Sometimes I wonder how FSGWers can stand hordes of invading strangers, and those now familiar, but still strange. Then I think about our session here, and how wonderful it is when new people show up because there are different songs, different tunes, different jokes and knowledge and opinions and personalities, and...stuff. So yeah, I can understand why they like us a little bit.

It was a risk to invite us the first time though. Who could have known what to expect? People don't seem to go out of their way to welcome those of us returning, but this is a good thing. It's like when old friends come to visit from out of town. You care about them, but you don't bother showing them where the forks are because they already know. I like that feeling. It's like I belong, even if I'm only there for a visit. Don't get me wrong, if you're just coming for the first time, folks'll let you know where the forks are, and they'll want to get to know you better.

One thing I noticed was that as the years go by, there's less and less of a distinction between how folks got there. Mudcat, FSGW, or a combination. The real evidence of this, for me, was the fact that I didn't sit with the same folks at meals. There's usually been a tableful of Mudcatters, and this year, everybody was all over. I have developed a shared history of sorts with Getawayers. Then again, there were several people there I've never met at the Getaway, but know from elsewhere, so maybe the label ought to be simply people who like folk music. Aw heck, I'm just rambling.

Thanks to Rita, Nancy, and Carly, and everybody who took a chance on us that first year and continue to let us come back. You are all a lot of fun to be around!