Honoring the name AVA

Today I wish to post about a name in honor of my new niece, Ava Polina.  My heart melts whenever I see her!

Teta te miluje!

xoxo

The name Ava means "Like a Bird"...Nelly Furtado's song comes to mind...

A little history...

The medieval name Ava is an abbreviation of a Germanic name.  Saint Ava was a 9th-century princess, daughter of Pepin II of Aquitaine. She was cured of blindness by Saint Rainfredis, became a Benedictine nun at Dinart, Hainault, and later was elected Abbess. Her feast day is April 29th, thus the name Ava is is celebrated on this day.

As evidence for the name is lacking between the later medieval and the modern period, the Oxford Dictionary of First Names supposes that it was coined anew as a modern innovation, presumably as a variant of Eva or (like Eva) used as an anglicization of the Irish name Aoife.  Ava is also a feminine given name in Persian, meaning "voice, sound".

Ava has worldwide meanings, making it difficult to pinpoint its true etymology and origin. From the German roots, Ava means "bird or birdlike". From the Latin, Ava means "pretty" or "Living One". Ava is the Afghan word for "voice" and the Akposso word for "sky" or "heaven". It also comes from the Old English for "Breath of Life". Some believe that the name Ava came from the Hebrew name "Chava," which means "life" or "serpent," while others point out the place-name "Ivah" appearing in the Bible.

The name was popularized in the United States by socialite Ava Lowle Willing (1868-1958) who married John Jacob Astor IV, and their daughter, socialite and heiress Ava Alive Muriel Astor (1902–1956).

Socialite Ava Lowle Willing

John Jacob Astor IV

Ava Alice Muriel Astor 

And who could forget the beautiful Ava Gardner

Ava has become quite popular and here is a link to celebrity daughters named Ava

Ava's with famous parents

The name Polina is a Russian feminine given name.  It is sometimes a short form of the name Appolinaria, a feminine form of the ancient Greek name Appollinaris, a name derived from the god Apollo. Appollinaris is the name of several ancient Christian saints.

Polina could also be seen as a variant spelling of the name Paulina, a feminine form of the name Paul. Polina was the second most popular name given to baby girls born in Moscow, Russia in 2007.   

Happy Birthday to my beloved Babi

Today is my beloved grandmother's birthday and I want her to know that she is in my thoughts daily, and in my heart forever.

I love you, Babi!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!! 

And a very special Easter hug goes out to my family ...I love you!

I have to tell you about the strangest, yet funniest, Easter tradition that we have! ...

The "pomlázka" is a traditional whip braided out of pussywillows (or other springtime branches) that men and boys of all ages plait on Easter Sunday (or they buy them at almost any shop around this time of the year). The pomlázka can be any length and braided from three to twelve branches.  The origin of the pomlázka tradition (pomlázka meaning both the whip and the tradition itself) dates back to pagan times.  Its original purpose and symbolic meaning is to chase away illness and bad spirits and bring health and youth for the rest of the year to everyone who is whipped.  In the past, pomlázka was not only used by boys to whip girls (um, I should clarify...they whip them on the legs...no dirty thoughts!!!), but also by the farmer's wife to whip the livestock, as well as everyone in the household, including men and children. 

Boys would whip girls lightly on the legs and possibly douse them with water, which had a similar symbolic meaning.  An Easter carol, usually asking for an egg or two, would be recited by the boy while whipping.  The girl would then reward the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka.  As the boys progressed through the village, their bags filled up with eggs and their pomlázkas were adorned with more and more colorful ribbons.

Although it may have lost its symbolism and romance and is now performed mainly for fun, this tradition is still largely upheld, especially in villages and small towns.  Some boys and men seem to have forgotten that the whipping is supposed to be only symbolic and girls don't always like that.  The reward has also changed - money and shots of plum brandy (Slivovice) are often given instead of, or in addition to, painted eggs and candy.  As you can imagine, by early afternoon groups of happy men can be seen staggering along the roads!  All that aside, Easter still remains one of the most joyful and fun holidays on the Czech calendar.

The Color Red

Red and other bright colors symbolize health, joy, happiness and new life that comes with the spring.  So paint those Easter eggs red!

All in all, Easter is a time of high spirits and happy celebrations in small villages.  I wish you all a joyful day and a very Happy Easter! 

Veselé Velikonoce!

Happy Birthday to my brother

Today is my brother's birthday so let's all wish him a very Happy Birthday!!!!  

Brother

As kids we lived together...we fought, we laughed, we cried,

We did not always show the love that we both had inside.

We shared our dreams and plans, and some secrets too,

All the memories we share is what bonds me now to you.

