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Go to bed early, and be nice: Saint Lucia will visit tonight, and judge if you’ve been a good kid. But don’t try to wait her awake, she’ll throw ashes in your eyes if you do. In some part of North Italy, Saint Lucia, bearer of light, is the one bringing kids gifts and presents, not Santa Claus or Baby Jesus.
Yes I grew up with her and I am perfectly fine.
This morning I went on field research for writing
In my town there is an unheated outdoor swimming pool that is open year-round. Indeed, as @frodothefair said in her comment, winter bathing is a tradition in many Nordic countries: the place was packed!!!
Today the water was 6.7°C (or 44°F for you heathens) and the air was a misty 4°C (39°F).
So... I should definitely have gone there before writing the ice bathing scene in Cold hands, warm heart! But it wasn't my very first experience bathing in "fresh" conditions, although it was my coldest ever by a couple degrees at least. I'm happy to say that the experience mostly fit what I pictured as I was writing!
A few extra impressions:
Before and after bathing, the worst is the feet. Even scantily clad, the air is not that bad, if you've moved a bit before. But the FEET, in contact with cold water on the hard ground, are in pain. It would be excruciating in the snow! Next time I must bring water shoes.
It's really interesting to experience a culture where nudity is really no big deal! Everyone naked in the changing rooms, bare butts all around in the communal showers! My partner who is from a very private culture was shocked and amused. Like a Grimbold at the Aldburg swim hole! 😅🍑
The main way I could convince myself to jump in and stay in at first was to repeat "I am Éowyn, I am Éowyn, I am Éowyn!" Whatever works, I guess!
The main reaction of my body in the water and immediately out was not shivering, but hyperventilating and panting heavily. I had to work hard to calm my breathing! I was thinking of an ex of mine who was really into the Wim Hof method... But I'm not sure I would recommend it without medical supervision.
I was able to wade perhaps 20 meters, and after about 45 seconds I felt like I needed to get out. But as soon as I was wrapped in my towel, I felt much better, and I wanted to go back again. I went around the pool once more, maybe 30 meters, and this time was almost comfortable. Nonetheless I was glad for the warm shower waiting for me! But it was nowhere, NOWHERE as bad as I would have expected.
My partner was NOT able to stay that long in the water. He was in and out, and then he wanted to go back in because he saw me swim and his ego couldn't leave it at that. His second try was not much more successful. 🤭
This is something I've observed many times: guys are quick to go in, but can't stand it long, whereas women are more affected by the initial shock (it HURTS, okay), but then are able to stay for a good while longer. And this is why I wrote Éowyn taking her time and toughing it out, but surfer-bro Éomer jumping in and running out swearing!
To be fair, men tend to have less body fat than women. I'm indeed a little softer around the edges than my partner. When I was in Mexico, this earned me the nickname of "beluga" amongst marine biologists, because I cannot tan, and I could withstand frigid waters (frigid to them, we're talking 22°C/72°F).
Overall it was FUN! The feeling of euphoria is real! I'd definitely do it again, especially that it's a 2km run from where I live, which is perfect to get warmed up before and after. A new winter tradition for me!
Okay, I'm off to make hokshoklet!
Wintery divider by @quillofspirit
Season of the Witch: La Befana the Christmas Witch
Do you believe in Christmas witches? If you ever spot an elderly woman gliding across the winter sky on a broom with a sack of presents, there is no need to fear. You have just glimpsed Italy’s beloved Christmas witch, La Befana, as she spreads her unique sparkle of holiday magic. Wrapped in simple garments and a humble headscarf, she carries a basket or sack filled with sweet treats for…
📚Going to make a mincemeat pie! And I can use that for a tradition Anthea’s family does too, because mincemeat pies were invented in the 13th century, during the crusades and she’s mainly based in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. I’ve had mince pies before, but not mincemeat. Same thing, but with beef or lamb in it. I highly recommend at least mince pies, if you’ve never had one! I bought a pack of mini ones at World Market where I live. I’m excited to make my own! Gonna use lard in the crust. I got a store bought jar of mincemeat pie filling.
261K Followers, 1,279 Following, 528 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Ashley Suszczynski (@maskedtraditions)
Loving this account
Caretos of Lazarim, Portugal
for Meg, cause you're having a hard week <33 @ellie-licious
now on ao3 here
-
"What the fuck is a snowman?"
