Considering the Fourth of July

LUCY BURDETTE: I had the choice today of posting a photo of a flag and wishing us all happy birthday. But it felt hard to settle for that after our last two weeks in Ireland and Scotland. For me, a good reason for traveling is to get lifted out of my own small version of the world and see things as others see them. 

The histories of Scotland and Ireland are rife with conflict and loss and rivalry. One small castle in the neck of Scotland witnessed power sawing back and forth over centuries between warring factions with many lives cruelly lost in the process. In Ireland, we heard about the violence of the Troubles, the conflicts between Protestants and Catholics. In both countries we witnessed the pain of countries ripped into pieces. This is a war song written and sung by Colin Urwin of Haste to the Wedding that we heard in the storytelling barn. (Recording of the band's music will be coming soon...)



We also heard news stories about what might happen if Brexit is adopted--many Scots we met believe that if Brexit goes through, Scotland will vote to become independent. Though this might result in a recession and many difficult adjustments in their relationship with the UK, some believe this is the better path. (The American Psychological Association Monitor published a recent article describing how people are suffering from anxiety and depression after the Brexit vote--regardless of which side they voted for.) Change will come hard...

Also while we were away, we read stories about the police shooting in South Bend, Indiana, and watched videos of the angry response from African Americans in South Bend. And heard more terrible stories about the growing border crisis. I've pasted another song below from Colin about the losses that come from segregation...



  Does all change have to come through human suffering? Have we not learned anything from history? I was encouraged by our visit to Liz Weir's barn--she was invited to work with the team attempting to make peace in Ireland--through storytelling. I can't say exactly how that might have worked, though I imagine it involved a lot of listening, and learning from history, and setting smaller egos aside in the service of a greater good. 

In fact she has said: “When we started off the Troubles were at their height, and somebody would get up and tell a story about an Orange Lodge dinner, and somebody else would tell a story about going to Mass. The fact was we were all listening to each other’s stories, and respecting each other’s stories, and I think that’s very important. If you listen to someone’s story, you’re giving the utmost respect.” 



My wish for our country’s birthday—that we listen to each other and find a peaceful way to move past the contentiousness we are mired in these days....how about you?

Diannekc, you are the winner of the Wicked prize package. Please email Barbaraannross at gmail dot com to arrange delivery--congrats!

Encountering Ireland and Scotland

LUCY BURDETTE: I was tempted--so tempted--to describe every single day of our amazing vacation, but I realized very few of you would last through my slideshow. And I do have a looming book deadline. So I compromise by sharing a few of my highlights...hope you enjoy them!

Lucy with Jack

Since Scottish musician Jack Beck had arranged our tour, we were treated to fabulous live performances at several of our stops (in addition to his own songs, sung on the bus.) We buzzed over to Ireland on a ferry to visit Liz Weir's storytelling barn for music and stories. 

Jack Beck and Liz Weir

There we heard these wonderful musicians, Colin and Ciaran:





They're part of the band Haste to the Wedding--if I wasn't already long-married, I would insist they come to the US to play at my reception!

And next came Scottish folk songs from Alan Reid at Loch Long:





And finally we had a magical concert in the forest by fiddler Pete Clark:






Oh, and occasional cameos of Scottish bagpipe music:

Solstice celebration in Peebles, photo by Susan Cerulean

Graduation day at St. Andrew's

I grouped the musical experiences together as number three on my list. (Now are you seeing the problem of paring things down??) Number two would have to be the glorious scenery in both countries. It highlighted the temptations for writers to set a book here. I'll show you only a few...

Roslyn Chapel, the site where the holy grail was thought to be buried in The Da Vinci Code...

Doune Castle, used to film Outlander, Game of Thrones, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Pitlochry, Scotland--the roses in this country are stunning...

The Highlands where Outlander takes place, and maybe my next author photo LOL!

The magical Isle of Iona

And then Mull...

Sunset at 11 pm, summer solstice

And below, the town of Falkland, which you may recognize from the opening scenes of the first episode of Outlander. Robin, one of our traveling companions, is a huge fan of both the books and the series. Here she gazes at a blue vase in the shop window, just as Claire did...

And number one on my list, sharing two weeks with some new friends, and with people I adore but don't get enough time with...

the whiskey-tasters

Where would you go if you had the chance, and who would you want to bring along?

***Off that topic, wanted to let you know that the kindle ebook version of DEATH ON THE MENU is on sale for $1.99!