The Odyssey -- At Last!

So long and so long and so long.  Now, The Odyssey is upon us.  Two more sleeps.  June 16, the big day. ( http://ottawastorytellers.ca ) The Odyssey preparations, inevitably, being the reason for the dearth of blog posts in the last while.

Sometimes the task is to DO.  There isn’t time or energy to be writing about it.  And I have to say, we have been DOING with all that is in us -- Jennifer and I and our trusty band of Ottawa storytellers.

Rehearsals have been on-going.  Together, we have traveled each part of the journey over and over, going ever deeper, seeking and finding means to make all that happens vibrantly alive.  Together, we have conjured the Cyclops and known him; we have felt the terrors of Scylla and Charybdis; we have gone on the dread voyage in to that world of shades and shadows – the Land of the Dead.

We have taken to ourselves Odysseus’ pain that he must come to his home disguised as a beggar.  We have lived his caution even as he sits beside his wife Penelope -- not revealing himself because the time for revelation is not yet.  We have stood in his strength in his great battle with the suitors.  We have known his tenderness as at last he takes his dear wife in his arms.

Ten long years and we have a span of twelve hours in which to capture it.  Eighteen tellers all intent on committing themselves to the full.  So often I’ve felt my heart leap.  Always and always I am touched by the power and mystery of Homer’s great work.

Of course, now, our wish is for a room jam-packed with listeners.  Please, please join us if you can.  Full day begins at 10 am, half-day at 4.30 pm; telling will be over at 10.30.  Tickets $60 full day; $40 half day.  Location: Fourth Stage National Arts Centre, Ottawa, Ontario. http://nac-cna.ca/en/community/event/2020

Why the pics?  Because it’s what readers seem to love about this blog – to see views of our lake.  And…because for Jennifer and me, the lake goes always with us – we can’t help but work out of its life.