Oh, well the world is dreaming
Under the April moon,
Her soul in love with beauty,
Her senses all a-swoon.
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac website, this
year's Full Pink Moon will reach peak fullness on Friday, April 19th.
Tomorrow is Good Friday and Passover will begin at sundown.
The best time to view this moon, however, will be tonight,
according to the folks at the Almanac, when it will be
near peak fullness as it sails across the spring night sky.
Unless, of course, it is cloudy where you live!
Full Pink Moon
(2019)
In the language of my Cherokee ancestors, this month's moon
is known as "Kawoni" or the Flower Moon. The first plants of the
new spring season come out at this time of the year. One tradition,
which is still being carried on today, is the annual gathering of
wild plants called, "Ramps".
For many centuries, the Cherokee Indians living
For many centuries, the Cherokee Indians living
in the Appalachian Mountains have gathered
these annual greens, which are similar to
wild onions, and are often called, "mountain leeks".
These medicinal plants are not only delicious to eat,
but chock full of Vitamin C and other nutrients.
Wild Ramps
Each spring in North Carolina, the Cherokee Nation
hosts their annual, "Rainbow and Ramps" festival. Local Cherokee
members gather the wild plants from their families own ramp
patches, whose locations are kept secret due to the plant's
delicacy, and to protect the root system for future growth.
At the yearly celebration, the ramps are served up
At the yearly celebration, the ramps are served up
fried like onions, along with freshly-caught, filleted
rainbow trout, which is breaded and deep-fried, and
rainbow trout, which is breaded and deep-fried, and
served with delicious sides like cornbread and potato salad.
"Under The April Moon"
An excerpt from the poem
by William Bliss Carman
(1861-1929)
Canadian poet
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