Well, some things happened. My life situation was utterly rebooted. There was a pandemic. Two solstice parties went by in miniature. There was no blogging. That kind of thing.
But we remember how to get back on the horse! Yes we do. So get up there and ride.
Solstice Fire Summer 2021
One of the secret traditions of the summer solstice has always been the Lisa Messerhead inspired salmon feast (implemented by Aubrey). Of course that happened.
The salmon spread
Yum
But that was soon a memory, and the party began into the green and cicadas.
Soon the tables were full of great food, the keg was tapped, people played in the Shenandoah, and the party found itself in full swing.
Just like old times. Except everyone in attendance was vaccinated against Covid-19. The few friends who were not vaccinated were not allowed to come (though we still love them). At this point in the global pandemic if you’re in the United States and you’re not vaccinated you are a pox on the public. Don’t be an asshole. We’ll hold off on the usual herd of kids until they are no longer vectors, etc.
Anyway, the food was super delicious. And there was lots of it.
Home made by Ale and Eli
People gonna eat up
The imposter dog!
Yes, we’re having fun
Just before the lighting, Jackie, Eli, and Ale read some poetry focused on black identity in honor of Juneteenth.
Jackie reads a poem or two
And then it was time! The bonfire was lit!
2021 Summer Solstice Fire
Mr prepared guy serves as a fire mirror
Romey attends her first actual size solstice
The people
Of course there was music. It went on all night and even when the rain started in slow around 11:30. But then a DELUGE.
The progeny carried one of the tents over the music pod as we shifted inside. The last embers of the party extinguished around 4:30.
Ten years of sailing the Leukemia Cup was crowned by another fundraising win thanks to you. We’re super pleased to announce that our final fundraising total (in our first “post baby” race) is $74,829 (a mere $171 from $75,000). That means the Leukemia Cup is Yours! A huge thanks to all of our 90+ donors.
Team Tartan Takes the Leukemia Cup 2019
Extra special red hat thanks goes to our stalwart supporter Phil Venables who donated an incredible $50,000 this year.
The Team Dog Joins in Celebration
Burgees
Team Tartan before the day
The morning started early as it always does in a regatta. On the water, our rusty sailing took over and we were clobbered in every race. Remind us that when your co-captains have a baby, they spend much more time changing diapers than sailing!
Sailing the Leukemia Cup
Team Tartan on the Water
But boy did we have fun.
Morning prep to sail in kilts
Secret weapon Stretch
Thanks from Team Tartan
Team Tartan has raised $366,066.61 since 2012! Thank you for your support and for helping us fight blood cancer.
Ever since we moved to this property in 2002, I have wanted to use one of the old rusted farm implements as an art piece. 17 years later, here is the piece pretty much exactly how I imagined it. The rock slab is a 2500 pound bluestone slab from Pennsylvania. Getting that properly staged was a thing, but it all went surprisingly smoothly.
With age does not always wisdom come. But, fun it was! We had a crazy-cold week that froze the river, and now a crazy-warm day to test out the water. Nice.
Mogli leads the way.
The mic on my phone was broken, but just imaging the sound of crunching ice.
Time for a break.
Here, imagine geese honking their displeasure! and ice popping as it melts. Hit ‘play’ and it is not upside down.
Sweet Mogli has captured a hunk of ice to take home! (Video is correct when plays)
Music. Great food. Huge fire. Friends. Boilo. What more could you want?
Early birds get to see the lighting
Mmmmmm. Beer.
The lighting
Put it in perspective: 100 feet of flame.
This year the fairy ring of osage oranges turned into a warning line for fire spread. We had to get water buckets and a hose out for the first time ever.
The fire spreads
View from the field
The two (or three) pods making up the solstice party are always a good mix. Food and cheesy Christmas music in the barn. Fire and live music in the field. This year some of the real music moved into the barn during a brief rain.
Years ago, my son Eli and I decided to build an art project underwater in the river. We started with the biggest rock around for hundreds of yards and built a pool around that. Then we began moving the wall of the pool out into the river in search of the late afternoon sun.
Shenandoah Blue
Here is what the river looks like.
Ultimately, we ended up with a chronograph. There’s a rock for every hour. Here’s how that ends up looking.
Anytime pool
4 o’clock rock
5 o’clock rock
6 o’clock rock
7 o’clock rock
Remember, all of these pictures were taken at 3 o’clock. So sun everywhere. Our trees are damn tall.