We grew to find we have a love that is very strong today,

It's a love shared by our family, and will never fade away.

I love you, George. 

So many wonderful memories...

Days with Babi & DinDin...

I highly doubt we were taking out the trash...more like using them as a drum set!

Toys-r-Us trips...

Summers in Maine...we were water babies even then!

Yep, beach babies!

Cheers to forever remaining beach babies!  Happy Birthday little brother...I love you

Happy 95th Birthday to my beloved DinDin!

November 12th is always a very special day for me.  

Why? 

Because it's my beloved DinDin's birthday, and today he turns 95 years young!

Happy Birthday, DinDin!  

Všechno nejlepší k svátku...Na zdraví!

A poem for my DinDin

Your wisdom seems to put my mind at ease

As a little girl you always made sure I said "thank you" and "please".

I love the talks and stories of the places you've been and things you've seen

Just being with you makes me happy, makes me feel serene.

I miss you so much, for we live an ocean apart,

But not a day goes by when you're not in my thoughts, you're always in my heart.

This is my chance to tell you just how much you mean to me

Just how very much I love you, DinDin!

Happy Name Day, Bohdan! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Bohdan.  Happy name day, Bohdan!

The name Bohdan is a variant of Bogdan, which is of Slavic origin, and the meaning of Bohdan is "God's gift".

My great-grandfather's name is Bohdan...this is a tribute to his memory

Happy Name Day, Václav! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Václav.  Happy name day, Václav!

The name Václav is of Czech origin and means "wealth of glory".  Saint Václav (known as Wenceslas in English) was a 10th century duke of Bohemia who was murdered by his brother.  He is the patron saint of the Czech Republic.

The name Václav holds a special place in my heart.  My grandfather's name is Václav and yesterday was his birthday.  He's no longer with us, but not a day goes by where he's not thought of and loved.

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. ~Author Unknown

Mommy & Iva (1998)

This morning one of the kindest and most loving woman I know passed on.  Iva was my mom's best friend, a wonderful mother and grandmother, and someone who touched my life and heart.  The sadness of her being gone is unbearable, but we find peace knowing that her memory and spirit will live on with us forever.

We love you, Iva, and always will.

Mommy, Iva and I...1998.  Praha.

We can shed tears that she is gone

Or we can smile because she has lived.

We can close our eyes and pray that she will come back

Or we can open our eyes and see all that she has left.

Our hearts can be empty because we can't see her

Or we can be full of the love that we shared.

We can turn our backs on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or we can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

We can remember her and only that she is gone

Or we can cherish her memory and let it live on.

We can cry and close our mind, be empty and turn our backs, 

Or we can do what she would want us to:

Smile, open our eyes, 

Love, and go on.

Veselé Velikonoce!

Happy Easter!! 

And a very special Easter hug goes out to my family ...I love you!

I have to tell you about the strangest, yet funniest, Easter tradition that we have! ...

The "pomlázka" is a traditional whip braided out of pussywillows (or other springtime branches) that men and boys of all ages plait on Easter Sunday (or they buy them at almost any shop around this time of the year). The pomlázka can be any length and braided from three to twelve branches.  The origin of the pomlázka tradition (pomlázka meaning both the whip and the tradition itself) dates back to pagan times.  Its original purpose and symbolic meaning is to chase away illness and bad spirits and bring health and youth for the rest of the year to everyone who is whipped.  In the past, pomlázka was not only used by boys to whip girls (um, I should clarify...they whip them on the legs...no dirty thoughts!!!), but also by the farmer's wife to whip the livestock, as well as everyone in the household, including men and children. 

Boys would whip girls lightly on the legs and possibly douse them with water, which had a similar symbolic meaning.  An Easter carol, usually asking for an egg or two, would be recited by the boy while whipping.  The girl would then reward the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka.  As the boys progressed through the village, their bags filled up with eggs and their pomlázkas were adorned with more and more colorful ribbons.

Although it may have lost its symbolism and romance and is now performed mainly for fun, this tradition is still largely upheld, especially in villages and small towns.  Some boys and men seem to have forgotten that the whipping is supposed to be only symbolic and girls don't always like that.  The reward has also changed - money and shots of plum brandy (Slivovice) are often given instead of, or in addition to, painted eggs and candy.  As you can imagine, by early afternoon groups of happy men can be seen staggering along the roads!  All that aside, Easter still remains one of the most joyful and fun holidays on the Czech calendar.

The Color Red

Red and other bright colors symbolize health, joy, happiness and new life that comes with the spring.  So paint those Easter eggs red!

All in all, Easter is a time of high spirits and happy celebrations in small villages.  I wish you all a joyful day and a very Happy Easter! 

