Re: Winter Solstice, etc.

A friend in South Africa (Durbanville, near Capetown) has told me of her 
winter solstice parties on June 21.  I always thought it was useful to have 
the calendar clear of other celebrations (Christmas, being in December, is 
during their summer) so that this event could be more clearly recognized 
for its importance.  Ancient cultures always seemed to honor it in some 
manner, and indeed there are indication that Christmas was 'moved' to 
December to 'steal the thunder' of these pagan celebrations during the 
winter solstice.

I've been thinking in this way also, and wish I could be more connected 
right now with my garden, but it unfortunately sits looking rather 
neglected as I rush to and fro during this busy holiday season.  I'm 
looking forward to the quiet that comes during the 'twelve days' and 
perhaps a chance to do some gardening and get out for some hikes in our 
beautiful surrounds.

One nice note is that my Salvia fulgens, after looking so sad during some 
really warm weather at the end of summer, is now putting on its rich red 
flowers just in time for Christmas.  It is an annual event that we look 
forward to in earnest, this bush being right in the path we travel along 
most at all times.  Often it would have been in full glory by now, but it 
resent warmer weather and sulks rather dramatically to voice its disdain.

Another plant coming into bloom is our large Euphorbia rigida 
(biglanulosa), whose blue-grey scale-like leaves topped with chartreuse 
clusters of flowers are one of our favorites.  Our plant perhaps needs to 
be moved, now being shaded due to the garden maturing over the years, but 
it still does very well.  We enjoyed seeing this species growing wild in 
the Madonie mountains of Sicily during our trip in October, and so it is 
now even more special to us.

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful holiday!
Regards,
Sean O.

At 10:25 AM 12/20/00 -0800, loretta gerity jacobs wrote:
>     Greeting, Friends , family, and "others",
>
>TOnight in Celebration of the shortest day of the year, the
>beginning of the new year for some of us gardeners, sometimes
>also known as the darkest day of the year, or the coldest night
>of the year, I am going to turn on my Holiday lights and leave
>them on for 24 hours. I don't have lights enough to strain the
>already overburdened California power structure, and besides
>this day is also known as "The Festival of Lights".
>
>As we search for ways to celebrate this troublesome holiday in
>ways that are more appropriate, I offer this up as one pleasant
>way to acknowledge that something special is going on. And your
>neighbors might enjoy them as well. So, tonight, as the sun
>sets, let's see those lights.
>
>With love and hope for a wonderful and productive New Year to
>all.
>
>loretta gerity jacobs, pele the dog, hillary the cat, the "Six
>barbaras", and the lone fish known as Mulder.


h o r t u l u s   a p t u s     -    'a garden suited to its purpose'
Sean A. O'Hara        fax (707) 667-1173     sean.ohara@groupmail.com
710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA 94610-1459, U.S.A.
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