Sukkot, Water Paintings, a flood; an auspicious night

I recently busted out a 3-hour show for which I spent weeks preparing and $$$s. I sold absolutely nothing at the event, several paintings got warped due to humid and rainy conditions, and I sat under my tent in wet clothes because my sunroof leaked on the drive over. Thank you, Minneapolis rainstorms. I had no problems with the roof of my car for years in Seattle where it rains ALL the time, but here...<rolls eyes.>

Niza, however, made my night - in the midst of a rather damp situation. She introduced herself and reminded me it was the second holiest night of the year (for us Jews) - Sukkot. This holiday is about harvesting the fruit of your efforts and giving thanks, among other things. Celebrations traditionally take place in a tent and involve Water Drawing. As a bad Jew, I have to confess I wasn't aware of the synchronicity until later.

The Water Drawing Celebrations
			"When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, one of the special Sukkot observances was to pour water on the Altar. The drawing of water for this purpose was preceded by all-night celebrations in the Temple courtyard; on the 15 steps leading to the azarah (inner courtyard) stood Levites while playing a variety of musical instruments, sages danced and juggled burning torches, and huge oil-burning lamps illuminated the entire city. The singing and dancing went on until daybreak, when a procession would make its way to the Shiloach Spring which flowed in a valley below the Temple to "draw water with joy." "One who did not see the joy of the water-drawing celebrations," declared the sages of the Talmud, "has not seen joy in his life."

(Did you know? Apparently it was the Jews who started one of the earliest Burning-Man-style festivals.)

In the midst of the rain, Niza said to me "Your art makes me feel like I'm in the temple of God." 

See for yourself; welcome to my first Etsy offering.