Last week, Artfest was happening. I thought about it alot--wished for the thousandth time that I could be there--thought of all the people I wouldn't be seeing and all the amazing classes that someone else was enjoying--and it made me kind of, not sad, but just regretful-- the way right now I wish I were in the south of France for two months-- I know SOMEONE is, la vache!

But oddly, last week was packed with the details of this new life: driving around the state of NH to schools so that I can deliver the most wonderful creative learning kits we'd put together for the artist-in-residency we have set up. For instance, this next artist coming is a storyteller and musician from Australia so the packs contained, maps and books upon books about Australia, Aboriginal art, vegemite and golden syrup with little toast crackers for the kids to try it (can't you hear them all screaming "YUCK!!"? at the taste of vegemite?) plus other stuff (journals, cds . . ) all wrapped up in a square of cloth that was tied to a stick to look like something you would take on walkabout.

And as I traveled-- I would stop at antique shops and second hand stores-- hey, if I'm gonna be in the north country, I gotta take advantage of it, non?

And that was Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday we had a bus-in performance with 600 kids to the university for an amazing a cappella group. As I sat in the audience Thursday morning and watched the kids completely engaged and laughing with this group who was SO good-- I was struck by how THIS, this is the creative living I was seeking-- and later that day the goup gave a master class over at one of the high schools that was wonderful and I just was so thrilled at what these kids were experiencing that they wouldn't otherwise have as part of their regular school day. Hell, for those kids inthe morning performance, most of them would never get down to a city to see anything like this--- I'm not expressing this well because I am in Tara's kitchen typing on her computer as she gets ready for work and constantly distracted. So-- anyway. I had to miss Artfest because of the scheduling of this a cappella group-- but it turns out I gained something totally else in its place. Wish I'd been at Artfest and next year I will-- but loving the life that came out of my going to Artfest last year. Bleah-- can't write. Giving up.

But, if you want to know how it can affect you, read Misty's account here as she conveys all the emotion it stirs up.

And, visit Judy Wise here as she shares so much of the beauty and magic with her words and photos-- check it out.

And then-- visit Nina Bagley and Kelly Rae Roberts as they capture still MORE of the magic in their posts and will link you to all kinds of wonderful people.

It's sunny and blue skies here in Boston-- HOO-YAH as at my house over 16 inches of snow fell yesterday-- how sad am I that I missed that?

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