Every day is a new day and with that, a new opportunity.
EVERYONE is welcome and please join us each morning at 7:30 AM PACIFIC
to tell us what you're working on, share your show & tell, vent, whatever you want...
...this is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.
Days of food talk = I'm stuffed. Groundhog day much?
OK. After all the food we've consumed this week here at New Day...either in real life or vicariously by way of photos...I thought we should digest what's in our bellies and change the subject.
I want to talk about my favorite holiday...Groundhog Day. It's my favorite holiday because it is like no other holiday of the year. What I mean by that is it is no holiday at all. It has been made into nothing more than some silly Disney-like joke. Some overstuffed pig of a groundhog gets yanked out of his house in Pennsylvania to a throng of people and video cameras. If the sun is out it will create a shadow of the groundhog. Then we have 6 more weeks of winter.
Well, there are always 6 more weeks of winter after Groundhog Day, no matter what, because Groundhog Day is the 1/2 way point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
It used to be something significant before it was made into a joke here in America.
The Gaelic people of Scotland (where my peeps are from), Ireland (where smileycreek's peeps are from) and the Isle of Man (dunno whose peeps are from there) celebrated this day calling it Imbolc (the "b" is silent). It was the celebration of the "beginning of spring" in that daylight had passed the half-way mark from the longest night to the spring equinox.
It originally was a pagan holiday celebrating the goddess Brighid. Little dolls were made of Brighid and brought into homes where food and drink were left for Brighid (hints of future milk and cookies left for Santa Claus, no?).
So how did we get Groundhog Day's silliness of pulling a fat groundhog out of the ground mixed up with Imbolc? Well, Imbolc was a celebration but also time for a weather divination (ah, isn't Groundhog Day kinda about divining the weather?). There was a tradition of watching to see if serpents or badgers came from their winter dens on Inbolc (I thought there were NO serpents in Ireland?). I don't think a fat groundhog is really a good substitute for a badger.
When Christianity came to Ireland, Imbolc was so important that the Christians simply capitulated to the custom by just - presto-chango - making the pagan goddess Brighid into Saint Brighid (wow...no miracles or anything required?). In Ireland imbolc is now called "Saint Brighid's Day." There are weaved Brighid Crosses made as well to honor Saint Brighid on her day.
Saint Brighid's Cross
Saint Brighid today. Pagan goddess to Saint instantly!
Brighid was also associated with livestock. Imbolc itself was ancient Irish derived from i mbolg which meant "in the belly." What it referred to is pregnant ewes. And this is the real reason Imbolc is seen as the "beginning of spring" because it is really about impregnated farm animals, which then often give birth near the spring equinox or shortly afterwards. So, Imbolc is truly all about fertility...in farm animals...sheep specifically, apparently (mutton!).
Hey, I guess we could really call Groundhog's Day "Ewe Day" if we like.
Actually, Imbolc used to be a really big deal in ancient Ireland. The blockquote below is directly from Wikipedia and gives you an idea how big it was. There were Megaliths built for Imbolc!
The date of Imbolc is thought to have been significant in Ireland since the Neolithic period. This is based on the alignment of some Megalithic monuments. For example, at the Mound of the Hostages on the Hill of Tara, the inner chamber is aligned with the rising sun on the dates of Imbolc and Samhain.
Imbolc (~31 January - 1 February) is but one of four Gaelic seasonal celebrations. It is interesting that all of these celebrations occurred at the half-way point between each solstice and equinox. Clearly these points during the seasons were seen as the real changing times of the seasons. The three other seasonal celebrations are Samhain (~31 October -1 November), Beltane (~1 May) and Lughnasadh (~1 August)
But wait, there'smore!
The 1/2 point between the winter solstice and spring equinox was important in places all over the world...not just in Scotland and Ireland and the Isle of Man. I'm just going to do a little copy and paste of some tid-bits regarding this form the internets:
Romans called it Lupercalia. It was a purification ritual in which a goat was sacrificed and a scourge made of its hide. Thong-clad men ran through the city, whacking people with bits of hide. Those who were struck considered themselves fortunate indeed. This is one of the few Roman celebrations that is not associated with a particular temple or deity. Instead, it focuses on the founding of the city of Rome, by twins Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf -- in a cave known as the "Lupercale."
