This passed April I rolled into Asheville on fumes.  My car sat in a lot most of the time while I walked about smiling and reuniting with many friends.  Somehow I ended up at The Deerfields a month before Smilefest and an opportunity to capture the final phases of the mainstage construction.  I took some video, and even hammered a fair number of nails into the structure.  The night before Smilefest 2005 arrived, I was on the roof of the structure with a couple buddies, tacking on the tar paper by starlight.  I couldn't help but feel blessed, having been able to participate as I had.  My soul feet were certainly freed up and ready for the joy that danced about all weekend long.  When Barefoot Manner was on, I suddenly found myself up front dancin about with the kind joy and freedom I hadn't experienced since my childhood.  Well, the dancing spirit just continued to move freely through me throughout the entire festival.  And, I haven't forgotten the sunny impetus provided by the Manner Family I've come to know.  Few names remain in my memory, but the spiritual exchanges we shared are unforgettable.   

     Dawn, the morning after Smilefest, I was one of a great few roaming around gathering my possessions and cleaning up some leftover debris, I made aquaintance with a couple of Mannerland folks who's names I have since forgotten.  This was a special moment we shared, standing in the same area we had been dancing while Barefoot Manner played their set.  And I am determined to reunite and to smile big with them once again. 

    Fortunately a special friend in Asheville handed me the Mannerland 5 information. 

See ya'll,

jason