Hello, fellow grandpa:

Last night, my wife and I were booked for a "first Night" celebration in a city near where we live in rural peace. We had a fine audience of older people (who were forced to stand for the entire presentation due to a lack of seating -- an oversight of the local planning committee). It was bitter cold and windy, but folks came out anyway. When we invited them to join in on the choruses, they sang with enthusiasm -- songs they'd never heard before, usually, but with easily accessible choruses. We had a great time! Afterward, we were asked to sing at a local middle school and at a Rotary Club gathering. All this took place in a small city that does not have a folk club or coffeehouse of any kind.

I will be 70 next month, and my wife is just three years younger. We've been singing together for the 41 years of our marriage. We still love it, and thank our lucky stars that folk music is not a youth cult.