st.john’s day (ring of fire)

the feast of st. john the baptist (or sao joao).

in porto it used to be that people were hit with onion flowers but after loads of portuguese workers moved to france and the car factories in search of work it became squaeky plastic hammers. the sao joao festivities are closed down for the year (due to covid)- horsemouth is saddened but recognises the necessity of it. big crowds equals big transmission of the virus means more dead old people (and more dead people with pre-existing health conditions).

there’s a parade in montreal and quebec too. (horsemouth has witnessed this too) in the north east of brazil it is celebrated with quadrilha (square dances) features couple formations in a mock wedding focused on a ‘mock’ bride and groom.



for some reason there is a bone horse ritual connected with this on st. john’s eve also. it was also the anniversary of june carter cash co-writing ring of fire (one of the all time great cheatin’ songs).

it’s a bright sunshine-y morning and horsemouth has stopped work for the year. he continues to be very cautious.with regard to the virus though that said yesterday he went to the supermarket (museli, beer, cheese - such like). he does not think such things can be truly safe. but needs must when the devil drives (in this case the desire to purchase food cheaply). he has put batteries in his ganesh alarm clock for the first time in years but so far it has not sung (it is however keeping decent time).