their taste. They did survive the war, but then came Prohibition, which presented another challenge. Bars had been one of the pretzel industry’s largest buyers up to that point, and without them manufacturers feared they wouldn’t be able to stay afloat. But surprisingly enough, pretzel makers actually flourished under the 18th amendment.

Coming full circle here, it’s fun learning about pretzels and their association with fasting and Lent…all with a twist! But why do we fast? Partly because we’re sinful but hopeful and partyly because we hunger for God. As Bishop Robert Barron wrote, every spiritual master recognizes the danger that if we allow the superficial hunger of our lives to dominate, we never reach the deepest hunger. Fasting is a way of discipling the hunger for food and drink all while prompting us to focus on what really feeds us. Unless we fast, we may never realize how hungry we are for God. And, as beloved Father Jared Cooke said many moons ago in a sermon, “If you’re not hungry for God, maybe you’re just full of yourself.”

Here’s a simple little recipe for pretzels I used to love sharing with my preschool parents when I taught my students the Lenten pretzel story. If you’re more ambitious, I’m also including the Food Network’s recipe. Enjoy!

Easy Pretzels

Dissolve one cake of yeast or 2 ¼ teaspoon of yeast into 1 ½ cups warm water.

Add 1 t salt and 1 T sugar

Blend in four cups of flour and knead the dough until smooth.

Cut dough into small pieces, roll the pieces into “ropes and then twist the ropes into shape.

Place pretzels on lightly greased cookie sheet and brush with one beaten egg (unless fasting on eggs)

Sprinkles with coarse salt and bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes.

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Food Network

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 package active dry yeast

22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups

2 ounces unsalted butter, melted

Vegetable oil, for pan

10 cups water

2/3 cup baking soda

1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Pretzel salt

Directions

1. Combine water, sugar, and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
3. Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
4. In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.
5. Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Are you wearing purple, gold, and green; donning beads and boas; marching in or watching a parade; and eating King Cake?  If you’re in or from Louisiana probably so, as today is a very festive day, especially in New Orleans. Fingers are crossed that the weather holds out!

But all partying aside, Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday are religious in origin as is the infamous King Cake. Let’s find out how and why.

Fat Out Special

Mardi Gras is really just today and despite its party reputation, it has a religious origin. Also known as Fat Tuesday, it is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Many people (me included) confuse Mardi Gras with Carnival, which is the celebratory season that stretches from Epiphany to Fat Tuesday. Rewind here a bit.

The Christian Feast of the Epiphany is also the 12^th day of Christmas and marks the day when the Three Wise Men/Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. For those in places like New Orleans, it also marks the official end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Carnival season.

The French come into heavy play here as “mardi” means Tuesday in French and “gras” means fat. Many believe the first documented Mardi Gras celebration in America was in March of 1699 when French explorers traveled to America and docked near what is now New Orleans. They named their docking location “Point du Mardi Gras” and as other French immigrants arrived, Mardi Gras celebrations became increasingly popular. Until, that is, the Spanish took control of the Crescent City in 1762 and outlawed Mardi Gras celebrations. But, when Louisiana became a state in 1812, Mardi Gras celebrations returned and really never left. No one does a parade like New Orleans and in fact, and since the first NOLA Mardi Gras parade in 1827, there’s been a parade in the city every year.

Mardi Gras and accompanying Carnival are celebrated all over the world, including well-known festivities in Brazil and Venice but rest assured New Orleans ranks right up there. Fat Tuesday may be all about indulging in everything festive, fun, and frivolous but there’s a reason for that too.

It’s the day before Ash Wednesday, which is when Lent starts. Traditionally Lent is a period of 40 days of fasting and giving up bad and questionable habits as well as focusing on doing good. Today’s the day to get it all out of your system for the next 40 days!

Take the Cake

A big part of Mardi Gras is the famous King Cake, which, behind maybe birthday and wedding cakes, is considered the king of all cakes. So, what is it with those colorful confections and is there really a baby inside each one? The answer is traditionally yes, and they too have a religious significance. Remember, all this Carnival and Mardi Gras celebration relates back to Epiphany, when the Three Kings traveled to see the newly born baby Jesus. This, my friends, is why the dessert is called a “King Cake” and why there’s a tiny baby hidden inside each one.

Francophiles will also be glad to hear that the beloved King Cake is said to have been brought to America from France in the 1870s and their traditional oval-shape some say represents the unity of faiths while others say represents a king’s crown. Cakes in New Orleans are decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold…the same colors you’ll find those famous beads in. The colors represent, in order, justice, faith, and power.

