It was an interesting week here in the North Country. I got
a notion over last weekend to go across the border into Canada to catch HeatherRankin at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
She rarely comes this far west, being a Cape Breton girl, but doing a
holiday themed show is an old family tradition.
I left work at a little after 1pm on Monday, washed the car
for the first time in a while as it was just above freezing, and headed home to
pack for the overnight stay in a foreign country. Don’t worry, I speak the
language. I left about 2:30 and headed toward the border. The weather was nice,
the trip was uneventful, the border patrol didn’t question my motives, and I
arrived at my hotel about two hours later. The auditorium was about four blocks
from my hotel and it was a nice night to walk. It was about 15F (-9C) with a
slight breeze, so it was a brisk walk. My seat was about 8 rows back from the
stage so I had a good view of the performers.
When Heather and the band came out on stage the first thing
she did was to take off these shoes
and do the first set barefoot. Just that
little thing made it all seem homier. She did songs that she had done with her
family years ago as well as some of her solo tunes and a mix of holiday songs.
It was a nice blend to lift everyone’s spirits! When she came out for the
second set she was wearing fuzzy white slippers! She was very engaging as the well
seasoned performer she is and came out into the lobby afterward to sign
autographs, CDs and talk to her fans. Of course I had to get an autographed CD
and a chance to talk to her for a few moments. After being a fan for thirty
years I figured it was about time. One of the things I love about Canada is
that people are so accessible and friendly. I had a nice visit with the guy
sitting next to me during intermission which added to the whole experience.
I left before dawn because I had a three hour drive to the
dentist before coming back up the shore. I punched in to work at noon. I felt
like I packed a lot into 23 hours.
In other news there is a comet in the sky. I went out to
look for it last night before bed as it was clear and relatively warm, just a
little below freezing, which is unusual for this time of year. I didn’t see the
comet, but as it is the Geminid Meteor Shower I saw about 4 meteors in just a
few minutes! When I got up this morning at about 5 am, I went out again and
there it was! In the southeast sky just below Pleiades was a bright blue green
glow that was the brightest thing in the sky! I couldn’t make out a tail, but
was too lazy to get binoculars to try. It was a very interesting thing to see!
P.S. Not my pictures this time.
I love meteor showers and will try to see this. Tucson has some of the best sky watching. We have a storm fronts coming in every few days so not so sure I can see this one.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
I'll bet that there is some fine viewing down there, especially if you can get away from the light!
DeleteTucson is quite dark, the lights point down and have special bulbs. Many new people complain about them. We do get some light from Phoenix and I despise it and Phoenix.
DeleteWe had lots of clouds (and very welcome rain) so missed the Geminid Meteor Shower.
ReplyDeleteYou DID pack a lot into your day and with the exception of the dentist packed it full of wonderful things.
I have to ask though. What shoes was she wearing in the lobby?
You can try again tonight! It usually lasts for a couple of days.
DeleteI suspect she was still wearing the slippers, but I wasn't about to stick my head under the table to look! 😮
Sounds like a wonderful trip and concert! I'm a big Rankin Family fan from way back too. When we were in Cape Breton Island a few years ago, we visited the very small town of Mabou which has a big sign "Home of the Rankin Family" as you drive in. We had lunch at the Red Shoe Pub, which is owned by the Rankin sisters and full of Rankin family memorabilia. I should dig out my photos and do a blog post about it sometime.
ReplyDeleteOoh! I would love to get out there, especially for Celtic Colours week in October, but anytime would be good.Cape Breton is on my bucket list as is Mabou!
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ReplyDeletesince I live close to the city, I have a snowball's chance in hell of seeing this meteor shower. too much ambient light from philly.
ReplyDeleteI think if you head to the Poconos it might be dark enough or Amish country as they don't do a lot of lighting.
DeleteI'm glad you got to see this concert; I have a good idea of how big a fan you are. The Rankins are all down-to-earth folks and so talented. It seems so unfair for them (and the world) to have lost siblings the way they did.
ReplyDeleteAnd you DID pack a lot into that time. Did you fall asleep at work?!
It was really cool to meet Heather and talk to her after thirty years of just watching and listening. I didn't find out about John Morris until a few years after his death, but I think I cried a little when Raylene died.
DeleteI managed to stay awake all day at work (it wasn't easy), but faded in the early evening at home.
Never been to Canada, never heard of Helen rankin, and never seem a meteor shower. Will go one day, looking her up and on my bucket list. I’d say you had a good couple of days.
ReplyDeleteIt might be easier to find the Rankin Family on YouTube as the were quite famous in Canada. You need to go where there are no city lights to get a good look at what is above us all the time. There are several times a year where the showers are fairly dense in astronomical terms.
DeleteWow, what an action-packed 23 hours! I'm glad you didn't have any trouble getting across the border, and hooray for good music concerts!
ReplyDeleteWe were hoping to see the comet but we've been socked in with cloud and rain here for the past week; and the weather forecast shows clouds as far as the eye (and the forecast) can see. Maybe we'll get to see the NEXT comet that comes past. (But I'm not complaining about the rain. IT'S NOT SNOW!) :-)
We have been having balmy above freezing daytime weather for several days now and sunny which is unusual.
DeleteThe last comet I remember seeing was Kohoutek back in 1973, so they don't seem to come around too often, but you are young, yet.
Thanks! Hmmm... maybe I should update my Gravatar image... ;-) I didn't see Kohoutek in 1973, but I remember hearing about it back then. I did see Hale-Bopp, though.
DeleteWhen you get really old you will forget about Hale-Bopp as I did. As long as I am older, you will always be just a kid.😁
DeleteThat thought just made my day! :-D
DeleteJimmy Rankin performed at our small town theatre a couple of years ago and as I was a volunteer there, I got to meet him and chat with him. And back in 2000 (back in the dark ages!) I was staying in Halifax (Nova Scotia) in a church that had been transformed into apartments, and Jimmy Rankin lived next door. I didn't meet him then, but I did enjoy the impromptu very loud concert that went on most of the night in his back yard! I told Jimmy about that, and he asked me if I was the one who called the cops! No, it wasn't me!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll go out to look for the comet tonight. I hope it's still there.
What a cool story! Jimmy is an excellent songwriter. He had gone to Nashville for a number of years, but I heard he is back home. Such a talent!
DeleteI had to google (youtube?) Heather Rankin. She has a nice voice!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I miss being able to go to Canada on a moment's notice.
All the best for 2019 to you and the family.... be happy! And keep blogging. And telling your family story. Fascinating!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the Rankin Family and have many of their CDs. Saw them when John Allen was still alive and Went to see their reunion tour in Regina several years ago. I did not know Heather was still touring.
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