by Bob Sparrow
Suzanne and I have made a tough decision, based on personal factors, after nearly 13 years of first, Morning News in Verse, which appeared every Tuesday and Friday from August 2011 to March 2012, then From A Bird’s Eye View, which has appeared every Monday morning from March 2012 until today, that this will be our last blog . . . this week.
OK, when I haven’t been traveling, the history of the most current holiday seems to attract my attention, and this week, rather than try to explain why we celebrated the resurrection of Christ by hiding colorful bunny eggs, I decided to explore April Fool’s Day. I know it’s not really a holiday, it’s a . . . well, I’m not sure what it is!! But, I’m sure you are sitting on pins and needles wondering, “What the heck is the incredible history of this crazy day?” Well, wonder no more.
Or maybe you better keep wondering, as April Fool’s Day’s true origin is unknown and probably unknowable. What you may not know is that the day is celebrated around the world, in many different ways. To wit . . .
In Ireland, it is traditional to entrust the victim with an “important letter” to be given to a named person. That person would read the letter, then ask the victim to take it to someone else, and so on. The letter when opened contained the words “send the fool further”.
Danes, Finns, Icelanders, Norwegians and Swedes celebrate April Fools’ Day with most news media outlets publishing one false story on the front page of their local newspaper.
In Poland, April 1 has been a traditional day of pranks, where very sophisticated hoaxes are perpetrated by people, media
and even public institutions. Serious activities are usually avoided; every word said on April 1st could be untrue, as a day of pranks is a centuries-long tradition, but it only lasts until noon.
In France where the fool was called an ‘April Fish’ instead of an ‘April Fool’; due to the prank of taping a paper fish to someone’s back without them knowing it. (Replaced by ‘Kick Me’ in the U.S.) On a possible historic note, in France, in 1564, Charles IX decreed that the new year would no longer begin on Easter, as had been common throughout Christendom, but rather on January 1. Because Easter was a lunar and therefore moveable date, those who clung to the old ways were the “April Fools.”
In Scotland, the day is Gowkie Day, a day for fools and may have been associated at one time with sexual license. The PG rating for our blogs prevents me from any further explanation.
In England there is reference to April 1st in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, where the rooster, Chauntecleer is tricked by the fox. Also in England, on April 1st, starting in 1698, people were tricked into going to the Tower of London to “see the Lions washed”.
Hope you had a Happy Easter, and if you were duped on April 1, you’ve joined a worldwide brotherhood of ‘Fools’. And sorry for those who had hopes of not having our drivel pop up in their email every Monday morning, but we’re not increasing our prices!
Sorry that you no longer will be doing your weekly blog. John and I have enjoyed it so much, and have learned a lot. You and Suzanne are gifted with a wealth of knowledge! Enjoy whatever plans you have in the future.
Got cha!
I’m so relieved! I was fooled, I admit it! Keep up your wonderful blog! You make my Mondays! ❤️
Thank you for your kind comment, Marie.
Oh man….you had me BOB SPARROW and everyone knows Im no fool!!!!! I’m not sure how I could handle not going on all those amazing trips with you!!!!!!! Thank you and your wonderful Sister for these fun and always informative blog posts!!!!! Much appreciated !!! Keep them coming!!!!
At least you read the whole blog, unlike many who wished us a fond good-bye after reading just the title!!!!!!!!!!!
You got me.. I thought it was the last.
Thanks for everything.
It was good to hear from you anyway Steven!
I am sorry you and Suzanne will not be posting any longer. I have enjoyed hearing about your adventures and viewpoints! I loved Suzanne’ s book and her Memorial Day posting for Vietnam veterans. Your families seem warm and caring with each other and the community. All the best! Thank you for sharing and I have learned so much. Alyce
April Fools!!!
I will miss you both so much! Thank you for many years of entertainment and for educating us on so many topics. Love you both!
Oh No!, I will miss your blogs!! I looked forward to reading them every time!! Thanks for every one!!❤️
It was an April Fools joke, we’ll keep writing the blog!
You should have read the rest of the story – April Fools!!!
Bob and Suzanne,
I am so sorry your blog is ending and you will be missed very much…Your blog was not only entertaining but I always learned something interesting…Hugs to both of you…
April Fools!!! We’ll be back!
Did you April Fool us?????? Sooo mean!!
Got ya!! But didn’t mean to cause any harm, just getting into the April Fools mode!
Ohhhhhhh no!!!!! No more Blog😟–where will we get our words of wisdom and trivia information.
We have soooo enjoyed looking forward to your travel pictures, recommendations, and knowledge!! You Blogs will be missed!!!
After my gasp of disbelief I realized I’d been had! Enjoyed the history of April Fool’s Day
Thanks Pam – at least you were one of only a few who read beyond the headlines!
Once again, I found this blog fascinating!.
Thanks to you and Suzanne for always brightening my Mondays!
And it’s always good to hear from you Janet, thank you for all your comments!
Awww … this may count as “all good things must come to an end.” I have enjoyed seeing your posts in my inbox and appreciate that it is time to have other things occupying your time! But thank you and Suzanne for so many great laughs and also information about all sorts of things! Enjoy the next season of NOT having to meet deadlines!
Maryann B.
Got ya! April Fools!
You had me. Glad you are not done
Ha! Thanks Deb!