Please enjoy two tales of Shapenote Lacqueristas and their quests to match the 2025 The Sacred Harp
The color of the 2025 Sacred Harp was the last detail to be unveiled about our new book. This was obviously meant to torture people like me (June) who enjoy matching their nails to various objects: roses, rocks, the Chicago River etc. I arrived to the opening symposium optimistically armed with a variety of purple polishes, but alas we were handed gorgeous green books
As soon as the last notes of Lisbon rang out to conclude the rapturous opening session, I was off. I raced to the nearest CVS and after a tornadic search, I found the perfect bottle of New Book Green.
On the way back to the church venue, I sat down on a bench in front of a courthouse, gathered all my concentration and re-painted my nails.
I got to painting fellow singers’ nails the next day. I found fellow nail polish-enjoyer Cooper in the entryway.
I furiously painted three or four sets of hands during the first break on Saturday. Throughout the convention, I got to adorn about a dozen singers’ nails. It was a real honor.
Now, not all people are quite as prepared as June, arriving with an array of purple polish possibilities. I (Michaela, hi) decided to paint my two color bets on each ring finger nail – nice bright red or forest green. I would either win or lose this bet and the stakes were high:
Indeed, at the Friday symposium of the Revision singing in Atlanta, I did not have to [redacted]. I received my lovely 2025 and thought yippee! My green matches pretty darn well! Good enough!
I was flying high for a period of time, but ultimately was not satisfied. The green was close… close, but no cigar. I needed to have that cigar.
So, I went to a local nail salon at the start of the Saturday social, which was held in a large indoor/outdoor plaza. I enter with book in hand, slap it down on the table and meticulously choose the green and the gold. The nail tech did an excellent job – it lasted for 6 weeks!!
Thank you for reading! Please send June all shapenote nails and consider participating in the LaRue Allen Memorial Toenail Painting Contest (FaToeLa) at camp.
