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This post has been way too long in coming, I know.
I meant to recap the weekend of Beltane, but am just now getting to it.
On Friday May 2, I had a small group rehearsal. In retrospect, I am glad I said yes to being a part of the small group. I got to know a handful of my fellow chorus members better than I do at rehearsals. More importantly, I relaxed enough at the small group rehearsals that they got to see more of me than usually comes out in larger groups.
Saturday May 3 was Beltane at Muin Mound. After missing so many High Days (I think the last one I'd been to prior was Samhain. The dark of the year passed without me taking the time to join them.), I made it a priority to go back.
I carpooled with S, K, and D in D's Prius. That was my first time in a Prius. I think I want one. :) The silly side of me wondered if we got bonus points for being four Druids carpooling in a "greener" automobile.
I can't rightly remember how many years I've been a Pagan, but this was my first year dancing the Maypole. My last opportunity to do so, I had a broken ankle. (Yep, all the way back in 1997. Tempus fugit.) What a load of fun! I found myself wishing that
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mechanchaos was along with me afterward. Never underestimate the influence of centuries-old sexual symbolism...I chickened out of taking on one of the speaking roles in the ritual itself. I like the people there. They've been nothing but friendly and hospitable to me. Yet, I feel reserved in front of them, on their home territory. For some reason I still feel like an outsider looking in. Hopefully doing Midsummer at Hamlin will help break that ice for me.
Sunday May 4,
mechanchaos, Aidan, and I all went to First Universalist. Their interim minister is a nice guy, but I do not get nearly as much out of many of his sermons. This service was an exception. He went out of his way to say that he'd asked a number of people to pick between two options for the day, and most picked the one he had prepared less. He offered up an apology in advance that he would be preaching off-the-cuff. Whaddya know? The guy is at his best, at his most heartfelt, when he is working off-the-cuff. I got more out of that sermon than I had all his others put together. Then again, honesty and integrity are very important to me in a sermon. If what someone presents feels hollow, feels rehearsed, feels like it lacks conviction, or feels as if it lacks a personal connection to the speaker, I am less likely to relate to it. Anything less feels too wishy-washy. Seeing the Reverend speak from the heart reassured me that his calling was solid. He has it in his heart to be spiritually moving. He simply benefits from not having the entire piece written out beforehand. After the service, we met up with folks from First Universalist's Young Adult Group for a buffet of Indian food. When we got there, S found a group of folks he knew and exhorted them to join us for the meal. There were many people I didn't know, but there were a lot of good conversations going around the U of tables we occupied. Last year at the same establishment, Aidan did not find anything he liked aside from the bread. It cheered me significantly that he ate a much more balanced meal this time! Yay for broadening my son's tastes!
Lunch was followed by a hike at Ganondagan. A year ago, we went on pretty much the same hike. Last year, I was well on the road to fitness. I had lost probably around 60 pounds and had built up muscle and stamina with regular exercise. My how I have fallen back since then. The weight is back and I am way too out-of-shape. The first time I did this hike, I was not winded until the last hill. Even then, I made it to the top quickly and without too much of a challenge. This time even smaller hills got me breathing heavy. I think I had to stop to rest at least three times on the last hill. My knees and feet were killing me halfway through. What a difference it makes! I know I need to get back on the exercise wagon. It does not help that our back room would need serious excavation for me to be able to use the Nordic Trak again. I think it would be worthwhile to re-assemble an exercise playlist for Winamp. Anyhow, Ganondagan was gorgeous. The hike was beautiful. It was just my health that was getting me down.
We were tired and sweaty when everyone headed their separate ways. Since we were in the neighborhood, we decided to drop by and see if
hbbtrbbtbcnbt and her family were up for some company. Despite the visit of the Sick of Doom to their household, they welcomed us. I grinned wide when Aidan got out of the car. Brandon saw him, shouted his name, and gleefully ran up to give him a hug. It was nice to chill out in their living room and catch up with hbbtrbbtbcnbt and her husband. Good stuff.Woah, this is getting long. I think I am going to split up what I have to say into multiple posts.
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Liz
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If my friend Steve hadn't mentioned his joining the RGMC, I never would have asked about women's choruses. He was the one who pointed me toward the RWCC. I'm glad I found the яица to come to rehearsal.
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and thank you for the compliment - your voice is pretty kickass its own self!
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Thank you as well!
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***hugs lots and tightly, and loves***