While it is still February 23rd allow me to say *Congratulations on Men's Day!* Actually, it's Defender's Day, more precisely Defender's of the Fatherland Day, more easily expressed in Russian than in English.
Originally, 23 February was a day to recognize those who have protected the Fatherland by serving in the military. Now it has evolved so that guys of all ages are honored, even those who have protected nothing more than their toy cars and trucks.
Thought you might enjoy a couple of neat cards. First, a retro-style card. On the front you see an aviator, a soldier and a sailor.
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| It says, *23 of February. . . (Congratulations) with the Holiday!* (The congratulations part is understood from the grammar.) (Click images to enlarge.) |
Here's the back, Thought you might like to have a look. I find Soviet-retro art so charming. Oh, and please forgive the marking on the verse. . . my beloved language teacher likes to
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| Here's the first verse: Line 1) This day is the holiday for men 2) We traditionally consider for 3) our beloved men 4) success and kind wishes. Verse 2: Line 1) May optimism help (you) 2) easily to move toward desired goals 3) And may life not stingily give 4) great success in all your favorite activities. (Russian's such a poetic language, you know, this has lovely cadence in the original language.) |
Here's the perfect card for a boy. . .
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| *23rd of February. . . * |
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| Click image. (*Wishing you. . .* is understood and built into the grammar)... Line 1) Decisiveness and courage in everything. 2) Wide horizons, brilliant goals, 3) good luck unchanging -- day after day, 4) Success without fail in everything you do. |
And so dear men, young and old alike, CONGRATULATIONS on your holiday! Myself, I didn't give out cards, but did make up a double batch of chocolate zucchini muffins to share with neighbors and guys who work in nearby shops. Hold on, bet there's a picture here handy. . .
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| It's a fun way to meet neighbors, make new friends and say thank you.. Neighbors have been a major help to me over the years. We need to show more appreciation to the men in our lives. Congratulations, dear ones! |
3 comments:
Yippee! You're back! I had found your blog and started reading early posts. By the time I caught up, you seemed to be gone :( I LOVE your insight into Russian culture and am happy to be reading as your post.
This is fascinating. I'm curious: what are Russians saying about the attack on the Bolshoi director? What's the Russian story, as opposed to the CNN story, or the German story, which is the other one I'm getting?
Love the pictures on your blog! The muffins look yummy, too.
Hello there *Critical Mom* - RUssia 24 news channel the other day mentioned that someone had confessed to being behind the attack. That was easy, I thought.
But maybe there's more, as you rather hinted? Just ran across this story in Moscow Times:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/real-organizer-of-acid-attack-still-unknown-bolshoi-director-says/476758.html
Looks interesting!
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