Life is Grand ...if you let it be !

The end of the summer season is knocking at my door ...and I'm ready for it.

This year has been brilliant! But, too much fun ...too quick...can bring anyone to the point of exhaustion, ...and I'm right there at the finishing line.
The end of August brings many things to our 'little' town of Seaside, huge crowds, social mayhem, traffic congestion, ...and a percentage of people that have lost sight of their manners. But, this is all part and parcel to the town and the benefits that come along with it.

Seaside has always been my choice. The beautiful ocean at our doorstep, the grand array of wildlife, (both two legged and four legged), the sunsets, the frivolity of people kicking loose, families meeting up, weddings, anniversaries, and the like.

My purpose in life is to help the masses connect to their heritage and homeland of the Celtic Nations. And Seaside is perfect for that.

The public asks me on a regular basis, "Why aren't you in the city?"
My answer is consistently the same, " if I were operating my business in the city...I would see city people regularly. With me being here, ...I see people from, not only the cities close by, (in the Northwest), but people from all over this nation, Canada, and the rest of the world, that have come here, to see the Pacific NW and the ocean that slaps it's shores." Much better opportunity to promote Scotland, Ireland, and the rest.

I love what I do and could think of no better way to spend my days. The people that frequent my shop and I, have developed great relationships, where we can freely talk about (just about) anything. I've watched as young ones have grown up and left school for "the real world", and they return to keep me posted on 'what's going on' in their lives and such as: love interests they've found, college plans, jobs secured, marriages even the new generation of young ones (from belly-bump to binkies and bottles).


Thanks for all and see you soon at the beach!!!!!
Linda

Update

The shop will be closed from August 11th - August 20.
Time for a break...
parents anniversary (58th), Highland Games.

I have been asked to perform at the Whitehorse Coffee, Sutherlin, Oregon on
August 17th along with Molley's Revenge a Celtic Folk/Rock Band.

So I'll see you back in the shop on August 21st. Or at the event.

Thanks to all that have come to Seaside this Summer!
Hope to see you again soon!

The # One Enemy of Mankind

Since the beginning of civilization, the one enemy to humanity has always been the same. The public sometimes has a very hard time recognizing this dark foe, because it wears a different face every time it seems to come to the surface. Though cloaked in varying shades of skin and clothing, using tongues of many separate lands, and having a variety of ever improved weapons at it's disposal, it always carries one particular driving force and end-goal to their actions. Actions carried out against those of the common folk, the masses, the population, or whatever else you wish to refer to them as.

Some people would and have labeled this entity as the devil, some as King, some as one political leader or another. But, this is not an energy that holds an office or takes the throne or leads an army....it's much more of the realm of human nature.
These souls that we see and blame are but the vessel ...the carrying agent, ...the one that holds "it" too close to their heart, and then uses it to justify this game they play out on humanity.

We don't want to name "it", because we ALL possess "it", and have to come to terms with "it" in our own lives ....at one time or another. Hopefully!

It is GREED!!!!!
Greed is the basic driving force that keeps this game going. And until humanity can
come to terms with calling "it" what "it" IS, and taming "it" by evoking the rights they have:
To speak clearly,
Think things out,
and not allow "it" to take roost in the business and political arenas of their own lands, ....sadly ...
All will remain the same.

New Exclusive Stock in the Shop

Many of you may have seen the dark green Jersey in the shop
that says "Ireland" across the front.

I now have Scotland Jersey in that style. Done on a dark
(St.Andrews Flag) blue, white striping down the side, and sleeve ends,
and the word "Scotland" in cut-out white letters across the front.
These are being sold at the low price of $35.00 US,
(normally priced at closer to 89.00 and up). An excellent value to show the pride
you carry for your homeland or your favorite team from Scotland.

My Best to All attending the Highland Games. If you have Clan Association ...
make sure to stop by your Clan's tent and say hello to those that dedicate their
time and effort to keeping you in touch with your heritage.

Alba Gu Brath!!!!

The Wallace Muse

Scotland 2005 saw many Memorial activities to honour William Wallace and his sacrifice
for his country.

