September was a full month!

September was a very busy month for us this year.

After Labor Day we headed for Pipestem, WV to enjoy and be a part of CultureFest. We always enjoy leading drum meditation in the Chapel every morning, setting up our small shop to sell drums, smudging supplies and many other items, and most of visiting with old friends! This year was especially wonderful. Our son and his girlfriend met us there on Saturday and we were able to enjoy a whole day with them. He lives in PA and we don’t get nearly enough time with him, so this was a real treat for us. We set up on Wednesday in the beautiful WV sunshine and then enjoyed the magical mountain rains for the rest of the festival. As our son wisely reminded us, “It’s a music festival. Of course it is raining.” No one seemed to let the weather get them down and there was much dancing in the rain, drumming, and happiness the entire weekend. If you have never been to this area of the country, I suggest you check it out next year. It is full of love and laughter!

To get on their mailing list and keep up with next years event, click here - https://culturefestwv.com/home

Many of you are familiar with our Spirit Awakening Drum, Beverly. She is beginning to show her age a bit and she went to her drum maker for some much needed repair and maintenance while we in North Carolina. It was a little disconcerting to see her flipped upside down on the floor and be told to stand on the back of her so that the drum frame could be rotated. However, I played like a Valkyrie and did as I was told. From this point onward, she will be treated as the aging lady that she is so that she will be around to help people for many, many years.

We were asked to return to The Laughing Buddah in Chattanooga, TN for a drum meditation with Beverly. This is a relatively new shop near Chattanooga, TN owned and operated by our friend Mary Jo Thrun. We were delightfully surprised when we arrived to find out that the meditation was fully booked. We always enjoy our time at Mary Jo’s shop.

Upon returning home to the Pathdrummer Homestead, we prepared for a drum meditation at the Santa Rosa Creek Indian Tribal Grounds arranged by Margie Anderson, who owns Crystal Vibrations Gift Shoppe in Pace, FL. Normally, we do a drum gathering at her shop once a month, however the Tribe was kind enough to allow us to use their sacred grounds. So, we thank them for that experience.

Sadly, we had to make a quick trip to Knoxville, TN for the memorial service of our former boss, the founder of the non-profit organization, Remote Area Medical. He was a good man with a huge heart and the world lost a wonderful humanitarian with his passing. We had many wonderful years working with him and his mission to help the world. This was truly the best "job" we ever had and will always look back at our years with Remote Area Medical with gratitude. To read about his accomplishments over the years, click here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/obituaries/stan-brock-82-intrepid-provider-of-health-care-in-remote-areas-dies.html

Returning home, we celebrated my birthday with a, Inner Circle Gathering at the Pathdrummer Homestead. Several people showed up, ready to play drums and hang out with friends. We did manage to get a little drumming in before the thunder and lightning and torrential rain hit. We all ran under the carport, (making to take the food and instruments with us). After a few minutes of looking at each other, some people danced in the rain, we ate the food that everyone had brought, and began to play drums and other instruments. It certainly is a birthday that I won’t soon forget. It was great!

Like I said, September was full, full, full!