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Laconic

Laconic, from Laconia or Lacodaemon, the region known as Sparta (Greece, not Georgia (Southern US, not the Caucasus)).

During the time of the invasion of Philip II of Macedon, with many Greek city-states in submission, Phil turned his attention to Sparta and sent a message: “If I win this war, you will be slaves forever.” The Spartans (Laconians) sent back a one word reply: “If” – the Laconic response.

Another laconic fellow was the terse President Calvin Coolidge. Cal once returned from church, and his wife asked him what the sermon was about. “Sin,” he replied. She asked what the minister said. “He was against it.”

Dorothy Parker said on hearing of Coolidge’s death: “How could they tell?”But there, I must stop. You see, Dorothy confused Cal’s verbal parsimony with inactivity and death.

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last fine things before the rains came

The Columbus Symphony Orchestra + Seven Nations was rained out, sadly. A very wet day, far too reminiscent of the old sod. We had a great Sunday anyway…

Outdoor Mass with Father Sullivan of St Colman of Cloyne parish, beautiful music provided by the Ladies of Longford. In true Catholic tradition, they bribe you into coming to Mass by providing free admission to the festival for the day…

Irish breakfast of soda bread with currants, scrambled eggs, two bangers, and two rashers. No black pudding, though. Belly-filming, heart-warming, and cheap at $5 per overloaded plate.

We finally found our new birdbath! We’ve been looking for months. A remarkable stonecarver by the name of Dan Roth carved two birdbaths out of stone recovered from a church for which he did some marblework. The stone basin of the birdbath is the former Holy Water font of the church, and the pedestal was recovered from the building’s stonework as well. Dan carved a celtic knot design with heart and crown around the rim. much better than our old cast-concrete job which crumbled. And damn reasonable for a beautiful hand-carved work of art. Here is Dan at work.

Other things of beauty:

Some fine photography by Shayne McGuire: http://www.mythandlegends.net/

Celtic Mandalas by Jen Delyth (http://www.kelticdesigns.com/). OK, this one’s Welsh, not Irish, but we’re charitable, we Celts. Very touchy-feely-pagany-Druidy stuff, but it’s nice to look at. I bought her 2008 Calendar.

Finally, let’s drink a toast in a couple fine new goblets we picked up from “Green Man Pottery”. I imagine there are about, oh, fifty or so vendors worldwide D/B/A that rather unoriginal name. But nice stuff. Mine is the one with the dragon, natch. I’m having hot chai in mine right now to combat the very welcome but chilly rain. Slainte!

That’s all for this year’s festival, the 20th annual and our own 11th

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