Today's gig: Babysitting Ripley while cousin Sally, accompanied by her husband Judson, is off to Asheville for a medical appointment.

We are safe with our warming fire. And I am grateful for the utility workers and road crews who are working out in this cold to bring safety and warmth to WNC. I'm grateful for those who donate money and supplies and volunteer time to relief stations dotted across the region. I'm grateful for agencies -federal and private alike - who persevere in the face of misinformation, suspicion, and criticism to provide assistance to those struggling in the aftermath of Helene.

Things are getting better ... one day at a time.

Twenty days after Helene. Nature can bring devastation, but it more often give us beauty. And I am grateful.

The Snow Capped Black Mountains,

captured yesterday by photographer Thomas Mabry

Exciting News for FamJam!

I'm so excited! FamJam has been named one of the best folk music festivals in Florida!

This is a tribute to the hard-working Celtic Heritage team: Rob Adolph, Andrew Evans, Dawn Evans, Aubrey Gray, Rita Kochensparger, Matt Miller, Sarah Royce, Colin Shoemaker, Tam Smalling, Morgan Summers; the musicians, athletes, and re-enactors who've contributed their gifts over the years; the food and merch vendors; the Florida Sand Music Ranch; and the FamJam Family who've returned, year after year, infusing the festival with their collective loving spirit to give FamJam a special vibe that is unique in the festival world.

To read more about it, visit this link:

https://themusicallysound.com/the-best-8-folk-music-festivals-in-florida/?fbclid=IwAR3TRxbIXtHuC0IwhPe4Hn7X5iAcAaUh9vxaT4hpB7KtPpVvXm2AcDR0qvs

My Dream Super Bowl

Apologies to anyone who's still got a team in the NFL playoffs picture, but I'm rooting for a Packers v Chiefs Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is less about football than show, anyway, right? This one could be the funnest one yet!

These two accomplished, beautiful women have lots of fans, for sure, but their haters spend even more time criticizing than their fans spend praising. (It's like their fans have a life, or something.)

I can only imagine the massive sound of heads exploding all at once. Would be messy, but it'd be fun.

(Apologies also to Jonathan Owens and Travis Kelce and to their respective teams: If they do make it to the Super Bowl, they'll have earned it. And I sincerely hope that their accomplishments won't be overshadowed by the mere presence of their famous SOs. It's ... happened so many times before ... 😐 )

MLK