October 13, 2005 at 7:07 AM

This weekend I'm going to a Getaway sponsored by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. We stay in a crummy but affordable camp and play and sing music all day and half the night. There are scheduled workshops and sing-arounds, but I really go for the jamming. That's so much fun. I've been going to Getaways for about 15 years, and they're like a big reunion every time. About two thirds of the people are local, and the others come from all over. We become good friends, even though many of us see each other only once a year. It's so exciting! I'm looking forward to it so much! We Washingtonians take care of the people who come from far away. We lend them sleeping bags and guitars and show them some hospitality. A couple from England came here today, and they're staying with me until Friday, when we'll go to the Getaway together. I've only met this man once, last year, and I hadn't met his wife until they arrived tonight. We're all comfortable together like old friends. Music does that to people. It transcends politics and things that keep people apart from one another. I don't have people over to my home very often, and having friends and music here make the home warmer.