Next concert will be the one to remember for a LONG LONG TIME !!!

Last Saturday's concert featured Aoife Clancy, it was a fun night. The audience made up of some regulars and quite a few lovers of The Clancy Brother's was enchanted by Aoife. She was good..her vocals not quite as crisp as some other young performers we have featured like Liz Simmons and Lissa Schneckenburger..but still enjoyable for the audience.

Next up will feature three of Cape Breton's best!! Andrea Beaton on fiddle, Hilda Chaisson-Cormier on piano and Remi Arsenault on guitar. It will be amazing. I have absolutely no doubt. We already have reservations totaling I believe 25 so please contact me early or you will miss this one. Andrea often makes trip to Massachusetts but rarely to Western, Mass. If fact I really think this is her first trip west of Boston.

We first met her when she was a student..and fell in love with her playing. She is powerful not unlike J J Chaisson. She plays with heart and soul..and drives the fast tunes. But her touch for slow airs and waltzes will bring you to tears. She is a delight. I cannot wait. We have tried for years now to have her be part of the series and finally she said YES.. This time is extra special because she will be coming with her newest CD so this will be her WESTERN MASS CD launch too !!!

I wish you all a happy Tuesday..have some fun ow and remember to do two things. Call early for your seats and

BREATHE and smile for me

The very best news....

Today I got word via FACEBOOK that J J and Julie are in their new place!! Tonight that precious family will be snug in their own house. I can't wait till they put some pictures up..But I know it will be perfect in every way.

Today it was beautiful again here in Massachusetts..what a lovely fall it has been.. I really want to head up to Leverett possibly on Monday. Gabe and Amy said they need to go to the pagoda too so it might be the day to go..

Yesterday I worked on the flowers for Chelsey's wedding.Her Bouquet and the two girls who are standing up with her. They came out pretty nice. Chelsey liked them and that's the most important thing I guess.

Tomorrow night marks the start of Celtic Colors with a big concert in Port Hawkesbury..My friends will all be in attendance I am sure of that. The line up this year is fantastic..wish I could be there.. One of these years for sure for sure. If the plans go as I think it may be even sooner than later.

It is looking very much like the in-law-apartment situation at Chelsey's is a go. We will share the cost and put on an addition with a master bedroom suite over a new two car garage and car port. The apartment will be where the existing garage is. It is a space just about the same size as the house on PEI so it will work. I will stay through the winter probably from mid November through April..Then head north to PEI for the rest of the year..When I'm gone Brian's Mom and Dad will share the space.. It should work out quite well.

Soooo that's it for now have to go and do the dinner dishes and watch the Red-Sox get beat... LOL Have a great night..stay safe now and JJ and Julie if you read this here comes a big hug OOOOOOO did you feel it.. I wish i could be there to see you but I'll be back soon. Remember now whatever you do don't forget to

BREATHE and smile for me

October 6th..and all is well

Westfield River, Agawam...
So all of my friends in Canada are anxiously awaiting the start of Celtic Colors on Cape Breton Island. A week long event which spans the island..featuring tunes, dance, songs and stories steeped in the Gaelic culture. Vic is heading North as I write this and Linda Rankin is counting down the days. If I remember correctly J J , Tim and Elmer are going over this week for a gig in Mabou. I wonder if they will sail over or drive. I hope that they have good weather for the festival.. Canada's Thanksgiving is next Monday sure wish beyond wishes that I could be up there. I am already sick to death of this crazy life down here. Way too much activity, way too much stress. I get cranky before I step out of bed in the morning..

of course it doesn't help that almost everything I attempt to do is criticized or turns out wrong.. Some days I really do just want to run away..They say that familiarity breeds contempt..and I cannot agree with that more. I need a break !!

Anyway..I hope to get up to the Peace Pagoda very soon I NEED to be there before I totally break apart. Between Weddings, House stuff, planning a Thanksgiving dinner for 45+ and just day to day living.. I am loosing it. It's either the Peace Pagoda or NYC. What a choice huh..

