MAJESTY AND MIGHT
Funeral of Prince Philip
Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, yesterday’s funeral for Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in St. George’s Chapel was replete with majesty and the military. Outside, some 800 members of various branches of the military paraded, saluted, and honored the steadfast Duke of Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth entered the chapel alone ahead of the royal procession. Swathed in black and masked, she was diminutive in sadness.
The royal procession into the chapel was small. In a break from tradition, Princess Anne was the only woman, joining her three brothers, nephews William and Harry, and her son Peter. The dean of the chapel and the archbishop of Canterbury read scripture and led prayers, a choir of four lent their robust voices to lovely music, while bagpipes and bugles sounded the final notes. It was a beautifully simple service and a fitting tribute to a man who served and loved country, queen and consort for 73 years.
ENTERTAINMENT AND ENLIGHTENMENT
Camelot (streaming from Asolo Rep)
Recently, I was dismayed to learn that all the performances of the outdoor production of Camelot were sold out. Intrigued by the idea of a concert version of this famous musical, I bought streaming access for $25. The Chief Penguin and I were completely captivated.
In true Asolo style, not only were the acting and singing marvelous and fun, but the staging was so creative. Performing literally on the building’s steps and landing, the small cast carried off creative choreography backed by clever changing backdrops. It was as good as it would have been had we been there in person. Maybe even better, since we saw everything close up!
Colson Whitehead in Conversation
Thanks to my friend Sue, several of us were able to view a presentation by author Colson Whitehead, part of a series by Guildford College. In a soliloquy with nary a breath taken, Whitehead unspooled the thread of his literary career: innovative approaches to fiction, multiple genres, and back-to-back Pulitzers Prizes for his two latest novels. The novels are The Underground Railroad and The Nickel Boys. It was an engaging program as he detailed where he gets his ideas and how he prepared to write The Nickel Boys.
My local book group will be discussing The Nickel Boys next week. It’s a chilling piece of historical fiction based on a brutal reform school in the Florida Panhandle, Dozier School for Boys. It abused and tortured many boys and yet existed for more than a hundred years.
CULINARY CORNER
Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
Continuing my al fresco dining, a friend and I had lunch the other day at Dry Dock on Longboat Key. This popular restaurant has a lovely location on Sarasota Bay with spacious patio seating. The menu has choices of seafood, salads, and sandwiches. along with pasta with a variety of sauces. We enjoyed our rather conventional choices: a BLT and the chicken and mozzarella sandwich on focaccia. The accompanying cole slaw was also very good. If you plan to go, do make a reservation, unless you don’t mind waiting to be seated!
