Michaelmas

Have reached the conclusion that my house has a very specific type of gremlin.  Let’s call it a ‘pystakeyr’.   This pystakeyr moves things.  It appears to know which item I am specifically looking for, moves it, and puts an item I was looking for the previous week in its place. 

For instance, yesterday I was looking for the hacksaw so that I could cut and fit the gold trim draught-proofing on the outside of the wee weird kitchen door.  I couldn’t find it in any of the usual places a person might have put a hacksaw – hanging from a hook in the pantry under the yellow tin mug, or at a long shot, in the cupboard under the stairs.  However, I did find the WD40 I was hunting for last week – in said under-stairs cupboard, when it should have been in the utility room cupboard.  I came upstairs, bringing a candle I had found in the pantry, which had no business being there, and found the hacksaw, in the jewellery-making kit.  I rest my case.  Pystakeyrz. 

29^th September is Michaelmas, dedicated to St Michael the Archangel.  I had to look up ‘Michaelmas’ years ago, due to Jane Austin and Thomas Hardy mentioning it so much.  TIP: The BBC adaptation of ‘Persuasion’, features Ciaran Hinds, looking dashing, in early 19^th century naval uniform - a Michaelmas traditionogle in this house; the pystakeyrz are big fans.

Michaelmas was once a significant day, and I find comfort contemplating ancient festivals, plotting the year. 

Traditionally, ‘stubble goose’, fattened by goosy snacks in the stubbled wheatfields, was eaten at Michaelmas, magically evoking enough money for the rest of the year.  

A fine time to start no spend then. 

“Celebration of this holiday teaches the importance of facing fears and strengthening resolve”. 

Back to that hacksaw…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKdcX6jId-M

Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaelmas