kimono, festival outfit

My Bluegrass Summer & #SpreadTheKindness Link Up #131

July 16, 2019 / 53 Comments
kimono, festival outfit
This is not a sponsored post.

It seems that maybe I have caught the bluegrass bug. Or just a festival bug in general. It just so happens that I have been stalking bluegrass festivals in my area in the hopes that I can see my favorite band perform live. I described my first experience seeing Fireside Collective perform a few weeks ago and now that I have had that experience, I want more. All of the time.

kimono, festival outfit
kimono, festival outfit

On a whim, I decided to attend the Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival in Berkshire, New York, this past Saturday. The location was just about two hours from my house and I was hesitant about driving by myself and then having to make my way back home in the dark. I invited a few friends to come along, but all of my invitations were declined. Rather than sit around and wait for others (I think people die from boredom doing that), I decided to just go it alone. All truth being told though, I was a little intimidated about showing up a festival like this all by myself not knowing a single person except for the band members.

kimono, festival outfit
kimono, festival outfit

However, I am a strong believer that in order to conquer one’s fears, we must face them directly. And so I packed up a cooler and some extra clothing as well as a pillow and a blanket in case I wanted to wait until daylight to drive back home. And off I went. It was a gorgeous day on Saturday. Mildly sunny with a gentle breeze. Jeff was taking the kids to Pennsylvania for the week and I called him from the car expressing my slight nervousness. All he said was, “You will be fine. You make friends easier than any person I have ever met. Just go and be you and have a great time.” Since he may possibly know me better than I know myself, I listened to him and as usual he was right.

kimono, festival outfit
kimono, festival outfit

I arrived at the venue around 3:30 p.m. just in time for an hour long break in the performances. As I pulled in to pay my admission, the women at the entrance asked if I would be spending the night. I told them I was traveling alone and I wasn’t sure what the heck I was doing. But if I had to spend the night, I would be sleeping in my car. They were so amazingly kind. They expressed their concern about my solo travels and said they would feel more comfortable if I just committed right then and there to sleep over. Then they parked my car right in their back yard in the closest proximity possible to their home so I would feel secure sleeping out there. I was blown away by the level of hospitality offered. And I will certainly attend this festival again next year.

kimono, festival outfit
kimono, festival outfit

Oh the people you meet when traveling alone. It is what fuels me. The first folks I met were Lynn and her husband (his name is escaping me right now) and her mother-in-law, Mickey. The husband had just retired just a few weeks ago and they are avid bluegrass fans attending festivals all around the northeast. We sat at a picnic table and chatted for over an hour. Much laughter was had as I slowly sipped my first beer of the day. At 4:30 the music was beginning again, so I grabbed my blanket and found a spot right in front of the stage. It was perfect. I loaded on some sunscreen (because you know, I am making pale skin the in thing) and bug spray (because I get bitten more than human being should ever have to suffer).

kimono, festival outfit
kimono, festival outfit

Side note: Speaking of bug spray…I have never found one that actually kept the bugs off of me. Ever. But I was told that the Shaklee Basic H2® Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate makes a wonderfully effective insect repellent. So I put some in a spray bottle, diluted it with water, and spritzed it all over myself. I am seriously shocked and pleasantly surprised to tell you that not only was I never bitten but I didn’t even notice a single mosquito or gnat or fly come near me all day or all night.

festival outfit
festival outfit

Okay, back to the festival. The guys of Fireside Collective arrived sometime around 6:00 p.m. so we had time to catch up before their set at 9:00 p.m. As they finished setting up their merchandise table, they needed to go eat some dinner. So I offered to keep an eye on the table so they could relax. And here is where my favorite magical moment of the day happened. A stunning young woman came up behind me and said she needed to also set up her band’s merchandise. Her energy was so light and happy and positive and empowering and infectious from the very first words we exchanged. I began helping her get the table organized to display both sets of band merchandise and of course, we got to talking. As I always do, I handed her my business card. She looked down at it and read it. Her jaw dropped slightly as she said aloud, “Shelbee on the Edge?” Then she looked up at me and said, “Are you freaking kidding me? You’re Shelbee on the Edge? You are seriously one of my favorite bloggers! I read your blog on the road all the time.”

kimono, festival outfit
festival outfit

Okay, can I tell you, I nearly fell over. But I stayed on my feet. I thought perhaps she was joking with me to make me feel good! When I realized she was being 100% genuine and sincere, I cried a little. For real. Tears came out. She told me that as a woman in an all male band, she is always searching the internet for empowering and inspiring women while she is on the road. And that is how she found me. What?! We screamed like teenagers and hugged and jumped up and down for a minute before we composed ourselves. Then she gave me the most wonderful gift…this bracelet that says, “Stand your ground, you sturdy tree.” A message that I quite need at this point in my life as I am contemplating some serious transitions right now. (More on that later).

