December 25, 2024: MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas – the time of the year when the entire world seems to slow down for a little while and the air fills with the magic of the season….this is the perfect time of the year when we all pause for a bit, and hold close what really matters…may your hearts be grateful, may your homes be warm and may your spirits be bright!

❄ MERRY CHRISTMAS! ❄ FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN! ❄ CRĂCIUN FERICIT! ❄ BUON NATALE! ❄ ΚΑΛΆ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΎΓΕΝΝΑ! ❄

Crăciun  fericit, dragii mei!

Din casă în casă, din inimă în inimă, dintr-un loc în altul, căldura Crăciunului ne cuprinde pe toți, făcându-ne parcă ceva mai buni, ceva mai blânzi şi ceva mai înţelegători....să ne bucurăm de aceste momente aparte!

“Un clopoțel nu este clopoțel până nu sună...un cântec nu este cântec până nu îl cântă cineva.” – Colinde  de  Crăciun

● My previous greetings on the same theme: CHRISTMAS – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

December 21, 2024: WINTER Solstice

 December 21, 2024: WINTER Solstice is marking the first day of the astronomical winter in our Northern Hemisphere …may it bring us peace and joy!

Iarna este sezonul miracolelor, plin cu basme și voioșie, cu multă armonie și noi așteptări...dar să nu lăsăm gerul iernii să ne intre în suflete, ci să-l privim doar de la fereastră....

● A brief oasis of poetry and inner reflection:

          ● (Ro) “Iarna” (poem de Vasile Alecsandri) – video clip

          ● (English)”Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” (Robert Frost) – video clip | Classical music for winter – video clip

● Short scientific background on HIBERNAL SOLSTICE:

“What is a Solstice?” (via National Geographic) – video clip | “What's Up: December 2024” (Tips from NASA) – video clip

Winter solstice (also called the ‘hibernal solstice’), marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year for all the people who are living in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the definition of the seasons, the winter solstice also marks the beginning of winter season, which lasts until the vernal equinox (March 20 or 21 in the Northern Hemisphere, or September 22 or 23 in the Southern Hemisphere). After the shortest day of the year slowly turns toward a greater length, this will embrace again the return of sun and the coming of spring.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: WINTER solstice – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

Socializing: Pre-Christmas Reunion 2024

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

Meanwhile, I’m wishing you all happy holidays!

The keepers of HOPE

In this troubled world where uncertainty touches every corner of our existence, blessed are those rare souls who carry the eternal flame of hope within their hearts.
Those are the beautiful spirits, the possessors of wisdom and kindness, whose goodness and compassion are “bright” enough to illuminate the paths of others lost in darkness.
Most of them are touching many hearts, in ways never thought possible!
Those are the contributors, the philanthropists, the donors, the supporter, who share with generosity their precious time and their resources in order to remind their fellows that the happiest people in the world are the givers.
This type of people are beacons of light, illuminating from far away in a world that often preaches consumerism and selfishness.

So, dear ones, as December reminds us to be good, I strongly encourage you to please do not hesitate to reach out, to share your table, to open your hearts, to be present – it costs you nothing, but it means a lot for less fortunate ones!

“In this symphony of life, let us be the notes that create harmony. Let peace flow from heart to heart, like ripples across still waters, until it touches every shore of human existence.   
Together, we light the way. Together, we heal. Together, we rise.”

December 2024: ALICE & Friends™ – winter charity

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

December 1, 2024: ROMANIA's NATIONAL Day

Each year, on December 1^st, Romanians throughout the world and in the country, celebrate their National Day with a renewed sense of national pride.

Romania is an old country, with a rich culture and by honoring their roots, Romanians always bring forward their beautiful traditions, songs or poems.

La mulţi ani, România! La mulți ani tuturor românilor de pretutindeni!

● Brief historical background:

This is one of the most important Romanian national holidays, and it is called the “Great Union Day” or the “Unification Day” (Romanian: "Ziua Marii Uniri") and in many parts of the world it is known as “National Romania Day”.  This special holiday marks the unification of Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina with the Romanian Kingdom in 1918. According to ‘Alba Iulia Proclamation’, all these Romanian regions joined Romania as a country.

The Union marked the country’s history forever, but after that Romania had to pass through many other changes and challenges and some of them included the World War II, the Communist regime and the 1989 Revolution. Despite numerous hardships, it is also appropriate to mention that Romania still looks ahead with sound optimism, but it does not forget its past. 

● My previous greetings on the same theme: ROMANIA's NATIONAL Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 

Group celebration – ROMANIA’s NATIONAL DAY 2024

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

POEM: “Come, Little Leaves”

George Cooper's poem "Come, Little Leaves" is a delightful and whimsical tribute to the changing seasons and the beauty of nature's cycle. 

Through simple yet evocative language, Cooper invites his readers to embark on a journey through the transition from summer to winter, told from the perspective of the changing leaves.

A classic poem that captures the autumn leaves' journey from the wind's call to the winter sleep, as well as the joy, the farewell and the beauty of nature's cycle in a simple yet suggestive manner.

 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

“Come, Little Leaves”

~ short video clip (this poem in audio version) ~

November 11, 2024: REMEMBRANCE Day

The annual commemoration of the nation’s heroes – “Remembrance Day” (also known as the “Veterans’ Day” or the “Memorial Day”), each year on November 11^th  – The time of the year to pay tribute, to reflect and to honor all those brave veterans who risked their lives so we can live in peace today, which reminds us again that in fact freedom does have an expensive price! Lest we forget!

