"When you look hard enough, there is always reason to celebrate.

Look around a corner, under a book, into the face of a child.

Touch a memory stored in your mind and smile.

Count your blessings, beat it out on a drum.

Sing a song.

It's a good day to be alive, today

Rejoice"

Lucy

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM 

 June 23

Magic, fairies, young lovers chasing each other through a forest, a man with a donkey's head, and impish Puck wreaking havoc right and left. What's going on here? It's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Shakespeare at his most fanciful.

A Midsummer Night's Dream was first performed in 1595. Some have theorised that the play might have been written for an aristocratic wedding.

Shakespeare

 

"Hold "The Great Party" on Midsummer's Night Eve tonight..

 

A Misummer's Night is the high holy feast of the Stillwaters, the mock New England sect imagined by author and illustrator Tasha Tudor.  Stillwater followers, believe that life's simple pleasures are meant to be savored and that Nature is to be revered.

 

The Stillwater religion, whicn combines the best beliefs of the Shakers, Quackers and Amish, is a 'state of mind' according to it's creator.

Stillwater connotes something very peaceful. Life without stress.

On Midsummer's Eve, the Stillwaters have a Great Party - plenty of music, dancing and a sumptuous summer supper. 

Their beliefs are very hedonistic. 

The first commandment of the sect is:

Take joy from each day.  Life is to be enjoyed. 

This is a catechism we should all embrace to experience Heaven on earth.

Legend has it that any woman who washes her face with the morning's first dew of Midsummer's Day will grow ever more lovely with the passing day."

A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

 

Tasha Tudor

August 28, 1915 - June 18, 2008