LammasFest 2008 - Part Two

Friday morning, the first day of LammasFest, began with a phone call.

"It's a girl!" my son's tired voice said. Marsha had delivered Jacelyn at about 0642. They'd had a little bit of time, just the three of them, and then they both began making phone calls.

Kirk said he'd call when they had been transferred from Labor and Delivery over to the Mother-Baby unit. That was fine with me, because I'm pretty sure I'd have been hard put not to bitch slap the unit clerk, and I know darn good and well she didn't want to see Robert, who was working at the store the day she got fired.

I was just getting around to head out to the campsite; Robert was headed in to the rental store to pick up the grill and the other rental items we needed; Devin and I would get going with other set-up things that needed doing.

Registration wasn't to begin until 1400; I was feeling a bit stressed because the event would be running with only three people - Devin, Brandi, and I; Devin has always helped with tear-down but this was his first event as part of the committee, and Brandi was in a similar place, although she'd only attended LammasFest (and her first Pagan event) last year. I think Devin and Brandi felt the same way; I think we all did a good job of hiding our nerves from each other.

We were worried because one of the other committee members was in charge of contacting Pagan groups around the Midwest, Pagan chat groups online, getting flyers out to area businesses and so forth. We found out about two weeks before the event that he had been ill and had not done any of the things he said he would. That included entertainment. We had contracted a Pagan music group to perform, and we'd also planned on having firespinners. The Pagan group bowed out, we were told, and we were unsure about the firespinners right up till Thursday. The committee member informed us he'd gotten some friends of his who had a band to play. The thing was, the group was a country western group - NOT the kind of entertainment that would go over well at a Pagan event. On top of that, they were an "electric" band. We can only have acoustic instruments or something very simple, like one small amplifier.

When we got word of this band, I wrote to the committee member, telling him that he needed to cancel the band and why.

We ended up getting a percussionist who specializes in African drumming. That way we knew we'd have drumming around the campfire in the evenings, at least. If you have at least one good drummer, you can count on everyone else joining right in.

Our first campers arrived late morning. They are regulars at the event, and it was wonderful to see them again. Slowly, people began arriving. We were concerned because without the promotion of the event prior to opening, I think we all had fear that it was going to be a very empty campground. But, the flip side of that was with Marsha and Kirk unavailable, it might not be such a bad thing.

Late morning, I called Kirk. He'd tried to call me a couple of hours earlier to let me know we could come to the hospital to meet our new granddaughter. But, the campground being located where it is, the signal was very sporadic and I still haven't gotten that message from Kirk!

Shortly after we heard from Kirk, Robert and I headed for the hospital to meet our new granddaughter. I didn't get to hold her - she was nestled on a pillow on her mama's lap; she had an IV drip running with antibiotics. I was hot and sweaty from working at the campsite, so I contented myself with touching her, and not adding my filth to whatever clean conditions might remain. Figured I'd get my hands on her on Sunday:)

After we left the hospital, we had to have an argument in the hospital parking ramp about the grocery store. I figured it was easy enough to just stop by on the way back to the campsite and pick up what we needed. R didn't want to go - he really wanted me to drive him 20 minutes back to the house, then drive 20 minutes back into town to the store. So, we had to have a few heated words about that. (I won, btw...for once)

Back at the campsite, I found that the firewood had been delivered, more vendors and campers had arrived. Looked like LammasFest was officially in high gear!

For the rest of the day we checked in people, answered questions, and did the usual stuff. Different folks who've been at the event before pitched in and helped where they could and with whatever they could. What great people!

Our harvest feast is a potluck. We provide the meat and veggie burgers and the fixin's for that; everyone else supplies the rest. It was a good feast. Kirk came out for opening ritual and played the part of High Priest.

The theme of the event was "Enough" I don't have the poem Marsha used as an inspiration - not right now, at least. But, it centers on the idea that society had become enamored of having so much...and we'd be far better off if we just had "enough" - enough food to keep our bellies full, enough money to pay the bills, etc.

Because of the intricacies of the day, the ritual wasn't done quite as planned. No cakes and ale, not much more than comraderie and the starting of the ritual fire and opening of the ritual space, both of which are sacred throughout the event.

Announcements were made, and Kirk asked if there was anything else that needed to be said. I had a flash of inspiration. I told him I had something I'd like to say.

I turned to Fred, who was standing next to me, gave him a hug and said, "Fred, I wish you enough." Then I whispered to him to pass it on. And, wishes for enough were passed around the circle, ending up with Kirk and I hugging. Of course, then I cried. It was about time for some stress relief!

Drums were brought out, and the drumming began. We drummed until midnight, and then everyone headed for their tents to crash. It was a wonderful day

I'll start my post on the rest of the event and get it posted as soon as it's finished.