SC - Re: New Laurel

[Ann & Les Shelton]

>>Congratulations. Is his specialty in cookery or other arts as well?
Gunthar>>

No, cooking is the only A&S activity I perform with even marginal
competency.

I'd like to thank Kiri for speaking on behalf of the Pelicans at my
ceremony.  The knight who spoke was an old friend; he and I started out
together as young stick-jocks back in the mid-80's.  This was the first
time he had ever spoken in a ceremony and he was about as nervous as I
was.  The Laurel who spoke was the Queen who gave me my AoA in 1989. 
And the Rose was the person responsible for getting me into a kitchen in
the first place and motivating me to stay there.  Although I have not
known Kiri as long as the others, I have valued her friendship and
courtesy.

Kiri and Tirloch, amongst others, provided the food for the vigil site. 
My daughters were given baskets of cookies to distribute to the
populace.  Several musicians took turns playing outside.  The biggest
surprise {other than the obvious} was inside the vigil tent.  Once I got
there, I somewhat anticipated seeing our household's medallion {I'm now
the 4th person to hold it}.  What I didn't plan on was that Master
Maelgwn, the person previously in possession, had had it set in a
beautiful silver collar of maintenance.  To walk in and see that sitting
on a pillow really shocked me.

The only disconcerting moment came near the end of the ceremony.  My
Laurel handed over the medallion to the King, who announced he wanted me
to swear my fealty on it.  My wife was elevated as a Pelican a year ago
and had 5 weeks to plan her ceremony, so I'd helped her with developing
an oath.  I had to come up with one that day and remembered enough from
helping Anne to make up one which I kept repeating like a mantra in the
back of the hall.  Then, as I was rising to swear it, I noticed the
King's feet for the first time.  He was wearing standard beautiful court
garb, but on his feet he had these HUGE fuzzy brown bear paw bedroom
slippers with white claws {I'd forgotten that part of 12th Night was a
masqued ball and apparently His Majesty had dressed as a bear}.  So, I'm
standing up in front of everybody with the King and Queen holding my
hands, and the only coherent thought in my mind is "Why is Anton wearing
those bedroom slippers?"  I totally vapor-locked on the oath; I have no
idea what I said, but I remember His Majesty raising an eyebrow slightly
quizically when I finished.

I still don't know who all the conspirators were.  I've tried to thank
all those who are on this list.  If I've left you out, please know how
much I appreciated it.

John le Burguillun