...Shakespeare...

Loved seeing some many come to support the arts!

Blankets were strewn across the soft, green grass, in varying patterns like a giant patchwork quilt. It was a perfect day to be outside, lying in the shade, the sun peaking through cracks in the leaves and branches of trees, creating all kinds of shadows across my legs and body. The cool breeze carrying on it a faint summer scent of cut grass and other green things.

I was prepared this time. Armed with a blanket, a stadium seat, a pillow and more books than were necessary, I began to look around at the amalgam of people as I snacked on some cherries I had purchased at the farmer's market earlier that morning. Some chatted to me. Dogs sniffed me, seeking to determine if I was friend or foe. And the more I watched, the more the crowd multiplied.

Pre-show practice followed by a bear hug. We felt the love!

Henry the IV began, and I stretched myself out and watched as these men and women created characters from long ago. As I became engulfed in their drama, the sun continued its steady westward crawl, and I soon found myself baking in the hot sun, with only a moment of respite here and there when the breeze would blow.

Hot and exhausted, I sank deeper and deeper into my seat. I put the pillow under my head and leaned back until I was almost lying down. My head began to droop, until...

...I woke up to applause. Sigh...

On the Cake Hunt: The Shakespeare cake

The actors were truly spectacular, and I'm so thankful that Shakespeare Festival St. Louis puts this on each year. If you've never been to a show, put it on your calendar for next June. For those of you not in the St. Louis area, inquire around and see if your city hosts something similar.

Other adventures had this past week:

Had my hair fixed from the horrific black dye job. That was an adventure in trust since I hadn't been to a new hair dresser in 10 years...

Registered for the random draw of the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco this October. Fingers crossed!