St. Martin, patron saint of drunks

This is fascinating. Today is All Saints day in the Catholic church, recognizing all who are saints in name and those who we don't know about. It's a feast day, and is recognized in Mexico and South America as Dias de los Muertos (hope I got that right), or day(s) of the dead. Tomorrow is All Souls day, the other dias, where we celebrate all who are waiting in purgatory for the day that God comes back to judge us all and we go to heaven or hell. Purgatory deserves it's own post, if you're not Catholic.

There is a patron saint of alcoholism and reformed alcoholics. He's Saint Martin of Tours. His saint day (celebration day) is November 11, which is coming up. I would think all Catholics in AA should know this date, and have a medal of St. Martin.

St. Martin also has a spot on the road to Santiago de Compostela, the most wonderful pilgrimage site from France to Spain. It's a long, but walkable road where pilgrims travel, relying on the kindness of strangers to get them through. My friend Carrie and I wanted to do it a few years ago, but it takes a few weeks to do, and we couldn't get the time off. Now that we're both unemployed, maybe we can make it work. But not in the winter. I would like to go there, though. Especially now that I have another patron saint to visit.

Mmmm, pumpkin bread

So instead of buying boots, I went out and bought candy and the mixings for pumpkin bread. It's in the oven right now - three loaves. One for my cousin's downstairs, one for my dad's not-really-girlfriend-but-I-want-her-to-be upstairs, and one for us. I also stuck the candy in a bowl outside just in case the kids come to our floor. Some people in the building give out candy, and we just didn't get on the list in time (cause I found out there was one about an hour ago). It's starting to smell like fall in here, and feel like it outside. Plus, we're watching football. I'm feeling better already.

Now, for a costume....

Happy Halloween!

Didn't dress up this year. I did carve that pumpkin (I put on a demonic reindeer and a Santa hat, but it just looks like modern art), and I did say some prayers for the dead. I should go get some stuff and make pumpkin bread or something for tonight.

It sucks not celebrating one of my favorite season openers. I just love the holiday season, and I hope this isn't indicative of how the rest of the season is going to go. I love fall. Come on, fall, love me.

A little fun

The rally on the Mall today was amazing. People had the funniest signs and costumes! I didn't get to take pictures, but a friend of mine did and I'll try to post some good ones once I get my camera back.

It was a great day. We walked into the city because the metro lines were totally full. There was no way we were getting on to a train, but people cheered every time a new train came into the station. The crowd was incredible. Kind, allowing for personal space, and funny. We had a lot of fun cheers back where I was. We could hardly hear what was going on, so we kept chanting, "Louder!" People crack me up.

Didn't go to the Day of the Dead exhibit. My friends were both too tired after our 8 hour ordeal, and so I headed home to rest my feet. It's amazing how exhausting a rally can be! The exhibit goes on until the 9th, so I think I'll take Monday afternoon to head down there and check it out. But look! I've added fun to my life! And, I hung out with sober people!

Halloween is not the same

Happy almost Halloween! I grabbed this from Mr. Sponsor Pants this morning. He had a nice Q&A about sobriety that I highly recommend. He's a smart dude.

I love Halloween. I love kitsch. I usually host a Halloween party with all the trimmings: ghosts and ghouls decorating the yard and my house, pumpkin carving for friends, Day of the Dead materials throughout, including decoration stations for sugar skulls, punch inside a pumpkin, pumpkin soup, pumpkin seeds, and bread. I go all out for holidays, and this is the beginning of the season. It makes me happy to just go crazy for this kind of stuff, and really show my friends a good time. I also love to dress up. Last year I was Dr. Frankenfurter from Rocky Horror. I did the whole outfit, heels, tights, and all.

I suppose Halloween is going to be like any other day this year. My friend canceled her party where we were going to hand out candy, and I'm pretty sure no kids trick or treat here in my dad's apartment building. That might be weird. Going from floor to floor knocking on doors....

I'm going to a Day of the Dead art show tomorrow, which hopefully will get my fill of DoD. I love that part of the holiday best. It's so beautiful and full of meaning. I'm hoping to restrain myself from buying something.

I suppose this may be the beginning of a disappointing season. I won't be able to throw my own parties this year. I won't be able to decorate, since I don't have any of my decorations. My dad goes crazy for Christmas, so maybe I'll get to decorate his place instead. And perhaps he'll let me throw a small gathering or something.