"WHO WILL COMFORT ME?"

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: When listening to traditional Celtic music at the Accu Radio web site, I encountered Connie Dover, a gorgeous blonde Wyoming cowgirl, who speaks French. Here are the lyrics to a song that she composed: ************** WHO WILL COMFORT ME? The darkness now is lifting. Dawn blushes in the sky. It lays a spread of gold and red And breathes a lullaby To a thousand quiet creatures Of earth and sky and stream Who cannot know that paradise Will one day be a dream. When the last wagon rolls along And fades into the West, And cuts a trail of progress Through a singing skylark's nest; When the last woodland creature Lifts her head to flee And is snared by her protector, Lord, who will set her free? Chorus: When the boundless spirit Has no place to roam, The heart will sadly whisper, This world is not my home. When the sweep of wind along the grass Bows down to destiny, When the last bright star has fallen, Lord, who will comfort me? When the last prairie flower Gives up her yellow bloom; When the high cathedral skies Give way to crowded rooms; When we parcel heaven And fence eternity; When the wildness is all tamed and torn, Don't let me live to see. When the last campfire flickers And is laid to righteous rest; When the ones who wandered without fear Are cursed who once were blessed; When all our deeds of glory Are laid in front of Thee; When You ask what man hath wrought, Don't rest Your gaze on me. Words: Connie Dover Music adapted from "The Way West" by Brian Keane (Brian Keane Music, ASCAP) From the CD, If Ever I Return, by Connie Dover © Taylor Park Music/Connie Dover ************** You can listen to her performing this song on an Internet video. Ain't this absolutely tear-jerking beautiful? Boy, I'd sure like to meet that gal, and I'll definitely be purchasing a couple of her compact discs. Thank you. John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C. 20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Bad News

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: I have really bad news to share. As a result of the current economic crisis, I've lost my shirt. However, after looking around my room, I found the shirt hanging over the back of a chair, right where I'd left it. I just now turned on my television and saw a broadcast of city streets filled with vampires and zombies. I'm glad I've stored food and water here in my room, so I don't need to go outside. Thank you. John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C. 20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Anne Arundel Scottish Festival Photographs

