Embracing Autumn...
24/10/10 11:07
Autumn has descended...
in full, glorious blaze... and though it seemed to
move in slowly at first... ebbing & creeping into
my consciousness... until suddenly, everything was
cloaked in rich, deep crimson, burnt orange and
gilded gold… glistening in the radiant, fall
afternoons... or glowing and vibrant - even better
yet, in the heavy October skies that held the threat
of a storm... To me, the dark, threatening storm
clouds seem to frame the Fall colors - the best...
& the way i love to see it - the most.
I constantly find myself striving to be outdoors... where I can embrace the life, essence & spirit of the season, and feel completely encased in the golden glow of the world... It inspires me - to dream, write, play, make music, sing, move, and God, if I could… fly...
The season really struck me as officially here… when we performed for the Kirby's Mill Apple Festival... where about 22,000 folks came out to enjoy the magnificent day...
The afternoon was absolutely PERFECT... Families came out to enjoy the festivities and everything was brimming over - with smiles, laughter, dancing and the delicious smell of Apple cider, kettle corn and various sweets that involved apples! It was brilliantly festive and the mood was euphoric! The afternoon flew by... and it honestly still makes me smile - to think back on the moments where the tunes just gelled… and where we were were wrapped in tonal harmonies that make me just feel – how much - I love to play music. Thank you to all the lovely folks who came by to listen, and the scores of adorable, beautiful children who danced with joy - for us.
Ahh... but the day didn't end there... oh no... from the Apple Festival, we then journeyed onto Mill Race Village, to indulge (and I say that word deliberately) in their annual "Witch's Ball 2010".
I've never in my life, seen a town so amazingly transformed into such a mystical, rapturous and illusion rich scene... I did not even recognize it... as it lay under the black, velvet night… swathed in twinkle lights, streaming with ribbons that adorned & garland trimmed the trees, sparkling chandeliers, authentic gypsy caravans, charming cafe's, bon fires, amazing vendors & the wonderful shops - including "Jersey Made" and the "Pineland's Folk Music & Basketry Center" ohhhhh... and the captivating music that drifted through the night, weaving into the soul, beating like a heart… all under the big blanket of stars... Everyone was feeling festive, in costume, or not, they came to enjoy and the atmosphere was amazing! The village seemed to pulse - with a pure light, and life all it's own... it was bewitching in a most fun, festive and enchanting way...
Then, one chilly, Autumn afternoon, I put on a huge pot of Chili... and bid some good friends over... to share a meal, play some tunes and enjoy the night… and it honestly makes me ask... what did i ever do to deserve such great friends?
Sean & Mary Dumphy, visiting from Waterford, Ireland were in town, and this spurred on the idea of a Fall gathering... The "Boys" were here... and lots of other fine musicans came in – to partake of the food, tunes, songs and festivities. I could NOT have been prouder of my students that came to play... and was thrilled to see them do a beautiful job of fiddling along and keeping up with the tunes...
There was more FOOD - than i knew what to do with... Chili of course… hot & mild… and then– a decadant ‘Crave case’ of White Castles (thanks Mitch!) and some homemade corn bread muffins & warm, cinnamon Wassail... (Shaun... i need that recipe!) There were delicious sandwiches and appetizers that kept sayin'... "just one more'... every time ya walked by and then... oh yes... there were the many plates of of wayyyyy too decadant, home made cookies...
The night was brimming with tunes... and charming, traditional songs - Mary thrilled us with her beautiful, Irish voice... as she sang songs that made us sit, in rapt attention... listening to every word... and the wonderful song she and her husband Sean sang, that made us all laugh...
Terri played a beautiful, classical accompaniment on her fiddle - as Mary sang an old, traditional Irish song with Pam... Sean captivated us with his insights from Waterford, his stories and humor.
The night was a mix of tunes... songs... stories, and tales... as it moved gently, into the dark hours of the evening, under the guiding light of full, Mother Moon - as she shown down… shroud in a ring of clouds... that we all went outside... in the chill evening, periodically, to see... Everyone eventually wandered away, full, happy and filled with good memories... And I look back and I think... how fortunate I am - to have such amazing friends... and musicians in my life...
