Names are important
Based on some pointed, and pertinent questions, I have to conclude that we live in a society where identity is important. If you know (and there is the role of the elder) that a person was the brother of your father, it carries weight. It sets the relationship toggles for you. We happen to have a lot of John and Mary around here, so we add patronymics to help with the sorting.
I’ll give you a pertinent example: if you learn that John lives in that house. It is correct for as long as you avoid turning around. At that point, the house will change. It might not me your uncle’s place. Confused? Don’t be. It’s a code.
Now hack to my question, earlier. What relation was John, to Mary? With a bit more information, you can place the lineage in order. Good skill to have, if you leave the anonymity of the big town and return to your roots. Even if only for a summer vacation.
There might be some electrical storms, this evening. Is it safe to walk on the beach? No safer than anywhere else. If the storm is active, and right overheard, you can lie flat on the ground. And then, after the fact, tell the rest of us about how you fared. Ask yourself if you wouldn’t be safer at home rather than wandering on the “tidal flats”. Base your activity on your own experience. Never been hit by a bolt, before? Then the odds are that you are safe. I did say “odds”. This is a field where we don’t know enough. Let the rest of us know how things turned out.
I will stay indoors, if thunder roars. Learned that from the local weather channel.
