What a pleasure. What an inspiration. What wonderful singing. What wonderful people!

I hit the ground running when I got home to Portland and haven't stopped since, but I finally took the time to read all your comments, which not only sparked many vivid memories but made me realize how much I missed because I wasn't able to split myself in two--or three.

So many compelling songs. So many moving performances. The outstanding times for me were chatting with Sally Rogers about the history-music-teaching connections. Getting to know and listening to Mick and his heartfelt songs and stories. And spending time with Amos and experiencing his spontaneous (and infectious) bursting into song as well as his always-positive and thoughtful comments about the people around us and life in general.

And I gotta say that being compared to old singers in Ireland is the highest compliment. Thanks, Mick.

My attendees roster is filled with notes about songs people sang and other connections and memories of dozens of you--too many to list. But all of you helped make the weekend fantastic, legendary, thrilling. As Jerry said, it's just folk and music. Thank you all.

Now, [shameless plug for our singing weekend] you might be able to get a similar high if you come to our Singtime Frolics, March 25 - 27, 2011, just outside Portland, Oregon. Genie will be there and Blessings Barbara and possibly mg. And I'm hoping we can entice a number of you west-coasters to attend. Heck, we wouldn't turn you away even if you came from Idaho or Colorado, Michigan or Maine!

Cheers,

David