Author Archives: SoITalkALot

The season of lights according to Patsy

This season which includes Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, have important symbols: the Menorah, the Christmas tree and the Mishimaa Saba, They symbolize, to me, the importance of light in this world.

In our country it is evident that during this season, people display much joy and love during these special days.

By

Patsy

P.S. About the card front:

• upper left with blue lights is a Menorah ( Lincoln center every season had a fir tree  with blue lights; the first tree to be lit of the season)
• In the middle   is a Christmas tree with multi colored lights.
• lower right is the Mishima Saba with four red and
•  four green lights.
• Note that the positioning of the symbols from left to right is the order that the  holidays are observed.

Some foods and objects have multi-use

Ill name some of the ones that are common, at least for me.

-rice crispiest – cereal and dessert

-bread- toast, sandwich,French toast, bread crumbs

– mustard – condiment, flavoring in cooking, salad dressing

– Katsup- same as mustard 

– lemon – dessert, dressing, cooking,with iced water,

-nails – fasten pieces of wood together, hang things on walls, awl.

– winner cotton tissues – hanky, sponge bath, for cleaning watercolor brushes and wash and dry. 

Note; multi-use items are ubiquitous to most people and are purchased and used without much thought.. They will be around “forever.”.

Fred Hoyle named the big bang in 1949.

The founder of the Big Bang theory was Georges Lemaitre, Belgian cosmologist, catholic priest.

The word “mensch” is a Yiddish term that is often used to describe a person of integrity, honor, and kindness. It is derived from the German word “Mensch,” which simply means “person.” In Jewish culture, being called a mensch is considered a high compliment.

The symbology of the word “mensch” is rooted in the values it represents. It signifies qualities such as empathy, compassion, honesty, and responsibility. A mensch is someone who consistently acts with decency and treats others with respect. They are known for their moral character and their willingness to help others without expecting anything in return.

The symbol of a mensch represents the importance of leading a righteous life and striving to make a positive impact on the world. It is a reminder to act with kindness and integrity in all aspects of life, whether it be in personal relationships, professional settings, or within the community. The word “mensch” serves as a moral compass, encouraging individuals to always choose the right path and to be a force for good in the world.

Overall, the symbology of the word “mensch” is a reminder of the importance of living a virtuous life and treating others with kindness and respect. It signifies the values that are held in high regard within Jewish culture and serves as a guiding principle for individuals to strive towards being a mensch in their daily interactions.

Code for a dignified life

November 20, 2023

My Code for a Dignified Life

1: I want to love and be loved.

2: It’s great to be a human being.

3: I am a person.

4: This is me.

5: I’ll take action when necessary.

(Note: “dignified” refers to having respect for oneself and for other people, and “love” can have various definitions depending on the individual.)

By Patsy Sciallo

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

1. Unity and Continuity: The circular shape of a wreath symbolizes unity, wholeness, and continuity. It has no beginning or end, representing eternal life, cycles, and the interconnectedness of all things.

2. Victory and Triumph: In ancient Greece and Rome, wreaths were worn as crowns by victorious athletes, military leaders, and emperors, symbolizing triumph and achievement. They can also signify overcoming challenges, success, and celebration.

3. Honor and Remembrance: Wreaths are often used to honor and remember individuals who have passed away. They are commonly placed on graves as a symbol of respect, love, and eternal remembrance.

4. Seasonal and Festive Symbolism: Wreaths are frequently associated with specific seasons or holidays. For example, evergreen wreaths are commonly used during Christmas, representing everlasting life and hope. Similarly, floral wreaths are popular during spring, symbolizing renewal and growth.

5. Welcoming and Hospitality: Wreaths are often hung on doors or displayed in homes as a sign of hospitality and welcome. They can indicate a sense of warmth, friendship, and invitation.

6. Spiritual and Religious Significance: In some religious traditions, wreaths hold sacred meanings. For instance, in Christianity, Advent wreaths symbolize the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, with each candle representing a different aspect of the Christian faith.

7. Commemoration and Memorials: Wreaths are often used in ceremonies and events to commemorate significant historical events or honor the memory of fallen soldiers or heroes. They serve as a symbol of respect, honor, and tribute.

8. Protection and Blessings: In certain cultures, wreaths are believed to have protective and blessing properties. They are hung on doors or windows to ward off evil spirits, bring good luck, or provide a sense of security.

Overall, the symbolism of a wreath can vary depending on its cultural, historical, and personal context, but it commonly represents unity, victory, remembrance, and seasonal celebrations.

1. Evergreen: The Christmas tree is typically an evergreen tree, symbolizing eternal life, as evergreen trees retain their green foliage throughout the year. This signifies the hope and promise of new life and renewal.

2. Light: Christmas trees are adorned with lights, candles, or ornaments that symbolize the triumph of light over darkness, bringing joy and hope during the winter season.

3. Christian Symbolism: In Christian tradition, the triangular shape of the tree is believed to represent the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The star or angel placed at the top of the tree represents the Star of Bethlehem or the angel that appeared to announce the birth of Jesus.

4. Pagan Origins: The Christmas tree has roots in pagan traditions, particularly in ancient Germanic and Scandinavian cultures. It was believed that evergreen trees held special powers and brought fertility and good luck into homes during the winter months.