PS. Thanks to Mitch & Kelly... for the blown - glass - Pink Panther playing the fiddle... which they brought back for me, all the way from Vicenza, Italy... i love it! xoxo
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I constantly find myself striving to be outdoors... where I can embrace the life, essence & spirit of the season, and feel completely encased in the golden glow of the world... It inspires me - to dream, write, play, make music, sing, move, and God, if I could… fly...
The season really struck me as officially here… when we performed for the Kirby's Mill Apple Festival... where about 22,000 folks came out to enjoy the magnificent day...
The afternoon was absolutely PERFECT... Families came out to enjoy the festivities and everything was brimming over - with smiles, laughter, dancing and the delicious smell of Apple cider, kettle corn and various sweets that involved apples! It was brilliantly festive and the mood was euphoric! The afternoon flew by... and it honestly still makes me smile - to think back on the moments where the tunes just gelled… and where we were were wrapped in tonal harmonies that make me just feel – how much - I love to play music. Thank you to all the lovely folks who came by to listen, and the scores of adorable, beautiful children who danced with joy - for us.
Ahh... but the day didn't end there... oh no... from the Apple Festival, we then journeyed onto Mill Race Village, to indulge (and I say that word deliberately) in their annual "Witch's Ball 2010".
I've never in my life, seen a town so amazingly transformed into such a mystical, rapturous and illusion rich scene... I did not even recognize it... as it lay under the black, velvet night… swathed in twinkle lights, streaming with ribbons that adorned & garland trimmed the trees, sparkling chandeliers, authentic gypsy caravans, charming cafe's, bon fires, amazing vendors & the wonderful shops - including "Jersey Made" and the "Pineland's Folk Music & Basketry Center" ohhhhh... and the captivating music that drifted through the night, weaving into the soul, beating like a heart… all under the big blanket of stars... Everyone was feeling festive, in costume, or not, they came to enjoy and the atmosphere was amazing! The village seemed to pulse - with a pure light, and life all it's own... it was bewitching in a most fun, festive and enchanting way...
Then, one chilly, Autumn afternoon, I put on a huge pot of Chili... and bid some good friends over... to share a meal, play some tunes and enjoy the night… and it honestly makes me ask... what did i ever do to deserve such great friends?
Sean & Mary Dumphy, visiting from Waterford, Ireland were in town, and this spurred on the idea of a Fall gathering... The "Boys" were here... and lots of other fine musicans came in – to partake of the food, tunes, songs and festivities. I could NOT have been prouder of my students that came to play... and was thrilled to see them do a beautiful job of fiddling along and keeping up with the tunes...
There was more FOOD - than i knew what to do with... Chili of course… hot & mild… and then– a decadant ‘Crave case’ of White Castles (thanks Mitch!) and some homemade corn bread muffins & warm, cinnamon Wassail... (Shaun... i need that recipe!) There were delicious sandwiches and appetizers that kept sayin'... "just one more'... every time ya walked by and then... oh yes... there were the many plates of of wayyyyy too decadant, home made cookies...
The night was brimming with tunes... and charming, traditional songs - Mary thrilled us with her beautiful, Irish voice... as she sang songs that made us sit, in rapt attention... listening to every word... and the wonderful song she and her husband Sean sang, that made us all laugh...
Terri played a beautiful, classical accompaniment on her fiddle - as Mary sang an old, traditional Irish song with Pam... Sean captivated us with his insights from Waterford, his stories and humor.
The night was a mix of tunes... songs... stories, and tales... as it moved gently, into the dark hours of the evening, under the guiding light of full, Mother Moon - as she shown down… shroud in a ring of clouds... that we all went outside... in the chill evening, periodically, to see... Everyone eventually wandered away, full, happy and filled with good memories... And I look back and I think... how fortunate I am - to have such amazing friends... and musicians in my life...
PS. Thanks to Mitch & Kelly... for the blown - glass - Pink Panther playing the fiddle... which they brought back for me, all the way from Vicenza, Italy... i love it! xoxo
Read More...
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