Ahhhh..back home.. I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Memphis TN to join 2000 other musicians, music labels, festival booking agents, and anything else that could possibly have to do with the Folk industry. So, to say the least..i felt like a little pimple on the big butt of the world! How do you get yourself noticed? how do you maintain integrity and pride in what you do when there are a million others just like you out there. Well, let me tell, you...when you spend 4 days in a hotel with all of these people..your doubts run high and your encouragement runs low! Even the opening speaker Eliza Gylkinson - who I happend to be riding up in the elevator with says this conference can be depressing! and She has the utmost respect in the folk world! So..after that moment..i felt a little better. This journey I am on..nowhere was it written that it would be easy. Life just isnt easy. And the older i get, there's more proof in the pudding (what the hell does that mean anyway ha!). So I came home to my loving family..went thru all my contact information from the conference and realized I had gotten ALOT out of the conference. I took what was good for me, and left the rest in Memphis. I realized in my own little Jill Jack Camp that there were so many exciting opportunities, and avenues for me to go. I realized that God has a plan for JUST ME..and he has an individual plan for each and everyone of us. We can fight against the plan and make it really difficult for ourselves..or we can trudge along this sometimes really tough journey..grab those boot straps and move along on this dusty path - looking for signs - looking for direction, keeping our blinders on to not look back but just forward to the new experiences that await us and just embrace the fact that every experience is there for a reason. It doesnt always come wrapped in a pink bow or a green dollar bill, but it comes just the same. I am going to take the journey..walk with my head held high and just be so happy that God gave me a guitar, all 10 fingers to play with, a voice that withstands all the pollutants of this world, and a soul that is always thirsy and looking to be quenched.. Have a beautiful March everyone..spring is so close i can feel it... Much love