A Cool Evening

April snow dripping, dribbling into

     pools of water from

trees etched in black at sunset

“I hear the sounds of melting snow outside my window every night 

and with the first faint scent of spring, I remember life exists.”

~ John J. Geddes

Book Review: I Piped, That She Might Dance by Iain MacDonald

Angus MacKay (1815-1859), Queen Victoria’s First Piper, died by drowning in the Nith River and his body was never found. His later life was a jumble of the highs and lows of manic depression, although many have assumed that syphilis was the cause of the insanity that ultimately led to his death. The treatment of the mentally ill in those years was poorly understood and even more poorly treated. This first novel by Saskatchewan author, Iain MacDonald, is an imagined autobiography of Angus Mackay, a man who contributed his music and writing his music to Scotland and to England. He rose from a croft on the island of Raasay, Scotland to become the Queen’s First Piper in London. He and his brothers were taught to play the bagpipes by his father, John MacKay. John MacKay is also a renowned and remembered piper from Raasay.

I spoke briefly with Iain MacDonald at a book event this spring. His goal was to give Angus MacKay a voice. He wrote skillfully, writing from Angus Mackay’s mind as a boy, as a young man and in his decline. The passages at Bedlam where he was first incarcerated and his continuing decline, take us into a mind who believed desperately in his delusions. Well researched, it was obvious to this author that, because of his decline into insanity, he was only footnoted in history. Many details were found in hospital records at Bedlam, and after he was moved to a more enlightened facility at the Crichton Royal Institution at Dumfries. 

Angus MacKay did marry and had four children. The author imagined an initially happy marriage that slowly deteriorated, along with his penchant for drink, the onset of his insanity and the demands of his employment for Queen Victoria. He was frequently away from home at Royal Events and played each morning for the Queen while she was breakfasting. Iain MacDonald also showed the rude treatment that anyone from the Highland received from the English.

Besides a forward by Professor Hugh Cheape of Scotland, the author has included a Gaelic Glossary, and a comprehensive list of Further Reading. Author Iain Macdonald was founder and long time pipe major of the City of Regina Pipe Band (1992 - 2022) with extensive band experience.

“A chuid de Phàrras dha.”

“May he have his place in paradise.”

~ Iain MacDonald, Gaelic Glossary, 

I Piped, That She May Dance

Title: I Piped, That She Might Dance

Author: Iain MacDonald

Copyright: 2021

Publisher: Printed and bound in Canada by Imprimerie Gauvin

Type: Novel

Format: Paperback

ISBN - 978-1-7357747-0-1

Recipe for A Snow Day

Memory, one April to the next, slips back to warmer springs is not reliable when it comes to nostalgia, expectation and boredom! 

‘April showers bring May flowers’ ~

a mere fantasy for another time. Two days on, snowfall, whipped and flung by wild winds, interfered with plans. 

Plans for walking and errand-ing on hold, puttering at home wrapped me in warmth and a new recipe for Cranberry/Orange Jam.

“Snow in April is abominable,” said Anne. 

“Like a slap in the face when you expected a kiss.”

~ L.M.Montgomery, Anne of Ingleside

Chapter Two, Episode 132 - Sorting Things Out - Situationally Theirs

Sorting Things Out

Ben’s mother, Joanie Richardson, was with her mother and Cook in the Estate kitchen when Ben and Miss Emelina arrived. “Oh, thank heavens you’re all right, Ben!” His mother wrapped him in a big hug. Bigger than usual. He could hardly breathe. “I’m all right mom. Sorry I got mad and yelled at you and then just took off.” She released her son and held his face in both hands. “I’m sorry too, Ben. I’ve been spending all my time worrying about Abby and didn’t even know you felt ignored.” She looked up at Emelina and smiled. “Thank you so much for finding him and bringing him to me.”

