Sunday, March 28, 2010

THE PALM LADY


She has been there all week, the palm lady, sitting at the side of the road, deftly weaving fronds into objects of beauty.  She sets up her stall long before the morning rush hour begins, and she is still there as everyone hurries home for lunch.  She carries on braiding and plaiting, adorning her  finished palms with ribbons of all colours, through the silent siesta hours and as the shutters go up again for the evening reopening.  As darkness defeats her, she stops, but she is there again the following morning, bright and early.  On Sunday she continues her dexterous craft and only when the bells for the last Mass of this Palm Sunday morning have sounded does she pack up her wares for another year.  I hope she is having a rest.


14 comments:

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

There look wonderful WL.. patience is needed x

CherryPie said...

They do look very beautiful :-)

Rosaria Williams said...

Lots of labor here.

Lee said...

A good way to meditate, no doubt. Her mind would be at peace with the world while her hands are busy.

Rowena said...

I wish there was that tradition here in northern Italy. I'd have purchased one of these!

Whispering Walls said...

They are more beautiful than our plain crosses

Bella Baita Marla said...

These are gorgeous. I hope she's making some coins to enjoy during her rest.

jams o donnell said...

That is beautiful braiding Welshcakes

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Anne. Yes, patience and dexterity. Aren't they, Cherie? Hi, lakeviewer. Yes, indeed. Hi, Lee. Yes, I envy her that. Hi, Rowena. I didn't realise you didn't have this tradition up there. I always purchase one. Hi, BB. I hope so, too. Do you think so, WW? I think both types are beautiful in their way. Hi, jams. Yes, she is very gifted.

sally in norfolk said...

How lovely they look and i would have to buy one two or maybe even three :-)

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Sally. Yes, they are lovely.

Liz Hinds said...

They're lovely.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Liz. I think so, too.

Anna said...

We make these in NY before Palm Sunday. Italian women from the local Church taught me how to make them 15 years ago. It is indeed a labor of love.

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