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Four ways to celebrate Imbolc, the Midpoint to Spring

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When I still lived in Massachusetts, I commuted to Boston every day on the Red Line. Every winter I would shiver on the station platform waiting for a train. Before I could hear one coming, a tendril of light would always shine against the wall of the tunnel before the incoming train would screech and turn the corner. That little light was always the sign that the wait was over. That’s essentially what Imbolc celebrates, the hints of spring emerging in the second half of winter that tell us the wait for warm weather will be over soon. Originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid, it was later celebrated as a christianized festival for Saint Brigid. The Goddess Brigid was known for having fiery red hair and a flaming sword, and was said to visit homes on the eve of the holiday. To earn her blessing, people would leave her offerings by making a bed for her and leaving out food and drink. Clothing would be left out for her to bless. Starting …

For Nebraska

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The thing I love the most about this duet is the unabashed enthusiasm shared by Lady Gaga and duo Sugarland. Performing Gaga’s hit You and I in 2011, watching the Brooklyn native belt her summer hit with Georgia born Jennifer Nettles certainly made me nostalgic for a time when America felt less divided.

Disaster and Calamity: Loss

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Looking for a spooky fix this October? Check out Nicholas Efstathiou‘s immersive site chronicling the strange occurrences in the fictional town of Cross, Massachusetts. Each piece is paired with an eerie vintage photograph. Cross, Massachusetts Disease and disaster are never easy to overcome. Invariably, we lose something of ourselves. In 1912, this was driven home when a strange illness afflicted residents of Elm Street and only Elm Street. Seven people came down with the disease. Rather, seven young men between the ages of 18 and 23. The young men lived in a pair of boarding houses, each across the street from the other. On Saturday, the men woke up, prepared to go to work, and ate their morning meals. They were, by all accounts, hale and hearty at seven in the morning. By 7:30, all were struck low, screaming and clawing at their faces. Of the seven men, only one of them, Alexander Keel, survived the experience. While his unfortunate co-victims died screaming in agony, Alexander took the drastic step of cutting his entire face …

Teacup Fairy Gardens

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Originally posted on My OBT:
If you (like me) are craving a fun crafts project right now, but don’t have a ton of space, I have a great solution for you! These are teacup fairy gardens, and everyone has room for at least one of them! Some are made of real plants, some are artificial, but all are really sweet and tiny. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could grab an old teacup and make your own, with miniatures you have hanging around. If you need miniature pieces, Etsy is full of beautiful items. And if you aren’t feeling crafty, you also might consider one of the pre-made gardens for sale. You can check out everyone’s creative teacup fairy gardens on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg7cqeJD4de/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BRJcjOUjtaM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/By_DjaIFpdZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BqP7POpFJsj/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsl1WD3B8kM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pfDghFUDZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BipbiJhgK7Y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BulA7hZFLUJ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/B6VJIzLDBwT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/ByVhjsKAwx_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4BhHJFPrY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BxiLqPGhPnl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link https://www.instagram.com/p/BxYj_QjBXPm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link