Almost St. Martin's Day

I meant to keep watch, but I completely forgot until I was in my room this evening and suddenly I heard children singing outside in the street. I looked out and there was a whole group of them trooping past, singing songs and swinging lanterns on poles. St. Martin’s Day is officially on November 11th and honors St. Martin, who saved a beggar by giving him half of his cloak during a snowstorm.
I remember practicing the songs and making lanterns in kindergarten and then wandering through the neighborhood singing songs in exchange for cookies. It’s such a neat tradition; I think we should celebrate it in the US. It’s okay with me if we ignore All Saint’s Day in favor of Halloween, but there’s nothing like looking out your window at dusk in late autumn and seeing those lanterns bobbing along on the street.
(not my photo)