Friday, December 30, 2011

The Second Day of Christmas . . .

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After all the butterflies for Christmas the other day, the breezes that be are blowing a few more your way, as the spirit of Christmas shouldn't be limited to a single day. Going back thousands of years, long before anyone had ever heard of a fellow named Christ, there were pagan feasts in the days after the 21st of December to celebrate the fact that the days were getting longer again. And that, imho, is an excellent reason to put on a big party. The feasting and partying at the start of winter got hijacked along the course of history by European culture for certain religious purposes, but I think it is good to remember that these post winter solstice celebrations go much farther back. So in that spirit, here are a couple more butterflies to bring you tidings of joy : The days are getting longer again !
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20 comments:

Virginia said...

Just beautiful and makes me think spring is just around the corner! :)
V

Lynne with an e said...

The feasting and flitting from one colourful location to another, all decked out in bright colours and lightness of being will continue yet for a few more days. Though, truth to tell, it is hard to see much colour or sky or feel the warmth of the slowly returning sun under all this wet coast rain of late. The winter pounds (kilos, if you will) have been well stocked in but a few days of constant nibbling and imbibing so that we butterflies are being a little more challenged on our take-offs, while the landings are slightly less light-footed as well. It's lovely to see the butterflies shimmering down from the Magic Lantern Show like bright bits of tinsel and confetti falling from the midnight reaches of the New Year. May you have a happy, healthful and prosperous 2012, full of creativity, love, adventures great and small, near and far. And plenty of good sleeps.

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonsoir Owen. It has been so much fun following your blog this year. I will be looking forward to more good times in 2012, beautiful photos of colorful butterflies, old rusty structures, abandoned boats and the likes. ;-) Je te souhaite une excellente année 2012 mon ami. A bientôt. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Le Journal de Chrys said...

De mon côté, je suis bien heureuse de gagner quelques minutes sur la nuit, chaque jour qui passe depuis le 21 décembre.


Je te souhaite un bien belle et agréable fin d'année OWEN, et je suis toujours touchée quand tu viens déposer quelques mots chez moi.

Steve said...

In the midst of winter it's always good to be reminded of the promise of summer...

Pastelle said...

Je préfère je crois aimer chaque saison pour ce qu'elle apporte, sans attendre la suivante. Je n'aime pas l'hiver, mais je cherche ce qu'il y a de beau dedans. Le printemps viendra en son temps.
Mais tes papillons sont bien jolis, tes posts et tes mots toujours un immense plaisir.

Anonymous said...

Wishing you warmer and longer days, a great 2012 and many more butterflies to bless your life.

clo said...

Je t'embrasse bien fort cher Owen...
et je te presente mes moeilleurs voeux pour cette année qui arrive a grand pas..
Je te souhaite ainsi qu'a ta petite famille tout plein de moments de bonheurs ,des petits et des grands..et le moins de galeres possibles...
Et que la route a parcourir ensembles soit encore longue...le blog world est bien reconfortant souvent...l'amitié meme virtuelle rechauffe les coeurs..alors plein de partages pour cette année 2012..encore et encore..:) bisou et bon reveillon..

English Rider said...

If butterflies could only sing as do their colors. Thanks for this glimpse of summers ahead. Happy New Year Owen.

Nathalie said...

How right you are dear Owen to put things into perspective. Great post!
Your beautiful butterflies are food for thought in many directions:


- the immuable rhythm of season and the transient nature of our presence on this earth
- the need to care for nature

- the butterfly effect: we as humans depend deeply on each other, in this global world more than ever before
- the hope that each new year brings

With that, let's celebrate!
Thank you Owen for giving us so much joy through your beautiful and thoughtful posts.

BLOGitse said...

Yes, let's party!
Old year soon gone,
Happy New Year 2012!

Claudia said...

I wish you a new year filled with prosperity, joy and happiness. Happy New Year!

Plum' said...

Comme Clo je souhaite que notre amitié virtuelle se prolonge l'année prochaine et bien au-delà. May your dreams come true Dear Owen...Cheers.

Céline said...

De bien jolis papillons encore. Merci Owen pour toutes tes images et tes textes (I'm improving my english each time I visit your blog :) qui ont accompagnés cette année qui se finit... et accompagneront l'année 2012 j'espère ! Je te souhaite le meilleur et pour ta famille aussi.
Bises virtuelles, ami virtuel !
See you in 2012!!!

Stickup Artist said...

Can't think of a better symbolism to mark the end of a year and the anticipation of the one to come. I too enjoy the history of religion. Our traditions and quest for meaning beyond mere survival go back even further than expected after one looks into it. Your blog is a constant source of wonderment! All my best to you and your family for a Happy New Year!

Amanda said...

Happy new year Owen. I am looking forward to new blogs and photos from my virtual friends.

Mandolin said...

Beautiful butterfly images!

PeterParis said...

Wonderful pictures, giving hope for sunnier and warmer days (although these days are quite a bit too warm for the season)! Tidings of joy! We are already on the way!

Once more, all the best for 2012 to you and your family!

Owen said...

Happiest of happy new years to one and all here... thanks for all these messages which warm the heart and toast the soul...
:-)

dusty price said...

I am so pleased to read from someone else of the origin of the Christmas fete...many people are quite offended around here when I point out the juxtaposition of the birth of Christ with the pagan holidays...you go, Owen. Just another cementing of the cyber bond.