DRAGOBETE

Dragobete is a traditional Romanian holiday, celebrated on February 24. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia.

The day is known as "the day when the birds are betrothed". 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 still lies 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.

It is a common belief in some parts of Romania that, during this celebration, if you step over your partner's foot, you will have the dominant role in your relationship. Dragobete customs vary from region to region.

In neighbouring Bulgaria, the custom of stepping over one's partner's feet traditionally takes place during weddings, and with the same purpose, but it is not believed to be connected to Dragobete.

Reason to smile

How can one smile such sweet smiles,
When one is so saddened by sorrows for miles,
How can I smile the same smiles,
When life brings me nothing but tears,
I wondered for so long,
What reason you had to smile that long,
To keep smiling though troubles come,
And still remain sweet and silently overcome,
It's such a mystery to me,
Your smiles from heaven with glee,
I adore and yet envy thee,
But I'd rather you smile those at me,
I feel happy when I see you smile,
Even if I'm sad and lonely,
Your smiles bring me somewhere,
I don't even know where,
But it was you,
You gave me the reason to smile,
To smile with no reason,
To smile for a smile,
I guess life is just like that,
We need not a reason to smile,
For a smile is the reason itself,
To rejoice and open-heartedly give thanks,
I learned to smile because of you,
Because your smiles bring me joy when blue,
It proves how well and powerful,
A simple sweet smile can become so beautiful,
Smile for the sake of a smile,
Smile for the sake of happiness,
Smile for the sake of life,
Smile because of hope left in life,
Smile my friends,
Smile for me my Love,
Smile those same sweet smiles,

Smile so the world can be a peaceful dove...

FOR A DEAR SMILE !

Because existence can become severe
in one day,
just sense me and I'll be there.
In the minds eye,
I'm not so far away.
If you hold out your hand,
in the whispers,
I'll become the zephyr.
and besiege you.
If your eye's upon the stars,
in the crystalline darkness,
I'll become the moon.
And the light shall guide you.
If you rest upon the ground,
in the warmth,
I'll become the grass.
And embrace you.
If you turn outside,
in the wetness,
I'll become the rain.
An upon your forehead, kiss you.
If you free the air,
in the light of day,
I'll become the sun.
And smile for you.

Between the miles-
if you need me.
If you need a friend.
Let me be the friend, I want to be.

(Thank you for this lovely smile )

BRIDGES JOIN LIVES

“Build bridges instead of walls and you will have a friend.”“Words build bridges into unexplored regions.”“Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers.”“Being nice is one of many bridges on the road to Happiness.”“Love builds bridges where there are none.”“Never burn your bridges till you come to them”

My puppy

Now I lay me down to sleep,

The king-size bed is soft and deep..

I sleep right in the center groove

My human being can hardly move!

I've trapped his legs, he's tucked in tight

And here is where I pass the night

No one disturbs me or dares intrude

Till morning comes and "I want food!"

I sneak up slowly to begin

my nibbles on my human's chin.

He wakes up quickly,

I have sharp teeth-

I'm a puppy, don't you see?

For the morning's here

and it's time to play

I always seem to get my way.

So thank you Lord for giving me

This human person that I see.

The one who hugs and holds me tight

And shares his bed with me at night!

(for Mike and his puppies )

My Dear Child -The International Children's Day

If I could I would remove all your fears
If I could I would remove all your tears
If I could I would make life painless
If I could I would give you all your courage

Like a deck of cards you must learn to deal with life as it is dealt
You must hold your chin up and walk tall
Let no one ever force you to be shorter than you really are
Stand tall, Stand strong, and your strength will guide you

If I could I would remove all your fears
If I could I would remove all your tears
If I could I would make life painless
If I could I would give you all your courageI will always be by your side even if you can’t see me

I will always be in your heart even if you can’t feel me
Listen in the wind and you will hear my whispers and feel my hand
Stand tall, Stand strong, and your strength will guide you

If I could I would remove all your fears
If I could I would remove all your tears
If I could I would make life painless
If I could I would give you all your courage

My child you are so a very big part of me
I feel when you are sad, hurt when you are hurt, and smile when you smile
As years move on and so will you
Remember my love, Stand tall, Stand strong, and your strength will guide you

The 1st of May

"Winds of May, that dance on the sea,
Dancing a ring-around in glee
From furrow to furrow, while overhead
The foam flies up to be garlanded,
In silvery arches spanning the air,
Saw you my true love anywhere?
Welladay! Welladay!
For the winds of May!
Love is unhappy when love is away!"

