(This post was originally published on 2022 – we think you will enjoy it again!) Today Broadmead is an upper-class treed neighbourhood of fine homes and manicured lawns – but of course it wasn’t always that way. Broadmead’s history comprises a varied mix of hard work, horses, religion, burial grounds, famous battles, brewers, and war …
(This post was originally published in February 2022) February is the month when thousands of people around the world will send or receive sentimental or humorous greetings cards from their sweethearts, friends or family members. So, let’s take a step back in time and examine the history of this unique ‘giving-of-cards’ tradition which apparently all …
Last weekend, the Chinese community celebrated the lunar Chinese New Year, which this year heralded in the “Year of the Rabbit.” The rabbit is the fourth animal in the zodiac sequence of twelve and is seen as the luckiest. People born in the year of rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded and ingenious. …
A Christmas Eve Miracle At least once in everyone’s life we need a miracle. The story of the one that happened over 180 years ago on a cold, crisp Christmas Eve in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, has been told many times before but, in today’s world of unrest and uncertainty, it still bears repeating. It …
(Originally posted in this Blog on September 21, 2020) If, like me, you’re feeling a wee bit “witchy” as Halloween comes around again, here’s a piece of witchcraft history to ponder on. For instance, did you know that it was on September 22nd in 1692, 328 years ago, that the last eight witches in Salem were …
In Canada, traditional observance of Thanksgiving Day has only been in existence since 1879. In America the tradition of giving thanks dates back to 1621 when the Pilgrim’s Fall Harvest that year was so plentiful, but not until 1817 did the state of New York officially adopt Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom, and in …
According to Donald Dossey, a folklore historian, the origin of the Number “13” being unlucky originated with a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party in Valhalla. A trickster god named Loki, who was not invited, arrived as the 13th guest and arranged for the god Hoor to shoot another god, Balder, with …
Motherhood! The dictionary defines it as “the state of being a mother or having the spirit or qualities of a mother.” And so what is a mother? Again, according to the dictionary, a mother is a creature who “creates, nurtures and protects.” Today we will once again celebrate Mother’s Day. We will honour mothers who …
“The First of April, some do say, Is set apart for All Fools’ Day. But why the people call it so, Nor I, nor they themselves do know. But on this day are people sent On purpose for pure merriment.” I wonder how many people still consider April 1st as being ‘open season’ to …
No one can deny that the Irish are full of charm and a whole lot of blarney, But St. Patrick himself, for whom March 17th is celebrated each year, was also something of an enigma. Contrary to popular belief, he was in fact neither Irish nor Catholic! Hard to believe, I know. Some say he …