bracelet, empowering message, mantra bracelet
bracelet, empowering message, mantra bracelet

Let me introduce you to this fascinating woman. Her name is Libby and she is the vocalist and fiddle player for Jakobs Ferry Stragglers. Based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this group delivers a super high energy and wickedly entertaining progressive bluegrass sound that pulls you in and doesn’t allow you to stray. The dynamic among the band members is enthralling to watch and Libby’s voice is so rich and profuse as it goes from sexy to sweet, delicate and soft to briny and deep with the utmost of ease. Her vocals sort of get picked up on the wind as the sound is carried out over the crowd and sprinkled down in sublime doses of ethereal alchemy of sorts. Find them and go see them! You will not be disappointed. I will most definitely be seeing Jakobs Ferry Stragglers again! Most likely at Hickory Fest in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania on the weekend of August 16-18. Fireside Collective will be performing as well.

Libby, Vocals/Fiddle, Jakobs Ferry Stragglers
Jakobs Ferry Stragglers

Libby is also an incredibly talented painter as she worked her creative brushstrokes throughout the day capturing the festival vibes in her watercolor image of the stage and the abundant crowd at the Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival. When I snapped this photo, her piece was not yet completed, but now I really need to see the finished depiction. I am certain it is even more breathtaking than the unfinished painting.

The final performance of the evening was Fireside Collective and I would be a failed writer if I didn’t describe to you what happens when they get on stage. Maybe I am a failed writer because I am struggling to find the adequate words to describe the shift in energy that occurs. It is sort of like divine intervention. The dynamic among these five men is bewitching. Once the music starts, they are so inside of it that you sort of feel like you are watching some secret sorcery that is not intended for regular human eyes to witness.

festival outfit
festival outfit

Throughout the entire day at this festival, I watched as the all the spectators sat in their lounge chairs and on their blankets and casually enjoyed the day filled with the heart warming sounds of bluegrass music. But then suddenly, this somewhat sedentary crowd took to its feet all at once. Fireside Collective had apparently breathed life into their very souls. But not just humdrum life, more of a transcendent mystical breath of vitality. Something deep inside the spirit of all was awakened and they simply could not get enough of it. You don’t want to look away. In fact, you kind of can’t. You get so pulled into the sound and the intensity of the magical amalgam of instrumentation and lyrical mastery that it is nearly impossible to pull yourself out of it. So it is best to just surrender and enjoy the ride. At one point, I turned to look at the few folks who were still sitting down and watching and I was met with a sea of mesmerized faces. Not only do you not want to miss a moment of the magic, but you can’t even pull yourself away if you try.

Fireside Collective

But then I had to pull myself away. Nearing the end of their set and onto their very emphatically demanded encore, I noticed a huge line forming at the merchandise table. So off I went to handle all that. That experience was equally satisfying as it solidified my very own first person perspective. I was fearful that perhaps my perspective was skewed by a groupie-band-crush kind of objectivity (Yes, I am starting to feel a bit like a groupie!) But that is not the case at all. What I am telling you is really the effect that this group has on people when they perform live. As the crowd lined up to purchase CDs, I heard things like, “My God, they are spectacular,” and “I have never heard anything like them and I have been following the bluegrass circuit for a long time.” Also, “In my opinion, they are ranking right up there if not above Yonder Mountain as far as live performances go.” “That was magical.” “Amazing.” “Where are they playing next? I need to see them again.” And on and on it went. I can also attest to this bit of inside information…they are quite possibly the kindest, most grateful and humble human beings I have ever met. That on top of creating an amazingly unique and other worldly sound contributes to a divinely celestial musical experience.

Carson, the bassist for Fireside Collective, and I have begun making these selfies our thing whenever I get to see them. And check out the photo bomber between our heads…that’s Joe, the guitarist.

So tell me, have you been enjoying your summer as much as I have? If you haven’t, you need to get on that! Life is short. Live it!

kimono
kimono

And now your featured favorites from last week.

Monica of Jersey Girl, Texan Heart shared an exciting announcement in her post, I’m a Rebellia Ambassador! This brand sounds absolutely wonderful and a perfect fit for Monica. I am super happy for this opportunity for her. And doesn’t she look amazing in this dress?

Monica of Jersey Girl, Texan Heart

Cheryl of Cheryl Shops shared two beautiful summer outfits in her post, What to Wear in Boston in Summer. Cheryl was attending a friend’s wedding and opted for two brightly colorful dresses for the weekend festivities. Do go check out the other dress in her post. It is so cute!

