I-pod

Just to keep you on your toes, I give you flora on a Saturday. We were at a party and there it was, staring at me. How could I refuse? Of course, it would help to have the whole blasted thing in focus, but oh, well, it is what it is. Settings! Settings

The party was Octoberfest, and took place at my new Polish friend Ania's house. Apparently, there are 3 young Polish women in Starkville married to Americans, and one older Polish couple. We decided to get together to celebrate Mikolajki or Polish St. Nicolas day on December 6. All good kids get chocolate Santas in their shoes first thing in the morning - as long as they remember to polish them!!

Here is more on the old-days Mikolajki, from Polish Genealogical Society of America's website:

On that day in Poland, the youngsters are visited by Sw. Mikolaj. In Poland, Sw. Mikolaj is not an oversized man with red pompom topped cap, red Jacket, and riding boots. Instead, he is a saintly, more dignified figure, dressed in the regal purple and gold robe, wearing a cape and bishops hat, and carrying a crosier (a crooked staff, the symbol of his bishop station). He travels the countryside on foot, occasionally astride a white horse, blessing the children, and distributing goodies to well behaved children and swishes (rozgi) to the naughty. Sw. Mikolaj does not live at the North Pole, but up in Heaven.

by Jeffery Roberts and Klasa Doroslych

December sixth, St. Nicholas day - Dzien Swietego Mikolaja - brought a slight reprieve to gray monotonous days, especially to children, who felt that the Christmas Gwiazdka (star) - would never come. St. Nicholas was revered because of his compassion and love for orphans whom he often visited and comforted with little gifts. His name is celebrated more in some Central European countries than is Christmas itself.

The one selected to represent St. Nicholas was usually driven in a sleigh to the homes in a Polish village. He was dressed in a long white robe, wearing a tall head piece much like a bishop's mitre, a long white flowing beard, and in his hand he held the shepherd's staff.

The sound of snow bells and horses' hoofs could be heard on the cobblestone pavement, while eager young faces with their noses pressed to the window panes shouted, "he has come! he has come!" St. Nicholas entered, filling the room with not only his presence, but with his smile, the twinkle in his eye and his teasing booming voice.

He rebuked the mischievous, praised the obedient, listening to the children recite their catechism and prayers, and passed around heart shaped Pierniki, honey cookies, holy pictures and big red apples, which he produced magically from under his cloak. In case St. Nicholas could not make the visit personally, his gifts were placed under the pillow during the night, which made children and parents sleepy the next day from waiting and watching to be sure that the children were sound asleep when St. Nicholas arrived!

From the PGST News Vol. X No.4 Winter 1993 by Stan Garczynski