[sudo-discuss] Michaelmas

The bottom line: Michælmas is today. If I can drum up the wherewithal, and I can walk well enough and stand for long enough, -- and I think this is likley -- I would like to cook the traditional Michælmas fare, and I was considering doing so up at the Room: Goose, stuffed, and burgundy wine. I like to get my geese from VerBrugge; they are not stringy. I have in the past made Michælmas soap from the tallow, which gave me great satisfaction, as you can imagine. I will do all the cooking, and understand that if this happens, there must also be cleaning after. I am an excellent cook. What say ye? Goose and burgundy wine. A welcome tradition set in motion by Elizabeth I in gratitude and sweet relief at the sinking of the ships of the Spanish Armada in a freak storm. Much like declaring one should eat hot dogs on the Fourth of july, except the Fourth didn't exist and Michaelmas already did. The popular tradition is that Queen Elizabeth, on her way to Tilbury Fort (September 29th, 1588), dined at the ancient seat of Sir Neville Umfreyville, where, among other things, two fine geese were provided for dinner. The queen, having eaten heartily, called for a bumper of Burgundy; and gave as a toast, “Destruction to the Spanish Armada!” Scarcely had she spoken when a messenger announced the destruction of the fleet by a storm. The queen demanded a second bumper, and said, “Henceforth shall a goose commemorate this great victory.” This tale is marred by the awkward circumstance that the thanksgiving sermon for the victory was preached at St. Paul's on the 20th August, and the fleet was dispersed by the winds in July. Gascoigne, who died 1577, refers to the custom of goose-eating at Michaelmas as common. At Christmas a capon, at Michaelmas a goose, And somewhat else at New Yere's tide, for feare the lease flies loose. Most likely, had it not been for that storm, we would have been 'colonized' by Spain. Neither is one overlord æquall to another, nor was Spain nearly as cool four hundred years ago as today. The nice people who brought us such delights as Jesuits and the Inquisition, also did a worse number upon the Indians, although I am sure that can be debated. Nevertheless, i have, on the right half of my brain if you will, rather cultivated an affinity for any enemy of the Inquisition. According to the syncretic hands-on Christianity that doesn't suck like so much of Western thought so often does, the Archangel Michæl protects us. Sometimes from ourselves. Often from each other. Always, from Evil, though it go, even in your heart and mine, by many names. (& almost always before it becomes an issue, from the not-specifically-too-good, that goes around from time to time. It pays to pay attention to the warnings. Almost always one will be sent a video, or brochure, or hear a kind voice over the public address system, well in advance of being put in harms way.) I should know by one or two. Please drop a line if interested. Donations gladly , happily accepted. ff -- *Be seeing you.* ​I should know by one or two.​ Donations gladly ​, happily​ accepted; -- *Be seeing you.*