grace & gratitude

A great people traveled from the north and west. For many, many years they moved across the land, leaving settlements in rich river valleys as others moved on. Reaching the eastern edge of the country, some of these people settled on the river later renamed the Delaware. 

Others moved north and settled in the valley of a river where the waters, like those in their original homeland, were never still. They named this river Mahicannituck and called themselves the muh-he-con-neok, the people of the waters that are never still…

Henrik Hudson Entering New York Harbor by Edward Moran

Chronicled by late-1700s Mohican historian Hendrick Aupaumut, tells the story of the people who truly discovered America, including the river valley in which we now live. 

The names of the river and valley were usurped by a man named Hudson, whose people came from the east and nearly obliterated a history that stretches back perhaps 13,000 years.

the long golden afternoon of the year

Happy Thanksgiving! Many of us are saving our revels for the weekend, but it's always the right time to appreciate the season of Thanksgiving - the third Thursday of November, as the leaves fall and darkness covers the Northern Hemisphere.

an equinox of grace & grief

“Autumn Equinox is a time – a sacred moment – for grieving our many losses, as individuals, as a culture, as Earth-Gaia. At this time we may join Demeter – and any other Mother Goddess from around the globe – in Her weeping for all that has been lost.

The Mother weeps and rages, the Daughter leaves courageously, the Old One beckons with Her wisdom and promise of transformation.” ~ Glenys Livingstone, PhD, “Autumn Equinox: Thanksgiving and Grieving,” Celebrating Seasons of the Goddess

Ninnion Tablet replica

For millennia, in Greece, this Seasonal Moment has been the holy celebration of Persephone’s descent to the Underworld, and in the earliest Goddess tradition, She descends of Her own volition to comfort the dead: the process is one of gaining of wisdom and restoring beauty – She is the Seed planted in the Earth, that will sprout again, grow to maturity and carry life into the future. 

moon feast

When it comes to Mid-Autumn Festival, Asians celebrate the mystical animal - the Jade Rabbit, also called the Moon Rabbit - a character in oriental folklore that lives on the moon with Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. 

the myth of the Moon Goddess & the Jade Rabbit

Also known as the Moon or Mooncake Festival, it is the second most important Asian festival, next to the Lunar New Year. It is mainly celebrated in China, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines - though many Asian communities around the world have grown to enjoy its festivities too. 

a traditional mid-autumn festival spread

On the day of the festival, the moon is said to be the brightest, roundest and most beautiful. Folks are encouraged to gather and celebrate together in families and communities. 

a truth giving holiday

Thanksgiving is the third in a line of problematic holidays of the fall season — holidays that may seem harmless, but that actually have a grave effect on the well-being of Native Americans. 

Thanksgiving myths vs Indigenous history

The other two are Columbus Day and Halloween. From the second Monday of October to the fourth Thursday in November, Native Americans are hammered with a barrage of racially offensive, culturally appropriative, and historically inaccurate tall tales. 

Thanksgiving Story | Smithsonian Channel

The list is extensive - Columbus Day parades, statues, speeches, and sales; offensive Halloween costumes; Pilgrim and Indian paraphernalia; and of course, all the parties, events, and classroom activities that our children are subjected to. 

diversify & decolonize Thanksgiving

2020 is a special year - in spite and despite all that has come our way - we still have much to offer up thanks for. In the midst of so much death, loss and sorrow our mournful hearts continue to hope and strive. 

A diverse & decolonized Thanksgiving to all!

This year spreading the corona virus rather than preparing the traditional Thanksgiving spread is of greater concern. Under quarantine and in isolation we are encouraged to stay home and keep it simple.

National Day of Morning [image credit: Kisha James]

In this more contemplative atmosphere we no longer are clear cut for or against the celebration of the conquest and genocide of local natives by invading colonists.

festive feasts

The holidays are officially here. Occasion for wonder | wander | women to eat out and celebrate more. As you can see from our past few blog posts, we are applying ourselves to the task!

Entrance of Ventanas at the Modern, Fort Lee NJ

Patio of Ventanas at the Modern

While our UK half was pining for more Thanksgiving celebrations, Mahala is lucky to be working at a place where they do celebrate with a special spread to celebrate the day.

mixed blessings

wonder |wander | women are always eager and excited to honor and celebrate a variety of diverse occasions, traditions or beliefs.

Back home on Negros Island

We were born and raised in a mixed household. Filipino by birth nationality. Spanish on our grand/father's side. Chinese on our grand/mother's side. Benedictine Catholic in education. Taoist in practical application.

East Coast, United States

Now that we have relocated to the western hemisphere we added the celebration of Jewish holidays as well. We are all too happy to be celebrating the new year three times each year now - on January 1, on Chinese New Year and on Rosh Hashanah.

London, United Kingdom

NYC holiday season

New York! New York! Holiday season is here again. The Big Apple is dressed to her nines. All showy and sparkly in everything she's got to offer us all.

There’s so much to see and so much to do, it seems there is never a definite answer as to where exactly your time should be spent in this massive urban jungle of eye candy overload.

Christmas at St. Pancras

While the US gears up for this year's Thanksgiving, here in the UK Christmas baubles sparkle from every commercial surface. The Kings Cross and St. Pancras complex is the overland gateway to Europe and the best known stopover in London.

Thanksgiving : truth & consequence

Last year's Thanksgiving post by wonder | wander | women seems so very far away and removed from the world we live in today.

So much has happened in the intervening year, much of which has left us astonished and astounded, bemused and bewildered, righteous and raging. A world where much has dimmed and dulled.

Happy Thanksgiving

Each year on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather for a day of feasting, football and family.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

As strangers and loved ones gather around for Thanksgiving, we recall all the wonderful times spent and shared together. 

Counting our blessings for the gift of love and companionship. Sharing happy thoughts, optimistic plans, and developing dreams with our loved ones. 

Mooncake Festival : Asia's Mid-Autumn Feast

In the Orient it is the moon that rules, with special occasions plotted on the lunar calendar. Thus the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon. For 2015 this translates to September 27 or 28 in the solar or western calendar.

An assortment of moon cakes laid out prettily.

An important part of the festival celebration is moon worship.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the Mooncake Festival. For millions of Chinese across Asia and around the world the Mid-Autumn Festival is a big deal and second only to Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. 

Houyi helplessly looking at his wife Chang'e 

flying off to the moon after she drank the elixir.

Turning Point, Hoboken NJ

If ever there was an ideal place for brunch, it is at Turning Point.

Serving breakfast, brunch and lunch every day of the week, their specialty is serving everything fresh and from scratch.

At their Hoboken, New Jersey venue there is the added treat of a grand view of the Hudson River and New York City across the water.

The Ghost of Halloween Past

Here in the US, Halloween is the harbinger of our year end holidays.

Crime scene tape was very popular this year. 

It heralds when the fall nip in the air starts to chill - leaves turn and fall away - layers thicken and we start to cover up.