A Fun Whipping

It's a day late, I know, but here's the description of a yearly ritual that takes place on Easter Monday, from the late and much missed Alex Birch's blog, Sunday, April 3, 2005.

"I have just returned from Prague where I spent a delightful Easter break. It's a wonderful old city full of mediaeval baroque architecture and a few tasty customs ...which include gently whipping young ladies on Easter Monday morning. The 'weapon' used is called a pomlazka and its a series of braided willow twigs very carefully and artistically bound together. The design is such, I am reliably told, that the downswing of the pomlazka will not strike the person too hard, just enough to leave a nice pleasant sting.

"Sadly this takes place publicly only in the Czech villages now. There have been complaints, mainly by women tourists I'm told, about over exuberance in Prague itself and I believe that public whippings are now frowned upon. There were many pomlazkas being sold at the Easter fair in Prague old town square but all discreetly wrapped up and taken home I'm sorry to say!!

"Most of the local girls ( see the happy ones above) seem to love the custom and after noon on Easter Monday they get their own back by dousing the lads in water.

"All is in the best spirit of course and kisses and painted eggs are exchanged in recognition of the Easter spirit."

Slava Ukraini
Glory to Ukraine

Sleepy Spanking

This weekend has been absolutely phenomenal in terms of weather. The temperatures are seriously higher than seasonal, and it feels like midsummer instead of early spring. We have all been spending long hours outside, and after a frigid winter of staying indoors where it's warm, we are intoxicated by the fresh air and sunshine.

Fluffy, our crazy young dog, runs laps around the yard when he isn't chasing squirrels and robins. Fang, a sedate older canine, enjoys strolling and sniffing for squirrel poop. When he finds some, he rolls in it blissfully. Crookshanks the cat watches them both disdainfully from the window. Ron and I have been raking, cleaning, and otherwise preparing for another busy season of gardening, barbecuing and enjoying the backyard.

All this sun and exercise takes its toll. By late afternoon we all feel quite exhausted. It isn't so much the activity as the fresh air. We have had our fill of moving around and doing things. We will adjust to outdoor activities in a week or so; it's only the first few days that affect us this way. But I suspect that any spanking I receive this weekend will be delivered and received by two sleepy people with their eyes half-closed, stifling yawns between the swats. And the dogs won't even notice; they'll be fast asleep!

Instead of hunting for Easter eggs, you just might find me curled up under a bush beside one. Happy egg hunting, and happy Easter!