Fawkes, Fires, & Frost

I'm sure folks in my native environs recall the summertime TV commercials for the now-defunct Crazy Eddie chain, during which their screaming mimi announcer went on about how the air was hot & sweltering & that meant it was time for their Christmas sale. (Their catch phrase was that their prices were "IN-SANE!") I'm approximately that energized today because, it being Guy Fawkes' Day (a British minor holiday with its own poem I'll share in a moment), it's FINALLY cool enough to NOT be humid, to NEED a little heat in the car early in the morning & in the house during the overnight hours, AND to be able to mow the lawn once in a several week period WITHOUT melting in the process. Hooray for frost!

This is perfect weather for an evening bonfire...which I hope they have on the other side of the Atlantic so all those "pennies for the guy" went into making a proper effigy for each village's celebration. Tonight is the night our British friends launch aerial spectacles to rival our 4th of July; cold outside, yes--but still fun (they tend to serve hot chocolate & other warm beverages at these events). Guy Fawkes himself is best described as a scapegoat, the poor slob who was caught trying to light fuses in executing the s0-called Gunpowder Plot attack on the house of Parliament in London back in 1605 (when James I was to be present to preside at the opening). He & a few other conspirators, after not lighting the fuses & blowing the place to smithereens, were hanged for their crimes, but only "the guy" is burned in effigy every November as a reminder:

"Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder treason & plot.

I know no reason the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot."

In lieu of a bonfire here, my 16 year old has decided to have friends over for a viewing of V for Vendetta, a more appropriate observance for this side of "the pond."