5. Family and Togetherness: The Christmas tree is often seen as a gathering place for family and friends during the holiday season. It symbolizes unity, love, and togetherness, as people come together to decorate the tree and exchange gifts.

6. Nature and Earth: The Christmas tree is a representation of nature and the beauty of the Earth. It serves as a reminder to care for and appreciate the natural world.

7. Gift-Giving: Underneath the Christmas tree, gifts are placed for loved ones. The tree symbolizes the generosity and spirit of giving during the holiday season.

Overall, the Christmas tree is a powerful symbol that represents various aspects of faith, hope, joy, and the celebration of life during the holiday season.

 wreath Ais a circular arrangement of flowers, leaves, or other materials that is typically hung on a door or used as a decorative item during the Christmas season. The symbolism of a wreath can vary depending on its specific context, but here are a few common interpretations:

1. Evergreen wreaths: Wreaths made from evergreen branches, such as pine or fir, are often associated with Christmas. The evergreen foliage symbolizes life and renewal, even during the winter months when many other plants are dormant. It represents the hope and promise of new beginnings that Christmas brings.

2. Circle of unity: The circular shape of a wreath has no beginning or end, symbolizing eternity and the unending cycle of life. It represents the unity of family, friends, and communities coming together to celebrate and share in the joy of Christmas.

3. Religious significance: In Christian traditions, wreaths can have religious symbolism. Advent wreaths, for example, are used to mark the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Each candle on the wreath represents a different aspect of the Christian faith and is lit in anticipation of the birth of Jesus.

4. Welcoming symbol: When hung on a door or displayed in a prominent location, a wreath can serve as a welcoming symbol to guests and passersby. It symbolizes hospitality and the spirit of generosity that is often associated with the Christmas season.

5. Decoration and celebration: Wreaths are commonly used as decorative items during Christmas, adorning homes, churches, and other spaces. They represent the festive spirit and add a touch of beauty and elegance to the surroundings, helping to create a joyful and celebratory atmosphere.

Overall, the symbolism of a wreath during Christmas can encompass themes of life, unity, faith, hospitality, and celebration. It serves as a visual reminder of the holiday season and the joyous traditions that come with it.

Quilting, as I learned from my wife Carole , is the mating with thread, by hand or machine three layers of material: the top layer, batting in the middle ,and backing..

When my wife and her sewing buddies talked about quilting, they were talking  about using beautifully designed sheets of cotton fabric cut into small pieces sewn together to form beautiful designs where the colors are prominent. This is the general format of the top layer.

So the designs in the original sheets of fabric can barely be noticed and admired; one form of art replaces another.

Let me mention some of the pitfalls I encountered as a quilting aide to my wife.

First of all I need to mention we were both left handed; the tools and aids needed were for right handed people. However, scissors are available to left-handed people who were weaned on right scissors. My wife never bought a left handed one, during her sixty years of sewing! Hence. I never ever thought about using a pair of scissors made for lefties.

Another perverse challenge for me was cutting smallish pieces from the beautiful largish sheets of cotton material. I had to teach myself to cut fabric opposite from  the project’s instructions. It was really interesting to cut fabric using a special template, which came with the project how- to booklet. The part that was a blast was demonstrating how to use the templates to right –  handed quilters. My wife , even during the early stages of dementia, delegated the use of the templates to me.

The last several years I was invited to sit-in during the quilter’s quilting classes. Carole’s hand tremors were more of an issue than the loss of memory. She was an expert at using the sewing machines ; she had four of them. Her job was to just sew.

Cutting fabric was no slam dunk for me. Once in a while, cutting the fabric with a single roller blade  cutting tool, my cuts were not to the required measurements. Cutting new pieces was not an option for my frugal mate. Consequently we embarked on “ save the cutters ass” mode. She would stretch or iron the piece to get it to “fit.” If that didn’t fix the problem, I had to sort through a pile of like pieces to find one that was a “better” fit. My sorting was performed with a small ruler, with the assistance of a magnifying lens; my worst nightmare.

The actual quilting on the first project ( I selected the colors ) was to sew in the ditch! What an experience and a real pain. It was designed to cover a twin size bed. It became my blanket while I slept on the couch in the den. Watching all the NCIS programs on TV was tranquilizing for me.

I digressed. Back to sewing in the ditch.

Let me list the steps we took to accomplish this feat: tape each layer of material ( the backing first followed by the batting and finally the top layer which has all those pieces sewn together ) to a large table. The three layers are pinned together first using large curved safety pins. Then the project is removed from the table and then the layers are sewn together by sewing over existing seams.

The quit is finished after the sides are trimmed and the binding ( thin strips of material) sewn around the ends of the project.

I’ll list two additional steps I needed to pin the layers together: put a bandaid on the traumatized fingers and then  blot the blood from the project with hydrogen  peroxide.

November 20, 2023

1: I want to love** and be loved.

2: It’s great to be a human being.

3: I am a person.

4: This is me.

5: I’ll take action when necessary.

*have respect for self,   and dignity and for  other people

** lots of definitions of love depending on the individual.

By

Patsy Sciallo