Awaiting the #NORAD coverage of Santa’s trip!!

Happy Holidays

I’d like to wish a happy birthday to everyone celebrating in the month of December!

Many homes in Finland come equipped with their own sauna, and at Christmas time this cosy spot becomes a sacred space associated with long dead ancestors. On Christmas Eve, it's customary to strip naked and take a long and respectful stint in the sauna, which is also believed to be home to the legendary sauna 'elf'. After the sauna session, Finns head out to the evening celebrations - while spirits of those ancestors take their place in the bubbling water.

#satire

I don’t put up a tree for the holiday anymore, but I do decorate my basement window, which is eye level for children walking on the sidewalk in front of my home (I decorate the window for all holidays). Here is the daytime shot. It’s all twinkling and colorful at night!

Belfana, the witch in Italy:
Forget Santa and December 25th when in Italy, as all the action takes place on the eve of 5th January. According to folklore, an old woman named Belfana visits all the children of Italy to fill their stockings with candy and leave them presents if they've been good. Just like Father Christmas, Belfana enters through the chimney and is left treats by the children who live there - typically wine and local delicacies.

One of the more unique festive traditions comes from Iceland, where a giant cat is said to roam the snowy countryside at Christmas time. Traditionally, farmers would use the Yule Cat as an incentive for their workers - those who worked hard would receive a new set of clothes, but those who didn't would be devoured by the gigantic cat-like beast.

Each year in the Mexican city of Oaxaca, the days before Christmas are marked with an event known as the Night of the Radishes. Sadly, it's not a low-budget 80s horror movie, but instead a vegetable carving competition. Participants get remarkably creative, with everything from nativity scenes to fantastical monsters on display as thousands of visitors descend on the city to witness the fun.

Happy Caturday!

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The sunset two nights ago….

#mushroom
#photography
#art
I absolutely enjoy photographing mushrooms.

I am a Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) eater. Basically it’s a vegan, who doesn’t eat processed foods. So, I don’t eat those beyond meat things. Anyway, I thought I’d share what I made for a meal with family last week. This is a stuffed roasted butternut squash. #foodsofcoso

#dogsofcoso
This is Prince Axel Hemingway (Prince, for short). He is the reason I go home every night to my “Prince!” He will be 10 on April 1st. He is a lab-pit mix pup.

#catsofcoso
This is Smudge! He is one of my fur babies! He is a DSH, Russian blue grey in color, 6 years old.

#introductions
Hi! I’m Zan! I’m a boomer who thinks like GenZ (it keeps me young). I love all types of music from Rock to Classical to Jazz to Rap. I’m left leaning, politically, but not extreme. I miss the days of bipartisan discussions with work towards helping our fellow man/woman, et al. I played violin and bass clarinet as a youngster and competed on a swim team. Single mom to two great grown kids. Two grandsons. I enjoy true crime podcasts. I like art. Ask me anything else if curious. 🙃