February 2014 - Anne Feeney's Fellow Travelers' Advisory - Volume 9, Number 4

Keep my beloved friends Karen Brandow and Charlie King in your hearts, thoughts and prayers,
Read Karen's tremendously insightful and profound reflections of life, death and dying in her journal at http://caringbridge,.org/karenbrandow

And our good friend Lee Graham of Oklahoma City, retired UFCW, is in the hospital.  As soon as I get his address I'll post it here and I know he would appreciate a card.





Lee Graham
Mercy Hospital4300 W Memorial Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73120

If you would like to see this month's Fellow Travelers' Advisory - information about my labor history tour of Ireland this summer, and all the great photos, please go to http://annefeeney.com/newsletter.html and subscribe.  Meanwhile, here's the tour schedule.  Hope to see you:

annefeeney.com Concert Calendar

Anne Feeney Friday, January 31st, 2014 7:30 PM A Concert to Fund NC NAACP Moral Monday/Forward Together Movement Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 4907 Garrett Road Durham, NC 585-314-1413 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Mondays Price: Suggested $20Or email Vicki Ryder at vickiryder@yahoo.com for more information As always, no one is turned away for lack of funds. Wednesday, February 5th, 2014 2:00 PM Brother Stan The Union Man hosts Anne Feeney on North FL Progressive Radio Live on the Air with Brother Stan 105.3FM or streaming live at http://www.radiofreejax.com 904-425-3534 http://www.radiofreejax.com9090 Hogan Rd It's been too long since I've seen my JAX friends. Hope to see lots of you at the Mudville Music Room on the 6th!! Thursday, February 6th, 2014 6:30 PM Ray Lewis presents Anne Feeney opening for Tim Grimm Mudville Music Room 3104 Atlantic Blvd Jacksonville, FL 32207 904:352-7008 http://timgrimm.comShowtime is 7PM - cine early to get a good seat. http://raylewis.com Saturday, February 8th, 2014 2:00 PM Tribute to Pete Seeger: A History of the Labor Movement Through Song Lake Worth Playhouse 713 Lake Ave Lake Worth, FL 33460 http://bmnllc.wix.com Saturday, February 8th, 2014 4:00 PM Reception with Performers Clay, Glass, Metal, Stone Gallery 15 S Jay Street Lake Worth, FLCome hang out in between shows with me, Cerina Anderson, Grant Livingston, Kat Mahoney, Marie Nofsinger, Mel and VInnie, Tracy Sands ... it'll be fun! Saturday, February 8th, 2014 7:00 PM A Tribute to Pete Seeger: A History of the Labor Movement Through Song Lake Worth Playhouse 713 Lake Ave Lake Worth, FL 33460 http://bmnllc.wix.com Saturday, February 15th, 2014 7:00 PM Anne Feeney in Concert for the Peace Action Education Fund Unitarian Universalist Church of Boca Raton 2601 St Andrews Boca Raton, FL 33434 954-942-0394 http://franknnick@gmail.com Price: $15-25with special guest including Pink Slip. Sunday, February 16th, 2014 2:00 PM Michael Stock's Folk and Acoustic Show WLRN, 91.3 Miami Miami, FL http://player.wlrn.org/Michael's wonderful show airs weekly on Sundays from 2-5 and streams live at http://player.wlrn.org/ Here's a link to the video from my last appearance on Michael's show - Gosh, I didn't realize it's been 3 years since I toured Florida! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfzAdBhObk No wonder I miss y'all so much... Please come to one of my Florida shows! Sunday, February 16th, 2014 8:00 PM Luna Star Cafe presents Anne Feeney in Concert Luna Star Cafe 775 NE 125th St North Miami, FL 33161 (305) 799-7123 http://www.lunastarcafe.com Price: $10-20 suggestedAs always, be sure to check with the club to make sure that the gig is "on" - So looking forward to my return to this landmark club AND BE SURE TO LISTEN TO MICHAEL STOCK'S FOLK AND ACOUSTIC SHOW ON 91.3FM this and every Sunday from 2PM-5PM Saturday, February 22nd, 2014 4:00 PM SWFL AFL-CIO welcomes Anne Feeney TJ Hoolihan's 3448 Marina Town Ln North Fort Myers, FL 239-823-4743Laura Griffin is the contact, As soon as a venue is confirmed I'll update this page. Sunday, February 23rd, 2014 4:00 PM House Concert at Ward and Rebecca's Imaginary Fool's Juggling and Singin Club Tallahassee, FL 850-878-4149 http://annefeeney.com Price: your generous donationWe'll adjourn from the show to the potluck.... yay! Saturday, April 12th, 2014 6:00 PM IBEW LU58 100th Anniversary! COBO Center Detroit, MI http://www.ibewlocal58.org/Susan McCormick is the contact. Saturday, June 14th, 2014 7:00 PM Heartland Labor Forum's 25th Anniversary Celebration with Jim Hightower and Anne Feeney probably IBEW Local 124 301 W 103rd Terr Kansas City, MO 816-517-4083 http://cas.umkc.edu/labor-ed/radio.htm Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 Come to Ireland with me for a Labor History Tour!! Innishfree Tours http://johnsmithmusic.com/tour-irelandIt's all confirmed - all we need is you!! I've got a labor history tour of Ireland that will knock your socks off! Ireland's history is as interesting as its countryside if gorgeous. Please join me for ten days you'll never forget in the "Isle of Saints and Scholars." Email anne@annefeeney.com for more info.