Joel blinks, fingers still curled around the cup he just set down. It's early November and the universe has decided to fuck her over by sending Jackson one snow-heavy cloud after the other, topped off with an early overnight snow storm that left them with several inches of snow. The last few days have been rough for both of them, her nightmares crawling out from their hiding places like bloodhounds finding a promising trail, and Ellie has abandoned her bed for his with the first dusting of snow; her sheets are starting to collect dust.
She presses her hot cocoa closer to her chest to feel the warmth seep through her sweatshirt and the two layers of clothing beneath them, not that she needs them while inside, but it gives her a sense of protection, an armor to wear. Her plan for today is, well, was apparently, to curl up with Joel on the couch and either try to catch up on the sleep she is missing with the daylight ready to keep her vampiric memories away, or watch one movie after the other until she passes out from sheer exhaustion. Joel, however, is oddly motivated to get her distracted outside of the house rather than inside, and suggested making a snowman once the coffee machine stopped gurgling behind him on the counter.
"You have never built a snowman?"
"Joel, have you ever seen a FEDRA soldier that isn't allergic to everything remotely fun?"
He snorts, sipping his coffee with a smile tugging on his lips, and she tries to swallow enough of his happiness to replace hers, bits and pieces of it gradually disappearing into the cold.
"A snowman is pretty much what it says on the tin, you roll up a bunch of big snowballs, stack them on top of each other and give it a face."
Ellie tries to imagine it, blurry memories of her very first visit to Jackson scratching somewhere at the back of her mind, and while she can't come up with a satisfying enough picture, she's sure her creativity will make up for it. Then, the last part of Joel's sentence fully sinks in, and she surprises herself with the ball of excitement that makes her bounce, almost spilling her cocoa down the front of her shirt.
"A face, you say? Any face?"
Joel is very, very glad the mischievous glint in her eyes has found a different victim today.
The next five minutes are a messy rush as they wiggle themselves into their winter clothing and tie up their boots, almost tripping over each other more than once when Ellie is incapable of standing still, idea blooming in her head. Yesterday, the cold draft alone made her flinch, but when she rips open the door now, gloved up and with a beanie pulled deep into her face, the sting of snowflakes on her cheeks is powerless against her excitement.
Joel shows her how to form proper snowballs, not satisfied until he approves them as 'structurally sound', whatever the fuck that is supposed to mean, and once she gets the hang of it, her ambition rises to the sky. They spend over two hours rolling and pressing together an almost life-sized snow person, with Joel doing the heavy lifting and Ellie carving out more details and giving helpful instructions.
"To the left, no, my left Joel not yours. Lower, it's lopsided now, Joel I said left, are you deaf?"
He stops, snowball, well, snow boulder at this point, really, dangerously balanced against his hip.
"Right, yeah, you are. Still no excuse for sloppy work though," she continues, not the least bit apologetic, and her cheeks hurt with the smile frozen onto her face, Joel's eyes brimming with an adoration that makes her blush.
They are finally done around lunch time, only noticing they missed it when the first people start to trickle back to their houses, heads turning when they pass their front yard. The sky stayed a piercing blue all morning, not a single snowflake in sight anymore, and when she presses herself against Joel's side as tightly as she can with with half a person of fabric between them, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her in, she no longer needs his happiness to stay warm, brimming with her own. Joel nudges her hat to the side so he can press a kiss to their temple as they admire their piece of art.
The real fun happens a few seconds later, though, when familiar footsteps come up behind them.
"What- Joel what the fuck is that my jacket?"
The snowman is exactly as tall as Tommy, facial features intricately carved by Ellie, a threadbare black blanket imitating his hair, and, to top it all off, Ellie may or may not have stolen some of his brother's clothes to make it as true of an imitation of Tommy as a bunch of snow and stones can be. She turns around, still holding onto Joel, and the stunned look on Tommy's face melts away when he sees the smile on hers.
"He was cold, Tommy, and besides, it suits him way better than you."
Maybe winter isn't going to be so bad after all.
Start of the Krampus and Perchten parade in Itter, Austria! Tis the season 🖤 This ancient mountain festival, meant to drive out the ‘devils of winter’ in early December with a ‘Perchtenlauf’ or parade of these devil like creatures through the centre of villages. Originating in central Europe and carried down across the centuries, it’s a tradition strongly associated with the Alpine regions and the midwinter need to drive out bad souls.
