Mountain Heritage Festival

This weekend was the Mountain Marketplace and Heritage Festival in Blairsville, GA. We were scheduled to play at 2:40 pm on Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect and the crowd was good.

This weekend was also the Atlanta Cup in youth Soccer. Vincent, my son, was playing in that with his team from NASA (North Atlanta Soccer Association). We went down to Stone Mountain on Friday night. His first game was at 9:30 am on Saturday, but he had to be there at 8:45. Then another game at 3:30 pm. On Sunday, he was playing at 11:00 am. I got up and ate breakfast. About 9:30 am , I headed for Blairsville getting home around 12:30.

My cognition of time is less than ever since my stroke last year, but then I never paid as close attention as I should. This day was to be one of those. I ate a little lunch, sat in my chair watching TV, and fell asleep. I woke up, looked at the clock and it was 2:35. I quickly checked my phone for missed calls, put on my shirt and started out the door. Just as I was leaving, the phone rang. It was David calling to say we we playing right then. I told him I was on my way, which is about a 10 minute drive. I went wheeling into the festival and up to the porch where we were to play. Thankfully, Sam Ensley had the group after us to play during our schedule slot.

I found David, then went to tune up and get ready. The program itself seemed to go pretty well. David did more of the talking than usual, though he has before also. Alex Tomlinson played the whole set with us, which was a treat. Then we had Sam Ensley to come up for the last third of the program and play mandolin as well. It was nice to play as a band again, though I have come to enjoy the challenges and rewards of playing as a duo. Some different sounds when you have more of a band going. We could almost be accused of playing bluegrass again for a little while. Just needed a bass player. Rusty where were you?

I may have more time playing solo than in a band, esp. if I don't get my timing better. Not only did David beat me to the Venue, but Debra came with him this time. Bad time for me to be late. Oh well, when you make a mistake, admit it and try to move on. I did and am.

We'll see you down the road. I may be a little late, but I will be there. :)

Nelson