Cheryl of Cheryl Shops

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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53 Comments

  • Nancy

    July 16, 2019 at 8:40 am Reply

    Oh I know exactly what a festival can do to you!! And what a great supporting guy Jeff is! I am so happy for you that you have him in your life!!

  • Kellyann Rohr

    July 16, 2019 at 9:12 am Reply

    Wow, what an experience Shelbee! I would have been nervous attending alone too and probably talked myself out of it but then I’d have missed out! I am so proud of you and in awe of you but your husband is right you make friends so easily. Even though I have never met you IRL I thought as I was reading, oh yeah, she’ll make friends instantly. But how cool that Libby reads your blog! Now that was divine intervention.
    Love your festival style too and the whole experience sounds magical!
    xo,
    Kellyann

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 16, 2019 at 9:43 am Reply

      Thank you so much, Kellyann! This is such a wonderfully sweet comment. I very easily could have talked myself out of going, but I kept telling myself to just do it. It is the only way to get past those fears. And like I said, sitting around waiting for everyone else to have fun is just silly! So I am glad that I went and I would do it again in a heartbeat. But I will always have some nerves at the beginning of such adventures, I’m sure. I hope you have the most amazing week, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Chrissy

    July 16, 2019 at 12:07 pm Reply

    Wowza, I’m impressed but not surprised! Shelbee I love that you look for adventure and that you look cute doing it! 😉 Time for me to set up an adventure, right? I’m just drowning in boys over here!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:52 am Reply

      Chrissy, thanks so much, my friend! Life is so short that it is high time that I start having some amazing adventures! You definitely need to set up an adventure for yourself soon, too. I know that drowning in boys feeling all too well.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • jodie filogomo

    July 16, 2019 at 12:58 pm Reply

    What a fabulous time….and how sweet they were concerned about you traveling alone.
    But the coolest is meeting the blog follower….that hasn’t happened to me yet, but I would LOVE it!!
    As for the bug bites…OMG, I’ll have to try that because I always get bit. Me, but not my hubby (so not fair)
    XOXO
    Jodie

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:48 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Jodie! The whole experience was just super cool and so rewarding. I am so glad I went for it! So definitely let me know if you need help ordering any Shaklee products! I couldn’t believe how effective that was as bug repellent. However, I did venture into the woods yesterday for a photo shoot and the black flies attacked me like crazy. I did spritz myself down but it didn’t seem to repel those nasty black flies. They got both me and Jeff pretty badly. Did you know that people with O blood type get bitten by mosquitoes much more frequently than any other blood type? Isn’t that crazy?! This article is pretty interesting…https://time.com/3311624/why-mosquitoes-bite/. Have a fantastic day, my friend! I hope the bugs stay away!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • the real cie

    July 16, 2019 at 1:16 pm Reply

    This sounds like a wonderful time. I honestly enjoy doing things like this on my own. I’m not exactly a social butterfly, and with all my health problems I’m rather a pain in the rear as a travel companion. Best no-one should have to put up with me, I think!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:37 am Reply

      Oh my goodness, Cie, you crack me up! I hate bothering travel companions with my very frequent bathroom stops! When I travel alone, I just stop whenever I want and as frequently as I’d like with no pressure. It is quite relaxing! Thanks for reading, my friend. I hope you have a wonderful day!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Monica

    July 16, 2019 at 1:40 pm Reply

    Thank you so much for featuring me in this post! You are too sweet! How crazy is that, that she reads your blog. That just goes to show what a small world we live in haha. I used to go to festivals all the time, I recently saw that Warped Tour (ok, don’t judge, I used to go when it was real music, not this pop stuff from today’s time lol) had the best line up back in Jersey. I was so sad that I couldn’t go because some of my favorite bands were playing, because they were what Warped Tour used to be. I’m hoping they come to Florida eventually. Love this look, it’s the perfect festival look!
    Monica
    http://www.jerseygirltexanheart.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:35 am Reply

      Monica, thanks so much, my friend! You know I don’t judge anyone on anything! You like what you like and that’s cool. Maybe I will make my way to Florida one of these days and we can find a festival to go to! How much fun would we have?! I don’t know if they would be ready for Shelbee on the Edge and Jersey Girl, Texan Heart though! Haha.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

      • Monica

        July 17, 2019 at 12:59 pm Reply

        OMG, haha can you imagine?! You know you are always welcome. I’ve told you this a bunch of times, but I have two guest rooms from you to choose from when you stay 🙂 and you have your own bathroom and privacy since the guest rooms are on the completely opposite side of the house.

