Hello everyone.  It's been way too long since I posted anything, and even though I've got a pretty good excuse I apologize.  I'm  baaaaaack!

Today finds me *dry* and well at a festival in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  We've been getting rainy weekends the entire month, and today is no exception.  I think back on the the times when I was first doing outdoor festivals and the weather used to traumatize me.  It takes a lot more than a little rain to do that now...

I have this really neat pastel green rain jacket that keeps me comfortable, and I'm counting my blessings that I rented my tent this weekend.  Packing wet tents at the close of a show is not pleasant.

I started cutting my new album in earnest last week.  I had a lot of pain and health issues to work through before I could do it, and I am definately on the "happy" side since the operation two weeks ago. 

I wish there had been someone to tell me that the procedure would be life-altering.  There are blogs out there, but nothing really "heartfelt".  There is a whole emotional component that is hard to quantify until you start communicate with other heart disease survivors.  I *only* had a pacemaker implant and a catheter ablation in an effort to stop my heart from further deterioration, so I didn't really feel like I was undergoing anything serious until I started talking with the Doctor right before the operation. (!)  Hmmmm.

Then there's the huge ???? of being able to go back to work.  I can say thankfully after my first week in the studio singing and one whole 14 hour day performing that I'm glad I fixed my heart.  Just the comfort knowing that I won't faint while so far away from home is worth it, as I've lived with that fear for too long.  I now have a perfect EKG.  I even come with a warranty.

What do I miss the most?  I miss introducing a new album, I miss travel, and I miss you!  I'm baaaaaaaack!