Hello new friends that have shown their support for our friend, JU. There is a local, Orlando, FL, benefit being planned for JU on February 6th. I had received a message from a caring person todonate a silver bracelet for our benefit concert and fund-raiser. To the person that made this offer, please mail me at Upsala1@aol.com if you are still interested in this endeavor. I apologize for not responding when the offer was made.

Regarding JU's current status. It looks like they will be in Chicago through March. He is still standing strong and determined to make it. His biggest struggle currently is to not let radiation burns keep him from eating. If he can't eat. He will get a tube in his stomach to feed him. He doesn't want that. He told me tonight that he always knew he was stubborn for a reason. He goes back in to the hospital on Sunday for round three.

Upsala has our second performance without the Lee's this Saturday at the Yeehaw Junction bluegrass Festival/Friends of Florida Folk annual meeting. I would love to meet any Mudcatters that can make it out to Yeehaw Junction on Saturday. Another attraction is to see Paul G's band Ashley Gang perform, in addition to Mindy Simmons, and a bunch of other great Florida performers.

Thanks for all the emotional support. While there is no scientific proof that community support will help an ill person get well, the unconditional support has helped me tremoundously. Naysayers be damned, and ignored, when one is hurting, knowing that others care IS imprtant. Thank You, Kristi