Thanks again, especially to Nicki Sucec and Powerama (aka Melissa Smedley) for their most excellent co-hosting!

Weekend Wonderful -  (getting out of Dodge) allowed us to connect, create, cuddle, care and converse.  Robin and Gerda saw, literally, a “Rooster crossing the Road,” and about another 8-10 roosters taking their early morning walk-- the official town mascot? Melissa  lit us up with her electrifying performance skit and full blown wild and funny wit. Nicky, gracious host and sharing her amazing work, breezy winery, “cool” studio, her sweet dog and comfortable, endearing and “perfect” home; Doris and Gerda now know for sure that we have the same mother and all stories made the time fly as we cruised to Arroyo Grande.  Our time together helped us to solidify the process and, hopefully, there will be other opportunities to “get out of Dodge,” on our Escondido journey—the journey is just as important as the destination. Luis was the “life of the party ” as always and helped to ground us when necessary.  He was sworn to secrecy as the only man in the group.  It reminded him of being a kid and allowed to be in the kitchen with all of the women because he was quiet and helped with the cooking.  

We all ate a lot—food and sweets everywhere.  Melissa started us out with her homemade delicious pizza.  It was a serious feed fest and sure that we were indeed heavier leaving than arriving.  Some of us squeezed in short naps and it is a wonder our voices are not hoarse.  We all talked a lot often and at the same time.

Attendees: Nicki, Melissa, Gerda, Robin, Doris, Luis

Thank you Melissa and Nicki for a seamless, fun, productive, convivial, crucial, brilliant Public Address weekend in the gorgeous home, studio (also known as Carriage House Studios), winery and beach of Nicki in the gorgeous undiscovered gem of roostery Arroyo Grande.  Those of you who were not there, you truly missed out - those of you who partook - will long remember the hospitality, beauty, comforts, views, excellence of presentation, tastes, flowers, drive, Genius - (Mel's performance) and hilarity that ensued - bonding us all and reasserting the intensely high caliber of artists in Public Address - who will and are bound and determined to make the CCCAEM show a real blockbuster.

It is a  l o n g drive up there, but carpooling extended the bonding into that of three or four roadtrips.  The drive is a beauty, a wonderful part of the experience.