It is the Day Before Halloween…

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Becky Dingle

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Dear Reader:

It is the day before Halloween and Boo is revealing her mask for the big day. In tribute to my garden (which brings me such joy) I am the “lost” monarch butterfly….who is running late getting to Mexico by the first of November… in time for the two special festivals occurring.

The first monarchs arrive at their winter home in Mexico each fall by the first of November. Two events are taking place in Mexico when the butterflies appear. One is a seasonal event and the other a cultural event – natives connect the arrival of the monarchs with these events:

Monarchs and Corn Harvest:

People in the region have noticed the arrival of monarchs since pre-Hispanic times. In the language of the native Purepecha Indians, the monarch butterfly is known as the “harvest butterfly.” The monarchs appear each year when it is time to harvest the corn. 

Monarchs and the Day of the Dead

The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) also occurs when the monarchs appear. According to traditional belief, the monarchs are the souls of ancestors who are returning to Earth for their annual visit.

……………………….

I decided to write a quick “Dingle Jingle” to explain why my monarch butterfly is celebrating Halloween in Charleston instead of going on to Mexico for “The Day of the Dead.

“The Lost Monarch”

I’m just a little monarch

Who was trying to get home

But every time I stopped

I forgot to leave and roam

Gardeners took snapshots of me…

And compliments came galore

Until  one day I realized

My time was gone…no more.

So to heck with all that dead stuff

I’d rather trick or treat

And eat lots and lots of “candy” corn

It  has the “Mexi-Corn Harvest” beat!

…………………………………

A couple of more “sneak peeks”- on-going preparations -which will appear tomorrow night!

The wagon is getting decorated for the kids to ride in and the newest Turner purchase…a giant spider with glowing eyes…patiently waiting in the garage for its moment of fame!

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So until tomorrow….anticipation and excitement in the eyes of little ones make the world turn just a little brighter…..

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

db899ff9203815cbed75e3a3635c1823A big Day Before Halloween Shout-out to Anne whose birthday is today. Have a great one- with lots of “Boo-ti-ful friends.“

 
Cultural Event

Monarchs and the Day of the Dead
The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) also occurs when the monarchs appear. According to traditional belief, the monarchs are the souls of ancestors who are returning to Earth for their annual visit.

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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2 Responses to It is the Day Before Halloween…

  1. Jo Dufford says:
    October 30, 2015 at 10:02 am

    Love your mask and the story behind it. The monarch butterflies have been beautiful this year. For some reason I didn’t get anything after the birthday wish to Anne except the paragraph on Monarchs and the Day of the Dead. I wondered if it is just my antique computer again or if anyone else experienced these blank spots. Happy Birthday, Anne. Hope it is filled with much joy and many laughs.

    Reply
  2. Becky Dingle says:
    October 30, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    That is strange…will check around…After all it is Halloween!

    Reply

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