Myself, strumming and singing

Clan Henderson tent

Relaxing and visiting

Singing with the wee ones

The Anne Arundel Scottish Festival

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: On Saturday 11 October 2008, I attended the Anne Arundel Scottish Festival, which was held at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds near Crownsville, Maryland. I planned to get there early, so I could help Mike and Joan Henderson set up the Clan Henderson tent, but when I got there, they already had everything put together. The weather was perfect, with a clear sky and warm sun. Joan Henderson had baked a nice cake for us to enjoy. Mike and Joan showed me the latest issue of AN CANACH, which they'd just received in the mail that very day. We were located near one of the stages, so we could enjoy watching contestants perform Scottish Highland dancing, accompanied by a very adept bagpiper. Not all the Highland dancers were girls. Quite a few boys were demonstrating their skill, which is certainly appropriate, since Highland dancing was originally a male ritual. Also, not all the Highland dancers wore tartan. Several of the lads were in sailor uniforms, and several of the lassies wore conventional frocks. A good number of folks stopped by the Clan Henderson tent and signed their names in the guest book, including Harry and Faye Henderson, from Glenwood, Maryland. Signing our guest book was Linda Henderson Boughner, born in Scotland, but presently living in Crownsville, Maryland, and her son, Colin, who also signed in. A Navy family just back from Sicily, Alan and Rebecca Waldram, with their three little ones, signed in. You should have seen their delightful little four year old daughter, Anika, when she spontaneously began imitating the Highland dancing. As Mike Henderson said, "It's in her blood!" A drum major, Ed Brett, from Fair Haven, New Jersey, signed in, and he and his wife, Mikki, and Mike and Joan all had a good visit. There was a HUMONGOUS wooden statue of a guy who looked exactly like Paul Bunyan. I couldn't figure why Paul Bunyan would be featured in Maryland. But, when I read the sign at the base of the statue, it identified him as "The Fair Giant". Folks said that in previous years, a kilt was draped around him for the Scottish Festival, but that they couldn't do it anymore because of liability issues. Apparently, the power company, which furnished the truck for climbing up on the huge statue, was concerned that someone might get injured. Although it was a Scottish festival, the Irish and the Welsh were also there. At 11:30, Mike and myself, carrying the Clan Henderson sign, plus Donna Toole, of Whitehall, Maryland, and her son, Jon Arnold, of Littlefield, Colorado, along with the Waldram family, went to march in the big parade of massed clans, accompanied by a huge pipe and drum band. I was the only one in our clan with a sword, which I carried in a salute. In fact, I only saw one other participant, from another clan, who had a sword, so I copied what I saw him doing. A lot of guys wore dirks, but almost nobody wore a sword. An Army unit, in camouflaged battle dress, formed the color guard. As we marched onto the field, the athletic competition was still going on, with a hammer tossed in our direction. After the grand entrance of stirring Highland music by the massed pipes and drums, a chaplain, Reverend Ernest R. D. Smart, gave an invocation, which to my ears didn't sound at all like an invocation, but more like introductory remarks. Mike said that might be because no one's allowed to pray anymore. Then a native Scottish lady, Helen Toni, sang the national anthems of Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. I wondered why, at a Scottish festival, she chose to sing, "GOD SAVE THE QUEEN", instead of "SCOTLAND THE BRAVE"? Maybe it's because Scotland doesn't yet have it's own official national anthem, and is still officially ruled by England. I did notice that among all the drum majors, there was one who refused to render a military salute during the national anthems. One of the drum majors was a wee lad, maybe following in his father's footsteps? Clan Davidson was presented with an award for BEST CLAN - SEPT at the festival. Their tent displayed hand-crafted miniatures of a Highland croft and a historic Battle of the Clans. Then we politely endured a speech by the mayor of Annapolis, Ellen O. Moyer. After the opening ceremonies concluded, and we had returned to the Clan Henderson tent, we took turns wandering about the grounds and inspecting the exhibits. I particularly wanted to see the animals. There were Highland cattle, Clydesdale horses, and many breeds of Scottish and Irish dogs, with some available for adoption. I briefly watched the sheep herding demonstration, before returning to the tent to allow Mike and Joan time to go look at the exhibits. When there was a break in the Highland dancing, I'd play my guitar and sing. Lee Catlett, from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, who helped man the Clan Johnston tent next to ours, came over and joined with me in singing "THE BALLAD OF THUNDER ROAD", and he also signed our guest book. A famous Scottish singer, Carl Peterson, stopped by the Clan Henderson tent, and sang along with me, as I performed "THE SKYE BOAT SONG". I didn't know who he was, but after he left, Joan Henderson told me about him. A large group of young military recruits came in, dressed in shorts and T-shirts, so I couldn't decipher which service they represented. They had a tug of war with each other, and then, they had a tug of war with the wee tykes. Oh, you never saw such laughing, screaming, and hollering as those little ones did! Earlier, the wee tykes had a sack race, and since it was on a grassy slope, there were a few falls. Ah, yes, it was very joyful watching throughout the afternoon as all those little young'uns and all the family pets went scampering and rolling about the grass. The little children were obviously having the time of their lives! The many puppy dogs were also quite pleased at the affair. Alas, eventually, all good things must come to an end, and it was time to take down the tent and load up Mike Henderson's pickup truck. I remembered to bring my camera to the festival, but I never took one single picture the entire day. However, Joan Henderson did take some photographs, and also, a gal from the Festival committee took pictures of us and the Clan Henderson tent. This was, by far, one of the best events I've attended. If you get the chance to go next year, don't miss it! Slainte mhath! John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C. 20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Movie Critique: "AUGUST RUSH"

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: I just now finished watching a high definition recording of the movie, AUGUST RUSH, on my wide screen television. This is a wonderfully refreshing story of a boy in search of his musician parents. The parents are unmarried and unaware of each other's location, and they also don't know the boy is alive. There's a lot of Oliver Twist in this tale, with Robin Williams playing the role of a modern version of Fagin. But, it's all about the music. The kid hears the music all around him, even though no one else can hear it, causing other kids to tease and bully him. How well I know the feeling. Alas, just like the boy in the movie, there's entire symphony orchestras playing perpetually in my head. But, unlike the boy genius in this movie, I'm limited to merely composing ballads on my guitar. Wait until you see this kid! Yes, it's just a Hollywood movie, and the story is only fiction. But, what a movie, and what a story! I highly recommend this movie for any family, and as with any other movie, I always urge both Mama and Daddy to watch it together WITH their little ones. This is a genuine feel good movie, with a tear jerking happy ending! Pass the popcorn, please. Thank you. John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C. 20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

