Thanks for the pictures, Maggie! And give each of the tarantulas a hug and a kiss from me...

After leaving Bobert's I went to Champaign Illinois to see a college friend and her family. We went to Easter mass, went to a town called Arcola to stare at the Amish, and played with her two-year-old.

Next I came to Virginia to visit a couple who I knew when I lived in Egypt ten years ago, so we have been eating lovely Egyptian food and talking nostalgically.

Today I made a daytrip up to Maryland to see the enigmatic M.Ted, where I had lunch with him, met his kids, hid his dishes, and traded some songs. He let me in on the real secret to playing blues; I just wish I had visited him before Bobert.

I said in my last post: but I think that'll probably be it for Mudcat meetings on this trip. Falser words were never spoken. My Egyptian friends and I are planning to attend Jed Marum's concert at Fortunato's place on Friday. Also, Deckman has suggested I come to Seattle when a party is planned for Alaska Mike's visit... and it looks like I'll be able to make it to that as well.

Love, Marion (Sterling, Virginia)