The bride’s mother’s hat was about the only one passing the mustard. We had a nice share of Fish and Chips at the local pub. I asked Helvi; ‘shall we go the whole hog and buy a full bottle, it works out cheaper.’ ‘Yes, sure, we might as well, she replied. ‘The wedding is on TV tonight, lets get merry!’ ‘Get the Shiraz.’
The waitress and I have an understanding to keep the bottle’s cap. This helps us not having to drink the whole bottle and drive home half sloshed. After a couple of glasses, and the share of Fish and Chips, our bottle was re-capped by the waitress. A brown paper bag over it, we walked to the car and drove home.
We switched on the TV and sure enough, the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan was at a spiffing rate. Guests were arriving in numerous outfits and stretched-out cars. What really stood out were the women’s hats. Not just the hats, but the acute angles that they were fastened on the heads. The inspiration for hats at this wedding was avian. In fact I expected some hats quite capable of laying eggs. Camila, Prince Charley’s wife, had a hat so large it became speculative material for a subdivision. It blocked out the CNN news crew who quickly rearranged themselves behind George Clooney, who thankfully, like most men, was hatless.
The price for the most unexpected event would have to go to the Chicago reverend, Michael Curry. He totally veered off the written scripts and went all spiritual. The word ‘Love’ was mentioned 56 times. This in front of a stone faced British audience. As he preached along, he became more and more evangelically enmeshed. If he expected the Queen and her Prince Phillip husband to leap up and shout ‘alleluia’, he was badly informed about the English. The Queen was visually squirming. The only one who seemed comfortable was the bride who was totally at ease with the fervour and zeal of the event.
Some priceless close-ups of battle hardened married couples were telling that ‘love’ does at times extract a price not previously having been foreseen. Especially at times of weddings. The white wedding dress, the Ave Maria. It was all so beautiful and romantic then!
Prince Charley and Camila were especially showing some wear and tear but what the heck. I reckon they both make the best of what marriage is very good at. An enduring friendship, that sails along the waves of time and glory, both the bad and the good.
Helvi and I polished off the Shiraz and some more. We enjoyed it very much which was unexpected. We did like the wedding dress and its 10 metre trail. I mentioned to Helvi it cost $180.000. ‘So what?’ she said. I wasn’t sure what to make of her statement. I know weddings can be expensive. Some time ago, I wrote that there is a correlation between the expense of weddings and the duration of the marriage. The dearer the wedding the shorter the marriage. We shall see. It certainly explains a lot about our relationship, now in its sixth decade and nicely steaming along.
I wish all the best for the Harry and Meghan. I reckon they will see it through.
Tags: Ave Maria, British, Camila, Chicago, Fish and chips, Harry, Megan, Michael Curry, Prince, Queen, Shiraz
Oosterman Treats Blog 
May 20, 2018 at 6:50 am |
Gerard back to his normal wittieness. Funny as well. Keep it up.
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May 20, 2018 at 11:53 am |
It’s not difficult to be funny. The subject of marriage is made for humour. The funny hats alone gives enough material for years.
Thank you, DisandDat.
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May 20, 2018 at 7:02 am |
We only saw a short feature in the news but the reverend was really thrilling in this undercooled environment. Take care @ Ulli
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May 20, 2018 at 11:57 am |
Yes, but hearing the reverend for 15 minutes was a bit taxing. The previous Bishop’s speech hinting at the bride and groom upcoming sexual union had the whole congregation imagining the Royal couple having sex.
Far out!
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May 20, 2018 at 9:14 am |
I have decided that the Oostercoverage of the event is more than sufficient to satisfy my regal curiosity.
The best headline went to the Shovel “Unemployed London Man Weds Screen Actress – says he’s set for life now “
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May 20, 2018 at 12:08 pm |
I don’t know but the subject grabbed me, Trouserzoff.
The other gig was about the massacres both in WA Australia and Texas school.
The US is now warming up to arming teachers with guns and reducing school doors.
Australia is opposing an independant investigation about the Israel use of excessive force with guns against the Palestinians with stones. Apparently our PM feels this was acceptable. (60 killed including children)
Give me a wedding or even a good funeral anytime.
