I know I may look a bit of a dork - but I had to have it! And I had to be photographed in it, to show off to my discerning - and now jealous - readers! {I have also purchased several more, tucked away for christmas presents!}
I've been singing in rooms with high ceilings. To the sound of my good friend the piano - and to the incredible guitar skills of Cam & Jamie. Not to mention the unsurpassed beats of Mr RC. We've added a new backing singer to our on stage musical family, & I am enjoying the new colours she brings...
We played this {below} beautiful room on Friday. Happy people, sensational dancing, extraordinarily hot weather! A country town, a Catholic Church. I should have remembered my camera while we waited outside the ceremony to walk the happy couple down the road {singing Irish folk songs!} to said beautiful room - as I have an obsession with old country towns and especially old churches in old country towns.
On Sunday I took rest. Which normally I don't, and therefore, am generally no good at!
We took the long and winding road back to the river somewhere... Picniced under welcomed, much cooler overcast sky.
Others swam, but I stayed still by the river bed. Reflected on two long gigs just merely behind me; the state of my heart at the turn of a new season, the lovliness of my children playing by the water... And, although said above, I am normally fairly bad at relaxing...
I read my book, and giggled much. Wrote lyrics to future songs in my leather bound journal. I let my spirit rest, and be glad in it.
We drove home in witness to the beautiful valley. How can you look out on it and not say a prayer? And not be thankful? For patience, and constancy, and perseverance. For a blessed, eventful, challenging and therefore, most wonderful, poetic life.
In Flanders fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fl y
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fi elds.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
JOHN McCRAE
There has been a death in the family. My Mother-in-Law's Mother, Joy. Joy had been suffering a series of long illnesses, and to my heart - I hope it makes sense to say - that it gives me, and her family relief to know, she suffers no more.
What I have learned is encompassed within a phrase used by people all the time in the day-to-day - but I feel it keenly today, after helping to cater for, and attending the wake. The phrase is that, 
And the older I get the more I realise the truth and value in such a phrase. Because we don't know the end of our lives here on Earth. We only know this moment! We can be certain of nothing more...
My wonderful friend and Sister-in-Law kate, as Napoleon!
The eccentric and graceful Anna Eliza as the Grecian muse of Dance...
