Three Examples of Really Cool Stuff: 2014.06.08 1) This weekend, I did more walking than Ive done in any two-day period in years. Im extremely thankful that I started running and walking more a month ago, and that I changed my workouts and supplements to give me more energy. Still, after walking over three miles yesterday, I was afraid Id falter today, with two processions of 1.3 miles each, plus one walk home. It turns out, I did fine. I had to tape my ankles and chug an energy shot this evening, but I made it. Of course, I think Ill be happy to sit down all day tomorrow! 2) I managed to finish all my really necessary chores -- two loads of laundry and one sinkful of dishes -- in the first three hours I was awake. That gave me time to walk, walk some more, and head to the Santa Lucia Festival on its last day. Speaking of which -- and heres the big one: 3) Technically, the purpose of the Santa Lucia Festival is to celebrate the life of Saint Lucy, a Christian martyr who died, according to legend in 304 CE. Most Italians in Omaha actually are Sicilian, and St Lucy came from the same part of Sicily from which our ancestors emigrated to Omaha. As a non-believer, I let the religious aspect go, and leave it to others to enjoy. I celebrate it because Ive been doing so all my life, and because its a celebration of our neighborhood, our common heritage, and family and friends. I enjoy the traditions and rituals that have to do with the Festival. For most of my life, the Festival ended with a parade to St Frances Cabrini Church, where the statue of St Lucy is on display for most of the year -- and then a street dance, when the band and any attendees who wanted, danced while escorting the empty float back to its garage. Due to logistical issues, this tradition, as well as the installation of the Festival Arch, generally did not take place over the last 10 years. We understood, but many of us felt that there was something missing, even though we still celebrated being together. Tonight, the procession and street dance were back. We walked that 1.3 miles, about 1/3 of it uphill, and we danced our way from 10th and William to 7th and Pierce. Despite my having bandaged my ankles and popped some naproxen sodium, my left ankle was bothering me for most of the day. When the band started playing our Street Dance song, I felt no pain. I might as well have been 29 or 19, rather than 39. I suppose that some folks might call it a miracle. I think I was just too damn content to be hurt. So, some people love the Festival because of the Saint, some love it because of the food, and some love the carnival. I love it because of the friends whom I might see once a year, but whom Id back any time, I love it because its a constant -- it changes, it has to, but its always there -- and I love it because, for half an hour on a Sunday night in June, I was a young man again.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Jun 2014 04:30:49 +0000
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