January 2014 - Anne Feeney's Fellow Travelers' Advisory - Volume 9, Number 3

Thanks so much for being part of my network of family, friends, fans and fellow travelers.  Our connection means so much more than I can ever express.
Please forward this to any friends you have where I am playing.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year to all of you reading this.

I hope you'll stop by http://cdbaby.com/all/unionmaid to buy my CDs or download single songs or full-length recordings.

IN THIS ISSUE
Pics from Christmas in Zimbabwe
West Coast Tour Jan 10-20
NYC-FL Tour  Jan 24-Feb ??
Ireland Tour Dates Set!!  Reserve Now!

Hi there!

I hope you got through the holidays with lot of happy memories.  My son Dan and his fabulous family sent me a ticket to spend Christmas with them in Harare, Zimbabwe. I had a glorious visit with Dan and his wonderful wife Monique.  And I am very gratified to report that my two grandsons, Sebastian (3) and Nicholas (6 mos) are still cute... perhaps even cuter.

Cheers and Happy New Year from Zimbabwe!

Mama Monique with baby Nicholas - perhaps the most mellow baby ever!

Sebastian - not mellow yet!

GoGo loves Sebastian (check out warthog in background) ... taken in Matopo

 Sorry to be out of touch for so long.  I've been crazy busy, but thinking of you and how much I care about all my friends and family, how much I enjoy hearing from you and being with you.  I'll be a more faithful correspondent, I promise -- it's my New Year's Resolution!  and I'm going to be out on the road visiting lots of you, and I'm so looking forward to it.

