The Longest Year
This was not just a Leap Year, it is also one of the rare years in which a Leap Second is added to bring clocks in line with the slowing of the Earth’s rotation.
The BBC has an extensive list of those who died in 2016.
December 31, 2016 Comments Off on The Longest Year
Have You Been Nice?
That’s Grandfather Frost [Дед Мороз] and he is the Russian ‘gift giver’. He is assisted by the Snow Maiden [Снегурочка], but ever the jolly, fun-loving people, the ‘gifts’ are a bit different. Threats of coal or sticks would be weird to a people who are trying to stay warm, they would consider them welcome.
Generally there are sweets, maybe salo [salted fatback], and other high energy food.
For the ‘naughty’ list there is the staff. You don’t get beaten, merely touched, which turns you into a popsicle. [I told you they were fun-loving.]
Tonight’s the night – you’ve been nice, right?
Note: There is no picture of the Snow Maiden because this is a ‘family blog’ and when the Soviet Union became Russia et al. the budget for her costume was greatly reduced as yards of fur and silk disappeared.
December 31, 2016 Comments Off on Have You Been Nice?
