It's Friday

Hi All and a Good Friday to those who celebrate.

Once again I'm at the coffee shop listening to some really good traditional Irish music.  Something about it that reminds of New England fishing villages and all things wonderful about America.  Maybe its because the Irish have contributed greatly to America.  Hey one the greatest presidents, John Kennedy, was Irish.  For some reason, I seem to have a place in my heart for Ireland.  I'm not Irish nor is anyone in my family.  There's just something about it that touches me.

I think today I'll move on to a different topic for today's rant and rave.  The last few days I've been carrying on about Passover so I think it's time to move on.  Spring has finally sprung which means longer and warmer days.  Springtime in Southern California means a mixed bag of things.  One minute rain, the next warm weather.  Traditionally, spring means renewal.  A renewal of life and spirit.  Perhaps that's why the egg is symbolic of that idea.  An egg represents a life about to awaken.  I don't quite get the whole Easter Bunny thing, except for the fact it makes for a tasty chocolate treat (lol), but I digress.  Different religions and ethnicities use the egg for more or less the same symbolic purposes.  For some, the egg-shape is decorative.  The Faberge jeweled eggs that were popular with the Czar's court comes to mind.  I can appreciate it for its craftsmanship and artistry.  The egg also has place in painting, symbolizing renewal and birth.  I suppose the baby animals motif that seem to be so popular around Easter are an extension of that idea.  Just remember, if you insist on getting a baby chick or rabbit, puppy, or kitten, they grow up and become chickens, rabbits, dogs, and cats that require care and attention.  If you can't or not willing to look after them either give them to someone who can or don't get one in the first place.

Spring is great season for Southern California because the wild flowers and jasmine bloom.  If you've ever seen the California wild flowers, they are truly amazing.  The riot of saturated colors are worthy of a Post-Impressionist canvas.  The jasmine have this amazing scent that no perfume bottle could ever do justice to.  Southern California in the spring looks especially beautiful after a wet winter.  That's when the hillsides become carpeted with this deep lush green blanket.  What does spring look like where you are?