Funny thing is, many a King Cake is not actually a cake. Some are more bread-like while others resemble a pastry. Whatever they’re made of, they are always colorful and festive. The standard Louisiana version is a brioche-like dough swirled with cinnamon and cream cheese then braided and baked in a circle or oval shape and finished with icing and sprinkles. In France, a “galette des rois” or “cake of kings,” is more of a puffed pastry with a sweet almond filling and garnished with “jewels” like sprinkles and icing. Those in Spain and Latin America enjoy orange-flavored bread wreaths topped with dried fruit, which they call “roscas de reyes” or “cakes of kings.”

Okay, but what about that baby. As I said, it traditionally symbolizes Jesus although some cakes will have money or a trinket inside. Whoever finds one in their slice is crowned “King for the Day” and vows to provide the next king cake and host the next party…whoever hosts a Mardi Gras party buys or makes the King Cake for it. It’s also considered good luck to find it and this “you’re next” tradition ensures celebrations continue in true New Orleans style.

So there you have it and now you know all about Mardi Gras and King Cake. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Are you wearing purple, gold, and green; donning beads and boas; marching in or watching a parade; and eating King Cake?  If you’re in or from Louisiana probably so, as today is a very festive day, especially in New Orleans. Fingers are crossed that the weather holds out!

But all partying aside, Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday are religious in origin as is the infamous King Cake. Let’s find out how and why.

Fat Out Special

Mardi Gras is really just today and despite its party reputation, it has a religious origin. Also known as Fat Tuesday, it is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Many people (me included) confuse Mardi Gras with Carnival, which is the celebratory season that stretches from Epiphany to Fat Tuesday. Rewind here a bit.

The Christian Feast of the Epiphany is also the 12^th day of Christmas and marks the day when the Three Wise Men/Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. For those in places like New Orleans, it also marks the official end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Carnival season.

The French come into heavy play here as “mardi” means Tuesday in French and “gras” means fat. Many believe the first documented Mardi Gras celebration in America was in March of 1699 when French explorers traveled to America and docked near what is now New Orleans. They named their docking location “Point du Mardi Gras” and as other French immigrants arrived, Mardi Gras celebrations became increasingly popular. Until, that is, the Spanish took control of the Crescent City in 1762 and outlawed Mardi Gras celebrations. But, when Louisiana became a state in 1812, Mardi Gras celebrations returned and really never left. No one does a parade like New Orleans and in fact, and since the first NOLA Mardi Gras parade in 1827, there’s been a parade in the city every year.

Mardi Gras and accompanying Carnival are celebrated all over the world, including well-known festivities in Brazil and Venice but rest assured New Orleans ranks right up there. Fat Tuesday may be all about indulging in everything festive, fun, and frivolous but there’s a reason for that too.

It’s the day before Ash Wednesday, which is when Lent starts. Traditionally Lent is a period of 40 days of fasting and giving up bad and questionable habits as well as focusing on doing good. Today’s the day to get it all out of your system for the next 40 days!

Take the Cake

A big part of Mardi Gras is the famous King Cake, which, behind maybe birthday and wedding cakes, is considered the king of all cakes. So, what is it with those colorful confections and is there really a baby inside each one? The answer is traditionally yes, and they too have a religious significance. Remember, all this Carnival and Mardi Gras celebration relates back to Epiphany, when the Three Kings traveled to see the newly born baby Jesus. This, my friends, is why the dessert is called a “King Cake” and why there’s a tiny baby hidden inside each one.

Francophiles will also be glad to hear that the beloved King Cake is said to have been brought to America from France in the 1870s and their traditional oval-shape some say represents the unity of faiths while others say represents a king’s crown. Cakes in New Orleans are decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold…the same colors you’ll find those famous beads in. The colors represent, in order, justice, faith, and power.

Funny thing is, many a King Cake is not actually a cake. Some are more bread-like while others resemble a pastry. Whatever they’re made of, they are always colorful and festive. The standard Louisiana version is a brioche-like dough swirled with cinnamon and cream cheese then braided and baked in a circle or oval shape and finished with icing and sprinkles. In France, a “galette des rois” or “cake of kings,” is more of a puffed pastry with a sweet almond filling and garnished with “jewels” like sprinkles and icing. Those in Spain and Latin America enjoy orange-flavored bread wreaths topped with dried fruit, which they call “roscas de reyes” or “cakes of kings.”

Okay, but what about that baby. As I said, it traditionally symbolizes Jesus although some cakes will have money or a trinket inside. Whoever finds one in their slice is crowned “King for the Day” and vows to provide the next king cake and host the next party…whoever hosts a Mardi Gras party buys or makes the King Cake for it. It’s also considered good luck to find it and this “you’re next” tradition ensures celebrations continue in true New Orleans style.

So there you have it and now you know all about Mardi Gras and King Cake. Laissez les bons temps rouler!