Sunday evening and the dinner dishes are cleared away.  While the washer runs, time to pour a drink and pull a chair up to the kitchen table for some after-dinner chat.  This week, I was particularly touched by two diaries, this one by Brahman Colorado, reminding us of the liberation of Auschwitz, and plf515's diary about his rabbi. Together, they reminded me of my own first glimpse of these issues as a child, and how important it is that all of our children learn the lessons of history. So here begins my tale:

Been working hard to get it all done before the big events start with your tribe?  Take a break and join me for a cup of your favorite beverage.  I don't want to put dessert out before dinner, but you're welcome to taste anything that's cooking - just to make sure it will be perfect.  

As we rush the final preparations toward completion, we approach the Holidays not as a discreet event, but as part of a mosaic which includes all of our holidays past, and which carry the traditions and lessons learned from all of those who have gone before us. A look over the holiday letters of Christmas past may tell us quite a bit about where we were and how far we've come.  Indeed, those letters may be the first draft of the history that our children tell on us long after we're gone

(Cross posted at The Daily Kos)

Well it's been a busy week here at our place, and an exciting one, too.  Worked like a demon all last weekend phone banking, then all day Tuesday, trying, among other things to "snag and drag" voters to the polls.  Got to bring my youngest along, and she got the civics lesson of a lifetime, seeing how it all works. Sadly, the outcome here wasn't what we'd hoped for, but the big picture still looked great to me, and helped ease my pain.

The other thing that helps, of course, is the company of friends.  So once again it's time to clear the table, pour a beverage and cut a slice of pie, and count my blessings.  Please join me at the table.  

Tonite's story is a little different.  Ordinarily, I write about events that shaped me.  Tonite,  I'll give you a sneak preview of one my kids may someday  tell on me.

While it's true that in some Christian circles, Halloween is frowned upon, that was most certainly not true in the Parochial Schools in Chicago.  Join me below for a trip back in time and space to meet the Ghost of Halloween Past. (story cross-posted on the Daily Kos)

I have noted that Rosh Hashannah and Ramadan both begin this weekend.  I suspect that this is no accident, but I'm not sufficiently well versed in Judaic or Islamic tradition to puzzle this out myself.  My guess is that it involves the lunar calendar, but I'm sure each tradition also has a basis in their sacred scriptures.  Is there someone here who can give me (and all of us) an explanation?  Obviously the Judaic tradition is older, but I'm curious if the Islamic tradition relates back to the Torah, or if it's dictated by the Koran?  I apologize if this has been addressed elsewhere, I didn't see it.