Small Hobbit wanted something about autumn...
When I was fifteen or sixteen, there was this massive storm a few days before Bonfire Night - high winds, rain pounding at the windows, loads of damage. Entire trees went down. We heard one go with a crack you could heard over the thunder.
We went to Bonfire Night on Hampstead Heath, and they had all the debris from the storm piled up and fenced off, and... I feel this must've grown in my mind to be bigger than it really was, but I'll tell it like I remember it. The piles were higher than houses, so long they faded off into the dark on either side.
They were already burning when we got there. It was a chilly night, and most people had set up near the fire for warmth to wait for the fireworks. Mum and Dad and Harry did too. Harry and I wandered off pretty quickly after that, in opposite directions.
I sat on the far side on the bonfire. The only light was the dull glow from the heart of it with little flare ups now and then when a log (or tree) collapsed. Another boy from my school turned up, and...well, I'd say etc. but I don't want to give you the wrong impression. It was cold and there were a lot of people about. We stopped considerably short of etc.
We didn't say much - I didn't really know him that well to be honest - but we watched the fireworks together and drank some highly alcoholic coffee he'd brought.
It's funny the way some memories stick to you. I'll remember that - the smell of smoke, the taste the coffee, the way he felt pressed up against my side - for the rest of my life, but I can't remember his name.
When I was fifteen or sixteen, there was this massive storm a few days before Bonfire Night - high winds, rain pounding at the windows, loads of damage. Entire trees went down. We heard one go with a crack you could heard over the thunder.
We went to Bonfire Night on Hampstead Heath, and they had all the debris from the storm piled up and fenced off, and... I feel this must've grown in my mind to be bigger than it really was, but I'll tell it like I remember it. The piles were higher than houses, so long they faded off into the dark on either side.
They were already burning when we got there. It was a chilly night, and most people had set up near the fire for warmth to wait for the fireworks. Mum and Dad and Harry did too. Harry and I wandered off pretty quickly after that, in opposite directions.
I sat on the far side on the bonfire. The only light was the dull glow from the heart of it with little flare ups now and then when a log (or tree) collapsed. Another boy from my school turned up, and...well, I'd say etc. but I don't want to give you the wrong impression. It was cold and there were a lot of people about. We stopped considerably short of etc.
We didn't say much - I didn't really know him that well to be honest - but we watched the fireworks together and drank some highly alcoholic coffee he'd brought.
It's funny the way some memories stick to you. I'll remember that - the smell of smoke, the taste the coffee, the way he felt pressed up against my side - for the rest of my life, but I can't remember his name.
69 comments:
Thank you for responding to my prompt. And with such a great story. I can't remember if I said autumn was my favourite season, because it appeals to all the senses. And that was really a sense filled post. You have one very happy reader.
Make that two very happy readers. Such an autumn-y, not quite wistful story, with shadows and firelight. I'm glad you were cosy on that chilly evening.
I really wish we could go somewhere this year. Cuddling you watching fireworks sounds like heaven.
If you'll allow me to be an ignorant american for a moment, what is bonfire night in celebration of? It sounds lovely.
"Not quite wistful" is a very good description, innie. That was a very evocative story, John. Makes me feel nostalgic for something I've never actually experienced--we don't have anything like that here.
It's a pity you have to work then, Lestrade (that's what you said on your blog, right?) but you wouldn't get to cuddle much this year anyway. I mean, Sherlock and a bonfire sounds like a combination requiring a LOT of supervision...
RR - yeah, but fireworks would keep him fairly still and entertained. And the fire would be way too hot to get near. So as long as he held one of our hands there's still every opportunity for a bit of a cuddle. Especially if he sat on my shoulders - can't get up to much mischief up there!
Anyway, no point thinking about it because it's not going to happen.
There's always next year!
L - I wish too. It's my favourite holiday and I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend it with.
kholly - Sherlock would tell you it celebrates Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up Parliament with a lot of gunpowder, but in fact it's more in remembrance of him not succeeding.
well, I'd say etc. but I don't want to give you the wrong impression
What, us? Turn perfectly innocent etceteras into something... untoward??? ...Well, we have been hanging around Greg a fair bit. :)
(Hah. The verification thingy just said "plaus". Yup. Perfectly plausible, I'd say.)
