Meetings today at Gallows Corner on all things children & families. And it's St Andrews Day, patron saint of Scotland. The town of St Andrew’s was a popular medieval pilgrimage site where the supposed remains of the saint including a tooth, kneecap, arm and finger bone were kept. In 1870, the Archbishop of Amalfi sent a piece of the saint's shoulder blade to Scotland, where it has been ever since.

St Andrew is not just the patron saint of Scotland, he's also the patron saint of Greece, Russia, and Barbados and the patron saint of fishmongers, fishermen, women wanting to be mothers, singers, spinsters, maidens, sore throats and gout.

In Romania, young women put 41 grains of wheat under their pillow before they go to sleep. If they dream that someone is coming to steal their grains that means that they are going to get married next year. Other traditions involve pouring wax through a keyhole into cold water, with the resulting shape determining a girl's future husband's profession.

And it's Advent4.

And today's blip is of the lit candles, a symbol of welcome for the wandering Mary & Joseph as they look for somewhere to stay. And a sign of welcome for any and all who come. I wonder who will come this evening?