Today I pulled out all of my Christmas decorations and as I pulled out the old bulbs and bent Christmas cards from years gone by Icould not help but feel nostalgic.
The smallest box in the bunch is a box that holds the most precious of Christas decorations.
This box hold the Christmas decorations that my children made at school for the past twenty one years.
Every year I am amazed how the construction paper and glitter holds on to the glue as if saying," Because you keep us year after year we continue to shine and make you smile and cry. "
I look at the tiny ornament of Noah's ark with the tiny giraffe poking his head out.
I have had that ornament since my son who is now 21 was a baby.
I was working as a hairdresser and one of my customers gave it to my son for his first Christmas.
I can still see his little chubby fingers pointing at the ornament and the look of wonder that I never wanted to see leave his face.
I unpack the ornaments that my husbands son made in first grade.
His smiling face looking out from our tree.
I placed these ornaments on our first tree together before meeting him in person.
As I make this Christmas a traditonal one at my house I can't help but wonder how My ancestor John May and his family spent this blessed holiday.
Perhaps the beginning of the Christmas holiday would start with a ring of Holly placed on the front door.
This traditon originated in Ireland because of the availability of Holly in the area and this made it possible for the poor to adorn their door with holiday spirit.
Four weeks leading to Christmas (Advent)The annual event of cleaning house takes place which included white washing the outhouse.
On Christmas Eve it has been tradition in Ireland for centuries to place a lighted candle in the window of a house for many purposes, the most common through the ages is in a symbol for Joseph and Mary as they traveled looking for shelter.
During the times that Catholics were forbiden or even killed for practicing their faith a candle in the window indicated a safe place for a priest to perform mass.
Another element of the tradition is the youngest daughter named Mary extinguishes the flame on the candle.
Another Christmas Eve tradition is that of the Laden Table.
After the evening meal is cleared away before leaving for midnight mass the table is set again with a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, and a pitcher of milk.
The door to the house is left unlatched this night to invite Mary and Joseph or any guest or weary traveler.
A typical Irish Christmas table could be filled with a nice fat Goose, with plenty of Potato and apple dressing.
For dessert Plum pudding or sweet cake.
December 26, is St. Stephens day which is named for a christian martyr which would bring the leftovers from the Christmas meal and give to the poor.
Spiced beef is usually served on this day.
Another tradition evolves around the wren and the " Wren boy procession"
where families would dress in old clothes and blacken their faces.
They would go from house to house carrying a stick with a holly branch and a dead wren attached.
This tradition comes from a story from ancient times where the wren betrayed locals who were trying to ambush the soldiers coming to take their village.
The Christmas holiday does not end until January 6 which is also known as Epiphany or " Little Christmas" .
This is when all the decorations come down and not a minute before to avoid bad luck.
January 6 is the day that the wisemen came to stand near the crib of baby Jesus.,
" Little Christmas" is also known as Womens Christmas.
This is the day that the women have the day off from all the preparations and cooking.
The food that day consists mainly of baked goods such as scones, cream, Jam, gingerbread, iced sponge cakes and pots of Tea.
Among the many traditions that struck me the most was a favored Christmas song on everyone's lips this time of year.
" The twelve days of Christmas " Is said to of originated in Ireland when it was a crime to practice the Catholic faith in any fashion.
Music has always been an huge part of Irish/Gaelic life and it came naturally to create a song to teach young children "catechism".
The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teaxching of faith,
The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God, The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.
A Partridge in a pear tree= Jesus Christ, the son of God
Two Turtle doves= The old & new testaments
Three French Hens= Faith, Hope & Charity, the theological virtues
Four Calling Birds= The four gospels and or the four Evangelists
Five Golden Rings= The first five books of the Old Testaments
Six Geese a Laying= Six days of Creation
Seven Swans a swiming= The seven gifts of the holy spirit, the Seven sacraments
Eight maids a milking= The eight Beautudes
Nine Ladies dancing= The nine fruits of the Holy spirit
Ten Lords a leeping= The Ten Commandments
Eleven Pipers Piping= The eleven faithful disciples
Twelve drummers drumming= The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles creed.
In closing, I am proud of my Irish roots and treasure each of these traditions.
Showing posts with label Irish Immigrants to Texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irish Immigrants to Texas. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thoughts about my Granny's linen tablecloth
When I was a little girl every Sunday or maybe it just seemed like it,My parents and I would go to church with my Granny at the Cathedral catholic church and then we would all meet up at my Granny's house for Sunday lunch.
My cousins and I would run in and out of my Granny's tiny little house and do as much damage as possible to our " good clothes ". My Granny would serve up hams, baked chicken, and of course her famous mouth watering Roast. My Aunts would help with the side dishes and my mother always did the dishes and set the table. The men would sit around and discuss city politics and cars. My uncle would complain about his crew at work and my Dad would sit and listen to my mother's family loudly bond in their own strange way that some families do.
