substack.com/@lesleaseatea/note/c-197765368

substack.com/@planettash/note/c-185927059

I can’t believe it’s only a month until the Ohio Scottish Games, followed by Ohio Scottish Arts School.

When I first discovered OSAS, I sought something to keep my harpist engaged with her instrument of choice. She loves a challenge!

By chance, I found harpist Ashley Lake’s knowledgeable mother, Stephanie Taylor Lake, who let me in on Luneita Cotton’s tutelage. She’s just the right teacher for GiGi, no fooling around. And even with a sweet and smart kid like GiGi, it takes a village. Ms Cotton, OSAS’ amazing community of teachers and musicians, Courtney Raines, and Doug Elmore have put so much thought and attention into this kid harpist over the past year that she has just grown in her musicianship like a weed! Make that a thistle!

Of course, there was Esperance, an all-year project requiring tons of dedication from a 13-14 year old girl. (I certainly never felt that way about the piano. Maybe ballet.) She played for Bloomington’s Burns Dinner thanks to Albert Cross, and of course, received a scholarship and so much moral support from Clan Cunningham International. Oh, let’s not forget a scholarship courtesy Clan MacLeod, a pleasant surprise!

I have always been proud of my Cunningham heritage, but I hadn’t done much in that diaspora for so long. I sincerely was thinking only of GiGi and her harp when I chose to enroll her in OSAS. It was close (okay, 6 hours away, but that was closer than some harp programs), it was within our budget, and it fit our schedule. Hey, in this family, summer revolves around Camp Piomingo, and that’s that.

But now…I’ve gotten involved with Clan Cunningham International, I’m looking forward to the Games, I’m planning on attending other games, and I seriously considered hosting a tent at a Games this very morning. Me. The Introvert.

What. A. Difference. I had room for this in my life, but I didn’t realize it. I needed this in my life, but I had no clue. Through my daughter’s interests, I found my LITERAL Clan waiting for me. The people I have met through CCI and OSAS have been awesome. It’s just what my soul needed. As we look forward to our move to Bloomington, I know we will look forward to seeing our friends again, and at multiple venues. Honestly, I want to cry when I think about it. I’m just so very happy to be included and to belong. I didn’t know my emotions could still surprise me, but there they are. #aspergirls

So, will I see you in Cleveland? Bloomington? Indianapolis? Let me know. I’ll be one of the ladies in the gorgeous red, black, and white kilts.

PS I’m moving my email newsletter to Substack, if you prefer to follow me there.

Yes, I started my Podcast back up a few weeks ago. It’s such great lovely wonderful nice mental health practice. Come listen if you wanna, or watch:

The Leslea Show on YouTube:

If all of that is too much noise, you can read along (maybe, possibly), in a more intimate fashion than I have been sharing on PlanetTash.com. For right now, it’s got a personal blog post, but I’m also thinking about moving my email newsletter there and integrating them together. If you’re already on Substack, you know how cool it is. If not, maybe follow me for free and check it out: Leslea on Substack

And now I am told I must go help with the kitchen painting project. Lordt.