SNL Political Spoofs

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: Did you watch the recently televised debate between Senator Joseph Biden and Governor Sarah Palin? Well, you'll LOVE seeing the satire of it done by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE! Just go to their web site and watch the videos of the various skits. You'll also enjoy the spoof about Congress bailing out Wall Street, and personally, I found the Mary Poppins skit to be hilarious. So, check it out, and let a few good laughs start your week off right! Thank you. John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C. 20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Vice Presidential Candidates Debate

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space: Why is it that, in these televised national debates between candidates for President of the United States and candidates for Vice President of the United States, that only two political parties are represented? Shouldn't the voting public be permitted to hear from an alternative or opposing view? The Republicans and Democrats agree with each other on virtually every important contemporary issue, and neither party adheres to the Constitution of the United States. In spite of that, I did enjoy watching the debate between Governor Sarah Palin and Senator Joseph Biden. I thought Governor Palin did an excellent job of putting Senator Biden on the defensive, as she effectively communicated with the average American voter in her plain spoken small town vernacular, delivered with occasional winks. But, both Governor Palin and Senator Biden agreed with the currently proposed emergency economic recovery plan, which is tantamount to instituting National Socialism (i.e., a revival of the Third Reich), something which our federal government is specifically forbidden by the Tenth Amendment. Both Governor Palin and Senator Biden are in favor of military action in Darfur. United States military forces are already committed in Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to numerous other global security postings and patrols. Just how many wars in how many separate countries do the Republicans and Democrats want the United States involved in, all at the same time? How practical is that? Where in the Constitution of the United States is the authority to do this? Governor Palin and Senator Biden both articulated continuing national policies regarding Israel. Excuse me? Isn't Israel a sovereign independent nation? Then why is the United States interfering in Israel's national affairs? Israel is an ally of the United States, not our dependent colony. Alas, when questioned about the use of nuclear weapons, I did think that Governor Palin gave a very poor response. Governor Palin and Senator Biden both endorsed their party's goals of continuing and increasing federal support of health care and education, activities specifically forbidden to the federal government by the Tenth Amendment. Governor Palin and Senator Biden both expressed their tolerance for homosexuality. Isn't it time for someone to say we need to start being intolerant, for the protection of society, and society's children? I was surprised that Governor Palin and Senator Biden were not questioned concerning their opinions regarding abortion and euthanasia. The issue of border security and illegal immigration was never broached. Our society's violently hostile racial polarization, aggravated by government instituted racial quotas and racial preferences was not addressed. Governor Sarah Palin claims to be a Republican. But, did you ever hear her say the word, "Republic", at any time? How many times did we hear her say, "Democracy", over and over and over? In her closing remarks, Governor Palin hoped we'd never see the day when we'd be telling our children and grandchildren about what America used to be like when we had freedom. Well, guess what, folks? I'm ALREADY doing that! I'm sixty-two years old, and for years now, I've been telling young adults about an America that existed for me when I was their age, about an America that no longer exists, and about the freedoms that have been forfeited due to ignorance or apathy, or usurped by federal mandates blatantly violating the Constitution of the United States. So, yes, I like Governor Sarah Palin. I like her inexperience. Her alleged lack of experience is exactly what is needed in Washington, D.C. What we don't need is any more of those experienced professional politicians (i.e., senators bragging about their many years serving in the Senate) perpetuating the same ol' same ol' status quo. Frankly, I'd rather see her become President of the United States than Senator John McCain. But, why, oh why, can't we get somebody in the White House, or the Congress, or the Supreme Court, who will solidly and fervently promote and defend God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Bible, inalienable rights, and the Constitution of the United States (to include the Tenth Amendment)? Thank you. John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS Official Bard of Clan Henderson Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C. 20011-8400 NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."