Veselé Velikonoce!

Happy Birthday to my beloved Babi

Today is my beloved grandmother's birthday and I want her to know that she is in my thoughts daily, and in my heart forever.

I love you, Babi!

Happy Name Day, Mojmír! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Mojmír.  Happy Name Day, Mojmír!

Mojmír is of Czech origin and means "My Peace".  Mojmír is a special name to me because my grandfather's older brother's name is Mojmír.  He has since passed, but will be forever in our hearts.  Here's to you, Mojmír, we love you!

Here's a photo of my grandfather, Zdenek (I call him DinDin), seated in the middle with his eldest brother, Vlada, to his right and Mojmír on his left.  My great-grandparents are Bohdan and Maxa Kříž

Don't be the first to get up from the Christmas Eve dinner table!!

Christmas Eve is a big night for Czechs....it's when we put up our tree, wrap gifts, and prepare and enjoy our Christmas dinner.  It's also connected with a great number of different customs, rules and superstitions - and why wouldn't it be, we're a superstitious bunch!  Very few of these are still observed today, and for good reason.  It must be quite a challenge to put dinner together and go through with it without a mistake if all of the customs were to be followed!  

Here are some of our traditions and superstitions:

• No lights should be lit in the house before the first star comes out.  After it does, dinner is served.
• The table should be set for an even number of guests.  An odd number brings bad luck or death.  An extra plate can be used to even out the number of guests.  An extra plate should also be prepared in case an unexpected guest or a person in need comes by the house at dinner time.
• The legs of the table can be tied with a rope to protect the house from thieves and burglars in the coming year.
• No one should sit down with their back to the door.
• Christmas dinner should consist of nine courses including soup, bread with honey, carp, potato salad, fruit (dried, fresh or canned), dessert (apple strudel or vánočka), and other foods.
• No alcohol should be served on Christmas Eve (gasp!!)
• No one should ever get up from the Christmas Eve table before dinner is finished.  Doing so brings bad luck and death to the family.
• Everyone should finish their dinner and leave nothing on the plate.
• The first person to leave the table after dinner will be the first one to die in the coming year - that is why everyone should get up from the table at the same time.
• Any leftovers from dinner (crumbs, fishbones, etc.) should be buried around the trees to ensure they will bear lots of fruit.

Apple strudel

Happy Name Day, Ondřej! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Ondřej.  Happy Name Day, Ondřej!

The name Ondřej is the Czech form of Andrew, which is of Greek origin and means "man, warrior".

A very special shout out goes to my cousin, Ondřej - Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

"A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams" Author Anonymous

Today is my brother's birthday so let's all wish him a very Happy Birthday!!!!  

Brother

As kids we lived together...we fought, we laughed, we cried,

We did not always show the love that we both had inside.

We shared our dreams and plans, and some secrets too,

All the memories we share is what bonds me now to you.

We grew to find we have a love that is very strong today,

It's a love shared by our family, and will never fade away.

I love you, George. 

So many wonderful memories...

Days with Babi & DinDin...

I highly doubt we were taking out the trash...more like using them as a drum set!

Toys-r-Us trips...

Summers in Maine...

Maplewood Park with Babi & DinDin...

Island Beach State Park...who knew that as adults we'd still go here...

Remember the race track we had in the basement of Norman Rd.?  

Look how determined I am to beat you!

Happy Birthday, DinDin!

Today is a very special day for me...my DinDin's 94th birthday!

A poem for my DinDin

Your wisdom seems to put my mind at ease

As a little girl you always made sure I said "thank you" and "please".

I love the talks and stories of the places you've been and things you've seen

Just being with you makes me happy, makes me feel serene.

I miss you so much, for we live an ocean apart,

But not a day goes by when you're not in my thoughts, you're always in my heart.

This is my chance to tell you just how much you mean to me

Just how very much I love you, DinDin!

T

Happy Name Day, Bohdan! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Bohdan.  Happy Name Day, Bohdan!

The name Bohdan is a variant of Bogdan, which is of Slavic origin, and the meaning of Bohdan is "God's gift".

My great-grandfather's name is Bohdan...this is a tribute to his memory

Happy Birthday, Uncle Zdenek!!

Today marks a very special day for me...my uncle's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Zdenek!

Miluju te!!

On your birthday,

I'm thinking about how much light and sparkle

you freely dispense wherever you go,

how your sunny smile lights up any gathering.

Every birthday marks another year

of you radiating positive, happy energy,

contagious happiness

that infects all who come in contact with you.

May your birthday find you the same --

glowing from within,

beaming bright joy on everyone you meet.

I feel blessed to call you "Uncle"