One Earth, our Earth, robust with a magnificent array of diverse flora, fauna, and elements, provides infinite opportunities to celebrate all that there is here and beyond, including the past, present, and future.  One moon, our moon, was a new moon last week, heralding the beginning of the Chinese New Year as we returned to the Anza-Borrego Desert during a week filled with anniversaries and special occasions!

(Photo Credit: NASA, Wikimedia Commons)

On Monday, Larry set up his Chinese New Year’s display outside while I set up for a photo shoot inside our Airstream Safari to commemorate some of the other significant occasions of the week, such as Abraham Lincoln’s birthday*, Fat Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, and our 42nd Anniversary (special wine provided by our good friend Casey)!

According to Wikipedia, Chinese New Year usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice.  It is also called the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival, and is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar.  It is a time for house cleaning and family reunions and feasts.  Chinese New Year 2013*, the Year of the Water Snake*, began on February 10 and ends 15 days later with the Lantern Festival.

I confess that on Shrove Tuesday I did have a good time photographing and eating blueberry pancakes that Larry made to celebrate Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), the last day and night of the Carnival season, which is celebrated by eating richer, fatty foods, such as pancakes.  This day is also known as Pancake Day in the UK, where pancake races* are held.

Blueberries were added for their good taste, nutritional, and their antioxidant qualities.*  A female hummingbird joined us for brunch.

On Thursday, we celebrated Valentine’s Day, which also marked our 42nd Anniversary.  On the table is seen homegrown Bird of Paradise flowers, a Year of the Snake figurine, Chinese gold ingots (for wealth and prosperity), Mardi Gras beads, and a Valentine’s Day teddy bear* with good tidings.

We also celebrated our desert surroundings of flora and fauna basking in the sun shining in the blue sky… a diversity of life connected by the classical elements.

This theme is projected by Richard Blanco in his One Today poem, read by him at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural.*

*This is a link to a YouTube video.