annefeeney.com Concert Calendar

Friday, January 10th, 2014 7:30 PM Bev Grant and Anne Feeney "We Were There and Now We're Here" Tour Steynberg Gallery, Tea and Coffee House 1531 Monterey St San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-547-0278 http://annefeeney.com, http://bevgrant.coma multi media show about women in labor history followed by a concert with Bev Grant and Anne Feeney Sunday, January 12th, 2014 10:00 AM LIVE ON KPIG - Please Stand By http://kpig.orgI'll be on the air briefly with the legendary Sleepy John - fresh from his 40 day RV road odyssey! Sunday, January 12th, 2014 1:30 PM Bev Grant and Anne Feeney "We Were There and Now We're Here Tour" Live Oak Grange Hall 1900 17th Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 831-840-0852 http://annefeeney.com Friday, January 17th, 2014 6:00 PM Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival Machinists Hall 1511 Rollins Road Burlingame, CA http:/http://www.westernworkersfestival.org/2014-festival.html Saturday, January 18th, 2014 1:15 PM We Were There - featuring Bev Grant and Anne Feeney Machinists Hall 1511 Rollins Road Burlingame, CA http:/http://www.westernworkersfestival.org/2014-festival.htmlAlong with festival participants, Bev Grant and Anne Feeney are proud to present Bev's moving production of "We Were There" as part of the "We Were There .... and Now We're Here" at this year's Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival. http://bevgrant.com Saturday, January 18th, 2014 9:00 PM Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival Machinists Hall 1511 Rollins Road Burlingame, CA http:/http://www.westernworkersfestival.org/2014-festival.htmlJoin us for breakfast at nine, followed by an action packed day of music, workshops, film, poetry and more, culminating with a three hour song/story/poetry exchange from 7-10PM Sunday, January 19th, 2014 9:00 AM Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival Machinists Hall 1511 Rollins Road Burlingame, CA http:/http://www.westernworkersfestival.org/2014-festival.htmlJoin us for an action-packed day of inspiration, starting with a breakfast, followed by workshops, films, songs, workshops, dinner and a 7PM concert featuring Elise Bryant, the James Connelly Singers, Francisco Herrera, Eliot Kenin and Anne Feeney + more!!! Friday, January 24th, 2014 8:00 PM People's Music Network Winter Gathering Jam St John's Lutheran Church 83 Christopher St Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY 413-548-9394 http://peoplesmusic.org Saturday, January 25th, 2014 8:00 AM People's Music Network Winter Gathering Renaissance Charter School 35-59 81st St Jackson Heights, Queens, NY http://peoplesmusic.orgThis is a two-day, all-day and evening conference featuring songs of Freedom and struggle. Its members are amateur and professional musicians who meet to share songs old and new. There are lots of participatory workshops. Come for one day or all 3. Check the wegbsite for registration information and advance discounts. Sunday, January 26th, 2014 8:30 AM People's Music Network Winter Gathering Renaissance Charter School 35-59 81st St Jackson Heights, Queens, NY http://peoplesmusic.orgThis conference includes meals, so advance registration is highly recommended. The Saturday night Round Robin will end at 11:30 PM. The Sunday session ends at 2PM. Friday, January 31st, 2014 7:30 PM A Concert to Fund NC NAACP Moral Monday/Forward Together Movement Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 4907 Garrett Road Durham, NC 585-314-1413 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Mondays Price: Suggested $20Or email Vicki Ryder at vickiryder@yahoo.com for more information As always, no one is turned away for lack of funds. Saturday, February 8th, 2014 2:00 PM Tribute to Pete Seeger: A History of the Labor Movement Through Song Lake Worth Playhouse 713 Lake Ave Lake Worth, FL 33460 http://bmnllc.wix.com, http://lakeworth-playhouse.ticketleap.com/a-tribute-to-pete-seeger/ Saturday, February 8th, 2014 4:00 PM Reception with Performers Clay, Glass, Metal, Stone Gallery 15 S Jay Street Lake Worth, FLCome hang out in between shows with me, Cerina Anderson, Grant Livingston, Kat Mahoney, Marie Nofsinger, Mel and VInnie, Tracy Sands ... it'll be fun! Saturday, February 8th, 2014 7:00 PM A Tribute to Pete Seeger: A History of the Labor Movement Through Song Lake Worth Playhouse 713 Lake Ave Lake Worth, FL 33460 http://bmnllc.wix.com Saturday, June 14th, 2014 7:00 PM Heartland Labor Forum's 25th Anniversary Celebration with Jim Hightower and Anne Feeney probably IBEW Local 124 301 W 103rd Terr Kansas City, MO 816-517-4083 http://cas.umkc.edu/labor-ed/radio.htm Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 Come to Ireland with me for a Labor History Tour!! Innishfree Tours http://johnsmithmusic.com/tour-ireland The dates are confirmed, the rooms are reserved -- all we need is you!! I've got a labor history tour of Ireland that will knock your socks off! Ireland's history is as interesting as its countryside is gorgeous. Please join me for ten days you'll never forget in the "Isle of Saints and Scholars."  This year's tour starts and ends in Dublin.  Come in a day early and book a room at the Academy Best Western Hotel in Findlater Place.  Be sure to mention Innishfree Tours and get a discount.  Day 1 starts with a full Irish breakfast at our hotel.  Then we'll climb aboard our luxury coach and head south through Dun Laoghaire, Killiney and on to the Wicklow Mountains where we'll visit Glendalough, weather permitting. Glendalough

Then on through historic towns you've likely heard of - Waterford, Wexford and on to Cork, where we'll check into the Maldron Hotel.  We'll be in Cork City for three days, where we will attend the"Spirit of Mother Jones" Festival.   On July 30th we'll treat you to dinner at the Waldron Hotel, and to a private concert by a wonderful local musician. The festival lineup is still shaping up, but on July 31st, The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival will present me and Si Kahn in concert.

