Today is Dragobete, a traditional Romanian holiday celebrated on February 24. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia, which stands for the main person in the myth related to spring arrival and the end of the harsh winter. Due to his endless kindness he was chosen – according to some sources, by Virgin Mary – to be the Guardian of Love.
The day is particularly known as “the day when the birds are betrothed”. It’s said that If boys don’t meet the girl they like, they will have really bad luck for the rest of the year. It is around this time that the birds begin to build their nests and mate. On this day, considered locally the first day of spring, boys and girls gather vernal flowers and sing together. Maidens used to collect the snow that lay on the ground in many villages and then melt it, using the water in magic potions throughout the rest of the year. Those who take part in Dragobete customs are supposed to be protected from illness, especially fevers, for the rest of the year. If the weather allows, girls and boys pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for the person they are courting. In Romania, Dragobete is known as a day for lovers, rather like Valentine’s Day.
Cary Elwes and Robin Wright – then and now
A Scotsman who was planning a trip to the Holy Land was aghast when he learned that it would cost sixty dollars an hour to rent a boat on the Sea of Galilee.
“In Scotland it wouldn’t have been more than twenty,” said the Scotsman.
“True,” said the travel agent. “But the Sea of Galilee is water on which Jesus himself walked.”
The Scotsman said, “Well, at sixty dollars an hour for a boat, it’s no wonder he walked!”
SOLAR COLLECTORS
On this day in 1997, the Spice Girls won best single with ‘Wannabe’ at the Brit Awards held in London. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLIiF15wjQ
