Authors: Ben Ruhe
Date Submitted: August 31, 2002
Article Type: Journal

Although it is all too easy to do, kite fliers are cautioned against looking at the sun for any length of time. Pilots use special sunglasses and aircraft have protective windscreens, so be advised.

Australians have a mantra about exposure to sun, a real problem in a basically desert country where one might not even see a cloud in days. Slip, slop, slap is the word from Oz. Slip on a shirt, slop on a hat, and slap on the sunscreen lotion—rated 15 or higher. Sunglasses are advised as well.

When a storm brews, pay attention. Lightning is attracted to the lone object out in a field. Lightning does strike twice—the Empire State Building in New York City is hit an average of 20 times a year. It is also freaky. A cottage in Linconshire, England, was struck by a bolt which passed down the flue, excited the fireplace to the kitchen, blasted the larder, fusing cake tins together and roasting an uncooked ham. The cake tins are now on display in the Lincoln Museum.

PDF Link: Journal Issue