Egyptians celebrated this time of year as the Feast of Nut, whose birthday falls on February 2 (Gregorian calendar). According to the Book of the Dead, Nut was seen as a mother-figure to the sun god Ra, who at sunrise was known as Khepera and took the form of a scarab beetle.
So, what do you traditionally eat as your Groundhog Day holiday meal?
How do you celebrate Imbolc?
OR ----> what is your favorite joke (and it can be NSFW)?
|
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the Fold
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
|
Let's build communities!
Every region needs a meat-space community like SFKossacks.
We take care of each other in real life.
I urge YOU to take the lead and organize one in your region.
Please tell us about it if you do and we're here for advice.
~
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
>>>Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
NEW GROUPS IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING:
Send a Kosmail to the organizers and ask for an invitation to the group.
• Northern Indiana Area: Kosmail Tim Delaney
• Indianapolis Kossacks: Kosmail CityLightsLover
• Long Island: Kosmail grannycarol
• Northern Michigan: Kosmail JillS
• Nebraska: Kosmail Nebraska68847Dem
• Westburbia Chicago Kossacks: Kosmail Majordomo
• New York Hudson Valley Kossacks: Kosmail boran2
• North Carolina Triangle Kossacks: Kosmail highacidity
• Caprock Kossacks (Panhandle/Caprock/Lubbock/Amarillo area) : Kosmail shesaid
• West Texas Kossacks (including Big Bend Region and El Paso) : Kosmail Yo Bubba
• I-77 Carolina Kossacks who live from Columbia, SC to north of Winston-Salem, NC.: Kosmail eeff
Note to the above new leaders: Feel free to leave a comment any day reminding readers about your new group. Also, tell us about your progress in gathering members. Kosmail me when you've chosen a good name for your group and have created a the group. Then I'll move you to the NEW GROUPS LIST. When you've planned a date for your first event I'll make a banner for you to highlight your event in our diaries and your diaries.
These are the groups that have started since * NEW DAY * began. Please Kosmail navajo if you have started a group before that.
NEW GROUPS LIST:
• California Central Valley Kossacks - Formed: Jul 29, 2012, Organizer: tgypsy, 23 members
• New England Kossacks - Formed: Aug 6, 2012, Organizers:
Clytemnestra for Lower New England (Conneticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
GreenMountainBoy02 for Upper New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont), 116 members
• Houston Area Kossacks - Formed: Aug 7, 2012, Organizer: Chrislove, 20 members
• Kossacks in India - Formed: Aug 14, 2012, Organizer: chandu
• CenTex Kossacks - Formed: Sep 9, 2012, Organizer: papa monzano, 8 members
• Central Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Sep 26, 2012, Organizer: VetGrl, 16 members
• Kansas City Kossacks - Formed Oct 15, 2012, Organizer: kj in missouri
• Phoenix Kossacks - Formed Oct 16, 2012, Organizer: arizonablue
• Chicago Kossacks - Formed: Oct 31, 2012, Organizer: figbash, 23 members
• Koscadia the Pacific Northwest coast from Northern California to Alaska
- Formed Oct 17, 2012, Oganizer: Horace Boothroyd III based in Portland, OR
• Boston Kossacks - Formed: Nov 7, 2012, Organizer: GreyHawk
• Motor City Kossacks South East Michigan (Detroit) Area - Formed: Nov 10, 2012, Organizer: peregrine kate
• Pittsburgh Area Kossacks - Formed: Nov 12, 2012, Organizer: dweb8231,
Current diary: After a "Brief Delay" Pgh. Area Kossacks Gets Rolling
• Salt Lake City Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: War on Error, 19 members
• Twin Cities Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: imonlylurking
Current diary: Twin Cities Kossacks-when should we meet? Poll included!