From what I've read, Guy Fawkes sounds like a holiday without the need to prepare enormous meals or throw parties or do anything that involves extensive and exhausting preparations but is still actively celebratory, which does sound awfully nice.
We don't have anything like that here--the US national holidays that don't involve all sorts of preparations all seem to be more about shopping the sales than anything fun!
That's such a lovely memory, John! Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope that you are able to find some time with Lestrade to have your own celebration, even if it isn't quite what both of you would like.
As for questions...
What is your favorite indulgent treat? Something that you absolutely love but don't eat very often either because it's so bad for you or it's just too good to have very often. Mine is chocolate truffles. I can only eat them very often because they're so rich and I know not exactly conducive to a small waistline.
And this one may be a bit personal. Please feel free to tell me to go stuff myself. But what is your favorite memory from the military?
I think mine is when I celebrated Thanksgiving in Korea. We spent the day eating, playing games, and I learned how to play poker. I didn't know any but one of the people I spent that day with, but it was a wonderful experience.
What a lovely story, John. <3
RR, what about the 4th of July and Labor Day? All about BBQs and parties. Unfortunately, you're right about some of the others, like Memorial Day, which makes me sad.
Parties require exhausting preparation, and there are very few barbecues in Manhattan being that there are very few backyards. :) There don't seem to be parades for either the 4th or Labor Day, or at least not so you'd notice. (In some of the suburbs there might be. Fewer every year, though.)
Can't even see the fireworks on the 4th of July in NYC, unless you are willing to sit on a highway doing absolutely nothing from noon or earlier--I so don't do that!
Bonfire night might involve baked spuds and toffee apples, but someone else prepares them...
Depending where you go depends how seriously people take it. some places it's very serious.
It does sound like a right-sized holiday.
What does "seriously" entail?
Seriously entails, generally, a lot of anti-catholic sentiments. Big burning effigies of the pope, burning crosses, that sort of thing. I've got some pictures somewhere of an amazing bonfire night. I shall try to find them later.
And obviously a lot of fireworks...
You're clearly just living in the wrong part of the country, then. :P There's always parades for the Fourth, usually with fire engines, cop cars, military units, Scouts, etc. And the fireworks down South can't be beat!
Word verifier wants me to tell you "pholks" are there, too
Big burning effigies of the pope, burning crosses, that sort of thing.
Historically accurate, but a bit not good, that.
Fireworks on the other hand--woo hoo!
DW, the Macy's July 4th fireworks are amazing, but I can't imagine wasting a whole holiday day staking out a piece of asphalt from which to see them. When I was a graduate student in Ithaca, they had a much smaller display, but everyone could see them. Lovely.
And no one in the US properly celebrates Labor Day, especially nowadays. Almost no one has any appreciation of labor unions, and don't realize that they owe the 5-day week, 9-hour day and so much more to them.
(I deleted my post because I was asking where my comment went, and then it was there. So sorry!)
How'd the bike lesson go?
The bike and John survived intact. You'll have to ask him if he enjoyed it.
I don't know quite where I stand on the bonfire night thing. I mean, if you celebrate very traditionally is that worse than not understanding what you're celebrating at all, as most people seem not to?
Ha! I bet I know what John's blog post tomorrow will be about. :)
I get very annoyed with the way most American "celebrate" national holidays for exactly that reason--they seem to have no idea what they're celebrating. (You'd think that Tea Partyers and Republicans would refuse to celebrate Labor Day, wouldn't you? But they don't, they seem to think it's something to do with July 4th.) So...yeah. Maybe it's better. But then again--anti-any-group isn't such a great thing to celebrate, is it really? It's a tough one.
(It's nothing to do with me anyway, though--there were no Jews legally in England at that time. :) )
Oh, and did your nerves survive intact?
Yeah. My nerves are okay. I trust Danger.
Sorry, running bit late leaving for work.
You should've seen the faces he was making the first time I got on...
