A Madrigal Dinner

Puck started his morning with another rousing, “MAMA! MAMA! MAMA!”
When Collette opened up his window for the day, Puck found his stuffed donkey.
“Where’s donkey? Where’s donkey? There he is!” he cried happily.
Saturday was spent mostly with laundry, packing, cleaning, and wrapping up everything necessary for the trip while OLeif and Puck spent some time with Curly, who was back in town. Collette finally stopped for lunch of fajitas over taking up where she had left off with Audrey Hepburn’s documentary of “Gardens of the World”.
In the later afternoon, OLeif and Puck returned to pick up Collette and take a drive out to Target where Collette waited in the car under warm sun and Medieval music while OLeif took Puck by his chubby little hand and walked him through the store. They returned with strawberry shortcake rolls, chocolate monkey munch, and strawberry pomegranate Italian soda.
Then after a giant bubble bath for Puck, who came out proudly wearing his towel toga, marching through the house, it was time to get ready for the madrigal dinner.
For the first time in six years, Collette once again donned her blue Chinese gown with silver dragons, which Carrie-Bri had purchased for her when visiting New York City with Grandma Combs and Kitts in September of 2002.
While OLeif packed his bags, Puck followed him around making a loud vacuum sound as he brushed an old desktop mouse around the furniture.
“Hmmm, vacuum… It’s sweeping (sleeping),” he said. “Vacuum sweeping? Vacuum sweeping?”
After Dad and Francis had arrived to keep watch over the little fellow for the evening, OLeif and Collette departed for the dinner in the slight chill.
It was almost, almost, like stepping into a time machine. Collette kept imagining that she saw the faces of old choir companions dressed in flowing gowns and other sundry costumes. And despite knowing nearly none of the large troupe, it was a fun evening. Gloria, Theodore, Mrs. English, Annamaria, Rose, Joe, Curly, OLeif, and herself around a large round table near the front. And Grandma Combs and Linnea just able to squeeze into the back of the room, as both nights were sold out.
Things had changed since the old days, since the first madrigal dinner, eight years ago. But there were the usual dances and madrigals, limericks, and signature over-the-top English accents. This was followed with several amusing acts, including one ridiculously crazy piece entitled “Men in Tights”, which involved “stripper pants” made of duct tape for Curly, who was making a reappearance. “Ye Spotted Snakes”, another reprise duet sung by Izzy and another young lady. The “Surfin’ – It’s the Feudal Way”, which had made its debut two years ago with other such notables as Magnus and Wally. There was a new jester, the third jester, following in the wake of OLeif and Curly. Mr. Sing as “The Dark Knight”. The usual Mayfair salad and cornish game hen… And of course, the boar’s head.
Behold, the next generation. It was a good evening.