Preparing for My Scotland Adventure

 Hello, all!

In less than two weeks, I will be completing a journey of a lifetime. Accompanied by my hubs David and kiddos Allie Rose, Anthony and his super fantastic wife (who's also the kind of daughter-in-law mothers dream about) will be heading to JFK airport to fly across the pond (I've always wanted to say that!). We will be spending eight days in Scotland, mostly Edinburgh, with a day jaunt to the Highlands.

I will be recapping our journey here as opposed to my more public website, www.janinagrey.com so that my friends, loved ones, and followers can experience my journey with me.

Many thanks to Allie Rose for making this happen, to David for being a part of the dream, and to Anthony and Jolene who wouldn't miss this for the world. 

Ever since I was a little girl (a wee lass, I guess I should say),  as crazy as this sounds, I thought I'd lived another life. I missed my long dresses, used English spellings of many words, wrote my first hex (I didn't know better) when I was eight years old.

At four years old, I would have nightmares and wake up screaming for my Dad, "My village is burning!" The nightmares continued throughout my life, almost completely ceasing 20 years ago when I embraced the title I'd feared most my life: Witch.

Going to Scotland feels like I'm going home. My ancestral lineage on my mom's side traces back to the UK, Ireland, Norway, so it's not just a witchy thing, but it's in my blood.

This adventure began a few months ago, when my friend Mary invited me to join a Facebook page called The Creative Coven. I joined thinking it would give tips on running a coven. What I found out was that I was among some very talented artists who would submit drawings and sketches of self portraits or just of faces in general representing the 600 + witches who were listed as Unknown in the historical archives recording the Burning Times that began in the 1500s.

I wrote a poem for the Unknown Witch and posted it as a thank you for all the great work being shared.

The Administrator of the page, Rowan, contacted me and asked if she could recite the poem at the event they were planning for June. I said of course.

When I told Allie, she insisted we go. From there it branched out to David, Ant and Jo.

I am now going to be reciting that poem and another called A Cup of Ash, with two other very esteemed poets. It is an honor that has left me humbled and elated.

I will post the poems soon.

In the meantime, Woohoooooo! We're going to Scotland!!

Love,

Janine