OLT is thrilled to have this wonderful event returning to the Everson Ranch.  To learn more about it contact Rustic Roots directly.

Rustic Roots campfire jamming camp announces its 8th year and 2nd year at Orient Land Trust in the San Luis Valley - August 6-12, 2018.  Join Teaching Artists and Camp Hosts Joy Adams & Andy Reiner (Half Pelican) as well as Hazel Ketchum & John Holenko (The Hungry Monks) and Jerry Bryant and others for a musical-foodie-outdoors retreat in the mountains. Music workshops, collaborative farm-to-table meals, campfire jamming, tent camping with bathhouse access (or bring your large camping vehicle), yoga, optional adventure excursions to hot springs, hiking, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and rock climbing. 

Musical Styles include: Campfire Songs, Old-Time Appalachian, Bluegrass, Celtic, Grateful Dead, Scandinavian, Sea Shanties, Gypsy Jazz, Free Improvisations and more!   Families and non-musicians welcome - come for the whole week or just a part!  All Ages (Under 18 w/parent or guardian). Sign up and more information at www.rusticroots.net

Last summer we went down to the ranch at the end of the week for the concert, which was very enjoyable.  

That evening just happened to be Neil's birthday.  

Everyone sang Happy Birthday to him - 

and he did seem to realize that it was for him.

I was too tired to even read last night - 

crawled into bed at 10:00 and simply turned out the light. 

I had been sorry to finish up So Much For That a few days ago.  I'm very glad Terry recommended it despite it's subject matter, about serious illness and end-of-life theme.  

Well-written, it's chock full of SO many passages I found myself wanting to read aloud and share with someone.   One reviewer described it as "entertaining, rousing, illuminating.  Shriver, the author of nine previous novels and the winner of Britain’s Orange Prize in 2005 for We Need to Talk About Kevin, tackles her multifaceted plot with energy and grit." 

I think it would make an excellent book club selection!  

Now I've started reading another one Terry has recommended, The Wonder.  

Lib Wright is an English nurse who has served in the Crimea under the redoubtable “Miss N”, and now takes on a well paid but perplexing commission in an Irish backwater: to watch for a fortnight over 11-year-old Anna O’Donnell, who apparently has not eaten for four months, and thus reveal whether she is a miracle or a fraud.

So far so good, though I haven't really gotten into it far enough to give any sort of cogent evaluation.