• Dallas Kossacks North Texas - Formed: Nov 21, 2012, Organizer: Stepping down, chancew, please contact him if you'd like to step up. He'll change the groups' permissions for you.
Current diary: Dallas Kossacks, I need suggestions!
• The Southern California Inland Empire Kossacks - Formed: Dec 3, 2012, Organizer: SoCaliana
• Los Angeles Kossacks - Formed: Dec 17, 2012, Organizer: Shockwave
• Northeast Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Jan 16, 2013, Organizer: GenXangster
• Kansas & Missouri Kossacks - Formed: Jan 17, 2013, Organizer: tmservo433
Current diary: If you are in Kansas / Missouri
ESTABLISHED GROUPS LIST: (List will grow as we discover them)
• SFKossacks Founded by navajo, Formed: May 2, 2005, More than 80 members
• Maryland Kos Founded by timmyc, Formed: Feb 23, 2011, More than 54 members
• New York City Founded by Eddie C, More than 58 members - Contact the group organizer for meet-up events: sidnora
• Baja Arizona Kossacks Event Organizer: Azazello, 90 members
• Three Star Kossacks Tennessee, Founded by maryKK, Formed: Apr 8, 2011, 46 members
• Nashville KosKats Founded by ZenTrainer, Formed: Jan 30, 2012, 28 members
• Virginia Kos Founded by JamieG from Md, Formed: May 3, 2011, 85 members
• Kos Georgia Founded by pat208, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, 18 members
• Colorado COmmunity Founded by Leftcandid, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, 25 members
• New Mexico Kossaks Founded by claude, 13 members
• Philly Kos Founded by mconvente, Formed: Aug 29, 2011, 15 members
Currently organizing: Kosmail asterkitty to sign up
• DKos Florida Founded by ThirstyGator, Formed: Feb 14, 2011, 33 members
Currently organizing: Kosmail Vetwife to be included in next event.
• Oklahoma Roundup Founded by BigOkie, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, 12 members
Currently organizing: Kosmail peacearena to be included.
Okla-homies, let's get together (new regional organizing group)
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
|
Saturday, February 2nd
Pittsburgh Area Kossacks' First Meet-up
TIME: 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Home of AllenKitchen
Address given upon RSVP • Butler, PA
ORGANIZER: Send dweb8231 a kosmail to attend or join Pittsburgh Area Kossacks. We welcome Kossacks and guests from Western PA, Northern WV and Eastern Ohio.
RSVPs:
1. dweb8231 [main course, nibbles]
2. AllenKitchen, host
3. Mary Kitchen, host
4. beanbagfrog
5. mentatmark, from Erie [Main course]
6. mentatmark's guest
|
7. MelinPgh [Hot onion dip]
8. mjminPA [Muffins]
9. mapamp [wings, cucumber salad or mini meatballs]
10. PowWowPollack [pizza]
Maybees:
|
Latest diary: First Pgh. Area Kossacks Meetup - Sat. Feb. 2nd
Saturday, February 2nd
Koscadia Kossacks' Meet-up
TIME: 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Bushwhacker Cider
1212-D SE Powell Blvd • Portland, OR
ORGANIZER: Send Horace Boothroyd III a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Horace Boothroyd III
2. loggersbrat
3.
|
Maybees:
BlueJessamine |
Latest diary: Koscadia Bushwhacker Cider meetup
Saturday, February 9th
First Time Ever DKos Florida Kossacks Meet-up!
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fort Cooper State Park
Recreation Hall
3100 South Old Floral City Road • Inverness
$3.00 per car entry fee
Pets welcome but not inside hall
NO alcoholic beverages allowed in state park
Food for event will be covered potluck
ORGANIZER: Send Vetwife a kosmail to attend and volunteer for potluck.
