If Heather Wood wasn't the singer in question, the song most likely was hers. I can't imagine two people writing songs about a mouse-in-the-manger-at-Bethlehem. I had a wonderful chat with Heather when she described (but did not sing) this song & I made sure to steer Margaret Nelson her way, for the "Bittersweet Christmas Band" she's in seek out unusual Christmas/Solstice/Turning of the Year songs.

Biggest surprise for me were the Arrogant Worms, who I'd heard about for ages but never seen. I found them genuinely funny & wondered how much my Canadian friends would enjoy them.

A lovely set of surprises was how many folks from a decade ago still remembered me and were glad I made it back finally. Conversely, the well known who I didn't expect to see there, came in the form of a bandmate and her husband who were there to cheer on Carol's boy David, fiddler for the Freight Hoppers.

Serendipity surprise was Caroline Paton introducing me to Dillan Bustin. What a treat that was, not least of all, visual (middle aged eye candy, that man). Not a surprise, but a distinct delight to meet and hear Jez Lowe, after singing his songs learned off albums for well over a decade.

oh yeah, I was surprised to find how many folks don't care for rum balls. Abby, Margaret, Carolyn and Heather made up for them in their enthusiasm, though.

Joanne back in Cleveland