HANGING WITH THE IRISH

Maggie and Kristen were headed to Gaelic Park after church to play with the Irish Musicians Association at noon. I knew I should go to support the cause, but I desperately wanted to work in the garden. The weather was supposed to have cleared today, but instead a new line of drenching storms were headed this way. That meant neither the garden nor Irish Fest were a good idea. The only other option was to stay inside and that would make me crazy. Once the warm, or in this year’s case, less cold weather arrives, I can barely stand to even sleep inside.

While trying to make the decision, the TV weather alerts caught my attention and I realized I would have to go to Gaelic Park just in case I had to save Maggie from the storm. I don’t have new and funky wellies so I put on my garden wellies (which don’t look very cool, but they do the job) and a rain jacket, and headed out with Jeanne (Kristen’s mom), hoping to beat the storm.

We got to the tent in time and as we approached, the strains of the music changed my soaking wet attitude toward life. It’s hard to be in a melancholy mood surrounded by happy people listening to happy music and watching happy step dancers. The musicians were just about done when the deluge began, accompanied by lightening, thunder, and a fair amount of wind. This is where my wellies came in handy as the tent began to fill with water. Not having to care or tiptoe through the rushing water was quite liberating. I think I’ll buy myself a fancy pair especially since all of the old Irish guys kept complementing me for being smart. At 56 yrs. old, I’ll take smart.

During the thick of the storm Jeanne and I began to get a little nervous, but as we looked around it appeared that the guys with the brogues were nonplussed. At one point, one of the Irish ladies sitting with us, became concerned for the 20 or so Irish dancers getting ready to take the stage after the musicians and asked one of the gents in charge, “Do you think it is possible for this tent to come down?” His response – “Yes, it could.” Still, no one seemed worried and the dance parents shepherded their kids through the rushing water and onto the stage. Ok then.

The musicians scooted out of the tent over to the tent next door which was the Tea Room. And there we sat having tea and scones and I never would have guessed that this wet and soggy day would turn out to be so delightful.