Fashion week

In an attempt to fit in a bit with the local fashion, I tried out some new things...

Am I a groupie?

Maybe... Maybe this is just the beginning of my future as a Treacherous Orchestra groupie! I do believe I've mentioned them before, and man did they leave an impression. An impression so strong that shortly after the epic HebCelt Friday night concert, I googled them, and found their gig list. It took about 12 hours after that discovery for me to decide that I would be following them to Glasgow, and I made good on that promise to myself this weekend!

However, this picture is actually of one of the opening acts Breabach, and sadly the only picture I have of the entire trip! My excuse for no Treacherous Orchestra pictures is letting my rapture win out against logic, but for the rest of the 4 day trip, I have no excuse.

Pictureless or not, it was an awesome trip and an awesome concert. We wrangled places right up towards the front, and I had a great view of the fiddlers, and the upright bassist (the sublime Duncan Lyall). In fact I was so close that I could almost make eye contact with the performers... Halfway through the performance, I glanced up at one of the fiddlers and was shocked to find him looking right at me. I did a double take (squinting in spite of my glasses), and he winked! He actually winked! I was mystified and confused. It wasn't until we were walking away from the venue that I got an explanation... I was apparently standing right behind his mother and sister! Nice.

It's Showtime!

Agricultural show-time that is...

I was lucky enough to get roped into helping out with the Barvas Agricultural Show this year, and despite the rain and flying insects, I had a great time! I was posted at the Art competition tables and had free reign over signing in and displaying artwork created by both young and old participants. Having never been to an agricultural show before, I'll admit that I was a bit apprehensive, but the island once again showed me just how laid back it can be. Not an art diva to be seen. Plus, helping out also meant that I could have lunch and tea for free!

After I did my time in the tent, I had a chance to wander about the rest of the show. It reminded me of a county fair honestly...just wet. Really really wet. I can't personally remember ever going to a rainy county fair, but then, summer rains are few and far between at home. Apparently it always rains for the Barvas Agricultural Show, and it almost sounded like people would've been disappointed had a sunny day broke the record! Well, almost...

Lucky to come from the Sunflower State...

When I was a kid, I remember disapproving of the Kansas State flower. I had no clue who actually chose our state flower, but I thought they were nuts. As I grew older, and actually laid eyes on the sunflower fields dominating the landscape through parts of western Kansas, I began to appreciate them a bit more. I remember being amazed when I saw them all facing away from the fading sunset waiting for it to appear again in the other direction. I decided that even if our flower wasn't the prettiest or best smelling flower, that I must have the best personality...which seemed to fit Kansas, if I do say so myself.

I'm wondering if I'll feel the same way about the Scottish Thistle before the end of my time here, but don't have high hopes. This Scottish "flower" is currently barring my way through our croft! I haven't been able to walk through it in about a month without being poked at every step...not pleasant.

HebCelt Madness!

As the title of this post suggests, the Isle of Lewis has been going mad this week with concerts every day and night, tents dotting the landscape, and a surplus of walking trousers and funny hats. The Hebridean Celtic Festival is on, and this year I actually made it to a concert in the huge tent on the Castle green!

Here are a couple videos of the night. Please forgive the poor sound quality, I blame the upright bass player Duncan Lyall (who incidentally I would marry if he asked.)

A few hours ago, I drove down south to Barvas with Murdo and Golly (the surviving molly) splashing around in front of the passenger seat. I'm off early tomorrow morning for Ireland, and I barely remembered that I'd needed to find somewhere for my babies to go. Just days ago, I was actually in line at the Post waiting to add to my electricity key when it hit me! It would've been a hectic Monday morning had I just remembered then...

Oh yeah, did you catch that?? ..."for Ireland"? Whoop whoop! I'm headed to Connemara to visit some friends tomorrow, and I'm beyond excited! I've been once before, but it was November and it rained every day, so I'm excited to see it in the 'heat of summer.'

Random pictures for the day:

The few from my front garden this weekend

And here are the first pages from my brand new art journal! This is the first art journal I haven't put together with watercolor paper, so I was a bit apprehensive. Turns out it's not too bad, but definitely not as easy to work with. Twas convenient and cheap, but probably not worth it in the end...

A family affair

Better late than never I always say. At the end of May, the Isle of Lewis was invaded by a group of Americans here for one thing, and one thing only. To see ME!

Mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and auntie Carlene all made the transatlantic trip and got their first taste of Scotland. It was great having them around because, lets face it, I miss them, but also because they reminded me that I'm not as strange as I thought I was. Many of my preferences and routines don't seem to be common around here, and as my roommate is from Georgia, not common in my house either. But when my family came to visit, and they made themselves at home, the answers were very clear. Most of my quirks seem to be hereditary, and somehow, that's great news :)