hamlet's end

Claudius sends Hamlet to England, accompanied by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, with orders from Claudius that the English kill Hamlet as soon as he arrives. En route to England, Hamlet finds the orders and changes them to order Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed, as does occur, though Hamlet is kidnapped by pirates one day later. The pirates return Hamlet to Claudius (for a ransom), and Claudius tries one last attempt to eliminate Hamlet: he arranges a sword duel between Laertes and Hamlet. The trick, however, is that the tip of Laertes' sword is poisoned. As a backup precaution, Claudius poisons the victory cup in case Hamlet wins. During the fight, the poisoned drink is offered to Hamlet, he declines, and instead his mother, Gertrude, drinks it (to the objection of Claudius). Laertes, losing to Hamlet, illegally scratches him with the poisoned sword to ensure Hamlet's death. Hamlet (unknowingly), then switches swords with Laertes, and cuts and poisons him. The queen dies, screaming that she has been poisoned and Laertes, dying, admits of Claudius' treachery. Weakening, Hamlet fatally stabs Claudius, Laertes dies, and Hamlet begins his death speech. Though Horatio wants to commit suicide out of sorrow, Hamlet entreats him to tell the story of King Hamlet's death and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's deaths to all. Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, arrives from conquest of England, and Hamlet's last dying wish is that Fortinbras become the new King of Denmark, as happens.

Camp fun

Arrival at the gazebo in the park. Bubbles and chalk and the stupid hello song!
Back at JCP later, fun with big art.

Fly, little birdies

Yesterday when I got home these two little baby birds were on my doorstep.

They were back again today! I got a little too close when I snapped this photo and the birdies tried to fly away. When I crouched down low to get out of their way, one of them landed on my back for a moment, then flew off to land on the neighbor's step.

He stayed there a long time. When I went back out later, he was still there and agreeably let me snap this close-up.