Hot! Hot! Hot!

Those familiar with the Mid-Atlantic Region's schedule of Highland games will readily agree that the Virginia Games in Alexandria is unsurpassed when it comes to merciless heat and humidity. This year, there's a bit of competition: The Potomac Celtic Festival in Leesburg, VA. June 11th already promised to be a very warm day when the Commissioner began his set-up that morning. By the time he was through, he had abandoned all hope of comfort in a kilt and elected to stay in the unofficial Macpherson summer kit: khaki shorts and loafers.

Joining the commissioner that day were Carol Waytovich, her mother Ellie and Suzanne and Kevin Gillespie. The best practice on hot days like Saturday is to stay out of the sun and move as little as possible. This leads to lots of conversation and the Macpherson fashion police held court trying to decide which of the fanciful pseudo-Celtic rigs worn by the general public would lead to heat prostration and how soon. A close second was the game of guessing which parents would get no sleep that night because they had failed to provide sun-block and adequate cover for their wee bairns. That evening, after all good Macphersons had retreated to the sanctuary of air-conditioning, it was discovered that ignorance is bliss: Instead of 88 degree temperatures, the thermometer had soared to 94!

Kevin Gillespie sweats it out whilst Suzanne closes her eyes and thinks of Iceland.

Sunday, the 12th, promised to be somewhat more comfortable with a most welcome breeze stirring. It was cool enough for the commissioner to wear a kilt and there was a larger number of the general public in attendance. Carol and her mother were on hand to help sign up three new members. Welcomed into the Clan Macpherson Association on that day were Steven Brooks of Rockville, MD, Ronald Mesnard of Derwood, MD and Carolyn Smith, a Junior Member.

Carol Waytovich and her mother, Ellie.

As nice as Sunday was, relatively speaking, Carol and Ellie Waytovich were glad to quit the games field and head for home that evening. The Potomac Celtic Festival is held at a nice venue and Clan Macpherson was one of the original societies at this event. Hopefully, the 2006 edition won't be as hot.