Music Night

The chalkboard!

Just about every year that we were at the Ramparts, we hosted a "music night" for John's cousins, aunts, uncles and their families.  Music night has always been a great time to re-connect with family that we don't see very often.  Typically there is a potluck meal, some swimming, nice conversations and usually a jam session that has evolved into a sort of musical variety night.

John and Wally playing a tune

There are lots of musical people in the Runciman/Freeman clan.  So for example, this year we had a couple of guitars, a fiddle, two bagpipers, a saxophonist, a flugel horn, and several beautiful voices.  Unfortunately, none of those was me.  So I just concentrate on making sure that people have what they need and are enjoying themselves.  Frankly, with Heather's amazing cheesecakes I don't know how anyone couldn't be enjoying him/herself, so really it's a fairly easy job for me.

Uncle Mac on Fluegel Horn

I should say that John's cousin Walter, who is a member of a Kingston drama theatre, usually recites a funny poem, or monologue.  This year he had us in stitches with a recital about "The Stolen Copper-Coated Clappers."  I don't know where he gets this stuff, but I think we should start charging admission!

Dynamic Duo, Walter and Heather

The gathering was a bit quieter than usual this year with John's brother Ross and his family not in attendance.  Ross and Karen's children have reached the age when they are busy with other things, and so to get time to come "east" gets trickier.  Also, their eldest son, Will graduated from Queen's this year, so Ross and Karen were in Kingston twice this spring for events surrounding that celebration.

Our family was joined by Mary Ann Horne who is actually related.  I think she and Ev share a grandfather.  Mary Ann has a lovely home on the North Shore of Loughborough Lake and we were delighted that she could join our gathering.

Kate on Soprano Sax

I'm attaching a photo of the chalkboard that is in our cottage.  John rescued it from the garbage and I must say that we are having fun with it.  That is the only photo I have of music night at the moment, the rest being on my camera at the cottage, but I will attach more when I get a chance.

We head back to the cottage today (Yayyyyyy!!!!!!)  I don't know when I will next be able to post, as our cottage is not on the internet, but I do get into the wee library in Battersea occasionally, so will be in touch.