Into A Twiggen Bottle

Shakespeare's comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor opened in the park around the corner in gorgeous weather. It's the seventh summer that The Bard's work has been presented on this grass, under the stars. I intend to attend a later performance this weekend, but I went by to see who was there and take a few pictures anyway.

This actor, who played Falstaff, wandered around the field and through the audience for a few minutes before the show began, swinging a bottle and pretending to be drunk. It had me thinking, remembering things.

Here is an announcement that went out over the ether tonight:

"Alcoholism for Anarchists"
Sponsored by the Substance Group.
The heavy consumption of, and addiction to alcohol has changed almost every story ever told, and the history of Anarchism is no exception. R----- H---- will describe some long-dead, two-fisted anarchists, and then discuss modern recovery from alcohol addiction from an anarchist perspective. What are the origins, the strengths and the serious problems of Alcoholics Anonymous? Who were the Washingtonians and why is their example important? Why might prayer and public confession be lousy ideas? What are the secular alternatives to 12-step programs?
Please join us if you're in the neighborhood.

The actor did his work well enough but his movements were too strong and sure, and he didn't ruin anyone's picnic or knock down any lawn chairs as he rushed through the crowd.

I know this park, and it knows me. I saw only a handful of people I knew. The rest are waiting for the weekend too, I'm sure.