Blackberries and Beacons

Hello and good tidings from the land of the free,

John here writing a belated blog. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. . .Just arrived in Sutherlin, Oregon where we are staying at the Sutherlin Inn, a pretty darn nice (air conditioned) establishment. Getting ready to play the Sutherlin Scottish Games festival. If it's anything like last year, we're in for some good craic!

Last few days have been fun. . .The band had a couple days off, and we spent it in beautiful LaCenter, Washington at the Brewer Ranch. David's folks live there currently, and they welcomed us with open arms. We were well cared for, well fed, and watered. The band had a few very productive all-day practice sessions (it's tough work!), and material for our new CD
seems to be in abundance. Of course I am biased, but I think we've got some serious celtic-winners comin' your way!

The lovely ladies of Molly's Revenge(and my son Tyler) spent the days foraging in the woods for blackberries. I swear I've got them comming out of my ears. Very good blackberry jam, blackberry ice-cream, blackberry cobbler, blackberry scones, blackberry pancakes, blackberry steak, blackberry chutney. . .did I leave anything off? Probably.

Yesterday I took the family up to Beacon Rock, right on the Columbia River, to do some hiking and much needed exercise. Not really band-related, but if you ever get the chance, it is a beautiful state park. Some amazing 50
mile views of the rivers, and some lush waterfalls too. I'm out of shape, though.

Well, that's enough of my yappin'. Cheerio -

I'm John, and I play the fiddle