Fèis Seattle & Birthday Loot

A wee reminder of Scotland: Thistles at Siccar Point

I just returned from another fine offering from Slighe nan Gaidheal: The Fèis Seattle. Every other year this all-volunteer organization brings to the Pacific Northwest five days of learning and fun in the Gaidhlig language; a wee bit o' Scotland right here. It was my second Feis and truly an amazing experience. Those who participated will understand the word "cianalas." It was home for a few days, a place to sing and dance and tap one's feet; to learn and grow and be who we are without people giving us the stink-eye! Cairdean ùr, old friends too. Lots of craic as well: Buntàta and Ga desh air! Uisge beatha, a day of sunshine, a concert, some cèilidhs, lots of singing and purt-a-beal, learning to construct sentences about Bob kissing a pig in a car...and something about Donnie Munro in a phone-box. And an international Cranky star...We learn through laughter, and there was plenty to go around. Chì mi na mòrbheanna!


And since it's my birthday today, I thought I'd post pictures of some of the loot I got at the Festival, at Wandering Angus, and then in Tacoma whilst running around with my daughter. (The Rodriguez CDs arrived from Amazon when I was gone.)

CDs, stickers for my car, and a cheap sgian dubh made in China. (I'm saving for a real one)

My new little bodhran, which I WILL learn to play! I also bought all four levels of Muriel's Gaelic course, which can just be seen to the right in the stack by the journals.

...and some Viking-Ninja ducks for Jeremiah.

Aig an Fhèis...a-màireach

Skye: an t-Eilean Sgitheanach

Calanais: Leodhais

I awoke at 2 a.m. and couldn't sleep, so...In an attempt to get my head ready for the Fèis starting tomorrow, I thought I'd post a couple of pictures from our Turas Alba in 2010.

The one of the standing stones on Lewis was altered with solarization and other stuff I can't remember. I like the way the little tufts of grass grow around the bottoms of the stones, and the Lewisian gneiss with all its folds and striations is--well, gneiss!

The one of Skye was simply de-colorized from the original version. It was such a beautiful trip and I do want to return. Maybe we'll go next summer to hear Runrig during their 40-year celebration. They usually spend the summers touring Denmark and Germany. I hope they plan to play a couple of gigs in Scotland for their special year.