Texan-English Dictionary

awl - (n) petroleum precursor
far - (n) conflagration (see also awl)
main - (adj) unkind
rat - (adj) correct
thank - (vt) to consider

Into the Fire

This week in Dallas, it's 106 F in the shade, and it just doesn't let up at night. At home, not using the AC is a bearable challenge to save energy, but here, every air conditioning unit is in a continuous challenge to keep the city bearable. The room starts to warm up as soon as it stops. Here, the windmills tilt at the hot and humid air.

Recently, there have been articles about sustainable living in the Sun Belt, which contains most of the fastest growing regions in the US. Some have argued that it's time to stop trying to fight nature in these places, and encourage people to move to cooler climes. Internationally, Dubai seems to be the loud counterpoint to this argument, propped up by vast oil riches. It's almost a fantasy land, which I'd like to see just once, before returning home to cool down.

No Bones

Today was 34C ("feels like 40C with humidity"). Back to the Czech Republic...

There is an ossuary near the former regional capital of Kutná Hora. What sort of mentality would make the connection between "How shall I demonstrate religious devotion to God" and "What shall I do with these millions of bones buried here over the centuries"? Just too strange and macabre.

Here is a much more pleasant photo instead, of the Church of St. Barbara.

Chrám svaté Barbory