Chinese New Year

Hi Puzzlers,

Here in the western hemisphere New Years Day is celebrated each year on the first day of January, but in the East, the Chinese New Year can happen any time between late January and mid-February. This happens because the Chinese calendar is based on tracking the ever-changing new moon, which results in this year Chinese New Year falling on February 3, 2011. It is the Year of the Rabbit. This eastern-based holiday is the equivalent of mixing our western Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day into one massive 15-day celebration.

Just like us, preparation for the holiday starts about a month in advance as people start buying presents, food and decorations. Ten days before the New Year's Day celebration the “Sweeping of the Grounds” or the annual housecleaning begins. Tradition states that every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned as a way to remove bad luck and negative energies.

Also very similar to western celebrations are the wearing of the color red and fire work displays. “One of the most famous legends is Nian, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast that the ancients believed would devour people on New Year's Eve. To keep Nian away, red-paper couplets are pasted on doors, torches are lit, and firecrackers are set off throughout the night, because Nian is said to fear the color red, the light of fire, and loud noises.”

“The lunar calendar has a sixty-year cycle. In the Chinese horoscope, the five basic elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth, which make up all matter, are combined with the twelve animal signs of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Lamb, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig to form the sixty year cycle. One's Chinese horoscope is based on which lunar year in this sixty-year cycle one was born.”

2011 is the year of the metal-rabbit. A rabbit year is a calming year, a year that allows one nerves to be soothed, to catch your breath and relax. We all need it after the tough tiger year of 2010.

Happy New Year!

Winter Solstice

Hi Puzzlers,

Today is one of my husband’s favorite days, the first day of winter or Winter Solstice. He loves this day because summer begins tomorrow with the days getting longer and longer. The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. While researching this topic I found the Earth is actually closer to the sun in January than it is in June by three million miles! But, because of the way the earth tilts and depending on your hemisphere, those leaning farthest away from the sun get the Winter Solstice.

Even more amazing is the fact that ancient people who studied the stars and heavens (without all the sophisticated equipment we use today) could predict with complete accuracy when these changes would occur. They knew when the Winter Solstice would arrive and they knew the sunlight hours would slowly increase thereafter. WOW! That is surely a testament to the skills of observation. If you need proof check out Stonehenge in England or Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb in Ireland. “But not so many people are familiar with Newgrange, a beautiful megalithic site in Ireland. This huge circular stone structure is estimated to be 5,000 years old, older by centuries than Stonehenge, older than the Egyptian pyramids! It was built to receive a shaft of sunlight deep into its central chamber at dawn on winter solstice.”

“The winter solstice may have been immensely important because communities were not certain of living through the winter, and had to be prepared during the previous nine months. Starvation was common in winter between January and April, also known as the famine months. In temperate climates, the midwinter festival was the last feast celebration, before deep winter began. Most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter, so it was almost the only time of year when a supply of fresh meat was available. The majority of wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking at this time.”

Worldwide, interpretations of the winter solstice vary from culture to culture, but for most cultures it’s about the acceptance of rebirth. The rebirth concept is usually celebrated with holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around this time of year.

Happy Holidays!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Hi Puzzlers,

I just learned that the cute holiday song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas", has three different stories behind why it was written. Gosh, even something that seems so simple can be complicated. I guess there is always a story behind the story, or in this case, stories.

Historical sources dating back 150 years all classify “The Twelve Days of Christmas” as a counting song for kids. In the 1842 edition of The Nursery Rhymes of England, author J.O. Halliwell details how the rhyme was used as a game. “Each child in succession repeats the gifts of the day, and forfeits for each mistake.” Well you know what they say, whoever "they" are, “Repetition is the mother of skill.”

Next, and the strangest to me, is that "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a love song. University of Massachusetts classics professor Edward Phinney said in a 1990 newspaper interview, “If you think of all the things being presented, you realize they’re all gifts from a lover to a woman. Some of them are rather impossible to give, like eight maids milking, and nine ladies dancing and pipers and drums all imply this is a wedding.” I guess that makes sense, so going forward "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song will now be played at all holiday weddings!

