Hello gang. Lots to update since last time!

As Rex mentioned, we did some good touring, hiking, raven-watching, and dinosaur-hunting up in the hills, and he introduced me to some of his avocations like historical recreation, antique tools, and sabre play. The coffeehouse was an interesting experience. Playing a three hour gig, or quickly working up a three hour set with someone you just met may be old hat to Rex but it was new to me. Rex is indeed a national treasure; it's so handy to play with someone who can spontaneously provide accompaniment on a variety of instruments.

So I went to Texas for a few uneventful days. I enjoyed seeing the cotton fields and cacti, continuing my observations of the different landscapes across the country.

Then I came to La Veta, home of BlueJay, daughter Annie, and son-in-law David, and their kids, and here I spent my birthday and American Thanksgiving. BlueJay was quite correct in that a trip to La Veta was well worth it. And while lingering in the Pick Up the World world, I picked up the smallest Pick Up the World pickup in the world - they gave me the prototype for this new design for my fiddle. Also, under David's expert supervision I dissected my fiddle and worked over the finish with steel wool so now it looks much nicer, without that "Hello, I'm a brand new student fiddle!" look. Besides that, it was a very sweet time in the valley, cooking and eating and jamming with BlueJay's family and other friends.

Oh yes, one other interesting thing I wanted to mention about La Veta. I crossed paths with a guitar called "Big Mo", a very large old Kaye. Big Mo is travelling around the country visiting and being signed by the good folks at 13th Fret, which is a website for acoustic guitar lovers, not entirely unlike Mudcat I thought. They're passing this guitar from person to person within the network, and I thought it pretty cool that we were in La Veta at the same time.

So this afternoon I start meandering my way to LA to see an old roommate - then to San Francisco for a few days - then home for Christmas, I expect. I'm not expecting to see any more Mudcatters during this half of the trip, but you never know.

Love, Marion