Pipers and Poets

Oh, I got to see four men in kilts last night! Eric Idle was on Craig Ferguson's show last night. During the interview, pipers came in playing Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. It was great. Eric and Craig continued their interview using cue cards because they couldn't hear over the pipers. Too funny!

The book I read before Highland Rogue was Shakespeare's Wife by Germaine Greer. I really enjoyed it, but I think many people would think it's a bit dry and boring. I gave it to a friend of mine as a birthday present, but I know she will like it because her degree is in history. The book talks mainly about Ann, of course, but it also gives insights into how women survived during that time. Many women were widowed at an early age, and I learned a lot about how they fed and raised their kids. I also learned a lot about child mortality, and how many women died in childbirth.

I also learned about how marriage was viewed. If a man and woman pledged themselves to each other, they were considered married, and the church ceremony was just a formality. But this was also a time when marriage banns were supposed to be posted and announced twice. Often the couple would have the honeymoon night, then go to the church. It was not scandalous, it was expected. If a woman became pregnant before a marriage, the midwife was not supposed to help her unless the woman stated who the father was. Such a strange mixture of scandal versus propriety. So, I enjoyed it, and learning about how many women were so independent, but it is a bit of work to plow through it. I thought it was well worth the effort.

Today's song is for those who need to get away from all this danged heat:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4IU4eTmtNs

Have a great day, and stay cool!