Welcome to my digital writing journal, or mydigitalclutter. What started as a family blog almost two years ago has morphed into my writing therapy. This is where I do a lot of free writing, mostly about my life with my family and the things that catch my interest. While nowhere even close to perfect, in each post I like to see how my writing is changing with time and practice. Most posts are left unedited for this reason, so if you don't mind, take the journey with me.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I love the sound of bagpipes!

If you've been around my blog for a while, or just know me for that matter, you know that I have a thing for Scotland.  To be honest, I always have.  As a young girl I remember getting a couple of "international" doll for christmas one year.  Three, one Irish, one Swedish, and yes, one Scottish.  You can't imagine my favorite one.

To fulfill my love of all things Scottish, I am enjoying living vicariously through my daughter.  I'm grateful she enjoys it of her own accord, and that I may tag along for the ride as she learns the many intricate and complicated steps of various Scottish dances.  She is quite proficient at the sword dance for only dancing since July.  If you would like to see what one looks like from someone who has done it for a long time:




I like to pretend that the love of bagpipe music is in my genes.  I suppose it is.  My ancestors hail from a small town outside of Glasgow, not exactly in the 'Highlands' but it's a lot closer than Utah.  Perhaps that small portion of my make-up is why the music is appealing.  I get teary eyes when I hear 'Amazing Grace' or 'Scotland the Brave', and this past summer, I heard a gorgeous rendition of 'We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet' at one of the Scottish games we attended.  Imagine the goosebumps than run up and down my arms as the sweet notes filled the air.

Someday I'll visit Scotland.  It is at the top of my "bucket list" of things to do before I die.  I'll walk along the paths that I've yearned to traipse and hope to hear a bagpiper on the moor.  Of course it will be for the 'tourists' but I will feel like I'm home.



7 Lovely Scribbles to Me:

Wonder Woman said...

This. Is. So. Cool.

* said...

Love this. Back in October while in Edinburgh one night we attended a Scottish dinner that, in addition to haggis, had traditional dancers, bagpipes, kilts & all. (And yes, I cried that night, too!)

Diane said...

Great video! I pray you do get there some day. :O)

Julie said...

Found you via a Google Search for "bagpipes." The longer you and your daughter are part of the Scottish arts culture, the more you will come to love it. No dancers in my family, but we belong to multiple bagpipe bands and my oldest son has progressed so far on the Highland snare, we have been to Glasgow twice for the World Pipe Band Championships. Last time, we got within sight of where my ancestor came from. If you get a chance to go, do it!

Lisa said...

Beautiful dancing! I couldn't bounce up onto my toes like that. Very impressive.

Anonymous said...

I hail from Scotland in my veins too. There's something both mournful and soulful about a bagpipe. It feels like your chest swelling.

stacy marie said...

I LOVE scotland too! although I've never quite figured out where that love comes from. I'm polish, so it's definitely not in my genes.

My best friend and I used to have a "scotland fund" so that we could save money and travel there. it never worked out but still!

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