My highlights (besides the already mentioned Carrying Nelson home):

John the Revelator in the Peace Cabin (led by Jim Loney from Meteora). I think it was during this song that David Sheim broke into what really sounded like electric harp. Someone (probably Gene) yelled (jokingly) "You can't *do* that!"

Everything Lucy Goldberg sang. Her voice is transportive. I'm so glad to know it exists.

Donna and Roger's blues workshop: I loved hearing everybody's blues voices!

All the workshops I went to were stellar: Severn and Jesse's Strangers in a Strange Land (hearing a woman named Heather tell a poignant story of leaving Scotland and then singing My bonnie lies over the ocean was just so deeply moving);

Phil and Severn's songs of the 50s and 60s (what a great way to break through the barrier for shy singers!);

Roger and Phil's Roadhouse songs;

Jusy Cook's supernatural songs (Peter Cook's the Griesly bride still gives me shivers);

the Slow Jam led by Jim Bunch, Amy Davis, and Jon Newlin, where I learned it's *fun* to try to keep up with bluegrass songs (especially when, and maybe this is most of the time? they're two chords, D and G);

and of course all the wonderful ballads. As well as all the workshops I heard just pieces of; the maritime one comes to mind; I got to sing along with some of those songs while I was hovering over the auction items.

Bidding war with Max over the eight old songbooks, including songs of the Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary Club.

Being brave enough (after a few hours) to sing a song I'd made up at the campfire (thanks to Meteora and David Ingerson for encouraging me).

Hearing Janet Stollnitz's lovely granddaughter sing a song with a lovely eerie melody she made up to words from the Hunger Game.

Making new friends!

Waking up to Wade in the water.

Hearing Gene admonishing someone "You can't go to bed! The sun hasn't risen yet!"

Donna backing me up in beautiful harmony so I could be brave and sing at the open mike.

Everybody's, especially Sandrolin's, Charlie's, and Lisa's amazing welcomeness and inclusiveness. I ended up feeling like I'd been coming for years, even though this was my first one! I can't wait till next year.

If I'm repeating myself, just chalk it up to giddiness. Wish I could sing and listen to singers for a living.