A fun swim in the Geer pool and a good lunch at Grandma Jean's...
The February 2 new moon is the first evening of Adar, the twelvth month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year. It is a time of joy and renewed hope expressed during the full-moon celebration of Purim when Queen Esther courageously stepped forth to expose Haman's deceit and save her people. February 2 is also Ground Hog's Day, the midpoint between winter solstice and the spring equinox. Pagan rituals include setting out a loaf of bread and an ear of corn to entice the blessings of the goddess of swelling grain, Brigid and her white cow. Christians bless candles for "Candlemas" in honor of the day Mary first presented her son Jesus (the Light of the World) to the temple as part of her cleansing as a new mother. In New England, this is time farmer's hope their hay supplies are only half-way consumed for we are mid-way through winter.
