Art, please tell us you are talking about the Sunday night concert and not the pre-dinner "show" in Peace Lodge....and I am forever in your debt for showing me how to use the coffee press in my hour of need!


Seriously magical moments....Something like 4:00 am Sunday morning....Barry and Mick making great music in between insults....Keith wandering in a little after 5:00 am to share and join in with his music....LEJ singing Apolitical Blues....Genie's delightful music and spirit....beautifully written songs by Marion....she had most of us in tears in the regional industries workshop with a remarkable song she had written....Carl's amazing playing and singing and leadership - and his amazing reportoire of songs....Amos capturing all of us in the magic of a song he had written straight from his heart....A solitary walk through the woods behind the cabins with big downed trees sporting jewel-toned fungi and moss on logs so green it glowed....observing Bill and Rita's son and noting what a fine young man he is - how could he not be, coming from those two sets of genes, watching Elena and Holly enjoy themselves thoroughly, such beautiful girls, both inside and out.

The special warmth and loveliness of Rita and the pleasure of seeing she and Bill perform together at the concert - first time in their 30 year history at the Getaway!

Getting to spend a lot of time with Linda Goodman - an absolutely delightful soul if ever there was one - a wee little woman with such heart!

Tinker and Sins - I see you once a year, but that is all it takes with kindred spirits to know we are connected at our cores.

Falling in love with Joe's blue eyes, bright smile and lovely, sane spirit, like I do every year.

Dani, Elena, Holly and I walked over toward the end of the Utah Phillips Tribute and sat outside on the steps, waiting to say goodbye to so many in there that we love before hitting the road Sunday evening. The reprise of "Singing Through the Hard Times" drew us up the steps into the infirmary to stand outside the door and join our voices with the rest. To hear all these voices of all these different people raised together in a song such as this seemed the embodiment of the spirit of the Getaway.

I say this every year, and I mean it every year with the same fervor as the first time - it is a fine and rare thing that you FSGW folks have created out of your love of the music and your rich hearts and minds. I am so grateful to be invited to share in this one weekend that has become such a blessing and grace in my life.

Oh, I nearly forgot. Joe Offer and I both slept with Blake Madison.

Janie