When the meal was ready my Granny would come into the dining room a pull her pristine white linen tablecloth out of her beautiful buffet and spread the tablecloth on her table. She always gave the table a few swipes as to smooth any wrinkles out.
I would watch as the look on my Granny's face changed. She seemed to be pleased with herself as if everything was perfect after the tablecloth went on. Maybe she was thinking of times gone by when her children were young or when my Grandfather was still alive. Or maybe she was just pleased that she owned a fine linen tablecloth.
I lost my Granny several years ago.
She died while I was involved in a series of bad decisions about my life. I miss her every day and the wisdom she possessed so effortlessly. I can honestly say that I did not appreciate that fine linen tablecloth that I would wipe my grimy little hands on.
Today I am thinking of that tablecloth and pondering the life of John May.
His involvement with the Linen process seemed to be so unmistakably significant.
I believe that I have pinpointed the area of Drumgath and possibly Rathfriland in county down Ireland as the area that he grew Flax.
Irish linen in my opinion makes the most beautiful tablecloths. The process of making linen before 1830 was labor intensive. Many times the process of growing the Flax seed to make linen was a family affair because it took everyone to process the Flax.
Men usually planted the seed while the women, girls and older women picked weeds and helped with the harvest. Harvesting was a very delicate process because it's important to retain as much of the stem as possible. The stems were bundled up and the women would carry them to fields to spread out and dry in the sun. After the stems were dried the seeds were removed for future harvests or fed to the cattle or made into linseed oil. The next step was called Retting which was mens work as it was not very pleasant. The stems were placed in a pond or dammed are of a waterway. The decomposing smell of the plants was a smell that was very distinguishable in the rural areas. This process helped to separate the valuable fibres from the core of the stem. In 10 days the heavy soaked stems were removed from the pond.
The next step in the process is called Scutching & Hackling where the stems are laid out in the field to dry. After they are dried the men would beat the stems with a wooden mallet or blade to sperate and clean the flax fires, the end result was a tangled bunch of fibres. Then the hackling began with a tool that would basiclly comb the fibres and making them soft and ready for spinning.
Spinning was the next step was always done by the women. This is where the term "Spinster" came from. The spinning was done on a low Irish wheel which was kept in motion by a foot treadele and produced bobbins of yarn and then taken and boiled in soapy water and then dried.
The yarn was Transferred to a loom to be woven into a cloth that was a brownish color. The weaving process for the cloth was done by men.
The tradional method of bleaching was to boil the cloth in a solution of water and ashes, seaweed, or fermented bran. The cloth was risnsed and spread over grass to dry in the sun. After drying it was steeped in buttermilk, rinsed and the process repeated several times.
The last step is Beetling which involves pounding the cloth with a mallet to close up the weave. This last step in the process is what gives Irish linen its dense sheen.
I think of my Granny's beautiful smile and contagious laughter and all the great meals and holidays spent at her little house. When I think of all the spills on that beautiful linen tablecloth yet she brought it out meal after meal. Maybe she thought we were worth it.
Now that I know how hard John May and his family worked in the linen process I have even more respect for him. I am facinated by his drive and I hope to channel some of that for the completion of this book.
My cousins and I would run in and out of my Granny's tiny little house and do as much damage as possible to our " good clothes ". My Granny would serve up hams, baked chicken, and of course her famous mouth watering Roast. My Aunts would help with the side dishes and my mother always did the dishes and set the table. The men would sit around and discuss city politics and cars. My uncle would complain about his crew at work and my Dad would sit and listen to my mother's family loudly bond in their own strange way that some families do.
When the meal was ready my Granny would come into the dining room a pull her pristine white linen tablecloth out of her beautiful buffet and spread the tablecloth on her table. She always gave the table a few swipes as to smooth any wrinkles out.
I would watch as the look on my Granny's face changed. She seemed to be pleased with herself as if everything was perfect after the tablecloth went on. Maybe she was thinking of times gone by when her children were young or when my Grandfather was still alive. Or maybe she was just pleased that she owned a fine linen tablecloth.
I lost my Granny several years ago.
She died while I was involved in a series of bad decisions about my life. I miss her every day and the wisdom she possessed so effortlessly. I can honestly say that I did not appreciate that fine linen tablecloth that I would wipe my grimy little hands on.
Today I am thinking of that tablecloth and pondering the life of John May.
His involvement with the Linen process seemed to be so unmistakably significant.
I believe that I have pinpointed the area of Drumgath and possibly Rathfriland in county down Ireland as the area that he grew Flax.
Irish linen in my opinion makes the most beautiful tablecloths. The process of making linen before 1830 was labor intensive. Many times the process of growing the Flax seed to make linen was a family affair because it took everyone to process the Flax.