KHolly, RR - Bonfire night is fun, but I wouldn't describe it as "lovely" :-p It is, effectively, the celebration of the foiling of a plot to blow up Parliament, and the capture, torture and extremely bloody execution of the conspirators... Wikipedia has info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night although I must admit I've never heard of it described as Guy Fawkes Night; see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonfire_Night. I remember doing a Penny For The Guy once when I was a kid, but it's quite rare these days (Penny For The Guy - create a dummy person by stuffing trousers and a top with newspaper or something, stick a mask on it, and ask random strangers for money 0_0).
The other thing to remember is, it's always bloody cold here in November, and normally raining :-p
John - wonderful story :-) Given Lestrade's lovely post today, how about telling us about his most endearing quality? And how did the bike riding go today?
Was not making faces! Well, maybe...a bit. But you were fine. Did you enjoy it?
You should've seen the faces he was making the first time I got on...
*giggling madly*
How'd you like it--riding the bike solo, that is?
Nameless, I am familiar with the history of the Gunpowder Plot--I read and listen to an awful lot of history one way or another, because I enjoy it. I had been, however, under the impression that nowadays Guy Fawkes was celebrated more or less without reference to the original events. Apparently, not so much everywhere.
RR - a lot of places it is just a big fire and fireworks. Sometimes still with a guy to burn on the fire.
But yeah, a few places take it all very seriously, and often link it to other events.
Here's a nice picture, people in costume, burning banners, symbols and crosses. On the staff you can see the sign saying 'No Popery'.
http://mikejay.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/cliffe_vikings.jpg
Hmmmmm. I don't know what to think about it. :(
I know what to think about a big fire and fireworks, though. :)
Very confusing.
Could you not be celebrating different things on a holiday and still have it be valid? For example, on the Fourth, some people are genuinely celebrating our independence while I celebrate my commission. Same kind of idea, but slightly different. Or, on Thanksgiving, which isn't really about the Pilgrims anymore but an excuse to get with family. Yeah, the sales on Black Friday aren't in that spirit, but just listen to the gasps you'll hear if you tell someone you're not off that Thursday. They won't be because you'll be missing the sales.
Then again, that's just my two cents. <3
We were making firework pictures at Brownies tonight and some of them were telling me they had been learning about Guy Fawkes at school, so there is still some knowledge of what it's about.
(Shhhh. My family doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving. I'll save why for my Nov. 24 blog, though, as I'm sure I'll be quite desperate for subjects by then. ;))
Lestrade - that's appalling. Maybe I'm just lucky but I've never seen that sort of thing before.
Nameless - I'm not sure I'd call it appalling. I mean, about 60,000 people go to that town every year. I would imagine a fair number are Catholic. It is very, very traditional, but I sort of admire that they keep it that way. It would be very easy to clean it all up, make it be sterile and meaningless. But that procession/celebration has been going on since about 1679, and they hold on very hard to their traditional dress, activities and observations of remembrance.
The original 'Bonfire Prayer', which kids today still repeat the first two lines of - probably with no idea that it continues - goes like this:
Remember, remember the Fifth of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot,
I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament,
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow.
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match,
Holler boys, holler boys, ring bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys, God Save the King!
A penny loaf to feed the Pope
A farthing o’cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to rinse it down
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar
Burn him like a blazing star,
Burn his body from his head
Then we’ll say old Pope is dead.
Hip Hip Hoorah!
Hip Hip Hoorah!
Hip Hip Hoorah!
Fairly bloodthirsty...
Was not making faces! Well, maybe...a bit. But you were fine. Did you enjoy it?
Definitely a bit. I enjoyed it a lot, thanks. Nice of them to let us borrow the track. Can we do it again soon?
Can we do it again soon?
(I think he liked it. :))
(That's not the first time he's said that to me...he liked the other things, too, I suppose...)
One of my DCs has just shown everyone the Google searches for 'tilt' and 'do a barrel roll' - and my favourite, if you click the first hit for 'Google gravity'. Hah. We're working very seriously, I promise. 99% of the time.