The Mother Jones Monument in Cork

festival board member Gerd O'Mahony

our genial host at Maldron's

On August 1 we'll head to Dingle, one of the music capitals of Ireland, and spend three days taking in breathtaking scenery by day and fabulous Irish music by night. We're staying at the Hotel Ostan Ceann Sibeal in Dingle. http://www.dingleway.com/accommodation/ballyferriter-hotel-hotel-ostan-ceann-sibeal.php We'll be providing a fine dinner one of our nights in Dingle, and fabulous music every night!

August 4th we'll take a scenic cross-country drive and return to Dublin.  I'm still working on the whole Dublin itinerary, but it will unquestionably be the emotional high of the tour.  We will discover so much about the history, spirit and culture of the Irish people - AND tour the Guinness brewery.  Our last night, we treat you to dinner.

Let me know if you want to be one of the lucky 22 to make this tour with me in 2014 and I'll connect you to the wonderful folks at Innishfree Tours.  This tour is a fabulous value... and you'll love the company of the wonderful folks who tour with me. send an email to anne@annefeeney.com

MILESTONES

Sincere condolences to my dear friend Maryellen Deckard, whose mother passed. And I was saddened to learn of the death of Alma Speed Fox's beloved husband.

My whole family was rocked by the sudden death of my dear cousin Mick Madera.

On the joyous side, my cousin Caroline Metcalfe Hohal doubled the size of her family celebrating the arrival of twin sons Levi John (7 lb 13 oz) and Jude Patrick (8 lb 8 oz) on Jan 2nd.  The boys have two older sisters, Meredith and Megan. Congratulations!

NEW RELEASES

David Rovics, one of the foremost political songwriters I know - and certainly one of the most prolific - as a new cd out that is terrific.  Check out http://davidrovics.com. David is a regular tourmate of mine, both here and in Sweden and Copenhagen.  Jeremy Scahill got it right when he called Dave a "musical journalist."

And my daughter, Amy Berlin, just put together a 6 song EP that should be released fairly soon.  She promises to post to https://www.facebook.com/amysueberlinmusic the minute her EP is available.  I'm very much looking forward to hearing her debut recording!

Well, that's all for now. I love it when you write back.
California, here I come!

November 2013 - Anne Feeney's Fellow Travelers' Advisory - Volume 9, Number 3

Hi there...

So October came and went without a Fellow Travelers' Advisory -- excellent evidence that I am not indispensable.  October was a whirlwind of a month.  October 1st found me in Ireland with my 22 tourmates on day 3 of our Westport, Clifden, Kerry tour.  What a fabulous group of folks!

2013 Inishfree Tour with Anne Feeney

2013 Inishfree Tour with Anne Feeney

My apologies for the uneven and spotty content of this document.  Please feel free to advise me if you want a different picture or edited bio before I go to print.  PLEASE make your subject 2013 BIO

Todd Davis - Beaver Falls, PA
Todd is an ordained minister, music lover and presenter, and peace activist 
pictured here with his wife Emilie

Ken Orchard - Victoria, BC
Ken is a musician and music-lover, as well as a concert presenter
No picture available for Carole Costello, his partner.

Dori Binsted (left of center ... in all ways)
Silver Spring, MD

Nell Postans -Victoria, BC
NO PHOTO AVAILABLE
BIO BELOW

I was an aquatic biologist until I retired this March, and Molly is a musician for a couple of dance groups, and portrays Emily Carr (a British Columbian artist and writer from the early 1900s) on walks through Victoria.  She also teaches ukulele.  My musical exploits mostly involve playing for three Morris dance sides (a kind of silly ancient English dance style with waving hankies and/or banging sticks) and I also write and sing songs with or without Molly.

Molly and I are neighbours, friends and musicians.  About 15 years ago, we formed a group called Pennyfarthing with our husbands, but sadly, her husband (Rod) had a nasty accident and stroke in 2007, and my husband (Laurie) had a degenerative nerve disorder and died in 2011.  In 2008, Laurie, Molly and I accompanied Anne Feeney, Tom Piggott, intrepid Paddy the driver and a group of spirited travellers on one of Anne's tours and had such a wonderful time that a chance to repeat the experience was too tempting to miss.

Mollly Raher Newman - Victoria, BC

I'm celebrating my 65th birthday On September 30 - so it looks like there are a few important events centering on the end of September! What a great way to start things out. 

