jakorte's blog

Every moment makes us a little bit wiser.

Like the one where you find yourself exactly where you think you’re supposed to be for a change. This is why I made this trip: to find myself at an intimate dinner where once again it’s proven – people who love music love each other. Sitting down to a simple and simply amazing dinner with unspoken credentials, macaroni and gravy, garlic bread, salad and plenty of red and white wine. An atmosphere of comfort among strangers, served up in a home of new tradition: remodeled stone, modernized with ¾ windows overlooking Kilglass Lake and a music room with sweeping views of rolling hills and peace. I could write here forever, which inspires a forward dream – there must be a B&B or cottage for rent for me next go ‘round.

In the meantime though, blue grass artists, music professionals, spouses and children, a friendly dog named Maxine, festival volunteers, the two owners/crafters and two representatives from Deering, the leading American banjo company are all perfect convivial companions.

There’s a great deal of laughter, new-found fondness, and a detailed discussion regarding the virtues and rarity of original Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, and the need to smuggle some away in suitcases when visitors to America return to Ireland. There’s also the happy discovery that I’m not the only newcomer to Ireland, and not the only one who a few glasses in realizes that jet lag is really real.

I make the decision to leave this perfect night beaming, and with a touch of regret that a jam session has just begun. But, again, I find I am still in that perfect place bubble. Sharing a back seat ride with a young college graduate from Worcester, MA, I get to enjoy her contagious spark. She hates her phone carrier, too – and they’re different from mine! She helps me figure out the way to old fashioned text from the borrowed throw-away, and we discuss a surprising number of common in-common things in a very short while.

I bounce my way back to my room without any trouble. I’m exhausted, giddy, and have acclimated nicely into a new favorite saying: feckin’ right! Time for a face wash, Motrin, alarm set for 8 am breakfast, so pleased to know I’ll soon drift off smiling – can’t help it.