My last entry was in regards to Amethyst.

I've done a lot of thinking since that entry, have spoken to a great many friends, some from my immediate circle, have received encouraging and sympathetic messages (thanks!), had some laughs and some cries, and even several nightmares throughout the week, which aren't too uncommon for me, but the subject of the dreams were more obviously related to my then current state than what is often otherwise the case.

And then my journey began for up north.

With our first option for a ride falling through, and other attempts also failing, Misty did manage to get us rides to up north by separate people. She told me that a guy named Dean was on his way to pick me up, and that he was cool. So I come home early, wait a bit, and finally go outside to meet Dean, a good lookin guy, kind of a cross between Brian Setzer and Wolverine (not Hugh Jackman, but Wolverine) in a nice 77 Mercedes. We spend 5 hours talking about everything from his 2 year old daughter to faire, to his 2 year old daughter, to the three major things vital in all major religions, world religions, to his 2 year old daughter and how unbelievable cute she is, to Amethyst, to music (and listening to some great stuff), to Maisy, his two year old daughter that he may have mentioned before. :) 5 hours on the road flew right by.

No, this is not a story of Thea packing up and riding off in the sunset with Setzer/Wolverine/Music/Faire guy. Don't worry.

Arrived at about 8 ish at the campsite, gorgeous site, I've got pics that I will scan in along with my pirate pics. I met some people, eventually found my way around to our tents, confused many who thought that there was just something wrong with Misty, and corrected othrs who thought that I was Misty but just being rude and not saying hi. "Oh, so THATs why you'r e acting like you don't know me. You actually don't know me!" They were talking, playing music and singing, until about 1 AM when Misty finally arrived. I had gone to bed shortly before, and overheard a bit of everyone saying hello to Misty before I fell asleep.

Morning came, early, in the GORGEOUS woodland area. I got my costume, and immediately started in at Morning Show, which I have done before. It was fun, there were lots of people there. Dean plays one of the theme characters, The Brewmaster, and many of the other characters are the usual cast of folks from down south as well.

We did street gigging, and everyone was very intentionally spirited at first, but then, it was all just natural. There were MANY performers out, and everyone was doing so well. The singing groups, Belles of Bedlam especially, spent the whole day getting into various grouping, not the usual schedule, and were singing throughout the entire day. It was all in continued rememberance and celebration of Amethyst life and inspiration.

After faire was over, there was much energy in the air. At almost 6, many of us gathered at one end of the faire and proceeded in a procession over to the main stage, gathering other groups as we passed them. Faire had over 300 visiting performers that weekend, about twice as many regular performers who are normally there. There were easily 500+ people at that ceremony.

The ceremony was a happy, funny, and inspiring one. Her family, husband and daughter, chose not to speak. They hadn't been wanting anyone to fuss over them and have both been very strong. Her husband plays Sir Walter Raleigh at both faires, and she made sure that they did faire even during her sickness and time at the hospital. Faire was very very important to her. Instead, several friends spoke. They couldn't have done any more justice to the spirit of Amethyst.

Amethyst made it very clear that she wanted someone to convey this message to us all: No Grieving! She also told her friend to make it funny. This was very important to her and I believe they succeeded. They spoke about how much of a giver Am was, how much she was a touchstone for us all, and that she was always a no bullshit straight shooter. She was balls to the wall with everything she wanted to accomplish. One went on a tangent that she was a bitch and a BITCH. I know... that sounds kinda harsh, but caputred such triumphant spirit when she spoke it. Bitch is commonly used in Faire, both for the traditional term, and for the acronym that until now I would be able to remember but am missing two of the words after Beautiful Inspiring Talented... It was wonderful! Am had a power, and that power was from a burring creative core within her.

Am knew that her sickness and passing would bring so many people together, so she challenged each and every one of us to not mourn. She challenged all of us to be alive, to laugh, to entertain, and to stay close to the family that we choose to be a part of.

Several people performed, there was a dance, there were some great songs, including Black Velvet Band , which is one of the most vibrant memories of the many times I have watched Am sing. They ended the ceremony, and kicked off the real celebration, with a great song, Isn't It Grand Boys and the night continued with lots of food, lots of desert, lots of food, drinks, and impromptu music until midnight.

Well, with that being said, and with the night almost over and me dead tired, I think I'm going to close this entry now. Sunday was just as excellend. More parades, two stage shows that I did by the seat of my pants, and some turkey shopping. (No, not shopping for turkey. :) Turkey is what you call an obvious entertainer or faire worker browsing around at faire not in costume but with some costume pieces, looking like a patron)

Night!