Carnivale!

One commonly accepted derivation of the word "carnival" (or carnivale) is the Latin "carne vale" or "farewell to meat." Carnival was the final hurrah as winter headed towards spring, and the long Lenten season of fasting and abstinence. It was, perhaps, not only a last chance to indulge the passions of the flesh, but an opportunity to consume any meat which had been put up for winter that might not stay fresh enough for consumption until spring brought the end of Lent and Easter. For more about Carnevale traditions and history, go HERE

I'm reminded of "Endanger it, and the Demand," a poem by Emily Dickinson:

Endanger it, and the Demand
Of tickets for a sigh
Amazes the Humility
Of Credibility --

Recover it to Nature
And that dejected Fleet
Find Consternation's Carnival
Divested of its Meat.

Since that most original of American 19th century poets expressed herself so often in similes and metaphors, I don't know whether the poem actually had a literal connection to Lent or Mardi Gras.

I was thinking of masks and of the magic of Venetian Carnivale as I set this table for two today.

Another poem by Emily Dickinson will accompany the images:

Those fair -- fictitious People

Those fair -- fictitious People --
The Women -- plucked away



From our familiar Lifetime --
The Men of Ivory --

Those Boys and Girls, in Canvas --

Who stay upon the Wall

In Everlasting Keepsake --

Can Anybody tell?

We trust -- in places perfecter --

Inheriting Delight

Beyond our faint Conjecture --

Remembering ourselves, we trust --

Yet Blesseder -- than We --

Through Knowing -- where We only hope --

Receiving -- where we -- pray --

Of Expectation -- also --

Anticipating us

With transport, that would be a pain

Except for Holiness --

Esteeming us -- as Exile --

Themself -- admitted Home --

Through easy Miracle of Death --
The Way ourself, must come –


Please join Susan of Between Naps on the Porch this week (and every week) for Tablescape Thursday.

China - Haviland, Ladore
Crystal - Tiffin, Cherokee Rose
Flatware - Gorham, La Scala
Napkin rings - Gorham
Centerpiece - Christmas ornaments in bowl from Hobby Lobby
Platter - MacKenzie-Childs, Courtley Check
Table linens - custom
Iron easel - custom (made by my brother)
Masks, coasters, chairs - thrifted
Glass-topped table - from the deck (lit by a spotlight on bracket that normally holds a flower pot)

Charcoal drawing and pastel painting by my friend, Yvonne. Did you recognize the subject?

Thank you for stopping by today!

P.S.

One of my favorite bloggers, Terri from Calgary, Canada, just gave me a sweet, thoughtful mention. Stop by HERE and read about our little shopping (dishy) "collaboration!"