Today – 3:00 in Oysterville

It’s hard for me to admit – even to myself – that I have missed the first three Music Vespers services of the season at the Oysterville Church.  Actually… the part that’s difficult to own up to is that I have felt entirely guilt-free about it!

Not that I haven’t missed seeing friends and enjoying the music and the messages and the wonderful, old-fashioned feel of the church!  I have, indeed!  And, besides that, it doesn’t even seem like summer has started yet.  What I have not missed is the feeling of responsibility and obligation that that goes with being ‘in charge.’  And, besides, for the first time in more than twenty-some years, we were actually able to be out of town for three summer Sundays in a row!

Carol Wachsmuth

Which brings me to Carol Wachsmuth, the new Vespers Organizer/Scheduler/Problem Solver!  She is a wonder!  Soft spoken, low key, quietly keeping watch from the back pew, Carol is the best-ever replacement anyone could wish for!  She makes it all look easy… and I am here to testify that it isn’t.  Not a bit!

Take the plan for today, for instance.  The four members of the Bays Family were scheduled to arrive several days ago… all things being equal.  They are long-time friends and stay with us when they are in town, usually combining ‘business’ (Vespers) with pleasure (the beach.)  But in the busy family of musicians that includes two teen-aged boys as well as Susan’s elderly father… things do not always go smoothly.  On Thursday we learned that grandpa was ailing.  If he could be left on his own, the family would arrive Friday evening.  Or maybe not.  Owen, concertina player extraordinaire had come home from summer camp with a bit of fever.

Willie, Susan. Owen, Randal – 2015

On Friday we learned that plans had changed once again.  Everyone was tentatively better, but…  Maybe only Randal and Willie would come.  No problems at this end, we said.  We’re ready for whoever, whenever.   Finally, on Saturday Randal, Susan, Willie and Owen arrived – right in time for a late dinner and a lot of beach time and a bit of rest before today’s performance.

Ordinarily, I would have been a basket case.  Will they make it?  How many of them?  What if they all catch Owen’s dread disease?  But, amazingly, I was worry free!  Carol will think of something if need be… not my problem, thought I.  And, of course, it has all turned out fine.  Vespers will be as planned – the four Irish Musicians of the Bays Family Band.  Three o’clock at the Oysterville Church.  Come on over and tap your toes along with the rest of us.