Last on the list is that "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" was written “to be a catechism song for young children.” This tale states that back in the sixteenth century Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith and would be persecuted, children and all, if they were caught. So this carol was written with hidden meaning and symbolism to teach young Catholics about the doctrine. Ace Collins describes the hidden meaning in his book, Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas.

WOW! All those stories for one cute Christmas carol.

Happy Puzzling!

Politics

Hi Puzzlers,

Have you seen our newest puzzle “Politics”, yet? Artist James Mellett did a great job capturing the theme. The political arena has certainly changed through the years and it makes me wonder what the founding fathers would think.

The Declaration of Independence states, “of the people, by the people and for the people.” With just a quick glance at the puzzle you can see this to be true as it is filled with people of differing backgrounds and ethnic origins. It’s all here, from peanut farmers to astronauts. Do you remember what presidential candidate said, “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.”(Taken from the movie Network). Do you recognize some American actors turn politician? Here a few hints, “I got you babe”, “Go ahead make my day” and “I’ll be back.”

The declaration also states, “that all men are created equal.” So, I’m not sure what the founding fathers would think of the rising number of women and ethnic minorities in politics. In particular, women trail blazers like Bella Abzug, Hillary Clinton and the unforgettable Sarah Palin whose has been portrayed by comedian Tina Fey with the infamous quote, “ I can see Russia from my house”.

How would they respond to an African-American man as president with his family living in the White House and Colin Powell as Commander in Chief, or the likes of civil and political activists such as Jesse Jackson, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks?

Also tied to politics are the scandals. Will we ever forget hanging chads, Oliver North, Monica Lewinsky and Watergate? These scandals make for entertaining political television and radio with hosts such as Bill O’Reilly, John Stewart, Keith Oberman, Stephen Colbert and the infamous Rush Limbaugh.

Happy Puzzling!

Finding The Perfect Tree

Hi Puzzlers,

I just love the holiday season steeped in tradition. Finding the perfect tree has become a tradition for my family and I don't think it would feel like Christmas if we didn't do it.

Our tree search always begins at the Rocks Estate Tree Farm, on the coldest day of the year. Once at the farm we head to the furthest point, down by the wall, to find the Frazier Fir we love. We spread out looking for that perfect tree. Once we each find a tree, we all have to decide which is the best of the best. After several heated moments of debate and walk- a- rounds of each other’s tree, a decision is made.

With trusted saw in hand we begin the cutting down process. (Tip from prior years cutting: hold tree at the top and middle so it doesn’t land on your husband). After several passes of the saw the tree is down! Hurrah! Next we drag the tree to the waiting wagon a half a mile away. OMG’s can be heard as we can’t believe how big the tree is now that is down. “It didn’t look this big next to the other trees… I hope it fits through the door… What else can we do with the extra tree limbs? Sell wreaths? I think to myself.”

“WOW”! This tree weighs a ton shouts my husband, as my daughter is sitting on the back of the tree. Finally we reach the crest of the hill, sweat pouring off of us like a fountain, jackets opened flapping in the breeze, hair standing straight up from getting wet under our hats, something brown and squishy coming from under your boot, and meet the wagon. The attendant gives us a ticket and wraps one around the tip of our tree.

Exhausted we make our way back to the lodge for some homemade treats and local New Hampshire craft shopping while we wait for the tree attendant to wrap our tree for the ride home.

Now rested and refreshed we make our way to the wrapped trees. The attendant greets us and asks for our ticket. You have it. No, I gave it to you! Check your pockets!!! After five minutes of this we finally find the ticket and get our tree.

Back at the car with wrapped tree in hand we fold down the backseat so we can stuff the tree in through the trunk (Who needs a truck). Once the treetop reaches the front wind shield we know we are going to need the bright red flag you attach to things when they hang out of the trunk more than two feet.

Within a half hour we are ready to go and it only took twenty feet of rope! With our hands and boots covered in sap and squishy brown stuff, we head off on our one-hour trip home.

Ah! I just love a tradition.

Happy Puzzling!