Oh well venting to my computer is safer than what I really feel like doing this morning! So now that I have taken a breath..it's a lovely morning here in Agawam.. The leaves are starting to turn, the sky is crystal blue and the air is fresh and crisp. Not exactly sure what the rest of the day will bring perhaps a murder..or maybe a legal separation LOL.. Time will tell and you know you will be the first to know.


So my friends have yourselves a great day and stay safe..have some fun if you can and whatever you do remember to..

Breathe and smile for me

In 17 days it will be time for Aoife's concert. I am looking forward to meeting her. Until then this is a busy busy month. This weekend we have events happening all weekend..with a double do in Sunday. I am going with Chelsey on Sunday to see if we can line up some things we are going to need for the wedding. Lots to do for sure.

I kinda have an outfit for the big event but I'm not totally taken with it yet. I want to try and find a top to go under the jacket. So I'll be looking for that as well.

October dawned like October here in Massachusetts. The leaves this year are not as colorful as in years past. They are falling before they turn. It is kinda gray outside and pretty cool. I remember October on PEI when we were up there late one year. It is magnificent..the leaves.. the sky..the clean crisp air. People are probably "banking their houses" getting ready for winter. We cut pine boughs and lean them against the house which is first wrapped with plastic wind breaker..all along the bottom of the place. When the snow comes this banking helps keep the house warm and cozy. It works really well too!!! S I G H ..I'd love to be out cutting pine boughs today..life on PEI has such purpose..Oh well some day soon..

So my friends I hope your October starts off with a bang. I know Vic is getting ready to head up to Cape Breton..safe travels Vic and have fun! I know that J J and Julie are hoping to be moved into their new house this weekend. H U G S to you both!! Wish I could be there to help!! Now all the rest of you..have a great day..stay safe and go on out and make some memories..Remember now

BREATHE and smile for me

Almost to the top...

Amy and Dan on the "hell drop..."
Yesterday we headed up to Northampton and had brunch with Gabe and Amy.. While eating we made two decisions..NEVER... to eat at Sylvester's again..and second to go to the BIG-E for the afternoon!
It was a blast..We went to all of the buildings..looked at the animals, watched a sheep-dog trial..ATE WAY TOO MUCH..played games..and went on rides. A very nice way to celebrate another year.

Sooooo September is winding down..and from what I hear..J J and Julie will be into their new house by the end of this week.. A nice way to start October!!! Vic will be heading up to Cape Breton for Celtic Colors and we will be getting ready for Aoife Clancy's concert. We are getting calls and emails already for this one sooooo is anyone out there is thinking about it. Contact me early I think this one might be a biggie..

Not sure what is in the works for today. Dan may be heading to Chelsey's to continue working on the roof..I have LOADS AND LOADS of laundry to catch up on..and that is about it. I am going to bake a cake later for Danny..and fix him a nice dinner later..

So my friends I wish you all a happy Tuesday..stay safe now and go on out and make some memories..remember whatever you do..

BREATHE and smile for me

Today I am 66 years old. I don't feel much more than 30..But the years have a way of ticking by when you least expect it. I woke up this morning and found a lovely card waiting on the kitchen table..and in it was a beautiful thin silver cuff bracelet with the word BREATHE engraved on it. PERFECT!!! I adore it !
It looks a bit like the one pictured here..but mine is prettier..


Often times on this day I surf back thinking of birthdays from my childhood. You see my birthday was a shared event. I was born on my sister's 9th birthday. ( Not exactly the present she wanted.. ) Most of my parties were shared with Grace. Family events with cake and ice cream. When I was little Mom would have the neighborhood kids over and we would sit in the living room and play games, open presents and have cake . Birthdays were simple back then. No theme parties or trips to skating rinks or Chuckie Cheese ( whatever the heck that is). Just friends..and cake and ice cream.

When I turned 14 my best friend in Ellington through me a surprise party. I had moved from Ellington that year and I was having a very tough time adjusting to life in a "big city". That party was special because I was back with all of my childhood friends. I can remember it clearly we had such fun just being silly and running about in Kay's yard, chasing cows in the field and feeling very lucky to have friends like them.

