Hi gang, and thanks for your responses. Since I last wrote I've been making my way across western Canada, with stops in Vernon BC, Calgary AB, Saskatoon SK, and Kenora ON. In the Kenora area (northern Ontario) I saw three bald eagles sitting on branches of a single tree, as well as lakes that still had a thin ice cover. The bus stopped in Blind River, but I didn't see any blind drunks (unless they were being discreet about it). I've put the songwriting aside for a bit and am embroidering like mad to get a present done before my sister's wedding. Now I'm at my mother's place for a few days to reorganize, refuel, and refinance before heading to the Canadian Maritimes.

OK, I have a little speech to make at this time:

Thank you so much to all you wonderful American Mudcatters. The quality of your hospitality was exquisite and made such a difference to my travels. Now, of the Mudcatters I met along the way, there were a small handful who I had some prior connection with - either meeting at a jam in Toronto, or by dialoguing on the same threads. But most of the people I met were essentially strangers to me, as I was to them, but they took me in just because I was a Mudcatter and/or a wayfaring stranger. I believe this generosity is a reflection on the American spirit, not just the Mudcat spirit.   

And I can't tell you how much your hospitality improved my life while travelling. If it weren't for Mudcat, my trip would have been very different, and not for the better (if it happened at all - if it weren't for Mudcat I'd have never met Alanabit and been inspired by the concept of a busking tour.) Since I'm very focussed on songwriting these days (except for doing this frigging embroidery), it was very fun and useful to sit across from so many folk music lovers and hear your encouragement, feedback, and advice.   And being invited into the lives of such diverse people in such diverse places opened up many experiences for me I wouldn't have had otherwise: chances to perform publicly, going seal-watching while working on a song about sealing, going above the treeline in the Rockies, and plenty more. I also had a moonlit walk on the beach with one Mudcat lady and a naked song circle with another; there's many people who wish they could say the same. And of course, the spare beds and showers and lasagnas and other practical gifts didn't do me any harm either.

Needless to say, if you're ever in Toronto...


Love, Marion (Perth, Ontario)