a pinch and a punch

another peculiar ganan tradition: the first ganan sibling to realise that it’s the first of the month says to the other sibling, “a pinch and a punch, it’s the first of the month” (and then gets to both pinch and punch that sibling). to which the other sibling responds, “a pinch and a kick, gosh you’re quick.”

this would invariably depreciate to the point where i would be icing a noogie-welt (with a bag of frozen lima beans) and applying heavy concealer to my black eye while my kid sister would be in a desperate search for a pair of needlenose pliers to remedy a rather severe wedgie.

July 1, 2009
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peculiar tradition being raynor
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

another peculiar holiday tradition: m’aider!

ever since i was really really little, my mom would barge into my room at 6:30 a.m. every may 1st blasting the appended song (vanessa redgrave singing the lusty month of may from the musical, camelot) on a portable boombox. she continues this tradition via phone EVERY year. i post this audio° not so much for your benefit but out of annual pavlovian conditioning.

May 1, 2009
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audio being raynor peculiar tradition theatre music
of love and bacon few are the anecdotes of bacon and of love in which the love described is NOT a love OF bacon. the story of the dunmow flitch is one such anecdote. from the dunmow town website: In 1104, Lord Reginald Fitzwalter and his wife dressed themselves as humble folk and begged blessing of the Prior a year and a day after their marriage. The Prior, impressed by their devotion bestowed upon them a Flitch of Bacon. Upon revealing his true identity, Fitzwalter gave his land to the Priory on the condition a Flitch should be awarded to any couple who could claim they were similarly devoted. Chaucer alludes to the Dunmow Flitch Trials in ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale’. The modern Trial takes the form of a court presided over by a Judge, with Counsel representing the claimants, and opposing Counsel representing the donors of the Flitch of Bacon, a Jury of six maidens and six bachelors, and an Usher to maintain order. Couples married for at least a year and a day come from far and wide to try and claim the Flitch. Successful couples are carried shoulder high by bearers (humble folk) in the ancient Flitch Chair to the Market Place. Unsuccessful couples have to walk behind the chair to the Market Place, consoled with a prize of gammon [a less desirable cut of bacon (but bacon nonetheless)].

of love and bacon

few are the anecdotes of bacon and of love in which the love described is NOT a love OF bacon. the story of the dunmow flitch is one such anecdote. from the dunmow town website:

In 1104, Lord Reginald Fitzwalter and his wife dressed themselves as humble folk and begged blessing of the Prior a year and a day after their marriage. The Prior, impressed by their devotion bestowed upon them a Flitch of Bacon. Upon revealing his true identity, Fitzwalter gave his land to the Priory on the condition a Flitch should be awarded to any couple who could claim they were similarly devoted. Chaucer alludes to the Dunmow Flitch Trials in ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale’.

The modern Trial takes the form of a court presided over by a Judge, with Counsel representing the claimants, and opposing Counsel representing the donors of the Flitch of Bacon, a Jury of six maidens and six bachelors, and an Usher to maintain order.

Couples married for at least a year and a day come from far and wide to try and claim the Flitch. Successful couples are carried shoulder high by bearers (humble folk) in the ancient Flitch Chair to the Market Place. Unsuccessful couples have to walk behind the chair to the Market Place, consoled with a prize of gammon [a less desirable cut of bacon (but bacon nonetheless)].

April 14, 2009
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anecdotes food history mediæval peculiar tradition

a peculiar easter tradition

easter dinner at the raynor ganan household consists of braised rabbit. when i tell this to people, i usually receive a stern verbal belabouring but you guys are my good friends and because we are good friends, i would like to share with you my very old° family recipe for cooking lagomorphs.

oma’s braised rabbit (4 servings)

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 whole skinned rabbit, cut into small pieces
  • salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup thinly diced onions
  • 1/4 cup dried mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1.5 cups beef broth
  • flour

in a large pan with lid, heat the oil. season each piece of rabbit with salt and pepper and garlic. lay the rabbit in the oil and brown for 4 or 5 minutes on each side, or until dark brown. remove rabbit and set aside. add the onions. season with salt and pepper. sauté for 2 or 3 minutes or until tender. boil beef broth and put in mushrooms. return rabbit to pan, add broth mixture and cover. simmer until tender. remove rabbit and debone. lightly thicken broth with flour and water. return rabbit to pan and simmer for 5 minutes. serve with red cabbage and spätzle.

April 9, 2009
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being raynor food peculiar tradition religion
krampus back in the day (and in many modern alpine traditions) there were two spirits that visited children during this time of year. just as i have an evil alter ego, so too did santa claus. while santy rewarded the good kids with treats and sundries, krampus punished the naughty through scare tactics and relentless spanking (especially the young girls). also, krampus looked like a badass motherfucker. wiki

krampus

back in the day (and in many modern alpine traditions) there were two spirits that visited children during this time of year. just as i have an evil alter ego, so too did santa claus.

while santy rewarded the good kids with treats and sundries, krampus punished the naughty through scare tactics and relentless spanking (especially the young girls). also, krampus looked like a badass motherfucker.

wiki

December 23, 2008
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history mediæval peculiar tradition things to look at religion