Men usually planted the seed while the women, girls and older women picked weeds and helped with the harvest. Harvesting was a very delicate process because it's important to retain as much of the stem as possible. The stems were bundled up and the women would carry them to fields to spread out and dry in the sun. After the stems were dried the seeds were removed for future harvests or fed to the cattle or made into linseed oil. The next step was called Retting which was mens work as it was not very pleasant. The stems were placed in a pond or dammed are of a waterway. The decomposing smell of the plants was a smell that was very distinguishable in the rural areas. This process helped to separate the valuable fibres from the core of the stem. In 10 days the heavy soaked stems were removed from the pond.
The next step in the process is called Scutching & Hackling where the stems are laid out in the field to dry. After they are dried the men would beat the stems with a wooden mallet or blade to sperate and clean the flax fires, the end result was a tangled bunch of fibres. Then the hackling began with a tool that would basiclly comb the fibres and making them soft and ready for spinning.
Spinning was the next step was always done by the women. This is where the term "Spinster" came from. The spinning was done on a low Irish wheel which was kept in motion by a foot treadele and produced bobbins of yarn and then taken and boiled in soapy water and then dried.
The yarn was Transferred to a loom to be woven into a cloth that was a brownish color. The weaving process for the cloth was done by men.
The tradional method of bleaching was to boil the cloth in a solution of water and ashes, seaweed, or fermented bran. The cloth was risnsed and spread over grass to dry in the sun. After drying it was steeped in buttermilk, rinsed and the process repeated several times.
The last step is Beetling which involves pounding the cloth with a mallet to close up the weave. This last step in the process is what gives Irish linen its dense sheen.
I think of my Granny's beautiful smile and contagious laughter and all the great meals and holidays spent at her little house. When I think of all the spills on that beautiful linen tablecloth yet she brought it out meal after meal. Maybe she thought we were worth it.
Now that I know how hard John May and his family worked in the linen process I have even more respect for him. I am facinated by his drive and I hope to channel some of that for the completion of this book.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The beginning of my adventure
This book started out being about a nameless family from Ireland that settled in the Gulf coast of Texas around 1840.
When my mother brought the binder over containing information on my Irish ancestors I had no idea just how obsessive I would become with everything Irish and the life of John May and his wife Mary Riley May.
After six months of wasting my time searching geneology records incorrectly I finally settled down and put my mind in first gear for I was motivated!
I want to share the research because I truly believe for a Historical fiction novel to be believable and compelling you must get the research right.
The Irish culture faccinated this spoiled, pop culture brain soaked slug to the point that I felt I had to share it with any one that cared to read.
The first thing that captured my heart and mind so strongly was the passenger ships.
The voyage to America could last 63 horrific days or more.
I cannot imagine being on a ship for 63 minutes much less 63 days.
Many immigrants died during the travel to the land of hope.
Children were born on these " Death Ships" as they were so eloquently called.
So many people looking for a better life and risking their lives to make it happen.
As I searched through the many passenger lists from the 1800s a few
interesting facts stood out to me.
A young single girl from 12 years old or older would be called a spinster.
Many of the records will show the husband and not even name the wife by her given name, instead she is listed as wife.
A man without enough money or goods on board was written in as a laborer.
I once read in a book somewhere can't remember who said it but its so true.
" You cannot know who you are until you uncover where you came from"
Here are a few links that I found quite helpful in my search.
http://www.cyndislist.com/ships.htm Cyndies list.com
ttp://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ote/ships/ The Olive Tree Geneology
http://www.slpl.org/slpl/gateways/article240117840.asp St. Louis Public Library
When my mother brought the binder over containing information on my Irish ancestors I had no idea just how obsessive I would become with everything Irish and the life of John May and his wife Mary Riley May.
After six months of wasting my time searching geneology records incorrectly I finally settled down and put my mind in first gear for I was motivated!
I want to share the research because I truly believe for a Historical fiction novel to be believable and compelling you must get the research right.
The Irish culture faccinated this spoiled, pop culture brain soaked slug to the point that I felt I had to share it with any one that cared to read.
The first thing that captured my heart and mind so strongly was the passenger ships.
The voyage to America could last 63 horrific days or more.
I cannot imagine being on a ship for 63 minutes much less 63 days.
Many immigrants died during the travel to the land of hope.
Children were born on these " Death Ships" as they were so eloquently called.
So many people looking for a better life and risking their lives to make it happen.
As I searched through the many passenger lists from the 1800s a few
interesting facts stood out to me.
A young single girl from 12 years old or older would be called a spinster.
Many of the records will show the husband and not even name the wife by her given name, instead she is listed as wife.
A man without enough money or goods on board was written in as a laborer.
I once read in a book somewhere can't remember who said it but its so true.
" You cannot know who you are until you uncover where you came from"
Here are a few links that I found quite helpful in my search.
http://www.cyndislist.com/ships.htm Cyndies list.com
ttp://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ote/ships/ The Olive Tree Geneology
http://www.slpl.org/slpl/gateways/article240117840.asp St. Louis Public Library
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