First - the Royal Wedding. I didn't intend to be captivated, but there I was, watching the coverage again and again. Cringing at the stupid, inane comments from the talking heads on the major networks. First of all, the positives - I think the wedding was tasteful without being ostentatious, modern without sacrificing tradition, and everyone carried themselves with deportment and charm. I think Kate Middleton looked stunning and yes, she reminded me more of Grace Kelly than of Lady Diana on her wedding day. On the flip side of the coin, if I hear one more commentary on Princess Diana, making her sound like some sort of plaster saint, I'm going to flip. She did good works, she raised what appear to be two sensible boys (who happen to be princes) and she died tragically young, but she was no saint. The news commentators also seemed to be extraordinarily cynical; one woman went to far as to say this marriage was nothing but a 'last ditch attempt to save the monarchy.' I ask you: Save it from what? It doesn't look like it needs saving.
Besides which, you don't wait 10 years to marry, as these two did, if you're doing it just for the sake of Jolly Old England.
So quit the cynicism and enjoy the pageantry and pomp, the escapism of the day.
And yes, I too made the wonderfully American slip of starting to sing "My Country Tis of Thee" instead of "God Save the Queen" when the band started playing. Just goes to show you I am American through and through!
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Speaking of saints and cynicism, today Pope John Paul II is beatified. More cynicism in the press. They wonder why he should be made a saint (he's not yet, but that's besides the point) when he ignored the scandals, etc. I'm going to let bloggers more up on Catholic stuff comment on that. My own take is that he was an incredible person, who worked tirelessly for the faith. Even if he hadn't become Pope, he was worthy of recognition. So dear Blessed John Paul II, please pray for us all and inspire us to greater works in Jesus' name.
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I'm off to Mass but if my camera cooperatives, I'll try to post updated pictures of the garden later today. We did SO much work this weekend....wow. That's all I have to say. I feel like a truck ran over me and I've got a wicked sunburn to my t-shirt line on my arms but boy oh boy....! We finished four steps in the garden pathways, the hardest part off all. We made the "keyhole" sanctuary at the end, in a little nook in the woods, a keyhole shaped space for a garden bench that looks up over the blooming hillside like a little Eden paradise. Then we extended the line of the stones. I planted my bounty purchased on Thursday from my garden center excursion with Patty and Joan (more on that too!) where we shopped at two small, local garden centers, and I loved supporting our local businesses. I planted peppers, eggplant, squash and more. Everything is growing non stop - the rains have been great, and the temperature perfect. The vegetable garden is going to be spectacular (fingers crossed!). More on that too. So please, do stay tuned for the Seven Oaks blog to resume great gardening tips and posts.
Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday to you all! Happy Gardening! Happy May 1, the queen of months, when the Earth not only laughs with flowers, she sings through them, too.
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