Looking pretty at the Folk Studies department Christmas party, 2004.

A new semester underway, and I'm happy to report all's going quite well. At this very moment I'm sitting in the living on our brand new used couch (formerly owned by a folklorist who currently works for the state of Kentucky). Butch is entertaining our two guests with his splendid tales of mystery and magic from South Street, Philadelphia. Here we have Stuart-- he's a recent grad of our folklore program-- and a new friend named Amanda who's really a kickass bass player but is currently playing the student game at WKU. Coincidentally, Amanda's a friend of the Olwell family, the family of the flutemaker who is really to blame for introducing me to the dulcimer in the first place. Not to mention another wild full-circle story... I live for those.

Taco Bell, Dan in a tree, and me at the edge

Phillip, Angie, Dan, Hershey, Christie, and Butch at Fallingwater Creek

Signal Mountain, overlooking the Tennessee River

Performing with Dan Landrum at Rock City

Happy New Year!!
And greetings from Signal Mountain, TN. I'm posting from the home of Dan and Angie Landrum, hosts of one of the best vacations Butch and I have ever had. We're overlooking the city of Chattanooga, seeing it from all kinds of angles-- from a 7-mile hike we took a few days ago, a walk up to a waterfall yesterday, playing music at Rock City every night... What a beautiful and peaceful place this is! Dulcimer festival plans are afoot, and all kinds of ideas are being exchanged. Looking forward to coming back here!!!