Okay, so it wasn't the full-bore blast of the overflowing porch-full of players as was typical during the halcyon years of 2010-2019, but a lovely session nonetheless; a perfect combination of players and tunes as well as a full complement of mystery guests in off the street.
We started off with a CD launch celebration/concert with Paudie Walsh - an honor to have him with us, truly, and such a fine melodeon player - and then gathered the rest of the clan for tunes that went well into the evening, stopping at around 9pm out of respect for the neighbors.
It was a festive, high-energy weekend, a fitting tribute to Paudie and his music and to summer's end.
Warming up in the gallery
We always manage to find our way back into the kitchen.
Always fun to light up the little bottle lanterns I bought in Ennistymon and brought home in my suitcase, wrapped up in my socks.
Everything about the weekend was perfect - the music, the people, the weather - from the first tune on Friday night to the last tune on Sunday afternoon and everything in between, including a swim - in my birthday suit, of course - in Vineyard Sound on Sunday afternoon. Best birthday, ever. Grateful for my home and for my beautiful friends and family and a spectacular, music-filled weekend. Thanks, everybody.
Let the festivities begin. A warm Friday evening allowed for a bit more porch music before winter sets in. Late October could bring just about anything, from frost to hurricanes. We really lucked out on this one.
(Gene, Billy, Cecilia, Rose, and Alanna)
I've been dying to get Rose and Alanna together. Pure dynamite.
Orion gets up close and personal with John's accordion.
All good porch sessions eventually end up indoors.
John and Alanna.
Saturday afternoon. We've lucked out with another perfect Vineyard autumn day (Jon, Alanna, and Gene, waiting for the troops to assemble)
By Saturday afternoon we've added Arnie to the mix.
Rose, Caroline, and Alanna.
Arnie and Rosanne, who has now arrived toting Wynter, Alex, and Dave. Now we're cooking with gas!
A joke or story or song from Gene is always welcome.
Dave, Rose, and Caroline.
Wynter and Alex
Now that I've got my nifty cell phone rig I can get in on some of the action. A rousing set: Mountain Road and Rolling in the Rye Grass.
Alanna and Cecilia
A few random passersby. We also had neighbors Squire, Louise, and Granny (age 99) on the porch.
Gene and Ceclia
Orion, the youngest fiddler, and her mom. One of my favorite moments of the weekend was holding Orion on my lap and facilitating her playing Pepperoni Pizza on the open e-string while everyone joined in on various harmonic notes. Mom, Maria, dubbed it Pepperoni Symphony.
Photo by Cecilia.
Photo by Cecilia.
Ready for Phase 3, Saturday night.
These two random strangers heard the music as they walked by and were prompted to come on in. Yep, that's what it's all about here on Main Street. Failte! (and it just so happened to be this couple's anniversary) Glad, also, to see Jon again after a hiatus of a couple of years.
Rosanne and Gene
Years Come and Years Go. An honor to have the Clancys in the house!
Full house reel set.
Alanna, Violet, and Rose.
Alex and Alanna
Lovely Mary.
Violet, Rose, and Rosanne.
Jon and Dave
Irene, all the way down from Chilmark.
Sunny and Mom.
A song by Cecilia and Gene was so very sweet to hear.
Rose, John, and Rosanne.
We eventually picked up piper Colin Everett - always a pleasure when he stops by.
Sunday morning - farewell to the Clancys. I hate to see you go!
I returned from the ferry and found this lovely Sunday morning vignette on my porch. Another gorgeous day - but so hot in the sun that we had to retreat into the house.
A little Cape Breton style with Alanna, and Rosanne rocking the ivories.
Wynter, Rosanne, and Dave.
Alex and Arnie.
Better late than never - great to see eight year-old Cassidy again. We only had time for a few tunes with him but it was a well-spent twenty minutes' worth of music. Wonderful to see how his playing is coming along.
Rosanne and Dave. Dave is a classical violinist and occasionally we are able to lure him over to the dark side.
Bye -bye for this year!
Are you kidding me? Arnie's new wheels, packing 1200 cubic centimeters. Be careful, Arnie, and keep yer eyes on the road.
It was such a beautiful day - 75 degrees or so - and nary a breath of wind, so I thought, great day for a swim. And what would you wear swimming on your birthday? That's right, your birthday suit.
So I found a long stretch of empty beach with a high dune to block the view of the traffic on Beach Road...
...dropped my robe and dove in. Yes, I did this. It was brisk - I did not linger; just a quick in and out - but it was great. Risque behavior on State Beach in broad daylight? Well, maybe a little, which made it all the more fun. What a great way to mark the day of one's birth. Washed clean in my primal waters of Vineyard Sound. Maybe I'll do it every year.
Nobody for miles in either direction.
Birthday bouquet from my son and his family.
I ended the weekend's festivities at 5:00 Mass at St. Augustine's, thanking God for my home, my health, my family, my friends, and for giving me life. Amen.
