Joyeuses Pâques

I know that Easter has deeply religious overtones for some people, but I'm not one of those people. I respect those who go to services today, but that scene just isn't for me. What is for me is a good day of rest, and that's what I plan on doing for the majority of this day as I prepare for what should be another busy week. I do have plans to get some spring cleaning out of the way as there are a few things I need clear out of HBIC Headquarters, but I spent the morning with a coffee and some Pixar short films that truly are excellent. One such film is shown to the left in Presto, but it's the small bunny named Alec who steals the show with his refusal to assist in Presto's magic until he's fed a carrot. The 2008 Pixar short was released with Wall-E, and it was nominated for an Academy Award! Let the comedy ensue!

The reason I bring up rabbits on this day is, of course, due to the Easter Bunny. Rabbits weren't mentioned anywhere in any religious texts when it came to Easter, but the history of rabbits and Easter came about due to a pagan festival honouring the goddess, Eostre. She was represented by a rabbit as she was seen as symbol of the goddess of fertility and spring because, according to some, bunnies "reproduce like rabbits". There's no mention of bringing eggs to children at this festival, but that tradition began elsewhere.

According to reports, the legend of the Easter Bunny being associated with eggs comes from German immigrants who landed in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. They spoke of an egg-laying hare named "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws" who would leave colorful eggs as gifts to children who built nests where this legendary bunny could leave his eggs. Those same kids would often leave carrots in case the rabbit got hungry!

Of course, the egg imagery is also a sign of new life and fertility as we see in spring from a lot of animal life, so this "Osterhase" wasn't some distant relative of the platypus or echidna. Decorating eggs possibly is derived from eggs being a forbidden food during Lent, and cooking and eating a decorated egg left by the Easter Bunny represented a treat for those who weren't permitted to eat them.

The idea of an Easter marsupial like the platypus or echidna may seem far-fetched, but Australians celebrate Easter with the arrival of the Easter Bilby. Bilbies, or raccoon-bandicoots, are desert-dwelling marsupial omnivores from Australia that has long ears like a rabbit and grows to the size of a domestic cat. They are noctural with good hearing and an excellent sense of smell, but they, like the Easter Bunny, do not lay eggs. The young, instead, remain in the mother's pouch for up to three months before beginning their own adventure!

Ok, I have to get started on the cleaning routine if I want to feel somewhat productive today. Enjoy your Easter Sunday however you celebrate it if you celebrate it, and here's hoping you have a great day no matter where the day takes you! And if the Easter Bunny showed up with sweets and gifts? Be grateful that the Germans brought that legend with them to North America!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!