The Tragic Danes
Saturday, June 12, 2010
It was time to celebrate OLeif’s 26th birthday. One day early. So off to the Silverspoon’s for the day.
Heat indices were predicted to reach 100.
Gloria was busy preparing burgers with barbecue mixed in and grilled with pineapple and bacon. And another batch filled with cream cheese. And all over more of the new Doctor. The 10th Doctor would always be Collette’s favorite. There were some things that just stayed as they were. But the 11th was very good. And there was also an Oreo cookie-cream dessert.
For the later afternoon, OLeif joined his dad and Izzy at the movies for The A-Team, and Collette parted with Carrie-Bri for church, and then to Shakespeare Glen for the third time. She made the excuse for herself that she was extended from a line of Danish kings in the 300’s. But, in truth, the play was just that good.
During George Wintershine’s sermon, they heard it come in out of nowhere — the downpour. The thunder cracked. At least there was now little worry that the flames, burning once again in the nave, would not be easily extinguished should occasion give them rise to set the ancient wood ablaze.
When Carrie-Bri, on her way out to watch the World Cup herself, dropped off Collette nearing 6:30, Mom and Rose were in the very front of the very front, having reserved their soaked patch of green with two equally-drenched couch pillows.
Then the Rum family made an appearance. They had been given plastic-chair seating and so offered their silver vehicle emergency blanket as a sort of padding against the damp. This was a great help, as, already, they were sogged up to the knees from the rain.
But it was a beautiful night. Over the next hour and a half, through the usual juggling, jokes, and stunts, they finished off double nachos, Sprite, bratwurst, and blue raspberry slushie for Rose, pita and hummus and Sprite for Collette, and Philly steak and cheese sandwich, Diet Coke, and giant chocolate chip cookie for Mom.
And with the last spittle of the skies, despite the threatening masses above them, the crowds had filled the green, the cool winds were lightly blowing across them, and the play was announced.
Oh, it was good. Even for the third time. Nothing like sitting so close to the world of the sixteenth century tragedy of the Danes.
Once again, under stars and cool lying winds, another brilliant production came to a close of applause.