“You are so welcome, Joanie. I was just glad I found him so easily.” She was uneasy about having offered Michael’s guitar to Ben before talking with his mother. The words had just slipped out of her. “I have something upstairs I need to take care of. Ben, you take care and try not to run off like that again.” She decided to let Ben bring up the issue of the guitar if he was really interested. As she walked away, she heard them talking. Trying not to eavesdrop, she hurried up the stairs to her living room.

~~~~~

“Mom, I don’t know what you’ll think of this.” He hesitated, not sure what he wanted to say. “I’ve been mad at Abby because she’s so interested in her science stuff. And I’ve been mad at me because I’m not interested in anything but riding my bike with Jimmy.” After another long pause he said. “At least nothing that I thought was important like science.” Cook and Martha had been sitting with their tea, quiet and just watching the little reunion play out. Out of the blue, Ben looked over at them. “Can I get a glass of water?” He always asked Cook before touching anything in her kitchen. “Of course, Ben. Go ahead.” She nodded to Martha stay seated. “He knows where everything is.” Turning back to Ben, she said “If you’d rather have a glass of milk, there’s fresh milk in the refrigerator.” 

Cook always said the right thing. Ben wanted to ask his mother about guitar lessons, but he got so nervous, he was suddenly thirsty. He was sure he would be told that they were too expensive and that he couldn’t have the guitar but he was going to ask anyway. At least he’d try. He already had visions of riding his bike up to the hill with his guitar on his back. Sitting on the rock and playing to the birds and squirrels. Sleeping with his guitar beside him. Saying good bye to it before going to school. He thought he might even get famous. Pouring a glass of milk, he just about spilled it he was so distracted. Standing up straighter, shoulders back, he decided he would stop being such a baby and just ask. If she said ‘no’, then he’d just have to find a way to pay for lessons by himself. And the guitar could stay here until he could buy it, but he’d ask if he could come and practice lessons on it here. In a much stronger voice he said “Mom, I want to take guitar lessons. Abby has her dreams and I finally have mine….I think.” Taking a big drink of milk, wiping his face with his sleeve, he sat down and waited to see what his mother would say. 

She was quiet for a long time, watching her son growing up in front of her eyes. Just a few hours before he had seemed so young. Seeing him square his shoulders and say what he wanted, made her heart swell. Maybe it was what he needed. Joanie had no idea what guitar lessons would cost or where they’d get a guitar, but she was willing to help him with it. “Okay, Ben……….” before she could continue, he blurted out. “I really want this, mom, please…what did you say? Okay?”  Joanie’s face broke into a smile. “Yes, Ben. Okay. I don’t know how we’ll do it but we’ll do it. Now that I think about it, there’s a music program at the school.” Ben looked surprised. “Wow! I never thought of that. I watch them play, but never thought I could learn music. I always feel good when I’ve listened to them.” Martha chimed in. “Is that Mr. Reynolds still there? He teaches guitar doesn’t he? He might know where you could get a guitar.” Her daughter was nodding her head. “Yes, he comes in twice a week. I’ll talk with him tomorrow when he comes in.” Joanie stood and put on her sweater. “Ben, we’d better get home. Abby will be waiting for us.” She looked at her watch. “I let her go with Miss Dez to the orchard while we waited for you.” Ben drained his glass of milk and took the glass to the kitchen sink. He rinsed it out and put it on the draining board. “Thanks Ben, I’ll put that in here with the rest.” Cook had gathered their tea things to put them in the dishwasher.

Martha followed her daughter and grandson to the door. “I’ll walk with you part way, then home to get supper on the table for James and me. I’m glad you’re home and safe, Ben and everything's sorted.” Everything wasn’t really sorted. Ben hadn’t mentioned that Miss Emelina had offered him a guitar. He’d wait until he met Mr. Reynolds at school. 

“We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, 

even it if is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.”

~ E.B.White

A Cat Tale - The Big Cats!

It went on for the longest time. Big cats growled and paced, the very floor trembled. Creeping into darkness, I stayed until she called me for supper. My belly brushed the floor. I snatched bites and watched for intruders. Not a very enjoyable supper. We don’t always understand each other. This was one time when I didn’t know what ‘Street cleaners’ meant. She didn’t know what my silence and hiding meant.

“I shall look at you out of the corner of my eye, and you will say nothing. 

Words are the source of misunderstandings.”

~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Talking Circles

In talking circles, 

stories meet in the middle,

experience showering us 

with strength.

“….. the portable community of talking circles; groups that gather with 

all five senses and allow for consciousness to change.”

~ Gloria Steinem, My Life on the Road

On an Afternoon Walk - In the Sun

Strolling into 

cool breeze and warm sun

past the long lineup at 

the ice cream window,

outside patrons sitting 

‘neath a pink umbrella

I saw her watching 

as spring blossomed.

“Street art, unlike graffiti, adds to the environment 

and is a positive experience for artist and community.”

~ Ben Eine