Ramadan is the most sacred time of the year for people of the Islamic faith.  During this month-long observance, Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset.  Fasting (sawm) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.  The others are: Profession of Faith (shahada); Prayer (salat); Alms (zakat); and Pilgrimage (hajj).

For Muslims, Ramadan is a spiritual time to pray, study the Quran, reflect on one's relationship with Allah/God, and give to others.  It is also a time to celebrate with loved ones.

Ramadan coincides with the cycle of the new moon, and falls in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, marking the first revelation of the holy book, the Quran, to the prophet Muhammad.

Islamic belief states that Allah forgives the sins of those who pray and fast with faithful intentions.  Muslims from puberty age through adult are required to fast from dawn to dusk.  This does not apply to people with certain medical conditions, the elderly, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.  

Fasting during Ramadan does not mean that Muslims do not eat or drink anything the entire time.  They are able to eat an evening meal, called Iftar, after the sun goes down and a morning meal, called Suhoor, before dawn.

The Holy Month of Ramadan ends when the crescent moon is seen in Mecca on the 29th day.  If it is not, then an additional day is included, making the observance last a full 30 days.  The day after Ramadan ends, Muslims celebrate with a festival called Eid-al-Fitr, meaning "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast."

Observing Ramadan

If you are not a Muslim, but want to support friends and family who are, it is a good time to learn more about the culture and the Islamic faith.  Non-Muslims are free to fast, pray, and reflect during Ramadan.  Charitable acts and helping those in need are other ways to observe.  Greet those observing Ramadan by saying "Ramadan Eid kareem"or "Ramadan Eid mubarak" - both give good wishes and blessings for Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr.  

- Barbara

Saint George's Day is celebrated on April 23, the anniversary of his death.  The patron saint of England was though tot be a knight who slew a dragon and saved a princess.   However, historical records indicate that George was not English, was not a knight, and most likely never visited England.  

There wasn't a dragon either.

​Still, George was a martyr, and became the patron of many things - including soldiers, farmers, and sufferers of the plague.

​- Barbara

Celebrating our precious Mother Earth today and every day!

Happy Easter!

​Good Friday is the day Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  It is one of the most solemn and holiest days in Christianity.

​The Jewish festival of Passover is one of the most important in Judaism.  During this eight day celebration, Jewish people remember how Moses freed the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians.

Passover 2020 starts in the evening on April 8th and runs until the evening of April 16th.

​Palm Sunday is the Sunday before eEaster and the start of Holy Week, the most sacred time in Christianity.  It celebrates the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, where his followers lined his path with palm branches to welcome him.

​The true origin of April Fools'Day isn't really known, but it is celebrated around the world.  It's a day when people play pranks or practical jokes on others.

In the 1600s (no joke, it has been observed for centuries), the term "April Fool" was used to describe the person who fell for the joke.  It eventually morphed to mean the prank itself.