| The Hidden Almanac for Friday August 21st, 2015 |
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| Episode 298 |
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| Previous episode: 2015-08-19 |
| Next episode: 2015-08-24 |
Summary[]
Today we remember the publication of the book “The Dreamless People.” It is the Feast Day of St. Salmandra, and in the garden, there are rain lilies.
Be Safe, and Stay Out of Trouble.
Transcription[]
Welcome to the Hidden Almanac, I’m Reverend Mord.
Today is August 21st, 2015.
It is the 100th anniversary of the publication of the book “The Dreamless People” by one Jeffrey Halloran. This popular anthropological work purported to reveal the astonishing story of the Tornuba people who, according to the author, do not dream. The book sold thousands of copies and started many fads among those who sought non-dreaming as a cure for everything from lethargy to depression to tuberculosis.
Later anthropologists cast doubt on Halloran’s findings, suggesting that the researcher had never mastered the complex tenses of the Tornuba language. “When he asked if we saw visions at night,” said one native speaker, “he kept asking if we saw visions of the future. We believe prophetic dreams are extremely rare, and no one would claim to have one who did not, for fear of invoking the anger of the spirit world. So of course we said no. Had we known that there was a misunderstanding, one of us would have attempted to set him straight. He was an odd little man.”
“The Dreamless People” is still taught in anthropology classes to this day, though primarily as a cautionary tale.
It is the Feast Day of Saint Salmandra, patron of volcanic rocks. It is said that when Saint Peter fled his enemies, he crossed a field of lava. St. Salmandra took him on her back and carried him to safely, while his enemies burned their feet. She is represented as an enormous dragon carrying a saint on her back, although modern hagiographers believe it more likely that she resembled a newt.
In the garden, for once there are no notes being shoved under the door. It is very peaceful and I appreciate it.
The rain lilies are blooming in response to recent downpours. Rain lilies resemble rather thick clumps of grass most of the year, unless rain wakens them and they bloom very briefly. They are found alongside many highways, where they naturalize, but are often in danger from construction. Adding to the difficulty, since they do not bloom except following rainstorms, they can be difficult for conservationists to find and remove during road-widening and other such necessary but destructive civic activities. We grow three kinds in the Hidden Almanac test garden, although they have eventually come to be known as “the white one, the other white one, and the yellow one.”
They are excellent when used to line a path, far superior to mondo grass, which is tiresome and spreads about the place like the worst sort of house guest.
The Hidden Almanac is brought to you by Red Wolverine Tea Company, purveyors of fine and inaccessible teas. Red Wolverine --- “We Make Tea Bleed.”
Also brought to you by lizards.
That’s the Hidden Almanac for August 21st, 2015. Be safe, and stay out of trouble.
Outro[]
Out of Character
The Hidden Almanac is a production of Dark Canvas Media, written by Ursula Vernon and performed and produced by Kevin Sonney. Our theme music is Moon Valley and our exit music is Red in Black, both by Kosta T. You can hear more from Kosta T at the Free Music Archive. All other content is copyright 2013 through 2015, Ursula Vernon.