You're right Mick, I will always remember to give you family updates too.

Lily has responded very positively to full day kindergarten. She had half day at our last house, and this is a lot better for all of us. Penn State football players can, in fact, read. They show up in her class and read to them. How awesome is that?

Bodhi, I think, is glad Lily is in school all day too because now he's getting a lot more attention. Tough job for the little guy to compete with a 6 year old for attention. His vocabulary seems to double every day now. A very cool kid, happy, easily pleased and occupied, polite, and smart as a whip.

Alexis is in her 2nd semester of college, just an hour away in Altoona. She was shocked that you actually have to study in college, but she's happy and adjusting. She grew up to be a kind and thoughtful, beautiful woman. I couldn't be prouder.
Emily got a job at the university airport, so she's right back where she began too. She's gearing up to going back to school, and we just happen to know of a great one right here in town. She sees the beauty and kindness in this place, so that's about all I could have hoped for.

Merle, says my father, is a bad dog. He doesn't listen. He escapes whenever possible. He's not getting along with other dogs lately. He's clever and plays games with you at moments like when you think you don't need pants on to let him in. He'll eat your sandwhich if you take your eyes off it. You know.... a beagle. We're going to cut his balls off and get him a shock collar. I'll keep you updated.

Barry

I actually play music almost every tuesday night at a jam at a church just outside town. Great folks. It's a circle just like at the Getaway. I'm happy to report that not a day goes by that I don't touch a guitar or mandolin or banjo or ukelele or dobro.....

I will try to make the Getaway this year, yes.

WYSIWYG

I actually saw Simple Gifts on Monday. Linda and her husband Mel are wonderful people and I've had the pleasure of their company on a number of occasions.


Rabi-Sol

I sent Jim Colbert a message right after you mentioned him last time, and he introduced me around, which was great. I just hung out with him Saturday night. We both volunteered for an Acoustic Brew show. Art, he's quite a fan of yours you know. All anyone ever says about him is how good a guy he is, so I'm looking forward to spending more time with him.

Anyway, thanks for your kind words and cash around the move time, it helped more than you could know.