Because I have not been feeling well for the past little while, I have watched an inordinate amount of television. We recently got the Documentary Channel on our satellite system and my DH told me there was a documentary on that he was sure I would like.

It turns out this particular documentary was about Celtic music in Canada. It was very interesting and I really enjoyed watching it. It told the story of an area in Canada that was settled almost soley by Scots and how they brought their language, music and dance with them to the New World. Music and storytelling are a central part of Celtic culture. It has been intregal to the preservation of their culture and to be a musician or storyteller is highly respected by the Scots and the Irish.

Because of the lack of influence from most other cultures in this particular area of Canada, the music has remained much more pure than it did here in America. In American, the Scots-Irish settled in the South but their music was influenced by African slaves and their musical styles. The result is Bluegrass - which all of you who know me personally know that I know a little something about.

My family on my Dad's side has played music since before I was born. My Dad and all of the males in the entire family with two exceptions, are musicians. My sister Julie was the first 'girl singer' on my Dad's side of the family. It was a big leap for some of them to get used to, but my Grammy nominated sister has gone further in the music industry than any of them have and she actually makes her living full time by playing and teaching Bluegrass music.

And so, when I was watching this documentary and saw this Canadian family, sitting around their living room playing instruments and singing, I suddenly made a new connection. For years, I had no idea of the origins of my family. We really had no idea where my Dad's family came from or from what nationality they had descended. We still do not know for absolute sure, but it is safe to say that my Dad's family is of Scottish and Welsh descent along with a bit of English. So, without knowing it, my family were carrying on the traditions of the Celtic culture without even knowing it. In Gaelic, these musical events are known as ceilidhs, but to us, there were always know as jam sessions or a 'get together to pick'. 'Pick' being a term meaning to play the banjo or guitar.

When I was a kid, at least once a month and sometimes more, we would either have company or would go visiting with some other families who were from Kentucky or who were musicians. There was always lots of food and, of course, music and singing. People would come for miles to be there and listen. This is where I learned to cook. This is where I learned how to flirt with boys. This is where I learned who was dangerous and who was a friend and how to recognize that. I did not realize until just the other night how important those times had been to me as a kid and how much I wish that my own kids could have that. They cannot have that influence and it makes me a bit sad. Those Saturdays spent with that music playing in the background while I helped with the cooking or played are a huge part of my identity now.

Incidentally, my Mother's side of the family is very musical as well. My Mother's side of the family is distantly related to Loretta Lynn. I also have a cousin on my Mom's side of my family named Dale Ann Bradley who is a noted Bluegrass musician. I do not play, but always wanted to learn to play the flute - the Celtic flute to be more specific. Something to put on my To Do List!