This is the first time I've had a chance to write since returning from Evart. Not only was it the end of my week experience there, it was the end of my 2 week vacation. Monday morning I returned not only to the reality that I am a Wife and a Mother, a Boss but also an employee and I had to shake the cob webs out of my head, get music off my brain and try to wipe the broad grin off my face and try to focus on work.

The grin is from all the fun I had there. I've been going to Evart since 1983 when I went to my husband's the family cottage (5 miles south of Evart) for the 1st time. One of our first weekends up there was the FunFest and we wandered over to it and I was hooked at first site. However, we were young and poor and I kept saying, "Some day I'm going to get a Hammer Dulcimer". Well it wasn't until 17 years later in 2000 that I finally bought one. And that was when I had been widowed for 4 years and finally got the courage to use $1,000.00 of his insurance money to buy something for me. I had gotten each of the children a "special" thing from their Dad and I finally bought the HD for me. But then it sat and collected dust until January of 2004 (it was a great conversation peice in my living room). Last year when I attended Evart and I saw everyone with the "name button" I learned about the e-mail distribution list. Then when I met Sunny, she encouraged me to join the list and the rest is history.

Thus, my grin, I've met so many wonderful people on this list. Some people I met at the Fall ODPC meeting last September, some at Fernwood last September, some at un-Fest last month which gave me a few more friendly faces before I headed to Evart. Some people, I just met at the festival, such as Linda Conklin who bent over backwards to get me copies of music that I really wanted. Thank you. But in addition to all that Evart offered, I was able to feel young again. I really wanted my familty to go with me, but then I accepted that I had to go by myself and that's not so bad after all. It was like being a teenager at camp. I got to be me for 7 days, I could practice went I wanted, sleep when I wanted, eat when I wanted and PLAY whenever I wanted and that was the best of all. I didn't have to cook or clean or consider anyone elses agenda. There were times when I was so hot and tired that I was slap happy and laughed until I cried and my sides hurt so bad I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I didn't have to worry about all the politicially correct behavior that I have to consider at work or at the non-profits that I am involved with. I just got to be me and I love that freedom. No one called me Mom, or asked me to do anything or asked me what they needed to do, I didn't have to make any decisions other than what I wanted to eat, wear or play. Wow, I loved it. I'm sure a lot of you understand that freedom. Thank you to everyone impacted my life by inviting me to cool my feet in the little pool, invited me to a jam, asked me a question about my other family, my other life (other than my music family and music life)or just plain smiled when they made eye contact with me. I appreciate it all.

Also, to update you on the exchange student. When I got into e-mail Monday I did volunteer to host the exchange student. The note regarding the girl from Thailand was sent to our group list. One person from our list, Kaycee was the begining of their e-mail address, had offered, but they lived in a different state and couldn't get her I think because they didn't live in Michigan. So we'll see. Her first name is Chuthaporn, she's 15 and she is from Thailand and coming here on August 23rd. We've applied for her and I've spoken to 2 different people from "Youth for Understanding" and they will be contacting me next week to do a "home study" to make sure that we have a place for her to stay, etc. She plays the piano and the dulcimer. So I'm assuming it's the HD, but we'll see. If we do get her and everything works out that I can come to Midland, I will be bringing her with me. At this point, I'm planning on being there with my "new-to-me" camper which we are picking up tomorrow. I'm so excited. And I remember when I thought the HD was so expensive and I couldn't afford one and then someone telling me it would be the cheapest part of the investment? Did you guys see Sandy Holder's t-shirt, totalling up the expenses? That was cute.

To all of you who were just plain nice and friendly, like we were all raised to be: Thank You. And a special thanks to those of you who went out of your way to be warm and friendly; John & Sharon Skaryd, Linda Conklin (I never got to meet Wayne), Peg Earl, Cindy Baker, Nan Boody, Jim Rathbun, Jeff & Gloria Allen, Carol Kimball, Cindy & Paul, Judy DeGroate, Edna, Judy's Uncle Merle & Aunt Alice, Chuck & Carol Underwood, Chuck's Aunt Julia, Bruce & Karol Evans, my "Dulcimer" parents that adopted me in 2004, Dennis & Dot Jackson. And to those of you that I admire from a distance, but just haven't had a chance to sit down and get to know you better Gail Schwandt, MaryLou Battley, Chuck Boody, Linda Foley, Judi Morningstar I look forward to that opportunity.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.