Raven ventures.....

Raven is 15 years old and has a passion for fashion, modeling, make up, interior design and "pretty things".  An adventurous spirit, I will be featuring her in upcoming articles!

The Celtic Harvest Festival - Lughnasadh

The Celtic harvest festival on August 1st takes its name from the Irish god Lugh, one of the chief gods of the Tuatha De Danann, giving us Lughnasadh in Ireland, Lunasdál in Scotland, and Laa Luanys in the Isle of Man. (In Wales, this time is known simply as Gwl Awst, the August Feast.) Lugh dedicated this festival to his foster-mother, Tailtiu, the last queen of the Fir Bolg, who died from exhaustion after clearing a great forest so that the land could be cultivated. When the men of Ireland gathered at her death-bed, she told them to hold funeral games in her honor. As long as they were held, she prophesied Ireland would not be without song. Tailtiu's name is from Old Celtic Talantiu, "The Great One of the Earth," suggesting she may originally have been a personification of the land itself, like so many Irish goddesses. In fact, Lughnasadh has an older name, Brón Trogain, which refers to the painful labor of childbirth. For at this time of year, the earth gives birth to her first fruits so that her children might live. Tailtiu gives her name to Teltown in County Meath, where the festival was traditionally held in early Ireland. It evolved into a great tribal assembly, attended by the High King, where legal agreements were made, political problems discussed, and huge sporting contests were held on the scale of an early Olympic Games. Artists and entertainers displayed their talents, traders came from far and wide to sell food, farm animals, fine crafts and clothing, and there was much storytelling, music, and high-spirited revelry, according to a medieval eye-witness account:" Trumpets, harps, hollow-throated horns, pipers, timpanists, unwearied…fiddlers, gleemen, bone-players and bag-pipers, a rude crowd, noisy, profane, roaring and shouting. "This was also an occasion for hand fasting, or trial marriages. Young men and women lined up on either side of a wooden gate in a high wall, in which a hole was carved, large enough for a hand. One by one, girl and boy would grasp a hand in the hole, without being able to see who was on the other side. They were now married, and could live together for year and day to see if it worked out. If not, the couple returned to next year's gathering and officially separated by standing back to back and walking away from each other. Throughout the centuries, the grandeur of Teltown dwindled away, but all over Ireland, right up to the middle of this century, country-people have celebrated the harvest at revels, wakes, and fairs – and some still continue today in the liveliest manner. It was usually celebrated on the nearest Sunday to August 1st, so that a whole day could be set aside from work. In later times, the festival of Lughnasadh was christianized as Lammas, from the Anglo-Saxon, half-mas, "Loaf-Mass," but in rural areas, it was often remembered as "Bilberry Sunday, " for this was the day to climb the nearest "Lughnasadh Hill" and gather the earth's freely-given gifts of the little black berries, which they might wear as special garlands or gather in baskets to take home for jam. As of old, people sang and danced jigs and reels to the music of melodeons, fiddles and flutes, and held uproarious sporting contests and races. In some places, a woman—or an effigy of one—was crowned with summer flowers and seated on a throne, with garlands strewn at her feet. Dancers whirled around her, touching her garlands or pulling off a ribbon for good luck. In this way, perhaps, the ancient goddess of the harvest was still remembered with honor.                                                                          

.

MEXICAN CONFUSION

Is there a difference between "authentic mexican cuisine" and authentic mexican street food"?

Here is the thing - I saw an online menu for
 "Los Portales" in Glen Burnie and it reads like a Chi Chi's menu from the 80's - from the ground beef (standard if not otherwise specified) and shredded beef (optional) to the fried ice cream. It turned me off a little and since I thoroughly enjoy the BLT's and fries from the Aviation Deli next door, I am still hesitant to enter a place that just seems....well...kinda "touristy" or maybe "cheesy" (no pun intended). Even though it is insanely crowded. I realize it is next to BWI airport - but, c'mon - authentic? I am remembering my horrible experience with the bland, watery gummy-cheese crap served to me and my friends in El Salto's - a place that is apparently all the rage and the "best" and most authentic...yada yada yada. I live minutes from this place and would never consider going there again.

 In the meanwhile, I wander into the Mexican joint in the Shell station where I have been getting my car repaired for years (Russell and Mike - all-American and 25 million years experience - people are towed from miles away to have their work done - excellent!) BTW - the station is owned by Indian people (very nice) but their mechanics are apple-pie American and they rent space to a Mexican family that barely speaks English...lol... I love the whole melting-pottiness of it all - BUT especially the part about my mechanic speaking "perfect-honest-I-will-never-rip-you-off" English!

 Anyhoo - I see authentic Mexican - something clicks and I can't resist exploring. So while Mike is busy coaxing my car to stop behaving badly I tried to peruse the menu - and wow! Totally different from the extravagent menu at Los Portales and it's sister Plaza Garabaldi. Tongue? yikes! Tripe soup? double yikes!! But - I did recognize a few things that reminded me of Fiesta Mexicana in Rosedale.

 A limited menu with a variety of protein offerings, mexican cheese, fresh and handmade - in other words "authentic".

 So - I am confused. To make matters worse, I was exploring Highlandtown today looking for a small house my aunt lived in centuries ago and I have fond memories as a child visiting and I cruised past a rather cool little place on a neat little corner called "Los Catroches"....or close to that...lol....and just when I thought I could not be more baffled - it said "a Spanish restaurant"....lol!

So - what exactly is "authentic" Mexican cuisine?

