Holy Freeze! They're back!

St. Pancras, Gervais et Boniface Apportent souvent le glace. Yes, they're back again, the saints of the Holy Freeze. If you are wondering why your local gardener refuses to plant before the 14th of May, it's because of the Saints de Glace, usually shortened to the 'Saint Glace'. Or what I coined last year at this time, the Holy Freeze. St. Mamert was the Bishop of Vienne, St. Pancras was a martyr in Rome and St. Servais (called St. Gervais sometimes) was the Bishop of Tongres. Their feast days are May 11, 12, and 13th. Those who don't believe in the Saint Glace forget every year that these three days in May, the 11, 12 and 13th are likely to be cold, wet, and miserable, so every year they go and book picnics, weddings, and outdoor concerts. But people who believe in old traditions don't plant their geraniums until the 15th of May. Sunday, rather than going on a picnic with friends, we're preparing the lunch at a friend's home, and because St. Glace will be just about over by then, we might go for a nice walk in the afternoon after lunch We'll bring sweaters - and maybe even a rainhat - just in case.