Tuesday afternoon's seem to be the best time for me to update...so this may be a trend.

Ah...another Kerrville Folk Festival has come and gone. Of the 18 days, I was at 8. A poor showing from my 13 days last year. Many people who come to Kerrville for the first time don't really understand it - but everyone easily fits into 3 categories: First and Only, Tourist, Kerrvert.

The "First and Only" has shown up with a group, or read about the festival and is curious. After the first 30 minutes, they've decided they will never come back...but they will make the most of the time they have. They tend to spend a lot of time in the vendor areas - buying or making fun of interesting, vegan foods, woven hats and shoes and liberal bumper stickers. Many repeat the phrase "What's that smell?" with a laugh...easily confusing the scent of patchouli oil with (what they think) is pot.

"Tourists" have made a commitment to the Kerrville Folk Festival to return every year for the music. They are quite content to come out when the gates open to the theater at 6 p.m., bring in their chairs and return to the same spot, clap, cheer and dance a little (when the spirit moves them)...get up at the end of the show and drive back to their homes or hotel rooms. They've all heard how great the music is in the campgrounds, they've been told they are missing the "total Kerrville experience" - and they couldn't care less. For those 6 hours per night, for 18 days, they are exactly where they need to be.

A "Kerrvert" is someone who pulls up stakes somewhere in the world, on or about May 18th every year, and heads to the Quiet Valley Ranch to live...that's right LIVE on the ranch for the 18 days of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Now...many don't make it the entire 18 days. Most show up the first weekend (or the week before to claim and set up their camp during the traditional "land rush") and travel back and forth between Kerrville and their: job, family, air conditioning and a hot shower. Kerrvert's realize the Kerrville Folk Festival is and 18 day opportunity; that happens once a year, to experience unbelievable music, friendship and sanctuary.

I hate labels, but I'm a Kerrvert. I wasn't born one, I became one. I do have to leave the ranch for my job...and yes, I do sneak away to Bandera for the respite of AC, clean laundry and more sustenance than some veggie stir-fry. But I hate every one of those days away, because of the music...the friends (old and new)...and the sanctuary.

I hope everyone in their lives has a time or an activity that provides them the same experience...the same feeling. If not, I feel very sadly for them. If you don't...you need to look deep and find it - create it. It doesn't have to be camping out with hippies on a dusty ranch for 18 days, but it needs to be something meaningful...and find it fast.