REASON NUMBER SIX

Being charged by Medieval Ireland type Rogues from 1000 years ago.

First of all, let me say that we arrived at the Dublin Irish Festival Friday afternoon and stayed till Sunday afternoon.  We saw everthing, and somethings several times.

The Irish Living History Society of Central Ohio endeavors to recreate the daily life of early medieval Ireland 1000 years ago. Metalworking, woodturning, combat and weaponry are just a few of the ongoing demonstrations.

Especially the combat!

We should have been more prepared when the announcer warned us they were going to rush us.

You should have heard the children scream! I knew to back off with my camera. I know all about boys with toys!

REASON NUMBER SEVEN

Irish Dancing

How do they do that? Long ago, the dance masters would travel from village to village and teach the art of Irish dancing. The dresses are to die for! Costing from $700 upwards. The black and orange and green dresses are usually the outfits of a dance school.  When one is a soloist, they have intricately beautiful costumes in varying colors with designs from the Book of  Kells.

I heard (maybe while in Ireland) that the Irish dance hold their hands rigid against their sides as a symbol of the bondage still inflicted upon their country.

I really enjoyed the dances with the hard shoe. When they would kick thier legs and pass thier feet, they were somehow able to click the heels together.  I also loved the sound of the STOMP on the floor!

The hair is trippy. (wig)

REASON NUMBER EIGHT

Pipe and Drum

At the Festival there are six main music tents.  My second favorite is the Scott's Irish Thunder stage.  It is under the huge tan and green awning where the more traditional Scottish music is heard.  They are Celtic also, so it is all good.

There is something so gut wrenching about a Pipe and Drum Band. The music seems to fill the air around you and linger long after the instruments are silent.

This is the Columbus Police & Fire Pipe & Drum.  The whole area was packed for the performance. Standing room only. There was even audience participation, which I have never witnessed before. Many in the crowd lifted their arms with the main Drum at the conclusion.  It was almost...no, it was reverent.

Afterwards, I wandered down one of the main drags and found my Sister and her clan sitting on the grassy medium.  As we sat there, crowd watching, I heard them coming.

The crowd parted and allowed them to pass.  It was a beautiful sight and a beautiful sound.

REASON NUMBER NINE

THE FOOD!!!!!!!

My step daughter is demonstrating restraint as she shows me her tasty treat of Irish Stew served in a bread bowl. Yummy.

My favorite......

 

TOP TEN REASONS WHY THE IRISH FESTIVAL IS SO MUCH FUN

Number Ten - The Dog's of  Ireland Exhibit

Last year my sister and I traveled to the Dublin Irish Festival in Ohio and had such a great, wonderful, unforgettable experience we returned this weekend for the 2005 festival. My other sister, Kit, came along too. As did numerous other family members like husbands and kids.

Last year Omega fell in love with the Irish Terrier. They are wonderful with children, are rather small, and do not shed! She was thrilled when she realized this was the same dog from last year!He had a haircut and was show ready!

Kit would have purchased one of the Glen-of-Imaal-terrier puppies that were at the Dog Exhibit but they were already spoken for. You would not believe the asking price!!! There are only 25 breeders in the United States.

I have to admit, this is one cute puppy. I exhaled a little sigh of relief myself....

 

 

ROUND ROBIN OASIS

"There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home..."

Several years ago I was on  a puddle jumper from Cincinnati to Lexington.  As we were landing at the Bluegrass Airport, we were coming in from the North.  As we approached, we were flying over Calumet Farm, the famous throughbred horse farm in Fayette Co, home to at least six Kentucky Derby winners.

The plane was very low, as the run way is directly across the highway from the farm.  The passengers on the plane were all pressed against the window glass.  Below us was a group of horses running under the plane, their beautiful sleek bodies stretched out  in full stride against the brilliant green grass.  Running, racing towards the blinding white washed fences trying to out run the plane.

There is nothing as beautiful as the central Kentucky bluegrass.

It is only when what we love is missing from our lives that we fully realize that what we love is also what we take for granted.

Never take beauty or love or being too familiar for granted.

This is my oasis.... 

 

The other Robins:

Aunt Nub...Fools Paradise POSTED!

Steven...(sometimes photoblog)

Phinney...Paragon

Maria...The Little Things POSTED!

Betty...My Day My Interests POSTED!

Alan...F-Stop

Derek...Picture of the Day

Karen...Musings from Mavarin POSTED

Promise...Promise Me

Monica...Mamarazzi POSTED!

Marie...Photographs Memories POSTED!

Danielle...Everybody Knows

redonionsauce...See America POSTED!

YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN

Downtown Louisville facing South on 4th St.  11th Floor of the 800 Building.

This past Saturday afternoon I drove home. I left Ft. Wayne at 4pm and Sunday afternoon, around the same time, I was headed back.

Twenty-four hours was all I needed. Twenty-four hours was all it took. I feel so much better. Revived. Rejuvenated.  The dark cloud has lifted, at least for the time being.

As I was nearing the bridge on I-65 that spans the Ohio River, I could see Louisville begin to spread before me. My heart began to swell, my chest became tight and yes I began to cry. I was home.

I wandered up and down Bardstown Rd. in the Highland area trying to capture "night pictures" with my camera while waiting on my daughter. They are a disaster! The manual suggested a tripod! ( after five months of having this camera, I finally break open the manual!) HA! Now that I know it can be done, I just need to know how to do it. The Highland area is so alive with people, entertainment, pubs, book stores, skate shops, restaurants, esoteric shops every where you look. Thriving and colorful, bursting with excitement! I just wish I could have captured its essence with the camera. Next time, when I am more practiced.

After visiting with family for all to brief a time, I headed back. The route this time was through Cincinnati!

Hello Trader Joe's!!!! I spent a small fortune in there. Do I really need Trader Joe's Toaster Sesame Oil? Or Thai Red Curry? Trader Giotto's Artichoke Antipasto? Yes...yes...YES!!! It is so much fun to shop there.

This is how I do it. Cafe Twists Chocolate Chip $2.49, "That's 3/4 of a pack of cigarettes that I do not smoke any longer" as I toss it into the cart.

James Keller & Son Dundee Orange Marmalade $3.49, "That's a pack of cigarettes I don't smoke anymore." Toss it into the cart with the honey peanut butter (2/3 pack) and the chocolate covered cherries (two packs).

It is said, "You can't go home again." I say, "The hell you can't".