Howdy friends, fambly and fans- so this gal is ready for some Texas heat, boy howdy, let me tell you! Everyone keeps telling us this is the coldest May on record in over 80 years!! Not that I necessarily want to go back to the hottest summer on record we had this past summer, but still, a little balance, folks?!
Jorge’s been giving all sorts of guitar seminars and workshops in between sets every night. We look over and inevitably there’s a bevy of folks gathered around him while he goes on and on about the amp, the guitar, etc etc. It’s all good!
We had a sweet night off last night, and were well fed and entertained by Arne’s folks Wouter and Kris out at their little farm. What a meal, and what beers the boys imbibed, and what chocolate Kevin took down!! And ok, so we were the entertainment, but so was the puppy and the ponies, the geese, and to tell you the truth, Arne’s folks, after all! Such warm, nice people. And Arne held his own with the gents, jammin’ to some fun jumpin’ blues and honky tonk. It was a fun night, well deserved by all.
We played at 013 again tonight. We’d played there four years ago with the original band- and Liz, Lou and Pete- our photo is still up on the wall of shame downstairs by the kitchen, if you recall. The crowd was pumped, and our pals Dave, Miranda, Karin, and Simone all came out- and in fact, brought backups with them to help strengthen their (our) numbers! So nice. And oo, after a kickass show, which unfortunately we couldn’t hear from the stage, Dave started handing us gifts galore! Belgian whiskey, believe it or not, and some nice local wines, and of course Westmalle Dubbel. All I can say to each of you is this: just you WAIT til you come visit us in Texas- you’ll get yours!!! 
Well, we have an early day tomorrow- two shows- one in Belgium and one in Holland. Same for Sunday. Then we regroup, pick up the van, and head to Germany on Tuesday for 7 shows there. I’m looking forward to all that unknown coming down the pike! And hope we don;t run out of CD’s this tour like last year.
Until the next time, bring it on!! Ruby Dee
