TheBanyanTree: Renrat Chronicles 0f 2016 volume 1

[Teague, Julie Anna]

This will be the end of an era, Andrus. I'm sure your fans will miss you as much as we'll miss hearing your tales. 

Julie


-----Original Message-----
From: TheBanyanTree [mailto:thebanyantree-bounces at lists.remsset.com] On Behalf Of Russ Doden
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2016 1:31 PM
To: The Banyan Tree
Subject: TheBanyanTree: Renrat Chronicles 0f 2016 volume 1

Hail and well met once again!

Once again, your not so humble (or sane) scribe will try to report the goings on at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival.  This past Saturday marked the kick-off of the 2016 run of this grand event.  This is the 21st year for this particular bit of insanity.  It boggles me mind to realize that I have attended this event every year either as a cast member, booth person, or (mostly) as a performer (so called musician).

Last year was known as the year of the rains.  It rained nearly every weekend last year.  For whatever reason the gods chose, it looked like it was going to pick up right where it left off!  There was much wailing and moaning when Friday night the sky came unzipped with rain coming down in buckets, accompanied by much sound and light from lightening and thunder.  This was altogether unnecessary in our opinion, but it was what it was.  Much to our relief the rains stopped in the wee hours of the morning leaving the grounds wet . . . OK, many areas were a bog.  At least the wet was staying on the ground and not in the sky.

The first weekend is always a time of merriment and seeing many friends not seen for the past year.  Many of the people I enjoy there are not part of my regular circle.  This is either due to distance (some travel great distances to participate) or other factors.  It is sometimes a challenge to focus on the other patrons that are there when a long time friend comes into view!

I am once again the third member of the duo The Bedlam Bards.  We are known for our gawd awful dirty songs in the Black Boar pub in the afternoon, but we do play sweet and silly songs at the Hidden Grove stage in the morning and kick off the pub sing at the Crown Inn about 4:45.  It is an aggressive schedule, but it does leave time to play with the patrons and rest between sets.

As always there was much merriment throughout the day with much laughter and silliness as well as some wondrous conversations.

I am thinking very strongly that this will be my “Farewell Tour” as a performer with The Bedlam Bards.  It just takes so much out of me, and I just don’t bounce back like I did in years past.  Many fans seemed to be seriously concerned but were very supportive when told that it wasn’t because of health as much as other opportunities being offered that are more in line with my main interests.

Mostly I'm taking it kind of easy today.  My hips were NOT amused with the demands placed on them.  I have learned though that it is acceptable to "play the old guy card" and not walk the noon parade, or participate in the activities at closing.  That made a big difference, plus, I was sitting down as much as possible between sets.  That too helped a great deal.  In talking to a few other "old timers" I'm finding that I may not be the only one viewing this as their "farewell tour" this year.  Several others are realizing that it is time to hang up their spurs due to the demands on the bod.

 Till next time fare the well wherever you may go,

Andrus of the Bedlam Bards

Aka Russ

--
Enjoy Life By Living In Joy

Well Being Consultant
www.rldwbc.com