10 AM, Hampton Inn, Jacksonville, FL
May 1, 2004

 

back in Florida

Happy May Day, and happy spring to you. It seems like this winter lasted a very long time, somehow, even with a month of summer in New Zealand stuck in the middle. It's over now, though, and I'm lovin' it. Deanna and I have been working in the yard between frantic bouts of addressing wedding invitations. These days we'll take any excuse to be outside. I met an enthusastic employee at Office Depot yesterday and out of the blue he said "You know what? I can tell just by looking at you that you love the great outdoors!" I know I don't have a tan, but he was right. Jen's been slammed busy in the office, but at least leaving the doors open. When I bought the little building to be our office, the first thing I did was get my friend Cecil to build a deck on the back of it. This is why wireless telephones are essential. Now I guess I need to get Jen a laptop.

a recent camping trip with Deanna in the Smokies

I'm in Jacksonville, Florida this morning, waking up in a hotel after a great outdoor house concert last night. Thuderstorms rolled through in the afternoon, but cleared off again and I played on a brick patio right beside the water. Good livin'. Tonight I'm headed down to St. Augustine, then back home for a few days before heading to Texas for a couple of weeks of shows.

When I get home, I'll have one more important show before taking a little time off. The North Carolina Special Olympics 2004 Summer Games has asked me to be the entertainment for the opening ceremony. This is about the only show I would even consider doing on the day before I get married, but I'm doing it. Naturally, Deanna and I made that decision together, but this one felt important. In fact, I've been sitting in this hotel room this morning working on a song just for the occasion.

Thanks for checking in here. I'll look forward to the next time our paths cross.

David