  • Patrick Weseman

    July 16, 2019 at 2:56 pm Reply

    So very cool. I loved Bluegrass music and festivals. You need to come out here to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival October 4-6, held in Golden Gate Park. It draws all the top names last year I saw Lindsey Buckingham, Mavis Staples and Alison Krauss among others and that was just on Friday. Ani Difranco, Del McCoury Band, Emmylou Harris, Graham Nash, Los Lobos, Patty Griffin and Tim O’Brien played during the weekend last year. The best part of it is the price, it is free.

    You are dressed perfect and you always need a blanket at one of these things.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:26 am Reply

      Patrick, thanks so much! Oh, I would love to make my way out there for any kind of festival! But that one sounds perfectly fitting for me right now. I don’t think it is in my budget this fall, but maybe next year! I definitely am trying to plan a trip to the west coast soon. I will certainly keep you posted! Have the most wonderful day, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Jill

    July 16, 2019 at 4:48 pm Reply

    What an amazing experience! You are so brave to go to the festival alone but you definitely seem like you make friends easily! And how fun that you got to meet one of your readers! Also loving your festival style!

    Jill – Doused in Pink

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:22 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Jill! It really was amazing! I have met so many really fascinating people by traveling alone. I think when we travel with other people, we isolate ourselves to our groups. So in an effort to branch out and broaden my connections, traveling alone is the way to go even if it is a bit intimidating. It was the coolest thing ever to meet Libby! What a high that gave me!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Laura

    July 16, 2019 at 6:37 pm Reply

    I’ve never gone to a music festival before. It looks like you had so much fun! I love that you were confident enough to go by yourself and had a great time!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:20 am Reply

      Laura, thanks for reading! Festivals are so much fun! I highly recommend that you attend one. Most of them are family and kid friendly, too, although I opt to go enjoy my time without the kids! But I think next summer I will start taking the kids to a few. They are just a great, fun, friendly, feel good experience.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Tianna

    July 17, 2019 at 3:42 am Reply

    this concert sounds like such a blast! I love how you described the community as being so welcoming 🙂 that sounds so great! Enjoy your summer!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:17 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Tianna! It was a blast, for sure! I love meeting new people and of course, hearing new music! I highly recommend that everyone attend at least one music festival this summer! Have a fabulous day, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Cheryl Shops

    July 17, 2019 at 4:23 am Reply

    Shelbee, you are so fearless, I am constantly amazed by you. I want to say that I could never go to a music festival alone, but then you make it seem so easy! People truly are kind. And speaking of which, thank you for featuring me—I’m so flattered!
    Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net

  • Suzy Turner

    July 17, 2019 at 8:52 am Reply

    Shelbee, when I first opened this post to read, I just had to sit and stare at your first photo. It is truly mesmerising – just like you, my friend.
    You continue to amaze me with your brave attitude to life. I just love that you drove two hours alone to go to the festival, even though the idea of returning in the dark frightened you a little. You are so brave and I must agree with your husband. You do make friends easier than anyone else I know too lol. I welled up reading about Libby – that must have been the most incredible moment of your blogging life so far! It’s just totally awesome how she found you!
    Huge hugs, my dear friend.
    Suzy xxxx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 10:13 am Reply

      Suzy, my friend, you just made me well up with this comment! Thank you so much. It’s funny how sometimes I feel so brave and other times I just feel like a big scaredy cat! But I do try to push through my fears as often as I can. I find myself standing face to face with so many fears lately that the only way really to get past them is straight through them, I suppose. But there are so many more that I need to conquer as well. I am a work in progress, that’s for sure. All I really want to do is live my very best life and inspire and empower others to do the same. I hope I am succeeding just a little bit. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for validating that for me! Love you much!

      And yes, that moment with Libby was truly amazing!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Jean | Delightful Repast

    July 17, 2019 at 12:51 pm Reply

    Shelbee, this post drew me right into your experience. I wasn’t reading about your fabulous day, I was *there*! What a marvelous example of how it pays to force ourselves out of our comfort zones once in a while. And I’m right there with you on “making pale skin the in thing” (would love to see those self-tanners just go away forever). Glad for the tip about Basic H as an insect repellent! Here to #SpreadTheKindness!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      July 17, 2019 at 1:33 pm Reply

      Jean, thank you so very much for this lovely comment! I do try to write in such a way that I can take you on the journey with me! Now if I only I could make a living with my words! Lol. I want to write more about more things and experiences and the people I meet along the way. It is all just so fascinating and fulfilling. I appreciate your support so much and I hope that I am inspiring others to venture out of their own comfort zones, too! Let me know if you need assistance in ordering any Shaklee products. I am happy to help!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Alicia OBrien

    July 23, 2019 at 12:50 am Reply

    Good on you for going on your own! Love music festivals like this, so many talented people in one place makes for a fabulous experience. Love that bluegrass sound x #openslather

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