Comments on: Athena, Paler Than Usual

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:19:16 +0000

Hey, it’s perfectly reverent to appreciate tastiness. The dead come for the food, too.

For the past four years or so the Day of the Dead has been a top-tier holiday among my family and friends. We get together, tell stories about the departed, and eat delicious food. It’s a time I truly treasure.

By: Hector

Hector — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:52:05 +0000

We had a lot of sugar skulls. I’ve respectfully dedicated one of them to you and your readers in my blog. I was very happy to see all of you talk about my favorite holiday, so I decided to post about it right away, instead of waiting until tomorrow. :)

adelheid–I think it’s great that you maintained the tradition. This weekend was the first time I’ve ever had a traditional thing happen at my home–as in, initiated by me and my wife. It was a wonderful experience. It gave us a sense of being a family. It was a very beautiful weekend.

gigi–You can make your own next year. We did. There are some places online that sell the molds. It was a lot of fun for us to create and decorate them!

NickelDiamer- I agree! as Mythago says, it is not a reverent holiday, rather, a loving one, and a lot of fun!

By: adelheid

adelheid — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:53:15 +0000

The October right after my husband's grandfather, who we had lived with for the 12 years of my daughter's life at the time, died (he died in September) , I introduced her to the tradition, in, I hope, a respectful manner. We had a night stand where we placed a picture of her great-grandpa and a pair of his glasses and other personal items there. I think it helped her remember and mourn him. A few years later, she took classes in Spanish language and culture in high school and for an extra credit project we baked Pan de Muerto and made the candy skulls.

By: ytimynona

ytimynona — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:41:09 +0000

I was wondering where the Halloween pictures were!

By: gigi

gigi — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:26:39 +0000

No Mexican/Aztec heritage at all and I celebrate/commemorate Día de los Muertos.

Next year, I’ll make candy skulls as I sure there is no place for me to buy any up here in the cold of Saskatchewan (tho’ today is unseasonably warm :).

By: hugh

hugh — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 17:02:31 +0000

Candy skulls – bad.

Candy braaaaaaiiiiiiiiiins – good.

By: Brett L

Brett L — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:58:18 +0000

John:

Regarding your lack of reverence: That’s why we Catholics have confession, so we can turn holy days into debauchery and still go to Heaven. (See: Mardi Gras/Carnival, St. Patricks Day). If there isn’t alcohol poisoning, gluttony, and perhaps an orgy involved, you’re not ready for the varsity.

By: mythago

mythago — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:59:37 +0000

It’s not really a solemn holiday anyway so I don’t think you need worry about reverence.

When we lived closer to San Jose, we used to go to the Día de los Muertos festivities every year. People were a little surprised to see us, I think (we’re kind of, you know, obviously not Hispanic), but nobody seemed to have an issue with the kids making sugar skulls or looking at the ofrendas. If we’d been snapping pictures and acting like tourists they might have.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:31:28 +0000

NickelDiamer @ 1

I do believe you’re right – living in the melting pot does give us secondary rights.

By: Christian

Christian — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:14:28 +0000

I am always delighted by pictures of your daughter, but it kinda looks like she’s going to “toss her tacos” in that picture. Too many candy skulls perhaps?

Go Athena!