idioms

outside the library-- the sun was still out, and it was raining so lightly the black fence looked like it was glittering. my old coworker from south carolina would have said "the devil is beating his wife." it seems the phrase most likely could have come from french (and german?) immigrants? in europe (according to wikipedia) this kind of weather was often interpreted as a kind of struggle between the sun and rain.

in most places im familiar with (i remember learning about it in florida when i was a kid) it is just called a sunshower, though i think it's funny that people felt sun shining on their shoulders and their faces and hair lightly moistened by rain and saw a biblical act of violence. god europe (continental..)was miserable in the 17th century. in many parts of asia it seems like they saw a wedding (specifically between foxes?) if i were in charge of idioms i would probably agree more with that, though i cant even imagine why foxes. but they all have in common the idea of a strange or difficult union. i think that makes perfect sense.

when i took this picture i was on the phone with dan, who was sick and eating soup his mom very kindly brought to his house. in russia the phenomenon is apparently sometimes called "mushroom rain," because it would be good conditions to grow mushrooms in. i like that this is the most pragmatic one. i think they did a good job.