Longest Night

Once upon a time, our ancestors watched with dread as the days grew shorter and shorter until one night, longer than any previous, convinced them that the Things That Go Bump in the Dark had finally won the battle and eaten the sun, and that morning would never, ever come. Our ancestors huddled in their caves, huddled to keep warm, and, if they had the materials, they lit fires and kept them burning with whatever they had at hand in the desperate hope that the sun, encouraged by the symbolic connection of fire to fire, would burst its bonds and bring morning and light back to the world.

And in most cases, it did.

The alternative, already pointed out, is still worth considering.

Keep the fires burning.

Medical Myths Addressed

The British Medical Journal has a nifty report debunking some key medical myths (including my nemesis from childhood, that reading in dim light will ruin your eyes). I fully expect my faithful readers to take note of these, as I will not hesitate to beat you with this article if I catch you propagating any of these without at least acknowledging evidence to the contrary.