As I posted yesterday, I
went to the Highlander Festival after breakfast, (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/09/vallerina-shabbat.html);
it was okay … but I won’t be going back.
Even the bagpipes – which I
love to hear – couldn’t lure me back π
I did have fun walking
around looking at the Clan Names represented (I was disappointed not to have
found Bob’s lineage represented: Goodrich & Bean), kinda makes me
wonder if they’ve all died out, now ☹
{{The first recorded use of the Lion Rampant as
an emblem in Scotland was by Alexander II in 1222. The emblem occupied the
shield of the royal coat of arms of the ancient Kingdom of Scotland which was
used by the King of Scots until 1603. It traditionally symbolizes courage,
nobility, royalty, strength, stateliness and valor, because historically the
lion has been regarded as the "king of beasts".
The ancient
Pictish-Scottish name Bean comes from the Gaelic word Beathan or betha
which means life.
The Bean motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first
began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in
general use until the 17th century. Thus, the oldest coats of arms generally do
not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most
heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and
can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display
a motto.
Motto: Touch not the catt bot a targe
Motto Translation: Touch not the cat without a shield.}}
There were a lot of kilts
worn by both males and females.
There were many people in
period costumes.
There was the Scottish
Guard, from Fort Vancouver.
There were vender booths
standing on every patch of ground, available.
There was a live band,
playing ethnic music.
There were games, contests,
and competitions π
There were bagpipes π
There was a very
scary moment … and the primary reason I will not be returning next year.
All this was happening under
an amber hued smoke cloud – and I was told this morning, that the wildfires are
still rampaging today.
WILDFIRES still
aflame: https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/wildfire/kalama-fire-level-3-evacuations-cowlitz-county/283-2b7d01dd-263f-470d-be45-391338beb93e
The Weight Toss is a Scottish
Highland Game: a contest using 28- to 56-pound weights, thrown in a manner
similar to throwing a discus.
Scottish Beret Tam is a type
of hat that is typically worn by Scottish men. They are made from wool; and
have a distinctive shape, that sets them apart from other types of hats.
Scottish Beret Tams are usually worn with a kilt, and they are viewed as part
of traditional Scottish dress.
Watching
the little lads and lassies doing their dances was a poignant moment for me;
Bob’s grandmother Myrtle taught our daughter (and her two cousins) how
to do the Scottish Highland Fling dance – and she sewed each of the girls a
little kilted set, even buying
them little black ballet slippers to go with the outfits.
In
moments like this one, I really miss the little girl my daughter was. But she isn’t
little anymore, and the fun-loving girl she used to be has been gone for
decades. I have to live in the present, now.
So,
I turned my attentions to other activities …
The Caber Toss is a
traditional Scottish athletic event in which competitors toss a large tapered
pole called a "caber" (/ΛkeΙͺbΙr/); The length can be anything between
16-22 feet, and the weight can
vary from 100-180 pounds.
Getting
out of the parking area was not as easy as getting into it – and it was such a tense
moment, that it literally scared me out of returning next year.
I’ve
always wanted to check the festival out, and now I have. I am content without a
return visit.
When I got home … I was whisked away, to enjoy a special Shabbat evening with friends π
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