OT

Last weekend was a new low for me. I was judging the Arts & Science competition, which is my job at this particular event. Folks put their art for me to look at and trust that I will take care of their Art while they run off and enjoy the event and I will peruse their stuff and decide who wins.

Well, I certainly "took care" of a couple of pieces of Art. Sigh.

Someone entered a piece of stained glass that he had created from scratch, including blowing the glass, casting the lead for the edges, and casting the solder. I stood it up on edge to admire it, and someone tromped by, jiggling the table, causing it to fall. I tried to catch it, but it fell to the floor, shattering one of the panes of glass. The baron was very gracious about my disaster, but it helped that I threw myself at his feet, apologizing. I think I owe them cookies.

Later, I needed a glass of something to calm my nerves. I opened my last bottle of pommegranate mead (a wine I made 9 years ago from organic pommegranate juice) and poured myself a glass. I then chatted up a friend I hadn't seen for a while as he admired the A&S display. I don't know how, but I ended up pouring the glass of mead over me and someone's illuminated scroll. Thankfully it was unframed so it is repairable. I was going to discuss with the artist her bad choice of paper- it was an expensive cold press, and calligraphy is easier on hot press- but since I dumped the mead on it, I certainly am not going to criticize it further! Her brush control is exquisite, and she will continue to make fantastic art. She also was very gracious about my immediate apology. I'll probably give her cookies. My dress is still stained, but that matters very little to me.

I immediately stopped drinking and handed off the bottle of wine to other people. Later at dinner, I was waiting my table as is my won't... and when the course which included pea soup was announced, I declared to all and sundry, "I will NOT carry the Soup!"

Which fortunately generated a laugh.  ¶ 2:02 PM