(Hee! Bet you're right.)
Whatever "do a barrel roll" is supposed to do didn't work for me, but LOL on the other two!
So bashing Catholics and burning their symbols? I think I'll go for appalling, no matter how much of a tradition it is.
Although the costumes and the fireworks must be really cool and the 'Bonfire Prayer' reminds me of "V for Vendetta" so that's good :)
Ha, I like google gravity.
I think the V for Vendetta guy is supposed to be a Guy Fawkes representation... Could be wrong though.
New Anon - part of the reason that particular town burns crosses is because 17 Protestants were found at prayer and burned in the 1550s by the Catholic church. Each Bonfire Society tends to burn 17 crosses in remembrance. So...yes, it is appalling, and so is what happened before it. But I don't think it will stop, any more than I think most Catholics will stop 'celebrating' bonfire night (my primary school was Catholic, and we always had a big bonfire night celebration on the village green. I didn't understand then the religious aspects of it).
Anon - yes, he is. And for some slightly unfathomable reason a lot of the anti-capitalist protesters outside St Pauls at the moment are wearing those masks, so we see them a lot at the moment.
Yes, I remember seeing that on the news. And apparently the masks are licensed to Warner Bros.
*irony alert*
So...yes, it is appalling, and so is what happened before it.
Five reigns worth of blood and strife, over which form of Christianity was the ONLY legitimate form of Christianity--appalling, all the way around. But it was more than 400 years ago.
(I should talk. Judaism still mourns events 2000 years in the past. 400 years is nothing.)
Lestrade - I can see where you're coming from, and I get that there are historical reasons but... it still doesn't work for me.
Like the Google gravity :-)
Sounds like you both had a fun day today with the bike?
Nameless - I realise I'm being a hypocrite saying on one hand I'm glad gay rights are changing and on the other that I sort of support the traditional persecution of a religion.
We did have fun, thanks.
And now I'm tired...still, only 9.5 hours to bedtime...
Loooooong day for you.
Lestrade - I think it's just, different perspectives, maybe? I don't suppose for one minute that you think that the persecution of any specific (or non-specific)religion is OK.
Argh. I have more thoughts but am too tired to articulate them, certainly without straying into the potentially offensive. Suffice to say, I don't think you are a hypocrite.
Glad to hear it was a fun day :-) Do we get to hear about it, or are you or John holding it in reserve as one of your daily blogs this month?
I assume you're downing coffee by the pint? How much sleep do you actually manage to get when you're on nights?
Nights like these make you wish caffeine came in IV form?
You guys went to a track today?! That's so awesome!
I was all set to post my *very important thoughts and feelings* about the debate regarding history vs truth vs tradition vs repression, when I realized that The Simpsons had said everything I wanted very concisely.
The episode centers on Lisa, who's been assigned to do a report on the town founder, Jebediah Springfield, in time for Springfield Day. She uncovers some documents (and a silver tongue) that definitively prove that JS was actually the murderous pirate Hans Sprungfeld, who, on the run from the law, changed his name, founded the town, and apparently went legit. She tries to tell the public the truth at the Springfield Day Parade but stops herself, saying that while the truth is important, "the myth of Jebediah has value too. Look how it's brought out the best in everyone in this town." Lestrade, is that kind of what you were going for?
p.s. - the nerdery is epic - I didn't have to look up anything or rewatch the ep to type all of that up. Fear me.
It was Bonfire Night four years ago that my girlfriend and I first started going out officially.
I think part of the problem I also have with the "Cliffe" photo is that instead of focusing their historically justified ire on the actual perpetrators, their signs are pretty all-encompassing of the modern religious successors of a group. That makes me uncomfortable. Also, one of those people is wearing a helmet with HORNS on it and needs to be smacked with it. The viking warriors did not wear horned helmets. *mutters* Bloody Victorian amateur archaeologists.
That was very evocative; I felt like I was there for a moment. There's something magical about fires, especially large ones. Thanks, John.
Re Google gravity. Did you try doing a search on the same screen after?
