Monday, October 21, 2013

Soul thrilling, jam session and remembering the bonnie banks

- The opening ceremonies of the 2013 Stone Mountain (Georgia) Highland Games on Saturday.  The massed bands playing the pipes and drums never fails to thrill my soul.

 - Slightly fuzzier photos from my iPhone.  Saturday was just a drizzly day, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the crowd.  This group of musicians had an impromptu jam session in front of the tent city of the vendors.

- View from the side of my clan's tent:  the day brightened on Sunday, and we were serenaded all day by this musician, Colin Grant Adams, who sang traditional Scottish ballads.  When he sang, "The Bonnie Banks 'o Loch Lomand" (over and over, it seemed, but that's OK), it reminded me of walking around Loch Lomand several years ago with niece Amanda, who tried not to look embarrassed when I sang that song aloud to her.  :)

I keep candy on the table at our Clan tent for any children that come by.  A favorite moment:  the top of a blond head and a pair of big brown eyes peered over the table.  He put a tentative hand up into the candy basket and looked at me.  "It's OK - they are Twizzlers!  They're good."  He looked back at his mom, who nodded her consent, fished one out and ran over to display it to her as if he had scored pure gold.  Lovely innocence.  

14 comments:

Joanne said...

What a fun festival!

TALON said...

Twizzlers - one of my favs. :) Love the photos. Love seeing all the tartan!

happygirl said...

Oh, it's festival time again. I love your tails of the festival. Great shots. This looks like so much fun.

Sparkling Red said...

Ah yes, little kids and candy. It's a foreshadowing of Halloween. :-)

Riot Kitty said...

That is so cute that he got excited by Twizzlers! :)

Elephant's Child said...

What a gorgeous small boy. Love it.

For some reason I am unable to listen to bag-pipe music without tears pricking at my eyes. It doesn't matter what is playing, or what the occasion is, my eyes leak.

Lee said...

I love the bagpipes...they always give me a thrill, too...and take me back to many good memories from when I was a little girl.

It sounds like so much fun was had. :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Lynn - that must be a fun annual do .. piped bands are just magical .. and the story of the little lad! Fun remembrances ...

Cheers Hilary

Granny Annie said...

Wonderful gathering. I can just picture the child's glee over the twizzlers. You were right to advise him they are good:)

LL Cool Joe said...

I hope the adults were allowed a candy too, I wouldn't have been able to resist!

Lock Lomand was very beautiful, I seem to remember, although I wasn't going to admit at the time. I was your typical stroppy teen when I saw it. ;D

Lynn said...

Joanne -

It was so fun. :)

Talon -

I always get Twizzlers because they are low in sugar and have no fat content.

Seeing all the tartan was awesome.

happygirl -

Yes - I'm pretty predictable, aren't I? :) I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Sparkling Red -

I still have Twizzlers I can give out on Halloween.

Lynn said...

Riot Kitty -

Oh to be that innocent again!

Elephant's Child -

He was gorgeous. And I tear up at the pipes myself.

Lee -

Me, too. It was so fun.

Hilary -

It's wonderful - I look forward to it all year.

Cheers to you!

Lynn said...

Granny Annie -

I loved that he looked at him mom first and asked - he was cutie.

Joe -

Absolutely - they could have it and many did.

Loch Lomand was beautiful. I loved it.

Snaggle Tooth said...

Always looks like such a good time, even from your tent! Bagpipes always tug the soul, as does that tune which I just sang- I'm definitely on the low road this week! Cool to have been there, I bet!

Fun making the wee ones so happy!