Wow, this thread has really grown while I wasn't watching. Since parting ways with Mudlark, I played a little more in Santa Barbara and Casa Grande AZ. I went again to El Paso, where I learned that the busking spot I've become so fond of is front of the local whorehouse. Next day was San Antonio, where I got kicked out of the Riverwalk, did some good busking in front of the Alamo, and toured the Alamo.

This morning SRS kindly got up in the ungodly hours of the morning to pick me up at the station. Along with her kids we went beachcombing along the local creek, and on a driving tour of the area. Now dinner's in the oven...

Sorry about that, Bev, no offense intended, just teasing.

Deckman, it's sweet of you to suggest it, but I would have to say no, I'd prefer that nobody do that. I would find it uncomfortable being at a party where donations were solicited for me. (Not that I was embarassed when Amos' friend slipped $100 into my case... all things in perspective, eh?)   Anyway, it isn't really necessary. On the days that I'm on the road by myself, I work hard and make enough money to pay for my trip.

Also, don't underestimate the value (to me) of taking me in. By giving me a bed, or food, or a shower, or a place to do laundry, you're saving me money and improving the quality of my life. Your hospitality is a significant contribution to la causa.   And besides those practical helps, I love meeting Mudcatters for the things it brings me that I can't provide myself, or not easily. I can shelter, feed, and bathe myself; but I probably wouldn't get to go seal-watching, if it weren't for Mudlark. And I wouldn't have seen any pottery in process, or jammed with Florida fiddlers, if not for Bee-dubya-ell. And so on. Having people to visit gets me off the bus-station-to-downtown-streets-to-bus-station grid and into the small towns, countryside, and into people's lives and interests. So it's a deeper view of America than I would be able to find on my own.

Allan is right; it would be too complicated to research all the local busking laws, so I just ignore them and play where I want. I figure that as long as I look respectable, play nice, and am very considerate about where I set up, I'm not likely to run into any real trouble - and that's been true so far.

Love, Marion (Fort Worth, Texas)