● Basic background info:

ARTICLES: “Remembrance Day in Canada” | “10 Quick Facts on... Remembrance Day”  (documentation offered by the Government of Canada)

Remembrance Day: History and traditions (documentation offered by the Government of Canada)

Remembrance Day being marked across Canada to honour veterans (coverage offered by “Global News”)

● My previous greetings on the same theme: REMEMBRANCE Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Philosophers’ Café with ALICE & Friends: October 2024

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

Alice’s Book Club – AUTUMN session of 2024

As autumn gently continues to reveal its beauty in our part of the world, on Friday (October 18, 2024), I hosted the fourth edition of our seasonal book club series – occasion which marks the last session of this type for the current year! The selected book (we choose as a group) for discussion was quite fascinating and profoundly informative, resulting in numerous ‘aha’ moments. 

Once again, dear ones, I would like to refresh that reading is an indispensable skill in life, which allows you to discover new facts, by opening for you the door to new ideas, stories and opportunities. This beautiful habit of reading books could bring people knowledge & wisdom, making them more intellectual & sensible. 

Also, since this was the last book club session of the year, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those loyal, dear friends who each time (not just occasionally) make themselves available to honor my invitations, and who genuinely & continuously are supporting the activities of ALICE & Friends Circle™.

Until our paths will meet again on the same wavelength, my best regards to all!

Alice

Reading could be a valuable source of personal growth, knowledge and inspiration, continually enriching the mind.

October 2024 – Message for THANKSGIVING Day

 Today (October 14’24) in Canada we celebrate a new Thanksgiving Day, occasion which allows me to send along another bunch of heartfelt wishes to all my dear friends (old & new, closer or more distant), collaborators (occasional or recurrent) and at large sympathizers of ALICE & Friends Circle™ for their ongoing support throughout the almost 7 (seven) years of existence of our literary and socio-cultural group!

I always enjoy working with thoughtful and positive people! Please continue stay close, to be compassionate, to be wise, to lend a hand, because in the end I believe that we all will be blessed with the splendid joy that only kindness brings along...that special Joy which is so uplifting and refreshing for our souls.

Nay  we  continue to enjoy each other's presence, while attending our Circle's events!

● My previous greetings on the same theme: Thanksgiving Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

The Beauty of Love & Trust

Upon recent observations, here I’m sharing with you all a short and very simple tale, where trust and true love are beautifully highlighted. Pleasant reading, dear ones!

STORY: Hold My Hand

Once upon a time, a little girl and her father were crossing a tall bridge. Father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."

The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" asked the puzzled father.

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl…"If I hold your hand & something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go, but if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what, you will never let my hand go."

The best proof of love is trust!

September 22, 2024: Happy AUTUMN, dear friends!

Officially speaking, today (September 22’24) is the first day of a new autumn (also known as the autumnal equinox) in our Northern Hemisphere,
occasion which allows me to send along my best regards to all for a prosperous season ahead!

Pleasing harvest, dear ones! Let the bounty of this autumn fill your hearts and homes!

"Coboara toamna-ncet din slava. Naframa galbena-i rasare...." (Octavian Goga)

● A brief oasis of poetry and inner reflection:

         ● (Ro) ”Şi totuşi, vine toamna... Şi tu o simţi şi o îngâni... Şi totuşi, vine toamna... Şi vai, suntem bătrâni! ”

                                    ”Totuşi toamna” (poem de Adrian Păunescu;  interpretare Tatiana Stepa) – video clip

         ● (English)...September musical notes...”Try To Remember, the kind of September” (song interpreted by Harry Belafonte)

● Short scientific briefing on AUTUMNAL EQUINOX:

The Autumnal Equinox is an astronomical event, nearly noticed by everyone, marking the arrival of fall in Northern Hemisphere. During the equinox, the night & day have almost the same length (12 hours) throughout the world. The word "equinox" derives from Latin, meaning “equal night". The equinox happens when the equator passes the centre of the sun. This is when the North & South Poles of the Earth are not tilted towards or away from the sun, as at other times, but are aligned so as to give, theoretically, the same amount of daylight in both of the Earth's hemispheres.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: AUTUMNAL EQUINOX – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018

September 21, 2024: INTERNATIONAL PEACE Day

September 21^st 2024 reminds us that the entire world unites to celebrate International Peace Day, and the theme for this year is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”

PEACE…what is “Peace”? Peace is the path we each take if we wish to bring along growth and prosperity, in order to make our society a better place to live in.

It has been observed countless times that if we do not have peace and harmony within ourselves first, achieving political strength, economic stability and cultural growth will be impossible. Therefore, if we truly wish to transmit the notion of peace to others, it is vital for us to make sure we have it within, while keeping in mind that is not only a certain individual’s responsibility, but everyone’s duty.

”World peace can be achieved when, in each person, the power of love replaces the love of power.”

● Historical background info:

“The International Day of Peace, also officially known as World Peace Day, is a United Nations-sanctioned holiday observed annually on 21 September.
It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1981 and is kept by many nations, political groups, military groups, and people.” (Source: Encyclopedia)

● My previous acknowledgements on the same theme: PEACE Day – 2023, 2022, 2021