Last night’s Tapestry Singers concert was awesome, if I say so myself! The music had a wide variety of styles and moods, including lyrical gentle breezes, cold harsh winds, whirligig beetles that swim in random circles, the ethereal Northern lights, a Brazilian tribal song, and a Japanese children’s song about fireflies. A favorite was Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run,” followed by an encore performance of “Wise Mother.” This was written by Nell Manycats as a prayer for her AA meetings–an alternative to the Lord’s Prayer. She had written the words when she met Tapestry Singers. She was so inspired that she went home to compose the music–her first musical composition. She was a Tapestry Artistic Director for several years.

Toward the end of the second half, something bit me on my right forearm. Great discomfort! I kept singing, a bit distracted by the pain. Every time I adjusted my sleeve it hurt more so I even wondered if something sharp had become caught in the fabric. Between songs, a quick look–yep, it was a bite. Next song, something in my hair. Was it the music folder from the person behind me? I finally brushed it away and off flew a huge wasp! Oh! so that was the culprit!

The wasp had been in Mary’s hair, too, and crawled up Carol’s dress until someone swatted it away. By then it was pretty irritated and landed on my arm. Hmm…..the concert theme was Nature’s Glee. Was it also Nature’s Revenge? The friendly wasp finally landed on Sharon’s pant leg. She walked outside at the end of the concert and sent it away into a more natural habitat. Not many in the audience had any idea about our mini-drama.

Topical ointments and sprays had minimal effect, so I took Benedryl–one pill at bedtime and one at 4:30 after a late night phone call awakened us. It still hurts a good bit and looks bruised about the size of a half dollar, but it’s much better. Good thing I’m not allergic!

I was so pleased to see friends and family members in the audience. My sister Madeleine often comes to visit for concert weekends and we have had a busy time together.

On the day she arrived, my son Fred left for 3 months of research in Stockholm! I helped him with his luggage and the three of us had lunch together at the airport before he left. Fred told us several stories from when he was a kid. When he was 6 and brother Rob was 10, they flew to West Virginia to visit relatives but mistakenly got off the plane at the wrong airport! No one had told us the plane had an intermediate stop!

The plane took off without them and airline officials scrambled to get them on a charter plane with a bunch of businessmen. They were landing when Fred got up to tell the pilot his ear was hurting. When he took in the view of the cockpit and the panorama of beautiful West Virginia he said “Wow!” and the pilot nearly jumped out of his skin. Said they’d talk about it later and sent him back to his seat. Upon landing, everyone filed off, the pilot shook his hand and asked about his earache (it was fine by then), and off they went. Ah! the days when minors could fly without a huge amount of supervision.

After swapping more stories, Fred boarded the plane. He did make it across the friendly skies on British Airways without incident. His challenge for a while will be to go to bed at a decent hour, since it barely gets dark this time of year.

Love these travel adventures!