As the years went on parties were back to just family with cake and ice cream. Then when children came into my life there were breakfast surprises and sweet handmade cards. Never anything too fancy. One thing that always happened..on my birthday every year from when I was a child,until I was well into my late 40's..every birthday morning my Mother would greet the day with a song.. She would always sing Happy Birthday to me.. First by coming into my room with a pancake sporting a candle..then after I left home with a phone call sometimes as early as 6:00 in the morning.. So that the first thing I heard was that song.

Soooo of course I started doing the same thing with my children. I call and I sing to them..and I call Molly and Morgan and I sing to them. They now anticipate it happening just like I use to do..It's kinda nice..a tradition that can go on and on. I tell Gabe to be sure to sing to Amy first thing on her birthday morning..I think he does..and Of course today at about 8:00AM my cell phone rang and it was Chelsey, Molly and Morgan singing to me.. The circle of love goes on and on..

So my friends..have yourselves a lovely day. It's raining here but the sun is shining in my heart and I feel quite blessed. Remember whenever you go and whatever you do

Breathe and smile for me...

Another lovely day in Massachusetts

It's been kind of a crazy week. Lots of stuff going on at the house. Playing catch up with things that were booked while I was away..and trying to correct things that were promised to folks when those things are not possible. Ahhhhhh when can I put all of this A W A Y ???

Today I am working on the press for Aoife's concert. I am looking forward to meeting her. She seems like quite a character. From what I have heard she is a lot of fun. Fun is something that I always enjoy.

The Big -E is happening now..so traffic in front of the house is pretty non-stop in the morning. It is a fun place to go..and you know every year even though it is the
S A M E stuff over and over..It's fun..You look forward to the lobster sandwiches..the cream puffs...The frozen strawberry slushies..the horses..the cows and the rabbits. I think next week I take a day and go...I love to see the Clydesdale's, they are my favorite horses.

I am keeping J J and Julie right in the front of my thoughts. I hope hope hope that their house is up and that they are working 24/7 so they can get moved in. They are such a special family..and this past summer has been really tough for them. So my dear ones if you are reading this..here comes a big H U G.. I miss you like crazy and pray that everything is better now !!!

So my friends stay safe today.. I am worried about my friends in the NYC area..damn it is so scary with all this talk about attacks. Stay safe..I worry about you....I am going to keep you all in my thoughts too. This weekend will see yet another year gone from my life.. Good grief I don't feel old but those years keep flying by. I 'll just keep on going and I'll keep on smiling. So all of you remember now stay safe, make some memories for your loves to treasure..and whatever you do remember..

Análaigh.....and smile for me

Well now..what happened to that week?

The new living room..looK..ready for after parties, weddings and family gatherings

Notice the great Fashion sense.. LOL

Lets see.. Monday I went up to Northampton and had a nice visit with Gabe and Amy..Tuesday I baby sat Sam all day..Wednesday the rest of the living room furniture arrived and yesterday I cleaned all morning in preparation for this weekends concert and a meeting with The Trustees..

Of course during all of this I managed to have some down time too. I had a nice conversation with Sean on Tuesday evening he is a dear guy. J J called and filled us in on the goings on with his new house. Last night I had a one hour conversation with Margie and that was great. Earlier in the week my good friend Susan had a life altering event happen. She was eating supper and choked on a raw carrot. She could NOT BREATHE..Managed to dial 911..and her daughter age 12 grabbed her and did the Heimlich maneuver dis-lodging the carrot. By the time the ambulance arrived Susan was able to breathe but was very shaken up as was her daughter. Shows you just how fragile this life can be. Too much, huh!

Yesterday I was going through my "BABY BOOK" and found some really funny early photo's of myself. I had fun putting them up on Facebook.. I love that site..It is so much fun talking back and forth with folks..

Today I am setting up the downstairs hall for Saturdays concert. We are slowly reaching the safe point with numbers..I just have to make expenses..then I can relax.

So I wish you all a happy day and a great weekend.. If you are in the area and looking for something to do on saturday night..Stop by for the concert. If you mention this blog I'll let you in for the reserved rate. : )

Take care now everyone and remember..

Análaigh....and smile for me