Hey, Maggie, thanks for refreshing this. I could use a housewarming party right now...it's almost getting cold enough at night that I have to close the windows! Heavens to Murgatroyd, I might just have to start wearing long-sleeved shirts one of these days.

The West Coast 'Catters were out in full force yesterday at the San Francisco maritime music festival that was well and ably organized by our own Chanteyranger. Mudcat performers included Chanteyranger, RiGGy, radriano, Dave Swan, P.J; among the volunteers were Bev and Jerry, Open Mike, and moi. Sorry if I missed anyone. Danny and Joyce Mcleod were as good as everyone has said they would be. Andy M. Stewart was unable to attend, but Gerry O'Beirne was there, and he played some amazing ukulele solos, so I felt right at home!

As far as participatory music, there's been plenty of that, too. I spent a fine evening in Davis with Ray Frank (DADGBE) and the other two members of the new trio Mudlark--watch for them! I've been doing lots of Sacred Harp singing and contradancing, and tonight I'm off to Shay Black's Irish session at the Starry Plough in Berkeley, where I'll be sitting in the corner trying to play along with the slower tunes on my new mandolin, and waiting for the singing breaks. (There should be rather more singing tonight, as it's been billed as a post-Festival of the Sea party.) Most of the music is in the San Francisco and Berkeley areas, about 50-60 miles away from Santa Clara in the South Bay, so I've been putting a fair amount of mileage on my little CR-V, but it hasn't been complaining at all.

Most important, I've already been to see my daughter twice since the move...which was the main reason for the move. I'm hoping she'll be able to come up here soon for a visit as well.

All in all, the right move at the right time. And I have a spare bedroom if anybody's out this way.

Aloha,
Mark