"Balderdash."

Well, two questions, one from Rick asked "what is balderdash?', which several people answered, not realizing it was a rhetorical question for the Muse. The second question was from Diana which I have paraphrased, "why do some families gather for reunions, while others do not?"

First of all I need to update you all on Odin, ruler of the Middle Kingdom, which is a member of the Gulf Terra family of kingdoms. Gulf Terra is currently loosely affiliated with the larger El Paso clan. At the beginning of the period named in memory of Julius Caesar, Odin had ruled for twenty-five years, but at the end of the period named after Augustus Caesar, his reign will most probably be ending, another victim of the Enterprise Clan. As to what new adventures await Odin, only time will tell. Meanwhile, he is largely wiling away the days in the castle tower, wrapping up unfinished business, and ensuring that the members of his royal court are assured positions of title in the courts of Enterprise.

Before the Norman conquest of the Isle of Britannia, and even earlier, before the Germanic conquests by in turn the Angles and the Saxons, the islands were inhabited by small tribes of ancient people, the Druids and the Celts. The people were proud, but warlike, and deeply spiritual. Like many ancient peoples, long, flowing hair was a symbol of strength, virility, and power. Since horses were not native to the islands and were introduced later in history, people had to walk or run long distances each day. Physical strength and endurance were not only admired, but necessary for survival. Each year at the time of the summer solstice, the various clans would travel to a common area for a period of celebration. The celebration included gorging on food and ale, and competing in many games. Each year, all adult male members would compete in oratory, and their fellow clansmen would decide who had spun the greatest yarn. The winner would be held in high esteem, and would be awarded with many gifts. The losers in the oral competition would then have to participate in a series of foot races. The losers in the foot races would be shorn of their long locks in disgrace. This annual event was called the bald or dash competition. The slower and weaker members of the various clans were obviously somewhat less enthusiastic about returning to the event the next year. This story hopefully answers the questions from both Rick and Diana

A Muse By King Odin The Great