After a bumpy start to the ferry ride from Point Judith to Block Island this morning, I were greeted by a rainbow as the boat entered the harbor. After lunch, a torrential downpour made it so hot and humid, I wished it was December and I could jump into my friend's hot tub and then roll around naked in the snow to cool down.
Today's blog picture is a painting called "Eulalia" by John William Waterhouse from 1885. The subject lies naked and is about to be covered in a blanket of snow, but for a different reason.
St. Eulalia of Merida was born c.290 in Merida, Spain. When she was martyred, the soldiers stripped her down and began the torture with hooks and torches. She succumbed to smoke inhalation while being burned at the stake c.304. At the moment of her death a dove flew from her mouth scaring away her killers.
Legend says a miraculous snow fell upon the body of St. Eulalia of Merida which meant that the whiteness represented her sainthood. She is the patron saint of runaways and torture victims and her feast day is Dec. 10.
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