The first funeral for Wallace was held at St. Bartholomew's Cathedral, (the Old Kirk), in London. This ancient infirmary and Kirk, sits in close proximity to "Smithfield" where Wallace was executed (in what some would call an act of murder), by the English on August 23rd 1305.

I wrote a Eulogy for this event and it was included in a book published in Edinburgh that year.

I was honoured (beyond belief), by having my poem included in the ranks of the late great writers in history. Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Wordsworth, Blind Harry, and Hamilton to name a few, and the best poets of Scotland today; including, but not limited to Edwin Morgan the present Poet Laureate of Scotland.

I was also honoured by having the priveledge, ... to recite this poem, (I had written, speaking about the sacrifice Wallace had made), at the Scottish Parliament Bldg. for the assembly there on 6th Sept. of that year.

Included in the covers of this text are the poems and artworks of history that were inspired by the life and legend of Sir William Wallace ...Scotland's premiere patriot, and freedom fighter.
To find this text, ...check the "Books I Recommend" link in the sidebar of this blogsite.

Good Evening and All the Best to you,
Linda

The Warriors and Wordsmiths of Freedom

I'm sad to say that the release of my book, (titled above), has once again been delayed.
The production staff in Edinburgh is having some difficulty in getting the final lay-out from the man that handles that phase of the production.
Once I receive this and approve it, the book will go to the printer.
I have the utmost confidence in my publishing house and know that the crew there are doing all they can to hurry this process along.
Thanks for your patience in this.
On a more upbeat note, ...
I'm presently working on a short story about Beltane Night, inspired by the poem featured here on a prior blog.

And, ...
Summer is in full swing and once again I'm meeting up with fine folk that I haven't seen in a few years. Brilliant!

Hope to see you in the shop soon.

All the Best,
Linda

Bagpipes on The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

In the wake of the "45" and the defeat at Culloden Moor, the British Government put a ban on the playing of the Bagpipes and the wearing of the Tartan, by those in Scotland. It was called the 'Proscription Act'. These two items were seen as 'Weapons of War' and obviously frightened the rank and file of those that considered themselves as supporters of the crown of England.

Now it seems that the residents of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh have decided to take that same oppressive action, against themselves. Not all residents ...mind...just the ones that have taken the time to call the local authority and issue "Complaints against the Noise".

A ban on playing the Pipes has been enacted in Edinburgh. Unbelievable !!!!!

With the Americans getting ready to celebrate their own Independence by shooting off fireworks, (much louder than the Pipes could ever be), I could not see, that same 'issue' happening here. I mean, what would happen if a few people decided to raise a riot act about firework and ask for a ban? No doubt the population would rise-up in protest and keep the 'insanity of that cause' from ever coming to pass.

I live in Seaside and the fireworks have been going off each night now for a few weeks, as soon as the sun goes down. And will continue for weeks after the 4th of July comes and goes.
But we don't call the police each time we hear a loud boom, we understand that this is part of what living at the beach is all about. People come here for the ability to be able to celebrate the season of Freedom's Cause and blow off a bit of steam for it. We are all better equipped to deal with the rest of the year because of it.

When did the few whiners of the world actually take rank over the wants and wishes of the larger majority? When did the shift happen in society, where the few that have intolerance of tradition, have the ear of the police, more than the masses?

What is Scotland without the shrill of the Pipes? How many of you that have been in Edinburgh, have actually followed the sound to seek out the Piper, and watch the show?
Scotland is in a deep debate about Independence and Freedom from their ties to England.
Next thing you know they'll be outlawing the wearin' of the Kilt again...
because some pinch-face person took offense by seeing a man's tackle hangin' down,
when his kilt was caught in a updraft.

I trust those in control do not fall into the auld trap...of the oppressed, once finding their freedom, ...becoming the new oppressors.

When the sounds of music .. becomes noise, and the human body .. becomes offensive it's time to re-assess ....who we are ...and realize ...this feeling of self-importance that mankind is so strongly holding onto ....has gotten out of hand.

The Bard