MAINTENANT JE SAIS - NOW I KNOW

Spring in Japan ( pictures from my friend,Akemi)

Fleur de cerisier

Une femme triste erre les bords de l'etang.Elle se voit jeune encore,mais sans joie,sans espoir,car elle n'a pas d'enfant.
Elle implore Kwannon,la Divine Bonte;elle allume un cierge et depose une poupee en offrande ,symbole du desir de son coeur.Et bientot elle sent battre les flots de la vie dans son sein.Un fils,plus beau que la fleur du cerisier,lui sourit au printemps.Sa vie n'est plus qu'un nid harmonieux ou gazouille un oiseau.Un petit etre adore qui rit,qui court,qui joue.C'est elle qui lui dit en jouant,en chantant ,les graves lecons de l'Empire des Dieux,du Japon venere.
Et l'enfant apprends bien.Il fait l'orgueil de sa mere.Mais du fond des plaines sombres et glaciales un souffle de mort parvient jusqu'aux iles fleuries du Japon.Le Dragon herisse de pisques et le lances avance vers les bords de la mer du Japon.Mais l'enfant du Japon, frele et legere fleur,saura bien resister.
Le jeune garcon monte vers le temple de Kwannon,aupres de sa mere,qui,fiere,ne verse pas une larme.Il allume un cierge et il sort sur la haute terrasse jeter un regard sur l'etang et la ville.C'est l'epoque des cerisiers.Une belle fleur de cerisier rose vient de tomber a ses pieds.Il la ramasse et sourit:"Ma mere , c'est bon signe!Moi aussi je tomberai sans etre fane,comme cette fleur".
Et il part defendre sa patrie cherie.Sa mere ne l'a plue revu.
Chaque printemps,au Japon,les cerisiers sont en fleurs,fleurs toujours pretes a tomber sans etre fanees.
Un petale de ces fleurs est entre dans mon coeur.C'est pourquoi j'ai pu dechiffrer les signes et le mystere de la renaissance est devenu tranparent.

JAPAN IN SPRING

TWELVE ROSES

The first red rose
Sent out of season
The second red rose
Sent for no reason
The third red rose
Sent for happiness and health
The fourth red rose
Sent for gaining life's wealth
The fifth red rose
Sent for gaining new friends
The sixth red rose
Sent for guiding you through life's bends
The seventh red rose
Sent for praying you never tire
The eighth red rose
Sent for giving you all of your desire's
The ninth red rose
Sent for your happiness in love
The tenth red rose
Sent for hoping I'm your turtledove
The eleventh red rose
Sent for igniting passion and fire
The twelve red rose
Sent for hoping I'm your desire
And................................................

A BEST FRIEND

A best friend
is always there,
whether you need advice,
or a pep talk,
or even a shoulder to cry on.
A best friend
listens with her heart
and is always honest with you,
even though the truth
may not be
what you want to hear.
A best friend
knows all your secrets,
understands your fears
shares your dreams.
A best friend
never stops believing in you
even if you give up
on yourself.
you are
that kind of friend
to me.
And no matter what happens,
you always will be.
You are my best friend....
my forever friend.

ROSES AND FRIENDS

Celebrate Dragobete on the 24th of February

Dagobete is the Romanian protector of love, celebrated on the 24th of February. He is the patron of pure love and good will. Dragobete is identified with Cupid, the Roman god of love and with his Greek counterpart, Eros. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia and part of his name, "drag" (dear) is found in the word "dragoste" (love).
During the day, considered locally the first day of spring, the boys and girls pick up spring flowers and sing together. The unmelted snow still present in many villages used to be collected and the water obtained used as a magic potion by young girls during the year.
Dragobete' is a traditional Romanian holiday, celebrated on February 24. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia.
The day is known as "the day when the birds are getting engaged". This day is supposed to protect one from the fever which produces shivers and illness. If the weather allows it, girls and boys are supposed to pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for someone they are courting. Dragobete is also known as being the day of lovers for Romanians.
A common belief (in some parts of Romania) during this celebration is that if one steps over his/her partner's foot, he/she will have the dominating role in their relationship. The usual activities for this custom vary from region to region.
In neighbouring Bulgaria, the custom of stepping over the partner's feet is traditionally performed at weddings with the same purpose, but it is not believed to be connected to Dragobete.

