Thanks to all of you who give such moving reviews- we ourselves were actually the guests- as all the food was "fixed" by you-all, and set out and clean-up done afterwards. Lucky for us- we were almost worn out by a 10-day succession of family events (George's family) in the Catskills, had got home just the evening before the picnic. You can imagine... we flew around as fast as 80+ folks CAN, but the house was a mess (some kind fellow described is as feeling "very lived-in,"), especially the front hall where the most available bathroom is located- with tools and ladder, and big hole in the ceiling where we have been fighting with a seige of resident raccoons! All had to be left that way for the insurance co's inspection, coming up.

But-as so many of you said- the friendship, the singing, the happy spirit that surrounded us all, made the day so very special- a peaceful, delightful reprieve from this world's troubles. And everyone enjoyed our jungle of a yard- sometimes frowned upon by one or two more pruned-back neighbors- in yesterday's heat it made a lovely cool bower. Heather did a fine job of gently directing the singing so no one got left out, and my one disappointment is that with such a large crowd there weren't enough "rounds-" but a few went around the corner of the house and jammed a bit, and some audience went and listened, and learned.

Someone mentioned the distances some folks had come- let me add on Philipa Robinson who lives in Ireland. Of course she's visiting her Dad in NY so had other reasons for coming; both of them came however and enjoyed the day. Several wrote to us and explained why they couldn't come (Karen Kobela for one, and we all missed Big Mick and other absentees. Forgive, Karen, if I haven't spelt your surname correctly).

Love and blessings to all of you. Y'all come back!   Jean & George