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I am on the ground In Red River, New Mexico. This is my third trip to the Red River Songwriters Festival. There was heavy snow in the days preceding my arrival, and it snowed a bit yesterday upon my arrival. Then the weather cleared and now it is only clear and cold. Good winter weather for an old man who has never skied in his life and has no plans to start.
I made the trip, as I always do, in the company of friends. All my trips these days are like that. Left to my own devices, I’d probably find myself wasting away at home or pestering my kids.So, it’s nice to know people who give me a seat in the car and at the table and let me pal along and get me to do things I’d probably never do on my own, which is odd because I like to be on my own, and when I find myself arrived at a place like Red River, I almost always need to find some space to be by myself. Seems contrary to the spirit of the trip, but without my wife to act as my guide and buffer, group activities can be stressful.
Of course, one of the things I enjoy about this trip, in addition to the music, is seeing people I haven't seen in a while, even if they live in the same general vicinity where I live and I see them a lot back home. I guess, like the song says, it’s nice to be in a place where everyone knows your name. In a way, I guess I’m re-learning how to be by myself while still being part of the world, and I’m blessed to have friends who are willing to help and lend a hand as I try to get the job done.