Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
38 degrees on Friday...
I think I hate Italy.
I grew up here.
And spent a lot of time in a house almost exactly like this one, in the same neighbourhood: Qualicum/Parksville/Beachcomber.
I think it was the Sceptered Isle's two months of uninterrupted rain that did it. One of those full-spectrum lamps might have been a less drastic alternative to moving house. My sister-in-law and her husband, who live in the equally damp midlands of Ireland, spend 4 or 5 days a month in Spain. Works for them. But then they've got more money than SWMBO and I, and probably you. Probably more than all of us put together.
Legend has it that all native Romans abandon Rome for the month of August anyway. In accord with the grand tradition, it seems what you really need is an additional flat for the summer in Castel Gandolfo.
I really shouldn't ramble in comboxes. There's no opportunity to edit when in a couple of hours I think better of it all.
"Legend has it that all native Romans abandon Rome for the month of August anyway."
This legend is absolutely true. One of the things I'm suffering is the absolute emptiness of August. Nearly all my friends have taken off for the month (because for some reason, students can afford to fly all over the world where I, who is the only one with a real job, have to stick around and...you guessed it, WORK), half the shops, cafes and restaurants, even things like pharmacies, are closed. The population of Rome, it is said, drops by about 40 per cent. Even the office was empty with Msgr. B away most of the month. And it's just too damn hot to do anything but stay as still as possible. It's like being in suspended animation, but remaining awake.
Are portable air conditioners/power reasonably cheap in Italy, and can your electrical handle it? A prosaic but effective solution to the heat aspect of it (and excessive heat contributes to a lot of the "other" stuff). Tropical heat waves recently in both Ottawa and Halifax.....very ugly, IMHO.
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Because Peter doesn't live in Canada?
ReplyDeleteTemperatures that rival what the thermometer they just took out of your mouth should say are bad.
ReplyDeleteReally, really bad.
Blame the Romans and Lombards for knocking down the bulk of the forests--that doesn't help.
But here's a pill against homesickness: Canada is still filled with Canadians.
This is what you're doing in Rome, Hilary, and don't ever forget it.
ReplyDeleteI think it was the Sceptered Isle's two months of uninterrupted rain that did it. One of those full-spectrum lamps might have been a less drastic alternative to moving house. My sister-in-law and her husband, who live in the equally damp midlands of Ireland, spend 4 or 5 days a month in Spain. Works for them. But then they've got more money than SWMBO and I, and probably you. Probably more than all of us put together.
ReplyDeleteLegend has it that all native Romans abandon Rome for the month of August anyway. In accord with the grand tradition, it seems what you really need is an additional flat for the summer in Castel Gandolfo.
I really shouldn't ramble in comboxes. There's no opportunity to edit when in a couple of hours I think better of it all.
Cheers,
-John-
You a few weeks ago:
ReplyDelete" I am here swimming in the Mediterranean... I WIN!!! I WIN!!! "
Take the good with the bad. September is really nice in Rome, and October too. Be well.
I'm lonely Greg, is the long and the short of it. (just to drop the jaunty pose for a moment...)
ReplyDelete"Legend has it that all native Romans abandon Rome for the month of August anyway."
ReplyDeleteThis legend is absolutely true. One of the things I'm suffering is the absolute emptiness of August. Nearly all my friends have taken off for the month (because for some reason, students can afford to fly all over the world where I, who is the only one with a real job, have to stick around and...you guessed it, WORK), half the shops, cafes and restaurants, even things like pharmacies, are closed. The population of Rome, it is said, drops by about 40 per cent. Even the office was empty with Msgr. B away most of the month. And it's just too damn hot to do anything but stay as still as possible. It's like being in suspended animation, but remaining awake.
Horrible.
If only I could make everybody in Toronto just disappear for a whole month...
ReplyDeleteAre portable air conditioners/power reasonably cheap in Italy, and can your electrical handle it? A prosaic but effective solution to the heat aspect of it (and excessive heat contributes to a lot of the "other" stuff). Tropical heat waves recently in both Ottawa and Halifax.....very ugly, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteGJJ