First Thursday Drum Circle of First Parish

Today was a sample of how one can worship. We celebrated our selves and Creator.

Dave Curry is a master drummer. He came to lead us today in a primal communication with Mother Earth’s Heart Beat. Drums have honored Creation and the Creator for thousands of years by Native Americans and tribal people from around the world.

I brought an Africal hand drum that Sheila Lumi gave me. She knew that eventually I would be able to play it at the Drummers Circle on First Thursdays. Sometimes I make it there after exhibiting at the Farmers Market, at Fitchburg Art Museum, on First Thursday, that is if I have any energy left.

Today was unique. Loved the chant: The Earth is Our Mother (repeat each line twice)

The Earth is our mother, we must take care of her; Hey yung a-ho yung, a-hey yung yung

The Sky is our Father, we will take care of him; Hey yung a-ho yung, a-hey yung yung

The Sea is our Sister, we will take care of her; Hey yung a-ho yung, a-hey yung yung

The Forest is our Brother, we will take care of him; Hey yung a-ho yung, a-hey yung yung

The Earth is our mother, we must take care of her; Hey yung a-ho yung, a-hey yung yung

I can only remember how we chanted the first part. I guess I will make up the rest of the melody, until I hear it again.

Perhaps the following will be some help with translation:

The Earth is Our Mother

The earth is our mother, we must take care of her
The earth is our mother, we must take care of her
Hey yunga, ho yunga, hey yung, yung
Hey yunga, ho yunga, hey yung, yung

(Her sacred ground we walk upon,with every step we take)

(The sky is our father, we must take care of him)

(His sacred air we breathe it in, with every breath we take)

http://www.newview.org/salem/earth_songs.htm

The city of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, comes alive the First Thursday of each month. Several events have been ongoing for months if not years.

Butterfly Woman Publishing

For the first time, Butterfly Woman Publishing, Inc. www.butterfly-woman-publishing.com participated as a Vendor at the First Thursday Fitchburg Farmers Market, at Fitchburg Art Museum. The museum welcomes the community to participate at the museum, FOR FREE, on the First Thursday of each month. Through a generous grant, Ward Four residents are granted an annual free membership. First Thursday at the museum is dedicated to the Fitchburg Farmers Market. Other events may occur on the same evening, which proves to enhance the event. More traffic is generated when different functions take place.

Last night was no exception. Sheila Lumi, Community Organizer, invited Steve and Sue of The Fiddler’s Gardens to play Celtic music. Sue plays fiddle and Steve plays guitar. I absolutely loved it. I am sold on the idea of partnering.

I am a member of Fitchburg Art Museum and Fitchburg Farmers Market Association. Can you imagine setting up a table next to the Hudson River School Painting Exhibit? Yes, there are several rooms devoted to American Scenery: Different Views in Hudson River School Painting, on exhibit through June 2. There was also art on the walls where I was stationed. It is a tremendous privilege to be part of this program. I was raised in Saratoga Springs, New York, home to the oldest thoroughbred horse races in the world. Saratoga is near the Hudson River with its magnificent views. Fitchburg Art Museum has landscape paintings of Lake George and Seneca Lake, which are right in my childhood backyard.

Vee Lashua and her son Zack, student St. Andrews School, were selling fresh eggs, vegetables, and organic meat. I bought two pounds of grass fed ground beef and pork chops last month. This month I bought two dozen eggs (yes they are that good), cut kale, and beets. Vee’s crops are delicious and the pork chops are the best I have ever eaten. Zack was selling fresh made “Award Winning” chili that his mother had made. I had a bowl and suggested Vee make chili again for next month. It was delicious. They also served hot chocolate.

Nick Capasso, new 10^th Director of the Fitchburg Art Museum, stopped by to introduce himself. Nick says, “I am proud to join a museum with deep ties to its community – in Fitchburg and in the surrounding towns and cities in Central New England.” Next month I learned that Nick is planning to host an informal meet and greet reception where he will greet museum visitors. This is why I love the art scene here. Everyone is on the same playing field when it comes to promoting Fitchburg to the World.

Terry Impostato of Semi Precious Gem Treasures assisted me by restoring some old family jewelry necklaces that had broken. Both were from the 1940s or earlier. The seed pearl necklace is gorgeous now set with some red inland stones and the cinnabar necklace has been interlaced with black onyx. I am well pleased. Now I can start to plan to buy some jewelry each month.

Robert “Duffy” Lanciani was there last night representing his wife Mary, who was ill. Mary is a fabulous photographer. Matter of fact, I bought two of her photos made up as greeting cards. Naturally one was a wet monarch and the other was a standing bear in fall. They both shoot nature, wildlife, artistic impressions. Check them out at www.ishootwildlife.com

Janice Oikelmus recently relocated to Fitchburg from San Francisco.

Afterwards, I walked over to First Parish Church to participate in the monthly First Thursday Drummers Group that starts at 7 p.m. The music led me to the meeting room. How warm it was to see a Music Alter set with instruments around the lit candles set for intention.

Some participants’ play drums; others played talking sticks, flutes and wind primitive handmade instruments, while melodic drumming kept the beat.

I immediately fell into a meditative mood and played my gourd rattle that I grew and dried. Nature provides musical instruments. I would have liked to stay longer, but it had been a long day already. I did a wrap within an hour and walked home with Glenda Littlehale. We both live at The Sundial.

One can only anticipate that things are getting better in downtown Fitchburg. The more we partner and enjoy the fruits of our labors, the better we become.