December

Like most other places on earth, in New Zealand we’re in December already, although you wouldn’t guess it. Locally on TalkRadio, there have been endless arguments as to when the real Summer starts. Opinions on the matter vary from 1st December to the 22 and others purists say the 23rd.

The Herald writes, “Temperatures for December 1 have fluctuated for the last decade between as hot as 27C and as cold as 13C. This year was the coolest since 2006.”

The rain gauge outside in the garden reads 38mm this morning… Summer… hmmm. If there was no rain gauge, we would still have no argument as to what the weather has been. The photo above shows some of the stepping stones in the Secret Pathway attempting an impersonation of Noah’s ark.

Added to the debate as to the start of Summer, is the difference of opinion as to when a Christmas tree should be decorated. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve (24th) or, in the traditions celebrating Christmas Eve rather than the first day of Christmas (23rd), and then removed the day after Twelfth Night (5 January); to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck.

The department stores, hungry for sales on all their wonderful “special offers” would have trees up as early as possible and would play Christmas Carols the whole year round, if they could get away with it, but it appears that tree decoration is done around the first of December.

Bianca decorated our tree and decorated the entrance hall, much to Brynn’s excitement and delight. Benny, a confirmed lover of trees, immediately found and enjoyed the warm comfort of a convenient cushion close to the tree in the lounge. Poor Benny was immediately banned to the Sin Bin. There’s no understanding these strange humans… he cannot understand what has happened to the Spirit of Christmas and kindness to animals…

I was commandeered by Brynn to assist her with her very own small tree which she decorates in one corner of her bedroom. Very fastidious and particular about getting the balance right, she obviously has inherited design and decorating genes from mother and grandmother.