Good morning–it’s beautiful outside here—in 60s already and I actually started walking again.

Don’t forget to check me out on Pinterest

THIS ONE IS A QUOTE FROM THE NOVEL I’m WORKING ON:

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/483151866248809296/

 

JAMIE FRASER

NICE KNEES

 

As today is the first day of December thought I’d do something seasonal.  So what is a better Christmas tradition to look into than were we got the tradition of kissing under the Mistletoe.

First the plant is a parasite that attaches itself to trees and shrubs and penetrates the bark, living off the plant’s substances.  It is toxic (there’s multiple references on site of it’s toxicity though it has been used since ancient times for multiple issues including infertility) and should be handled according and kept out of the reach of children.

 

The plant became famous for its fertility properties because when the trees lost their leaves in winter it remained green, something that appears to be very impressive to the ancients.

 

The Greeks reportedly used it and it is part of a Norse Legend where a Goddess brings her son back by making it non-poisonous with her tears.  But the Druids seem to have the main nod as to the creators of this practice  with Roman sources telling us that it was used as some sort of fertility charm.  It was also placed on the doorway to Celtic homes to prohibit fighting.

 

The tradition has continued:  Victorian England’s tradition was that a girl who refused a kiss under the plant would not receive any marriage proposals for the next year.

 

 

So another tradition from our distance past that still clings to us today, even in the modern age of computers and mass communications.  We kiss under a poisonous, parasitic  plant;  which was once used to insure fertility and avoid physical altercations;  for no particular reason except we can.  Works for me.

 

OK my daily suggestions on where to find those hard to find items or gifts for those have everything persons on your lists:

TODAY’S FEATURE:  FRESH FINDS www.freshfinds.com

Mind Twisters Puzzle Set (E1442):  Each brain-bending puzzle is linked to the world’s “Great Mind” who inspired it, putting your intellectual prowess to the test. Comes with a brief history of their life and achievements. Set of 5     $19.95

 

 

 

 

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