&quoThe;day didn't start off auspiciously: a rainy night; a family bathroom traffic jam (2 baths, 4 people trying to get ready at once); and then once underway, an allergy attack so bad I had to pull over and get some tissues to wipe my eyes so I could see. But despite all that--and construction galore on the roads, I did manage to score a parking spot on the festival side of the road (albeit high up in the gravel). Had a few anxious moments setting up the CSC tent--same recalcitrant pole clutch as last year--but got it up in time to touch bases with Sam running sound and the writers I was emceeing on stage 2. The weather cleared up just in time too, and everything went smoothly from then on. I found out my recipe got into the WDCB Folk Cookbook (my mom's pineapple carrots!), and got to catch some great sets from Diane Ippel, Old Fezziwig's Band (backing up the English country dance), Anne Hills, CSC'ers Dean Milano & Donna Adler, the Folk Brothers, Deb Cowan (for whose voice I would not only kill but give up chocolate for all eternity), the Cajun Strangers (of Madison, WI--Festival Chairman Juel Ulven said they were from "Parish Ya Heyt;), and the utterly ageless Peggy Seeger. The open mic at the Little Owl didn't come off--not enough attendee interest and the artists wanted to go to the Festival after-party. Alas, I had a long drive back here to the North Side and some rehearsing and printing (FARM and CSC flyers) to print out. Gonna grab a shower while Bob is engrossed in his movie and off to lullaby-land till the morning---when I gulp down my coffee & vites, grab my dulcimers & a good guitar (I took the little Gretsch "Way Out West" today since I wasn't performing except to sit in on harmony) and psych up for two great sets--the CSC Writers' Round at 11 am on Stage 2 (with my new song) and the 3pm Teaching Stage (Pavilion) Dulcimer Shoot-Out with Dave Massengill and the Benkerts. Hope to run into some of you there!