Tidying Up

Weren't those positively  glorious uniforms?  The Brits out-do us by quite a ways in dress uniforms.

But today they probably get dry-cleaned,  steam-pressed and put away until the next event requiring them.  I wondered about how the medals were stored.  They are kept in one glass case per man (Didn't see any women - need to look into that Elizabeth - look where you landed)  with them laid out in the order they will be worn.  It seems likely there are special people are designated as so-and-so's medal arrangers.  Good for employment.

And for the eyes that behold them.  Rule  Britannia!  

Further     \

People that have been married for longer than 60 years?  How do they know which one is which? 

Intermittent Coverage of Prince Philip's funeral

First we committed the worst thing attendees can do.  We were late.  

Miss Manners would take immediate umbrage.  There two events where being late is unacceptable - weddings and funerals.   

We did get there in time to see his coffin shuffled into St. George's Chapel.  This was an unexpected visual - from the camera view (head to toe) it looked like someone put a broom on the casket -homage to

the  help?  We were disabused of that delusion when it was described as his Naval hat and sword.  Still it did give me a shock.  A final joke from the deceased who was something of a wag anyhow.

Unfortunately we did arrive to be on time for the full church service.  Church of England's services are just as paralyzingly dull as any of the other religions.  But the music was beautiful.

As we watched quietly, I thought that if everyone walked at that pace behind the casket, they wouldn't get him into the dirt until well dark. 

Next up are the wakes, limited, I read to 15 guests per venue.  "30 invitees"  "15 waker"s - what the hell - the royals all buying  lotto tickets?

Am now trying to get a line into what are typical post-funeral foods.  I doubt anyone will be serving "Spotted Dick"  or "Eton Mess."  The first is a take-off on fruitcake and the second is  fresh fruit and whipped cream, served in an old-fashioned sundae glass..

I hope to ferret out further (interesting) details.  A long-misplaced illegitimate daughter would be rather fun...but that's wishing for far too much

BBC 1 p.m. news

We did get to see the .the self designed hearse!  Thinking about it there couldn't have been changes, Think "after market" and beef-up the axles, engine  and floor of it.  Caskets are enormously heavy.  Another weight consideration is that according to royal orders they are to be lead-lined which has to add a considerable number of pounds.  That goes far to explain why there were so many pallbearers - I counted eight -on the left side alone. A mortician was quoted telling readers that English oak is non existent these days.  Royals sleeping  in lead jackets include  

Elizbeth, the Queen mother, Princess Diana now joined by Prince Philip and a merry time they must all be having  QE1 was said to be quite amusing when the gin and tonic kicks in.  Philip's smart remarks did make some laugh sometimes.  Just not enough to get away most of them.  I'm surprised no one has collected them and published it.  Philip's Faux Pas ?   Funning With Philip?

As the Beeb has run the same footage three times now -.no more from me unless there is anything else  new or new more exciting such as William and Harry take it to the street?  After getting knee-walking drunk?

.One Man's Family - Edited

Our man in Indiana seems to be in a reflective mood

"I am  the oldest of  six children - four boys and two girls.   The older of my sisters was born 17 months after me.  My first youngest brother was born 3 1/2 years.  He passed away three days later from what my sister and I were told was "blue baby syndrome.  He  had been given our father's name so we always referred to him as "Junior."

I often wonder what he would have been like as a brother and how our family may have been different had he survived. 

I was three and half when a third brother surprised us all  when he arrived  just before my 20th birthday.

Along the way we  also acquired a foster  brother though the years.

Our lives have been rich with sibling rivalry  and sibling love. We all get together with our spouses every month (except during  Covid 19.) 

How our lives may have changed had Junior  grown up with us.  We talk about what sort of student and person he would have been; whether he would have married,  

I am sure other people have had a similar experience of losing a sibling at a very young age and pondering the "what if's for" for a lifetime.

Wanna Make a Bet on This?

I am betting my personal limit (50 cents) on this.  That cozily residing in their $14 million mansion here in So.Cal, Harry's wife MeAgain will create some kind of drama just before or during Prince Philip's funeral.  

Serious money seems to be favoring a faux miscarriage to rip Harry away from family onto the first flight back to LA.    

She's a real piece of work, isn't she?

Random Thoughts

of little or no significance.

PRINCE PHILIP DEAD AT 99

As is often said at the death of really old people,  "He/she had a good run."  I would say, "See how long you can last with endless excellent health care?"   

Yes indeed. 

Wondering if his funeral will be televised, I asked friends in Britain and New /Zealand, but no reply yet.  

This still prods curiosity.  Reportedly, he died in Windsor Castle but:  here's the puzzler - will be interred at Frogmore Castle.  Two different places.  No signs of the body being transported for embalming.  Does Windsor have a morticians' suite?  Deep in the bowels of this venerable old place is there a whole crew working away?  Is that eerie?  

I doubt we'll ever know.  Was it the same firm as used for Princess Diana?  best to file this under "We'll Never Know."

I FOUND THEM  GOOGLE ROYAL MORTICIANS

Miss Cast

 Coming soon - unexpected interruption in the form of a lunch invitation    YES!

Guest Editor !

Am quite looking forward to a visit from Our Man in Anderson IN