RSVPs:
1. Brian1066
2. Caedy (FloridaSNMom's sis)
3. DaNang65
4. FloridaSNMom [Pasta e fagioli (turkey bacon), focaccia bread]
5. gulfgal98 [pasta/vegetable salad]
6. JaxDem [plates, napkins, plasticware]
7. KayeB in Florida
8. lady blair [food from the vegetable group]
9. ObamOcala [mac-n-cheese, maybe ice cream]
10. OleHippieChick [hummus, pita bread, fresh baby greens]
11. orlwriter [diet coke, water, cold cuts, cheese, baked beans]
12. pamelabrown
13. PHScott
14. Ricochet67
15. rnmihayden
18. Russ Jarmusch
19. Subo03
20. Taxmancometh
21. THScott
22. Vet
23. Vetwife [chicken, potato salad, punch, chocolate mousse]
24. whatGodmade [fruit salad, drinks, cups, clean up items]
25. YaNevaNo
Maybees:
just bob
FloridaSNMom's daughter
Latest diary: Peaceful and serene...ahh You deserve a break !
Tuesday, February 12th
Watching the 2013 State of the Union Address
TIME: 5:30 PM
LOCATION: cooper888 and gotmooned's place in Sacramento (Natomas)
Directions will be provided by private email to those who RSVP.
ORGANIZER: Send tgypsy a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. Kestrel
2. tgypsy
3. cooper888
|
4. gotmooned
5. Sychotic1
Maybees:
|
Latest diary: Calling all Sacramento area and Central Valley Kossacks!
DailyKos readers who live and/or work in New England
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
Saturday, February 16th
Northern New England Meetup in Portsmouth, NH
TIME: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
LOCATION: Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
775 Lafayette Road • Portsmouth
ORGANIZER: Send nhox42 an email to RSVP at nhox42@yahoo.com
RSVPs:
1. Bill in Portland Maine
2. Common Sense Mainer
3. nhox
4. commonmass
5. The Marti
6. Nautical Knots
7. Nautical Knots's spouse
8. Clytemnestra
9. parsonsbeach
10. parsonsbeach's spouse
11. mayim
12. Jane
13. bjedwards
|
14. dvcm
15. lurker
Maybees:
vacationland
Debbie in ME
leolabeth
annieli
icicle68
knockbally
CtheO
CtheO's spouse
vacationland
simple
|
Latest diary:
Saturday, February 16th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers Dana Siegelman, Daughter of Don Siegelman and OPOL by Skype
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Shockwave a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Dana Siegelman
2. Shockwave
3. One Pissed Off Liberal (by Skype)
4. Dave in Northridge
5. jakedog42
|
6. Joe Bacon
7. SanFernandoValleyMom
8. RLMiller
Maybees:
norm
|
Latest diary: Los Angeles Kossacks meets again on Feb 16. And we have a guest speaker
Saturday, February 16th
Houston Area Kossacks 4th Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Chuy's
2706 Westheimer Road • River Oaks
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. nomandates
3. Delilah
4. Tacey (Honorary Kossack)
5. suesue
6. Mr. suesue
7. PDiddie
8. Mrs. PDiddie
9. Crabby Abbey
|
10. doraphasia
11. Libby Shaw
12. Mr. Libby Shaw
13. teemel
Maybees:
cosette
mengelhart
|
Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, February 16!
Saturday, March 2nd!!
Lone Star Spring Texas State-Wide Meet-Up in Austin
TIME: 2:00-5:00 PM
LOCATION: Opal Divine's Penn Field restaurant and bar
3601 S. Congress Ave • Austin
ORGANIZER: Send nomandates Kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. nomandates
2. teknohed
3. papa monzano
4. Chrislove
5. Chrislove's BF
6. glorificus
7. politik
8. anotherdemocrat
9. Odysseus
10. suesue
11. blue armadillo
12. texasmom
13. texasdad
14. htowngenie
15. navajo (honorary TX Kossack!)