~Ravyne~

Roseloe Motel - Country Comfort

 There aren't any bad things I can really say about this low-key locally-managed 50's style motel. There is actually a resident manager on premises and this lovely lady's name is Thelma Curtis. She will instantly remind you of a favorite aunt, or concerned grandma - she embodies all that is good about home-style comfort.

 The home-like comfort description is very fitting - the room I stayed in was number 26 also known as the “Sam Snead” room. Indeed, his pictures adorned the walls painted a serene and calming washed-out blue. The room was exactly as I expected - a little faded and a little worn around the edges, but in that home-y comfortable sort of way that will instantly steal your heart. There are no fancy bells and whistles, but what you will find is an extraordinary understanding of a weary traveler and her needs. There were a few amenities included in the very budget-friendly price that were immediately appreciated. FREE basic cable with HBO on a 27” TV, plus all the things you would want away from home - coffee maker, fridge, microwave, phone (Free local calls).

 There were thoughtful conveniences like real paper towels on a holder along with a cooking guide for the microwave. The motel binder included not only the menus of all the area's eateries and a channel listing, but the names and phone numbers of the area's B & B's including the insanely expensive Homestead. I appreciate any place that includes listings of their competitors! I found that interesting and extremely endearing, considering that this little modest motel can be easily missed because of the popularity and historic status of the hulking Homestead and the enchanting web sites of the area B & B's offering idyllic stays in their gorgeous Victorians.

 The bathroom was impeccably clean, as was the sink vanity area that was separate from the tub and toilet which is very convenient when there is more than one guest. Who wants to put on their makeup over a toilet in a steamy bathroom?

 This is a great place to stay if you wish to enjoy the magnificent natural springs at Jefferson Pools and/or hike and relax in the many varied natural areas nearby. You can spend an entire day at Lake Moomaw or the Goshen Pass gorge area or enjoy a leisurely and scenic drive up Route 220 towards Monterey in Highland County - a gorgeous mountainous area and quaint little town known as Virginia's “Little Switzerland”.

http://discoverbath.com/what-to-do/spas/

http://www.highlandcounty.org/

https://www.virginia.org/listings/outdoorsandsports/lakemoomawandgathrightdam/

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/goshen

For the most affordable dining experience, check out the Country Café. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their homemade pies are amazing.

https://www.facebook.com/countrycaferestaurant1994/

 The area B & B's do offer fabulous stays but if you appreciate the privacy of your own room and convenient parking right outside your doorstep and cannot, or like me, will not pay the exorbitant prices at The Homestead, this charming little motel will fit the bill.

 This motel is truly a throwback - there are no internet reservations or confirmation numbers - just call and advise Mrs. Curtis when you want to visit. Almost like visiting Grandma's house!

540-839-5373
Rt 1 Box 590
Hot Springs, VA 24445

http://www.roseloe.netfirms.com

https://www.facebook.com/RoseLoe-Motel-747608861941016/

~Ravyne~

Another great giveaway!

Check out this great giveaway from LuxChroma on the Mint Green with Envy blog--->


http://www.mintgreenwithenvy.com/2011/06/giveaway-luxchroma-fun-size-glowing.html?showComment=1308860823196#c3956608060860797959

Pissed on/Pissed off Former Democrat

I was sooooo pissed a few years ago that I switched my affiliation from Dem to Independent - yesterday I mailed in my papework to switch to....GASP! dare I say it - Republican!!!....yes...not all repubs are right wing extremists - just like all dems are not left wing bleeding liberals....there are many many many more like me who are somewhere between crazy and strict libertarians. See - I don't really give a rat's ass who someone marries and shrug....if it's for you, Pro-Choice is ok with me. Because I believe that government should not really delve into personal and private issues that in the BIG scheme of things - won't mean anything anyway when our country is going in the toilet. In other words, I don't believe that we should elect a leader based solely on such dividing and emotional issues such as these. We need to come together in the middle and focus on China, oil, economy, jobs and security - as in let's make a plan and do it - let's hunker down and find that one single little tiny teeny shred of commonality that we all possess - all million colors of us - we ALL possess it - and that is personal freedom. Isn't that what sets us apart - to be able to be pro-choice or not, to worship God or the Goddess, to live and breathe alongside each other no matter what the differences we may have? Isn't that what freedom is all about? Isn't that what our forefathers imagined - at the cost of many many indigenous peoples - who sacrificed their land and their lives to us so that we could live freely??? If not, what is the whole point - to cower under people in faraway lands who hate me just because I am American? When did being American become a bad and evil thing? I am proudly American, proudly Spiritual, proudly tax-paying and charitable to those who need it, seeking to become a part of the solution...and not to add to the problem. If I can encourage one person to think like this...and they can encourage 1 more person...and on and on and on...I live and let live. I respect all and any. I judge no one. I protect self and family and harm no one. No one - not even those who hate.

Seriously?

OK - I was a good little sheep and mailed back my census form on time. Now I am being contacted by them - my first thought - scam...and I deleted the message.

Anyway - today I decide to investigate - at any rate - there does appear to be a "survey" which asks for very personal information, being conducted.

They advise to call a number to verify if I am in a "survey".

Are they kidding? It's bad enough that I am monitored everytime I use the internet or a credit card, but do they think that I am actually going to physically and willingly volunteer this info??


Please.....I don't care if it IS legitimate - I am not going to participate.

If the government really really really needs to know how much I make and what I spend it on - then do the research and find out on your own.

I will be double-damned if I will allow anyone from the government to know anything about me by actually telling them!!!!!

I'm done with government. They are in my pockets, they try to get into my private bedroom, and now they want to get inside my head.

Piss off!