Morning, all.... at least it is for me.

Richard hung the lights, and they're shining faithfully as only friends can....

I put some CDs on shuffle....

And here's the ornament I'm going to hang: a globe of Earth, South Pole up.

Out of my own errant curiosity, I've been wondering what becomes of the Winter iconography of Christmas that we take for granted as fish do of water, when transplanted to where the December solstice begins summer - especially after a few generations of potential change and adaptation. I've informally and very unscientifically polled two Aussies and a South African, and conclude:

The European tradition, and the urge to cling to it, is stronger than reality.

My impression is that if any of us were to be transported (an interesting word to use vis a vis Australia, come to think of it) to a mall anywhere in the Anglophone South, the only difference we'd notice is that the shoppers were in shorts and tank tops.

When we finally take our cultural traditions off the planet, will we take the fake snow, and the red wool suit with the fur trim, and the reindeer... yet not the ability to change and adapt them to wherever we go? That's why my globe ornament is "upside down" - it's not, really.

And my present to you all - a look at everything from a different angle.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

E'