16. afisher
17. manoffire
|
18. Wino
19. Mrs. Wino
20. VinaMist
21. doraphasia
22. Urban Owl
23. Texdude50
24. icelus
25. mr pea
26. entrelac
27. Mr. entrelac
28. JayRaye
29. cosette
30. belinda ridgewood
Maybees:
1. Mosquito Pilot
2. Over the Edge
3. yoduuuh do or do not
|
Latest diary: Lone Star Meet-Up in Austin on 3/2: Location & Other Announcements
DailyKos readers who live and/or work in New England
(Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
New England Kossacks All Day Meet-up
Saturday, March 9th
ORGANIZER: Send Clytemnestra a kosmail to attend.
TIME: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
LOCATION I: SolToro in the Mohegan Sun Casino
1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard • Uncasville, CT
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
|
Maybees:
|
TIME: 7:00 - 10:00 PM
LOCATION II: Mystic Pizza
56 West Main Street • Mystic, CT
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
|
Maybees:
|
TIME: 11:00 - ? PM
LOCATION III: TBD
[Address] • [City]
RSVPs:
1. Clytemnestra
2.
3.
|
Maybees:
|
Latest diary: New England Kossacks - March meet up
Sunday, March 10th
SAVE THE DATE: SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet for a gilas girl
Guaymas in Tiberon: Time TBD
Meet at the Ferry Building and take the ferry to Sausalito. Dine at Guaymas in the sun • Sausalito
Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park: Time TBD
We'll take the Ferry back to the Ferry building and then take public tranny to the park • San Francisco
LOCATION III: TBD for early dinner
Address TBD • San Francisco
RSVPs:
1. a gilas girl
2. navajo
3. side pocket
4. dharmasyd [lunch]
5. Meteor Blades
6. Glen the Plumber
7. remembrance
8. smileycreek
9. paradise50
10. Cali Scribe
|
11. Mr. Scribe
12. slouching
13. no way lack of brain
14. norm
15. boatsie
16. Lorikeet
17. FogCityJohn
18. madhaus
Maybees:
edrie
lineatus
maggiejean
|
Netroots Nation 2013 in San Jose: Plenary Session Table Reservations
June 20th - 23rd • REGISTER HERE
SFKossacks:
1. side pocket [First Lieutenant]
2. mrs. side pocket
3. kimoconnor
4. citisven
5. lineatus
6. Cali Scribe
7. Glen the Plumber
8. remembrance
9. jotter
10. Mrs. jotter
|
SFKossacks:
1. Lusty
2. mrsgoo
3. norm
4. boran2 (Honorary)
5. Lorikeet
6. FogCityJohn
7. slksfca
8. madhaus
9. boatsie
10.
|
Central Valley Kossacks:
1. tgypsy
2. cooper888
3. gotmooned
4. paradise50
5. smileycreek
6. maggiejean
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Native American Netroots:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. shanikka
4. no way lack of brain
5. translatorpro
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Community Quilt Project:
1. Sara R
2. winglion?
3. loggersbrat
4. ramara (Arizona)
5. Horace Boothroyd III
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Lone Star Kossacks:
1. nomandates
2. texasmom
3. texasdad
4. doraphasia
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Cheers & Jeers:
1. Bill in Portland Maine
2. Common Sense Mainer
3. vicki
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Los Angeles Kossacks:
1. Shockwave
2. jakedog42
3. susans
4. murphy
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
NYC and beyond:
1. sidnora
2. belinda ridgewood
3. thankgodforairamerica
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Misc. registered Kossacks + regions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
|
Hopefully we can put together whole tables for them.
Community Quilt Project NN13 Flash Mob Photo
smileycreek is organizing and asking all Community Quilt recipients to bring their quilts to NN13. We'll assemble at a pre-designated location and time for a group photo with one of the NN13 professional photographers. It will be a group hug celebrating one of the most beloved community building projects we have here at Daily Kos with Sara R and winglion at the center of it. navajo and Glen the Plumber are going to scout out and select a location in advance for all to meet with their quilts for a memorable photo opportunity. Stay tuned.
Date: TBD Time: TBD
1. paradise50
2. Dave in Northridge
3. remembrance
4. BeninSC
5.
Send
navajo a kosmail if you post a diary about an event so we can update our round-up.
Okay. Floor's open.
Tell us what you are doing on this NEW DAY?