Happy Boxing Day! We are finally getting a little of the white stuff. It is not supposed to amount to much, and it is not supposed to stay, but it makes for a festive Boxing Day.
If this (from Wikipedia) does not put you in the holiday mood, I’m not sure what will. Those wacky Welsh!
As in most of the rest of the UK and Ireland, the day after Christmas
Day was always most significant in the day-to-day events of Wales. Some
activities that took place on this day seem peculiarly Welsh, including
that of “holly-beating” or “holming.” In this, it was customary for
young men and boys to slash the unprotected arms of female domestic
servants with holly branches until they bled. In some areas it was the
legs that were beaten. In others, it was the custom for the last person
to get out of bed in the morning to be beaten with sprigs of holly and
made to carry out all the commands of his family. On many farms, horses
and other animals were bled in a custom that was thought to be good for
the animals’ health, even increasing their stamina. These customs died
out before the end of the 19th century.
“In others, it was the custom for the last person to get out of bed in the morning to be beaten with sprigs of holly and made to carry out all the commands of his family.” The implementation of this little ritual in the Riordan Chicago household would totally work to get me out of bed and to the gym every morning.
Huh. I think Boxing Day is a FINE tradition. Starting next year. When I get out of bed first.