Bank Holiday Monday. 10.50 a.m. I was stuck for an appropriate title for this blog post. This one is taken, although only slightly, from 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde. It has to be one of the greatest comedies ever written and one of my favourite plays. The famous line spoken by Lady Bracknell, on hearing that Jack Worthing was discovered in ' a handbag' is forever etched on the memory of actors who now play the part, Dame Edith Evans.
12.35 p.m. I have at last managed to finish the piece of writing that links to already written sections of writing. The idea is to bring in a new character. It has taken some time, but it is now done.
Tuesday. 5.20 a.m. I've been out with Alfie and come back to my flat. Not much to report yet, but because I'm off to Camphill, no doubt I will be reporting on the goings-on there when I get back at around 5.20.
A very different sort of day at Camphill. There was another group called Phoenix Rising using the Chrysalis Theatre, so the Camphill drama workshop had to use what is called the crypt beneath the stage. There is a main room (the actual crypt) as well as dressing rooms as well as a larger room which is used for meetings, and we used it a few years ago when the main theatre was being used by an outside group, probably Phoenix Rising. We did the usual check-in, and then we were working on props and painting for our silent film. It's a tight fit with all the guys in such a small room, and as a result, it gets quite noisy.
4.45 p.m. If you read last week's blog post regarding my Camphill experience of being the Maypole for the Maypole dancing rehearsal, then this week the actual Maypole dancing took place on the green outside the Chrysalis Theatre. The theatre workshop group were led out from the crypt by the guy who is responsible for the music in the workshop, banging on a drum to give a rhythm. The rest of us were given shakers, which were actually empty plastic milk bottles filled with buttons and counters, which we were going to shake to make as much noise as possible. Some of the other members of the group had percussion instruments to shake. Then we were led out and around to the green and stood outside the theatre. Terrie, the leader of the group, was dressed in the essential outfit for the master of ceremonies, made up of rags and started off the dance with the selection of the May King and Queen, which were selected by everyone drawing wooden sticks out of a mug. That duty done, both of them had their crowns placed on their heads, which Terrie had made by crocheting them. Then everyone cheered, and the dancers went and touched the Maypole and the dancing began, with them clutching a ribbon each and following the instructions which Terrie gave. That was the first dance, and then a second group went forward and repeated the dance. Very noisy, and the residents in their houses which overlook the green came out and joined in. A real sense of purpose and a definite community atmosphere throughout all this.
Wednesday. 5.15 a.m. I have already taken Alfie out. I have to do a bowel cancer test every year because I am over 60 (it may be 70, but, I'm not sure.) It's not something I want to make a big 'thing' about, and it has been simplified (I won't go into too much detail here, for obvious reasons.) But the test kit had arrived in the post when I got back from Camphill yesterday evening. So, this morning I decided to get the test done and posted it off. No point in putting these things off, so I took the completed test and posted it in the postbox which is in Fishermead (the next 'grid' to Oldbrook.) So, it's gone, and I can forget about it until the result comes back. A far more efficient and simple test than the one they used to use.
Thursday. 5.40 a.m. An excellent night's sleep. I didn't wake up during the night and then never get back to sleep, which is my usual experience. I've been out with Alfie (as you would expect if you read my posts regularly.) Very short and sharp. A rather overcast morning. Will it brighten up as the day progresses?
No comments:
Post a Comment