I had to laugh at the Google gravity. Did you know if you drag the curser the whole page looks like you're throwing stuff around? I think I found something to keep me occupied for a while!
Google gravity is a fun toy. :)
John, maybe you could write about not-sleeping?
I'm from South Louisiana, where the majority of people are Catholic. I was raised Catholic and my whole family is Catholic, so I'm unhappy to hear about a holiday involving a lot of anti-Catholic sentiment.
But at the same time, I understand holding on to tradition because tradition is hugely important in the culture here. I mean, we only eat red beans and rice on Monday because a few hundred years ago when the Acadians settled here they did laundry on Monday's and would have red beans and rice that for dinner that night because you just leave it to cook all day and don't have to worry about it much. I can't think of many sillier traditions than one that exists because of when your ancestors did their laundry. So I see why a community would want to hold on a tradition that they've had for such a very long time when it's about an event that had a big impact on their country's history.
Then, the part of me that always tries to think the best of everyone is saying "They're burning crosses, not crucifixes. Burnt crucifixes would be worse."
So, I suppose I'm against celebrating with strong anti-Catholic sentiment, but I get why people do it. If that makes any sense.
Nameless - today I'll probably get four or 5 hours sleep, while Sherlock's at school. Although we lice on a busy road, so sometimes it's hard. At the weekend, with Sherlock about, maybe not so much.
DW, just a coffee with a straw would be fine. An IV means I'd miss the flavour!
It's so nice everyone can talk about the bonfire night traditions so calm and civilly, whether you agree or not. Thanks, you're amazing blog readers.
Ah, yes. All those lice, rushing about to and fro, honking their horns, yelling for cabs, keeping hard-working DIs awake...
Hah, something like that.
But now I'm free! Heading home - although the weather is filthy, puddles the size of lakes and totally gloomy. Traffic will be horrible.
Going to need a shower before bed. But before that get even wetter walking Sherlock to school.
Have a good day. I'm off to go to/back to sleep. Watch out for those lice!
Innie - a perfectly cromulent summary of the episode (and don't worry about the nerdery - my first thought as I started reading was "Oh, yes, Lisa The Iconoclast :-p)
Anonymous from Louisiana - for the most part, people here warm up near the big bonfire, watch the pretty fireworks, and give no thought whatsoever to the origins of the day - and if they did, they'd almost certainly be thinking political rather than religious. One of our infamous political bloggers/commentators here uses the pseudonym Guido Fawkes, "the only man to enter Parliament with honest intentions".
Lestrade - I know you survive on very little sleep normally, but 4 or 5 hours and I'd be fit for absolutely nothing. Hope you manage to get dry, then get some sleep, etc today :-)
I usually get about 5 or 5 and a half, so it's not too bad, Nameless. By the weekend I'll be wanting more...not necessarily getting it though.
We're just grabbing a coffee on the way back from school, then I'll hit the sack for a bit.
Mrs T sounded very concerned and asked if I was okay when we dropped Sherlock. So I imagine I look rough.
Lol. Making fans wherever you go.
John, how'd you do on the sleep front?
Not too bad.
It's nice that Mrs. T is alert and aware enough to notice how the guardians dropping the kids off are looking. Though I suppose she'd have to be with Sherlock and his peers. I think I'd have a hard enough time at that hour of the day just being aware of what all the kids are up to. Anyone over 5 feet tall I'd likely mentally check off as able to care for themselves and therefore not needing my attention. I have such admiration for teachers.
Hope your 5 hours in bed today are good ones.
Anon without a name- Honestly that's the impression I always got. I doubt there are many people who think of it as Anti-Catholic day. I'm bothered that some might, but not too upset over it. Bonfires are nice. My friends and I have one at Halloween every year. A bonfire with fireworks sounds like fun.
-anon from Louisiana
RR: the barrel roll one only worked in Google Chrome for me. :)
As for everything else, people have made more eloquent comments than I, so I wont try. :) I have no personal stake in the holiday one way or another.
It's so nice everyone can talk about the bonfire night traditions so calm and civilly, whether you agree or not.
Well, you know, you start new threads before Godwin's Law has a chance to kick in. :)
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