My September gift for my 70th year was a new ukulele. I actually bought it a few days into October, but I’m counting it as a September present because I had been practicing ukulele tunes all September for the Ceilidh in Westmeath.
My newest ukulele to join the family. I now have 4 ukuleles. They all have their unique personalities. I’m just getting to know this new one.
The poster for this event featured the ukulele top that I had designed.
The Westmeath Ceilidh — number six was a musical delight. Over 100 ukulele players signed up, and the sight of that many tiny instruments was enough to make anyone smile. And there’s something magic when a hundred voices combine together and simple chords multiply. It wasn’t just music — it was community, and we all know that community provides health benefits as we age.
The theme for the Ceilidh was Canadian Artists and Songs. We started off with “I’m A Canadian”.
Here is the music by Tom Green (with lyrics adapted to reflect the Pembroke area).
What a perfect song to begin with. 🇨🇦 Other songs included: Something to Sing About; Both Sides Now; Snowbird; The Hockey Song; and If I Had A Million Dollars. We also sang Hallelujah but with different words. Instead of the “Hallelujah” chorus imagine singing “Ukulele”. 🎶
There were about 35 songs in total and we sang and strummed for almost 3 hours. Our voices were hoarse and our fingertips were numb by the end. 😜
Of course I had to design a t-shirt for myself with my ukulele. It certainly is Good Vibes when we play Four Strings. We again sing and play in Westmeath in the Spring of 2027 and I can’t wait. The theme will be Rock ‘n Roll!
Until then, “Rock On Everyone” with the bounties life gives us…
