Exploring Nature: Yellowrumped Warbler
I was quite pleased that one of the first birds I spotted in the new year was a yellow-rumped warbler.
I was quite pleased that one of the first birds I spotted in the new year was a yellow-rumped warbler.
Q.My birthday is coming up! What is the history of the birthday and how do people around the world celebrate them? A. Birthdays, of course, did not begin until ancient people began to take note of nature’s cycles — the moon, sun, stars, growth of plants, etc. This is what prompted humans to create calendar systems — the need to track the cycles of life and be able to identify when someone has lived for one cycle. Pagan religions were the first to notice and track these changes. In Western culture, Christians initially did not celebrate birthdays because they associated them with paganism and “original sin.” Pagans thought that evil spirits lurked on days of major changes, like the day you turn a year older. They often lit candles to scare off evil spirits — enter the birthday candle. The ancient Greeks believed that each person had a spirit that attended his or her birth and kept watch. That spirit “had a mystic relation with the God on whose birthday the individual was born,” says the book “The Lore of Birthdays.” (DeRusha) It wasn’t until the 4th century that Christians began to celebrate birthdays because they began celebrating the birth of Jesus. In the 18th century, in Germany, Kinderfest was celebrated, and included a cake, candles and blowing them out to make a wish. This started birthdays for children. The industrial revolution made birthday celebrations more accessible as the required ingredients for a cake — sugar, flour, eggs, etc. because they were more readily available.
The Wimberley Players will present classical guitarist Charles Cavanaugh to lead off as the first performer of the 2023 season concerts. The 108-seat Wimberley Playhouse is ideally suited for solo and duet musical performances. Cavanaugh will be performing original compositions and telling the stories that inspired him.
During the pandemic, everyone experienced change that forced organizations to think creatively about longterm solutions rather than short-term fixes. The Heritage Association of San Marcos has been re-imagining its organization over the last two years to clearly define its structure to better contribute to the community moving forward.
San Marcos musical artist Attic Ted will celebrate its new record release at the Farmer’s Market on the Square, Saturday, March 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The flamingo is a most stately and dignified bird. All pretty in pink, it has long, skinny legs that have been described as looking like two toothpicks sticking out of a ripe cherry.
Fifth annual women’s art show set for March 4 - April 29
San Marcos Parks and Recreation will host its Spring Break Camp coinciding with SMCISD’s school break period March 13 - 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Spring Break Camp is for children ages 5 - 11 years old.
(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666