My batteries are charged and I'm ready to face the rest of the year! At it's most basic that seems what the Getaway did to me. Dani and I were talking at one point and observed that all around us were people like us! People that go through life singing in the halls, in the bathrooms, and on the street. People that listen to "folk" shows and "all that old stuff" late on Sunday night. No One asked me to stop singing, playing, or to turn down the racket the WHOLE WEEKEND. It was great. I got to play my Gutbucket and people actually said they liked it. Bill thanks for Ain't Misbehavin'. My Brother Showed UP!!! (It truly was a surprise. If I had known he was coming I could have figured out a killer story, but as it was it was pretty ironic).

Highlights for me were first meeting all of the new people: Annie and Janie, David C, Jeff (Pene) MMario, Sinsul (Mary), Micca, Jed Marum (I met him once way back for introductions at the MiniFest but this was different), Carol C., Kendall (Can you give me some storytelling pointers some time), Rick Fielding, Joel, and so many others. Then, as I mentioned before, there were friends: Dani, Kathy (tinker), Alan C., Bert (Bert I wish you could have stayed longer), Barry, Mick, Max, Jeri, Bill D. Ferrara, Dottie (great banjo uke player), Fortunato, Suzette, Songster Bob, Knitpick, Special Ed. It gets bigger every year. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, but my minds on brain drain right now.

I could walk Uphill Everywhere Without Crutches.

Friday night's Jam in the Mess Hall. Jed, Chance, Rick, Suzzette, T.J, Bob Clayton...... Just listening was a treat.

Saturday's Jam in the Cabin.

Ghost Stories..

Hearing Jeri sing.

Hearing Dani sing.

Hearing Tinker (Kathy) sing.

Rick Fielding and the Beef Brothers.

Kendall and Max !

Hearing The Key of R three times, and the last time they even got all of the chords right!

Hearing Kendall's songs and stories.

Hearing Roger of Baltimore's food songs again.

Playing, 20's and 30's music in the Jug Band Workshop, the 1935 Workshop, and at odd moments with Chance, Susette, Special Ed, Joel, Dick and Lois Parks, T.J. and Julie, and especially Dottie Hurley. These are the lost songs of our past and just plain fun.

Looking at the Stars as the music played in the distance around me.

Getting to know everyone better!

Things that I regret are: Missing too many workshops and events because I was in another one. Not getting to know Vixen and Renard again this year. Leaving.

See you next year!

Can't wait for the pictures and if anyone got them tapes of the music!

JAB