Hi Mom and family,
Saturday morning I woke at 4:00 AM because I needed to have time to stop at Starbuck's to see if Lyssa had answered the e-mail I sent her. I created rather a stir, going into Starbuck's in costume. I was so relieved to see that Lyssa okay'd March 15 for the pizza party.
I usually sing in three different spots in the morning. First
I'm outside the front gate, singing to the arriving people. Then there's a spot inside the gate I like, and the third is over by the area called the "Local Yokels" which portrays peasant life.
Then it was time for my lunch, and a nap in the shade of the glassblower's courtyard. I have one of those folding three-section cushions that are used for patio loungers. Performing takes enough out of me that there's no way, at my age, that I could continue to sing in the afternoon without a half-hour nap half-way through.
Peter was doing the glass-blowing show by himself, because Chris and Gena were in California for a wedding. Drinking coffee from my thermos after my nap, I had a good conversation with Peter, before it was time to get ready for his next show. A friend of theirs was working behind the counter and watching the shop, and their teen-aged son was helping out also.
In the afternoon I went to see the Puckerbrush Players perform on their hammer dulcimers. I became friends with the Puckerbrush Players when I shared that small stage with them. The hammer dulcimer players are about my age, retired teachers. They only do one Renaissance Festival now, this one. The rest of the year they live in a tiny place called Puckerbrush, on the northern tip of Michigan, almost to Canada.
The next performer was Eddie Jeff Cahill, who is hands-down the best musician at the festival. He is Canadian originally. I always enjoy hearing both his guitar playing and his singing.
I went to sing one more set at the edge of a stone bridge, where crowds of people were walking by to go to the last "joust" of the day. (The "joust" performers are troupes of horse riders who perform in armor with a scripted show in a rodeo-type arena which includes the "king" and the "queen" in the reviewing stands.)
For some reason I was able to find that elusive thing, a huge amount of confidence in myself as a performer, which of course improved my performance. As the groups of people walked past, many turned with delighted smiles. It might have been because the weather had suddenly turned delightfully cooler which put the crowds in a good mood. I was thinking, "Wherever this comes from, it's wonderful and I hope I'll be able to find it again!"
I left the festival an hour before the 6:00 closing cannon. If you wait until it closes, there is such a crowd trying to drive out of there that you cannot leave until 7:00. I went home and Dale Sr. had bought a roasted chicken from the deli, and some lovely asparagus which he sauteéd briefly.
In spite of being very tired, I forced myself to go to Starbuck's to send invitations to the pizza party. I was there two hours, going through my e-mail list to make sure I didn't leave anyone out. I wrote one invitation, copied it, and pasted it over and over with small additions and notes added for some of the people. There are still those whose e-mail I do not have, or who do not do e-mail.
That night I had trouble sleeping, probably because I'd gone and invited all of those people, and there is still so much work to be done on the house and yard. When the alarm went off on Sunday morning I had some difficulty waking, because I hadn't slept well.
I had a good time singing yesterday. I didn't recapture to the same extent whatever it was I had the afternoon before, but something extra remained, I'd learned something important about performing.
I went to the Wylde Men show, and Bill Meldrum's "Three Guys and a Bunch of Drums", enjoyed both immensely. There is so much talent out there.
Here are several photos of the "Wylde Men". They actually jump into the mud puddle which has a tunnel underneath, and completely disappear under the mud before returning through the doors that lead to back stage.
Bill Meldrum, in red shirt, used to drum with our troupe Gypsy Magic. His show combines comedy and incredible drumming.
When I got home Dale Sr. was sauteéing rock cod and vegetables. I fell asleep right after eating, wine glass half finished. Without any blankets. Which is unusual for me! I woke at 2:00 AM rather chilly.
Boy I can write a lot when I really should be getting up to do the dishes!
Love,
Lennie
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