VALENTINE'S DAY

VALENTINE'S DAY IN ROMANIA

‘When love is not madness, it is not love’ ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca—quite ideally therefore Valentine's Day is the time to celebrate this madness, to lionize the very feeling of being in love. Valentine's Day which is typically observed in the 14th of February every year, is the occasion of sheer ardor; it is time to reflect the deep passion whilst shaping up those unspoken words. Throughout the ages, all over the world Valentine's Day is observed with much cheer and enthusiasm.
The unique Romanian traits of celebrating the Valentine's Day in Romania with immense color, magic, dazzle and finesse makes Romania the most sought after destination during this time of the year. The rich culture, ethnicity and the pristine natural beauty of Romania makes the season of love truly romantic.
Romania, the South-West European country, idealizes the typical British aura in the celebration of the Valentine day in Romania which is perfectly the carnival of sharing and caring; the very fete of feeling the verve of love in the pulse. However, it is not on the 14th day of February when Romania celebrates the lovers day rather it is through the traditional celebration of Dragobete, on the 24th day of February, the Romanians celebrates the day of love with colossal passion. The seethe of rose, the thump of exchanging gifts and the effervescence of the day fills the air whilst making it an ideal time to shape those untold words.
Although traditionally 24th February is typically the Valentine Day in Romania, in the recent times the populace of Romania has started observing the 14th day of February as the Valentine's Day.

Melancolia este fericirea de a fi trist

Cine se cauta pe sine gaseste lumea.Cine cauta lumea se gaseste pe sine.
Acesta este un blog de urgente intime.
O modesta floare secreta , poate fi mai bogata in saracia ei decat cel mai pretios trandafir.Ea iti aminteste ca,daca destinul nu depinde de tine,numai de tine depinde ce faci cu ceea ce iti da destinul.
Nu exista desavarsire.Exista drumul spre ea.Nu exista glorie durabila,onoruri stabile.Exista idealul sau.
Melancolia este fericirea de a fi trist.
Soarele rasare umed din valuri si apune in valuri.Azi ca si maine.Maine ca si ieri.Zilele trec si in fiecare zi traiesti in eternitate.Te poti bucura de orice,de soare,de ploaie,de linia tarmului,de oamenii galagiosi si veseli,caraghiosi si frumosi pe care-i vezi de departe.Totul e sa te multumesti cu atat,sa traiesti la nivelul senzatiilor,sa nu-ti mai pui intrebari,sa nu auzi pe nimeni strigand "Chi vuol esser lieto sia..."sa vezi numai gesturile ,copii care se stropesc ,o femeie care danseaza pe nisip.O incertitudine sau o boala ascunsa secera elanurile in acest univers care are ceva din fragilitatea inceputului de toamna,la mare,cand soarele incalzeste plaja goala,iar linistea poate fi orice,impacare,regret,convalescenta luminoasa.
Melancolia n-are nevoie sa vada florile ofilite ca sa ramana pe ganduri.Maine nu se stie ce va fi.
Maine vom vedea ce va ma fi.
Nu ma lamentez pentru a fi compatimita,ci pentru a-mi da curaj,singurul mod de a fi mai tare decat nefericirea fiind acela de a o privi in fata.
Bucuria mea este melancolia.
Dincolo de orice mare e o mlastina.Inoti,inoti,inoti,pentru ce?
Totul imbatraneste,pana si nefericirea.Si nu exista oare o tacere de dincolo de cuvinte,asa cum exista una dinainte de cuvinte.
Traim intr-un secol care nu mai are rabdare sa asculte, si de altfel ce sa ne spuna tacerea cand,adeseori,nici macar strigatele nu mai reusesc sa se faca auzite.
Sunt doar atata cat reusiti sa vedeti dim mine.
De aceea surad.
O zi de dragoste valoreaza mai mult decat eternitatea si "putinul" trait mai mult decat "totul" visat.
Exista o prapastie intre singuratatea voita si singuratea impusa.Prima te apropie de tine insuti.Cea de a doua nu face decat sa te indeparteze de altii.Prima daruie.Cea de a doua frusteaza.Prima e foarte aproape de un inceput de drum.Cea de a doua e foarte aproape de un mormant.
CHI VUOL ESSER LIETO......MAINE VOM VEDEA CE VA MAI FI.

(pentru Dani,din tot sufletul)