Of Roses and Crowns

Over the weekend, a day bracketed by rituals. One ancient, the other "only" 149 years old. 

I woke up at 6 a.m., early enough to catch much of the coronation of King Charles III.  The choirs, the sixth-century prayer book, the procession, the golden carriage. A glimpse into the Middle Ages.

And then, at 6 p.m., the Kentucky Derby, with its come-from-behind, 15-1 shot Mage. More rituals: the call to post, the starting bell, the breathless commentary of the Run for the Roses. 

We measure our lives by rituals and routines, but I've seldom experienced such an oddly juxtaposed and striking pair of them.

(Photo of King Edward's crown courtesy Wikipedia)