Half of my household is Icelandic, and I suspect generations of falling down glacial crevices and inhaling volcanic ash has done funny things to these people. (Bjork?)
Let's take Christmas traditions, for example. If you think a jolly fat man in a red suit creeping through your house on Christmas eve is a bit weird, spare a thought for the Icelandic children who have thirteen santas to contend with.
And what dastardly santas they are. Check out these dudes (with English translations; sourced from jolamjolk.is):
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| Spoon Licker (Dec 15) and Pot Scraper (Dec 16) |
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| Sausage-Swiper (Dec 20) |
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| Window-Peeper (Dec 21) |
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| Doorway-Sniffer (Dec 22) |
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| Candle-Stealer (Dec 24) |
Every night for the thirteen nights leading up to Christmas, a child (i.e., my daughter) leaves a shoe on her windowsill (i.e., a stocking hung next to the Christmas tree), and agonizes over whether she's been good enough to earn a small gift each morning, or naughty enough to earn a... potato.
This year, since I can't keep these critters out of my house, I'm joining in the Icelandic Christmas spirit for the thirteen days before Christmas. If I have been good, that is, if my day has been productive and I have been busily rewriting or writing, the scary santa of the day will reward me, probably with something bad for my teeth. If I have been bad (i.e., lazy), I'll be checking out potato recipes.
So far, my daughter has two cool gifts, and I have two potatoes.
The santa for Dec 14 is Stubby, an abnormally short dude who steals pans to eat the crusty bits off them.
I don't want a potato from Stubby. I'm sure I can get an hour or two of editing in. I just know I can.
This was both educational AND funny! I've always thought the idea of some old guy watching me when I sleep was a tad creepy. Earn your sweets, my friend! (Although, I do love me a good latke sometimes!)
ReplyDeleteAh yes, we have a rich world. I like to get in touch with my Celtic roots around this time with an Irish coffee or two, but unfortunately, I think I have another potato coming my way (too much of that piddling you were talking about).
DeleteHello Egg- gave you a shout-out on my blog today-- just to let you know. Have a happy writing day!
DeleteWonderful post, Egg...but I don't know. So much one can do with potatoes! Make stamps. Stampers? The things that have an image/words on them that you put ink on and transfer to another piece of paper. Yeah, those.
ReplyDeleteHey...I ordered Zinsser's book. Stubby is going to leave it in my stocking. :o) How old is daughter? I'll send a sweet potato. :o)
Thanks for the suggestion. I might try writing my next story using stampers.
DeleteMy daughter is three. Luckily, she likes mashed (and sweet) potatoes if the stamper idea doesn't work out.
I wouldn't mind a book or two in my stocking this year - from the dependable santa. There's just so many writing books to choose from, so feel free to share the names of your favourites anytime.
I think Ive seen these guys on the list of registered sex offenders. Actually, Stubby seems useful. Does he do windows?
ReplyDeleteI love the Christmas variations from around the globe. By the way, thank you for using the word "Christmas."
Too funny, and unfortunately, a feasible observation. If you've been good, I'm sure Stubby would eat the crusty bits off your windows for you.
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