Evart, MI, is the site of the world’s largest hammered dulcimer event. We arrived Tuesday. It’s now Friday. Folks have been coming in but we have a feeling this year gas prices may impact attendance.

Since our arrival, we’ve been enjoying the company of the Conklins and Jill and Bob Rowland. Last night Cindy Simmons and Paul Goelz came in as well as Nan and Chuck Boody.

Yesterday the canopy outside our door went up with the help of Charlie Johnson and others.

But in this pre-festival period the best part has been conversations. We’ve gotten to know these nice folks better than before. This melting pot brings folks together from across the country: the Rowlands are from California, the Boodys from Minnesota, the Johnsons are seasonally in either Florida or Ohio.

The music is a constant. Since officially the festival doesn’t start until the 17th but music was being made when we arrived and is a huge part of every day.

In this pre-festival party we’ve been fixing group meals. John’s making waffles for everyone in about 45 minutes. Following the meals we’ve all hung out at the table for lively discussions.

I’ll try to find time to add updates to this blog, but it does get hairy.

Oh, yes, and yesterday I received the paper work to start a lawsuit on my mother’s behalf for an incident at the assisted living/special-needs/alzheimers-unit where she has lived until recently. Actually the accident occurred on the facility’s bus and was the result of a violation of their own rules. (Mom was left in her wheelchair (against Florida law) and when the bus stopped suddenly, she was thrown out of the chair onto her face. She had about 25 stitches in her face and a broken nose. That fall has hastened her decline.) But the forms that I received have me concerned. In Michigan, contingency cases are cut and dried… 1/3 for the law firm, 2/3 for the victim. This law firm wants 40% and wants to be able to bill for all expenses additionally. If we lose the case, we could be responsible for the facility’s attorney fees. It sounds like, instead of helping my mother, I could lose her nest egg for her. I need legal advice before I sign any contract with this law firm but I can’t think about that now. When I get home, I’ll read everything in detail.