 Shortly after I heard of the death of Queen Elizabeth today I tuned in to NPR where several commentators were offering a retrospective on her 70-year reign as England's monarch. As I listened I found myself reflecting on how extraordinary this woman was. Now, in truth - and I suppose this comes from being an American - I never understood exactly what it was that the Queen of England did, surmising only that she had some important administrative duties and responsibilities. Which brings me to what I find so amazing about Elizabeth II of England: that at 96 years old, in fact until the day before she died, she was still carrying out those duties and responsibilities. Here she is the day before yesterday confirming Liz Truss as the new British Prime Minister after accepting the resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, thus effectuating the official change of leadership within Her Majesty's Government.  How amazing is it, not only to live to the age of 96, but to still be of such sound brain and body, to be possessed of mind and sufficient mobility to still be living a meaningful life, a dignified life, an interesting life, a productive life? A life of waking up in the morning, having one's hair and make-up done, dressing in business-casual with tasteful jewelry, then overseeing the formation of the new government of a major world power? And then two days later dying peacefully in one's sleep. Of all the chapters of the long book of Elizabeth's life, it's the end pages that I find most remarkable. And though I know that a progression of days such as Queen Elizabeth enjoyed is likely not in the cards for most of us, she is the hope-giving proof that it is within the realm of possibility. 
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 ...Continued from yesterday: Little did Tom and I and Romaine and Stanley,  ...and my daughter Claire and her husband Miguel, who arrived a day later,  ...know that when we ventured on foot into downtown St. Louis we were walking into not only the most dangerous city in the United States, but one of the most dangerous on the planet. (see previous post, https://www.ailantha.com/blog/omg-now-we-know-why-the-streets-of-st-louis-were-empty). We'd all come to St. Louis to celebrate the wedding of James and Samantha (see post from 9/1/2022 https://www.ailantha.com/blog/meeting-in-st-louis),  ...and as the nuptial festivities - the rehearsal dinner and then the wedding - were evening events, we had the days to ourselves. And so we planned to do some sight-seeing on foot. I suppose we should have suspected something about the town was amiss as we wandered the deserted streets, but we didn't. Well, okay we did think it was weird that there were so few people out and about, but we still spent three enjoyable, unconcerned days strolling around, walking from one attraction to another in this nicely laid-out, architecturally pleasing no man's land,  ...from which, I guess, we were lucky to come away unscathed. But anyway, Romaine and Stanley and Tom and I began our google-guided walking tour of downtown St. Louis on Friday morning with breakfast. We had scrolled around the net in search of a nearby restaurant and came across a promising-looking place called The Docket. We set out from our Airbnb and walked several solitary blocks,    ...until we reached The Docket,   ...by which time we realized that this eatery must have gotten its name from its location across the street from the St. Louis Civil Courts building.  The restaurant is also across the street from the beautifully ornate St. Louis City Hall, which was built in the early 20th century to resemble a classic French chateau.  The Docket was a cute place,  ...with a nice view,  ...and terrific food. I can personally vouch for the French toast, which was fluffy and delicious,  ...though everyone else gave two thumbs up for their meals as well: The Garden Omelet  The Mediterranean Bowl  Eggs over easy and sausage  After breakfast we split up to explore our separate ways. Tom and I set out on the one-mile walk to the Arch, which was easy enough to find from the restaurant. (That's the blue-umbrella'd patio of The Docket in the lower left corner of the picture below).  So we walked towards the Arch,         ...until we reached Gateway Arch National Park, which includes the Old St. Louis Courthouse across the street from the Arch. It was at the Old Courthouse that the infamous Dred Scott Decision was handed down by the Missouri Supreme Court in 1852.    Beneath the Arch is a historical museum and also the ticket counter at which one can purchase a ride up to the top of the Arch.  We opted not to go up into the Arch, but we did visit the museum, which was free.  The museum chronicled the history of St. Louis,   ...as well as the westward expansion.  The exhibits told the story of an economy and a great amassing of land and wealth that was built on slavery,    ...and the displacement and massacre of the region's indigenous people.       As I looked at these displays I thought about the challenge that we American face in coming to terms with our history.  It also occurred to me that, if St. Louis is a dangerous place for its residents today, still it's nothing compared to what a dangerous place it turned out to be for its original residents.  Books By Patti Liszkay |
"Equal And Opposite Reactions"
by Patti Liszkay Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa or from The Book Loft of German Village, Columbus, Ohio 
Or check it out at the Columbus Metropolitan Library
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September 2023
I am a traveler just visiting this planet and reporting various and sundry observations,
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