There are billions of people and a version of normal to go along with each one of them. No two versions are exactly the same. There will be hundreds of thousands of little things that make up your version of normal. With any luck you can find people that have close to the same idea of what normal is that you do. These are your friends. Anyone else you try to tolerate as best you can.
....
The exact definition of normal depends on who's running the asylum.
Thursday, August 18, 2022
5611 - Birthday candles - Pagan ritual
Why blow out the candles? There are several theories. I like the Pagan ritual theory.
And then there is the cake. Wikipedia has an article on it.
The last time we lit the candles on my birthday cake we had to get a permit from the fire department.
As pagan rituals go, blowing out the candles is preferable to sacrificing virgins, which are in short supply in most places, anyhow. And Ole Phat Stu is right, although it's not just going away in Germany.
I didn't have a cake this year, but I am sure there will be something sweet when the family gets together as soon as the weather dries up.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday River.
ReplyDeleteNo cakes or candles for me in many a long year.
Blowing over the cake to put out candles has almost disappeared here in Germany since corona came.
ReplyDeleteAs pagan rituals go, blowing out the candles is preferable to sacrificing virgins, which are in short supply in most places, anyhow. And Ole Phat Stu is right, although it's not just going away in Germany.
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble getting back into the groove after traveling, so thanks for searching out the interesting facts on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteWell, since you're supposed to make a wish before blowing out the candles, the "smoke carrying your prayer to the heavens" theory seems to make sense.
ReplyDeleteI have always found blowing little bits of spit onto the cake a repulsive tradition.
ReplyDeleteRiver - It's finally frying up here in St. Louis. Keep your finger crossed.
ReplyDeleteSue - Ice cream cake for me.
Stu - Same here. Now we use a piece of cardboard to fan out the flames.
Bill - I don't know... if we can't blow out candles, sacrificing virgins may come back.
Kathy - I know what you mean. I'm afraid if I ever took too long a break that might be the end of it for me.
Deb - It makes more sense that a lot of traditions people do.
Lady - This is one of the good things that came out of COVID.
I like that Pagan ritual theory as well. Happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteThe things we do without even thinking about why we do them! Thanks for the education ... but now I crave cake and frosting, dagnabit Mike!
ReplyDeleteWhenever your birthday was, I hope it was happy.
Matt - Not my birthday yet but this will be top of mind when it is.
ReplyDeleteJenny - It's coming up in November. Still a little bit away. Now get some cake and frosting. Just don't spit on them.
I like the pagan ritual, as well. Many rituals and celebrations came from pagans.
ReplyDeleteMartha - Yes, lots of them do.
ReplyDelete