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May 20, 2018 at 11:30 am |
I didn’t think I’d watch the wedding – I am, at best, ambivalent to all things royal – however, I admit to having a couple of teary moments. The bride’s mother alone. The sermon. I loved it. But I am used to people being passionate about the love of God, even though from age 11, I was brought up in the Church of England tradition. I still have a Book of Common Prayer to which I turn from time to time. But I am now part of a Vineyard church. Bishop Curry would fit in well. And he spoke on one of my favourite passages; my first novel gets its title from there: Strong as Death.
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May 20, 2018 at 11:31 am |
Ps. The Shiraz sounds good. We were on the Malbec.
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May 20, 2018 at 12:18 pm
After last night’s Shiraz orgy we are now Monks of Sobriety order. Not a drop.
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May 20, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Haha! Monks of sobriety, I doubt. Porridge in a draught, I see clearly 😀
Strong as Death is aimed at young adults, however, most readers who have left reviews appear to be rather riper in years. Apparently, the majority of young adult readers are decades older the target audience. I had a message, through a mutual source, from a biker in the Devil’s Disciples club, that he thought the book was wonderful. But no one was to be told he’d read it …
This link should work: hyperurl.co/strongasdeath
You can read the first chapter free , I think.
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May 21, 2018 at 9:38 am
I did find your book, Julia. Well done. I try and get interest in the books through giving a few copies here and then. I was fortunate that our National Library has my book on file and so has the State library.
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May 20, 2018 at 12:16 pm |
We don’t really go much for weddings, Julia. But with what goes on in the world, we now like weddings. I have to look up your novel :Strong as Death.
I am sure reverend Curry is a lively character. He certainly has fire and brimstone vocals and gestures.
Trying to whip up passion in a British, aristocratic audience is like stirring lumpy porridge in a draught without a spoon.
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May 20, 2018 at 2:09 pm |
We were camping in America’s wild west, so missed the wedding. Your coverage is perfect.
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May 21, 2018 at 9:41 am |
Yes, I looked at your adventure in the US. I would imagine the last thing to watch would be a Royal wedding while camping under giant red-wood trees and watching frolicking squirrels..
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May 20, 2018 at 3:21 pm |
I missed the live coverage, but did see a clip of The Oprah looking as though she was about to initiate the kind of call-and-response common here in black churches. I’m rather fond of it myself, but I suppose the occasional “Preach it, Brother!” wouldn’t have suited the occasion.
I do remember the magic of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. I was seven years old, and we’d just gotten our first, tiny, black and white television. I especially liked the sparkly stuff that was involved — so much so that one of my grandfathers bought me a rhinestone expansion bracelet a couple of years later. I still have it, and I still like sparkly stuff. But they can keep their hats. I especially liked your line that you “expected some hats quite capable of laying eggs.”
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May 21, 2018 at 9:55 am |
We watched the whole show of the royal wedding, Linda.
Holland used to be more Royal minded. I remember my aunt taking us to watch a royal procession. We waited for hours when the golden carriage came by lasting just a second.
The crowds used to roar and some had special mirrors to watch the show above peoples heads.
I believe, the shine has gone off. The Dutch queen goes around on a bicycle or public transport. Even so, some follow it all and know all the ins and outs of royal families.
Our neighbour who we suspect of having stolen two of our cyclamen claims she is the illegitimate daughter of Prince Phillip.
An impossibility because she is 84 and Phil is in his early 90s.
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May 20, 2018 at 7:07 pm |
I’ve been so busy I haven’t seen a single clip from The Wedding. Although I did see that photo of the bride’s mom, seated in a world entirely her own.
Your description of the hats had me rolling on the floor. I was so tickled by this post that I even had to click the link you so kindly included. I listened to a few minutes of The Reverend, and read the article. Enjoyed yours more.
The world, she’s a changing.
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May 21, 2018 at 10:07 am |
The bride’s mom was very dignified. Hope her husband is better.
We watched the whole show.
Perhaps the Shiraz was the culprit. Normally we would stay clear of wedding shows.
Each year at the world’s most famous cricket ground near us at the Bradman Oval, they put up a wedding show. Lots of marquees showing the latest in wedding paraphernalia. Marquees showing hats, another dresses, another tent for hiring horses or carriages, a cake tent, corsages, marriage counsellors, honeymoon outlets etc.
