Tom

March 1 is Mărțișor, a traditional holiday in Romania (and Moldova). The name Mărțișor is a diminutive of March (Martie in Romanian).

Not long ago, in the countryside, people used to celebrate the Martisor by hanging a red and white string at their the gate, window, cattle’s horn and shed to protect against evil spirits and to invoke nature’s regenerative power.

In eastern Romania ( Moldova and Bucovina), the red and white string was complemented with a small – gold or silver – coin. After wearing the coin for twelve days, the women would buy fresh cheese with it hopping that their skin would be healthy and beautiful the entire year.

According to archaeological research, the Mărțișor traces its history more than 8,000 years ago. Some ethnologists believe that the Mărțișor celebration has Roman origins, others support the theory that it is an old Dacian tradition.

In the old times, Mărțișor were made of small river pebbles, colored in white and red, stringed on a thread and worn around the neck. They were worn, to bring good luck and good weather, from March 1 until the first trees would bloom. When the first trees were flowering the Mărțișor were hanged on tree branches.

Bulgaria celebrates a similar holiday – Baba Marta – on the same day.

ZZ Tabby

Our magnificent legal system…

Bada Bing!

I need to know if the $400 golden high tops come with bone spur protection.

9 out of 10 times when I lose something… It’s because I put it in a safe place.

My dog has 4 beds and takes medicine for his seasonal allergies just like his wolf ancestors.

In a packed elevator, everyone is silent. Stomach: I will now demonstrate the mating call of a whale.

In Alabama, an egg frying in a pan is now called a murdered chicken.

It’s a good day. The bulb finally burned out on my check engine light.

You aren’t doing it wrong if no one knows what you’re doing.

My friend told me he had the body of a Greek god. I had to explain to him that Buddha is not Greek.

Definition of “disappointment”. Running into a wall with an erection and breaking your nose.

Today is the birthday, in 1943, of American rock musician Donnie Iris, guitarist. He wrote the No.2 Billboard hit, ‘The Rapper’, with the Jaggerz in 1970 and was a member of Wild Cherry who had the 1976 US No.1 & UK No.7 single ‘Play That Funky Music’. He also achieved fame as a solo artist in the early 1980s with the hit ‘Ah! Leah!’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHcYFxU4fMo