Australian Christmas

Darling Harbor Sydney

As an inhabitant of the northern hemisphere, I find the Australian Christmas all a bit strange, and it brings home how really distinct Australia is to the rest of the world. During the Christmas season, the days are long, and the weather is hot. Yesterday, the temperature in Sydney was 36° C (96° F).

All this hot weather got me to thinking. I try to imagine how an Australian child reconciles the season’s decorations featuring snow and ice with the actuality of summer heat.

A couple of days ago, I watched an episode of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, a TV series set in Australia during the 1920’s. In this episode, the characters celebrate Christmas in July by traveling to the Australian Alps to have a white Christmas. That seems like a lot of trouble. However, it illustrates how much of a hold the traditional image of Christmas has on Australians.

Berlin Heat Wave!

Decorative water jets at Boxhangerplatz offer relief from the scorching temperatures. I was so tempted to join in.

We’re having a heat wave, a tropical Berlin heat wave. With temperatures expected to reach 38°C (100.4°F) today, my goal is to stay cool. That’s not so easy since most places lack air conditioning. Of course, museums and movie theaters have AC, but the thought of riding my bike to these venues seems daunting and unpleasant. Shopping centers are another option, but it’s Sunday, and they’re closed. Maybe a cold dip in the bathtub?

Berlin Heat Wave!

Decorative water jets at Boxhangerplatz offer relief from the scorching temperatures. I was so tempted to join in.

We’re having a heat wave, a tropical Berlin heat wave. With temperatures expected to reach 38°C (100.4°F) today, my goal is to stay cool. That’s not so easy since most places lack air conditioning. Of course, museums and movie theaters have AC, but the thought of riding my bike to these venues seems daunting and unpleasant. Shopping centers are another option, but it’s Sunday, and they’re closed. Maybe a cold dip in the bathtub?

Die Hundetage Des Sommers (The Dog Days of Summer)

This Little Guy Knows how to Stay Cool

The “dog days of summer” have officially begun (July 23-August 23). In Germany, these days roughly correspond to the warmest time of year. And true to form, on July 23th, the days became warmer and increasingly uncomfortable. The phrase dates back to the ancient Egyptians who discovered that the star Sirius from the constellation Canis Major (Latin for “big dog”) was at its brightest point during this time of year. The star can be seen rising alongside the sun, and the ancients believed that Sirius gave off extra heat and humidity causing the scorching summer temperatures.  

Packaged Dog Meat at S. Korean Supermarket

In South Korea, dog meat is traditionally consumed during the dog days of summer. It is erroneously believed that eating dog meat helps ease the heat by increasing stamina.

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch

During the 19th century, it was believed that dogs would most often contract rabies during this period of time. A scene in To Kill a Mockingbird suggests that this belief continued well into the 20th century, when a mad dog is shot by Atticus Finch. 

Die Hundetage Des Sommers (The Dog Days of Summer)

This Little Guy Knows how to Stay Cool

The “dog days of summer” have officially begun (July 23-August 23). In Germany, these days roughly correspond to the warmest time of year. And true to form, on July 23th, the days became warmer and increasingly uncomfortable. The phrase dates back to the ancient Egyptians who discovered that the star Sirius from the constellation Canis Major (Latin for “big dog”) was at its brightest point during this time of year. The star can be seen rising alongside the sun, and the ancients believed that Sirius gave off extra heat and humidity causing the scorching summer temperatures.  

Packaged Dog Meat at S. Korean Supermarket

In South Korea, dog meat is traditionally consumed during the dog days of summer. It is erroneously believed that eating dog meat helps ease the heat by increasing stamina.

Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch

During the 19th century, it was believed that dogs would most often contract rabies during this period of time. A scene in To Kill a Mockingbird suggests that this belief continued well into the 20th century, when a mad dog is shot by Atticus Finch. 

Last Snowman of the Season?

After yesterday’s storm, I took a walk around the neighborhood and discovered this snowman. Spring has arrived, and this guy might be the very last snowman of the season.

Last Snowman of the Season?

After yesterday’s storm, I took a walk around the neighborhood and discovered this snowman. Spring has arrived, and this guy might be the very last snowman of the season.

100 Inches of Snow this Winter

Spring is Just Around the Corner

Portland had more than 100 inches of snow this season. That’s a rare event for Portland, but one hundred inches didn’t come close to the record of 141.5 inches set in 1970-71. Now, it’s time to dig out the car. Ugh!

BTW:  Happy First Day of Spring!

100 Inches of Snow this Winter

Spring is Just Around the Corner

Portland had more than 100 inches of snow this season. That’s a rare event for Portland, but one hundred inches didn’t come close to the record of 141.5 inches set in 1970-71. Now, it’s time to dig out the car. Ugh!

BTW:  Happy First Day of Spring!

Snow Again!

I was beginning to think it was spring, but this morning, another winter storm hit. Even though spring is just a few days off, it still feels like winter. It’s days like these that I long for the warm California sun.