Did you know that there is now a raging market blossoming in couples re-marrying? Renewing their vows! Can you believe it? The same ritual, photographer, the wedding stretch limousine, the white dress, the video, the whole caboodle.
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May 21, 2018 at 9:19 pm
It all mystifies me. I can see having a little celebration to say, “Wow, can you believe we got through 3 kids and puberty?” or something of that nature. But to spend so much money so wantonly, recklessly. Why not buy a house for a homeless family?
The royal wedding, of course, is a slightly different thing. It is so loaded in symbolism. It takes strong individuals to get through all that without dissolving into ….well…what happened Harry’s parents. I hope better for Harry and his bride, as well as for his brother and sister-in-law.
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May 21, 2018 at 8:13 am |
HA! I love your take on the wedding! You should be a commentator on a national TV news channel and share you thoughts on the wedding! 🙂 Everyone would love hearing what you said here! 😀 Thank you for the laughs, Gerard! 😀
These days I’d rather watch a wedding on TV than attend one in person! 🙂
I, too, wish the beautiful couple the very best! A long and happy marriage…life together! 🙂
Congrats to you and Helvi on 6 decades! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…too bad the Reverend didn’t wear a hat! 😉 😛
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May 21, 2018 at 10:15 am |
Tonight the News on TV included a lot about the Chicago Evangelical priest and his fiery speech.
John Elton looked very perplexed. Anyway, it enlightened the situation.
Weddings are alright for the couple but for some, especially men, it can be a bit of an ordeal.
You are right it is best to watch a wedding on TV while holding the remote. In a church one could perhaps sneak out if you sat at the very back. You could just keep taking a couple of steps backwards each time and then after doing that for a while sneak out unnoticed only to reappear at the reception and get a couple of stiff drinks with a nice slice of wedding cake or a few chicken drumsticks…
Hugs…;)
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May 21, 2018 at 7:46 pm
HA! Sound like THE plan! 😛 Yes, the free food and drink IS nice! 😉 😀
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May 21, 2018 at 10:27 pm |
We crawled out of bed at 4 am to watch the wedding of the century. The hats as usual nearly stole the show. From Camilla’s bird nest to Serena’s single flower, they were truly British. The Dean of Windsor standing next to the Reverend Michael Curry, will take awhile to get his bearings back. The Curry sermon was timed at 15 min. but it seemed longer. The bride’s mum looked amazing and comfortable though lonely.
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May 22, 2018 at 12:20 am |
Yes, all in all, and as weddings go, it was worthwhile watching, Kayti.
I hope the couple will be left alone. Somehow I doubt it. The next big ticket item will be endless speculation on the possibility of Meghan’s pregnancy. Every little bulge will be dissected and scrutinized.
Princess Diane, still sells like hot cake even while she is long gone.
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May 21, 2018 at 11:08 pm |
The best to Harry and Megan, indeed. Peggy and I were off in the woods backpacking so we missed the wedding, and all of the other news of the day, which was something of a delight. Thanks for the review, Gerard, and for the fashion comments. 🙂 –Curt
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May 22, 2018 at 12:22 am |
Yes, Curt. How fortunate to be backpacking. Too many weddings and killings going on. We look out on our beautiful garden for respite from world’s ails.
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May 24, 2018 at 5:15 pm
The only drawback I see is that I will be taking a day break every 100 or so miles so I can post, a return to the world of news… A beautiful garden is always a respite! –Curt
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May 22, 2018 at 10:13 am |
Very funny – made me laugh. You’re right about the strange hats; but it’s a trend and it’s not going away yet, so it seems.
I didn’t think the Queen was squirming; she’d be over the squirming stage. I think she was a little bored.
And, it’s just my opinion, but the preacher had bad manners.
It wasn’t his show ..
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May 22, 2018 at 10:11 pm |
Glad it made you laugh. We had a sound sleep after watching it.
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May 25, 2018 at 2:29 pm |
I have no tv so I only got to watch the highlights on a cafe’s tv. I enjoyed your write up. I love baptist and evengelical services where theres always lots of gospel singing and fun. When I’m in a church audience I always get everyone singing hehe.
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