Friday, August 14, 2009

Measure for Measure


Every year there is a Shakespeare On The Lake series. It's held on Sand Harbor, which is also our favorite beach. This year the two plays that you could choose from were Measure For Measure, or Much Ado About Nothing. We went to Measure for Measure last night with a group of friends.

There is something magical about watching a great play, written by The Bard himself, while enjoying a good bottle of wine and wonderful food. You can either bring a picnic, or buy there. We chose to buy dinner there, and some of us had grilled tri-tip sandwiches or grilled fish tacos. The menus were varied and well-prepared, showcasing fresh vegetables and lean meats.

As I sat watching the sun go down on the Lake, and stars appear in the sky, I swear I could smell the beautiful clear water. I have always thought water didn't have a smell, unless it was chlorinated or not clean, but now I can actually smell water, including the stream running behind our house. Fresh clean water is what I am grateful for today. It is our last day on the beach with our daughter and grandson, and I will drive back to Portland with them tomorrow for a few days. So today is our last summer day together. It's bitter-sweet, and I will enjoy it to the max.

Hope your summer is going well, I have enjoyed reading your blogs this past week. On occasion I've tried leaving comments that have been eaten by Google. As soon as I pick a "user" which is Google, my comment disappears. Especially for those blogs outside the US. Firefox won't even let me sign in, so I've been using Safari. Anyway, I will visit you again. Have a great day!

30 comments:

Whitney Lee said...

What a fantastic way to spend an evening! It beats the heck out of watching tv.

Lydia said...

I would have loved that Shakespeare program if they had had it at Tahoe when I lived in Reno. It's a most marvelous setting. I do know what you mean about the smell of water...good, clean, clear water.

Hard to believe that summer is winding down to the point where families are bidding farewell to their visits together. Ah, but the memories.......

Meeko Fabulous said...

Oh Nancy watching Shakespeare under the stars with a bottle of wine sounds fantastic! I'm glad you enjoyed your daughter and grandlittle! :)

Mary Ellen said...

Glad you are savoring summer - I'm back from my summer break, but still in summer mode. (It's steamy and in the 90's today so hard to mistake for anything else!)

Ladybird World Mother said...

What an amazing way to see Shakespeare... hope it was wonderful. Lucky lucky you!

CrazyCris said...

Sweet! I remember seeing a Shakespeare in the Park performance "The Taming of the Shrew" in Boston a few years ago when I was there for the summer... such a fun idea!

But when it comes to performances on the lake... I think of my teenage years in Mexico City. Every February and March they'd put up a performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake... on the lake! And if you were lucky even the local swans would show up to grace the performance!

I love original presentations of old classics!

ellen abbott said...

Sounds like you are having a great time. There is an outdoor theater here as well.

Brian Miller said...

very cool way to spend an evening. glad you are enjoying your break.

Sylvia said...

Beautiful. I know the smell of water very well; the one of the fountains and the one of the sea. The smell of the sea is unforgettable. Shakespeare is unforgettable.

Unknown said...

Wine, Shakespeare, good food. . .sounds wonderful!

I notice we like some of the same books..I've read several Robin Cooks and all of the Outlander series.

Just dropping by to say hi. Hope you'll browse my blog as I did yours!

Lori said...

This sounds so wonderful! I understand the meaning of last days and the ending of things being bittersweet. I hope your last day at the beach with your daughter and grandson is wonderful and that you have safe travels. Bless your last days together!

Pat said...

What a great way to spend an evening - with great company, under the stars, and seeing a play. Who could ask for anything more?

Unknown said...

What an amazing photo. Such beautiful settings to have outdoor theatre!

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

Beautiful evening adventure! Enjoy the water and every last measure of summer!

Rosaria Williams said...

Yes, water has smells, especially ocean water.

And then, Shakespeare in the park. How good can life be?

DJan said...

I envy you your summer visit with family... and to enjoy it like that, well who can ask for more (other than to have a little luck with blogging comments would be nice). I think you are very fortunate, but we are also fortunate to have you around when you're back with US! Either way, your presence is appreciated.

pam said...

What a great way to watch a play! I've been having some problems leaving comments too, sometimes I have to do it twice before it takes.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Having trouble with Firefox tonight also - right after it updated itself to a new version. Even had an ad pop up which never happens on my Mac. Hmmmm.

Natalie said...

Sounds like a wonderful evening.... I am a tad jealous, especially about the wine and food bit. :D

Missy said...

I hate it when it's the last day of vacation. Sounds like it was fun. Nice to have you back to blogging!

Jill of All Trades said...

Wonderful evening!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancy! Sounds like you are having the problems I had all throughout May and June with Blogger. If I was logged out I could read the blogs, but as soon as I logged in, "operation aborted"...it really sucked! I hope things work out for you!

I love Shakespeare! When I lived in Montreal, they had Shakespeare in the Park 2-3 times a month. It was so much fun. I went to Stratford, Ontario one time to see MacBeth (omg amazing, my fave), As You Like It and King Lear. I'll never tire of the Bard!!! :-)

Lisa said...

That sounds so amazing. I've always wanted to go to an outdoor play. On a different not, I felt as though time stood still for a moment as I read along. Thank you! :0)

Marguerite said...

That photo is incredible! Shakespeare on the lake with wine, good food, and family. Life doesn't get any better than that!

Anonymous said...

I'm incredibly jealous that you get to enjoy Shakespeare on the lake...
I am enamored with Shakespeare.

I've missed your blogs (and your daughter's). I am so happy you have had a wonderful time.

robert said...

It is the stars, / The stars above us, govern our conditions.
(King Lear, 4. Act, 3. Scene)
Hope you saw even some nice ones. Wishing you a bright night.
Thank you also for reminding me that it's mostly those close to us, that are the stars of our life.
Please have a nice Sunday.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun! I would love to do that too, but there is nothing like that around here...I will have to keep looking..
:-)

susan said...

I would always know I was back at the lake where I grew up even with my eyes closed. It smelled like home.

Linda Pendleton said...

That sounds nice up there at the lake.

What I often do on leaving comments on blogs, if I want long one, is use Word and copy and paste in case it gets lost out there in cyber space and I can then paste again. Just a suggestion if you continue to have problems.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Shakespeare, wine, starry skies, all on the water, sounds like heaven to me.