I'm delighted to be on this trip, and will be bringing my harp, ukulele and strumstick to join in with the music. Nell and I have worked out some lovely duets of our favourite Canadian songs and Irish ones as well

Maya Conn, Los Angeles, CA

Atheist; Scientific Rationalism; Pantheism

(that was all that Facebook permitted me to download)

Molly Martin (L) and Holly Holbrook (R)
Bay Area
Molly and Holly both sent me bios which I cannot find... so sorry.  I know Molly is a skilled tradeswoman whom I met at Women's Labor Education events...
I don't think I've met Holly

Kay Magill - Oakland, CA
If Kay sent me a bio and pic, I can't find it... but I've known her since she was 14.  We went together to the Philadelphia Folk Festival in 1967. She's a National Merit Scholar, one of the smartest people I've ever known, and she works for a progressive think tank in Oakland.

JULIE COOKE (on left)

I am virtually retired (which means I'm pretty busy but no one pays me any more!) Had several careers: elementary school teacher, travel agent, travel manager (for parts of the University of California), consultant, hypnotherapist. I survived several marriages and have three adult daughters, two on the West Coast, one on the East, so I travel a bit to visit. Also spend some time in Hawaii and on cruise ships. I'm excited that this trip to Ireland kind of popped up out of no where and look forward to meeting everyone.

Carol Tova Newman
Astoria, OR

Greetings from Carol Newman though perhaps Tova for this trip since we  
have a Carol and a Newman.  I live in the country in NW Oregon near  

unity Radio: folk music (playing the powerful Anne Feeney &  
Astoria where I spend much time hosting two radio shows on KMUN  
Com
m
friends) and live arts interviews. I teach international folk dance in  

amp; environs, supporting human rights, peace & justice are som
schools and community; Music, dance, theater, art, protecting our  
River 
&e of  
my passions. Originally from NYC, I've been in OR 39 years; traveled,  

nd. 
hitchhiked & lived in many countries since college in 1965 but never  
Irel

a

Lynn Burow

 I have been working for Boeing for 36 years and I hoping to retire next spring. I met Anne Feeney at Labor Summer School in 2009 and have enjoyed her music ever since. I read about this trip to Ireland. I am also part Irish, and we have been researching our roots. I enjoy traveling and hope to do more in the near future. I enjoy attending Highland Festivals and learning more about my past.

Harry Wyman and Ellen Light
St Louis, MO

We are going to Ireland to celebrate... our belated Honeymoon!  We were married 7 years ago Sept. 30, and we get to have the commemoration in Ireland, a dream coming true-- as was our meeting and marrying rather late in the game.

We live in St. Louis, Missouri... Harry is a retired elementary school teacher, who now works part-time at a local grocery... and I'm a retired (desktop) graphic artist and also keep up a couple of part-time jobs. 

Harry's family heritage must be Irish, since he is part leprechaun "on his Mother's side," as he says.  He's a vegetarian, devoted to taking part in local peace and social justice vigils, and he's also likes to do a few magic tricks, and --whatever you do, don't ask him about our grandchildren.

I had a nomadic early adulthood, many counterculture adventures, and traveled and lived in different parts of this country, (with a special fondness for the Pacific NW and New Mexico) but never have been abroad. For a couple of decades I hosted a singer-songwriter series at a local venue...I play some guitar and have written a few songs along the way... mostly enjoy the old folk stuff.  I'm also an aspiring writer, working on that '60s memoir before I forget it all!

(L) Joey Hartman (not on the tour) and partner Jim Gorman
Burnaby, BC

Mary Wallon

no photo
Sharlene Cece
Sharlene Cece from Santa Cruz County, originally from Motown, retired from SEIU and UFCW (where she served as president Santa Cruz Co Labor Council, and on the executive board of UFCW local 5.  She clerked at Safeway.  A real music enthusiast, Shar's musical tastes are very eclectic.

Mary (above) and Scott Stefansen,(right)
I suspect Mary's photo is not current, but it's the only one I could access.
Eugene, OR







Not pictured/no bio provided
Annamay Nelson, Burbank, CA
(who provided glorious hospitality to me on my last tour!)
Annamay's son, Bill Nelson, Burbank, CA
(I didn't get to meet Bill on my tour)

September 2013 - Anne Feeney's Fellow Travelers' Advisory - Volume 9, Number 2

Hi there everyone!

In less than 24 hours I leave for Dublin.  Our tour begins in earnest on the 29th but I was hoping to get a chance to settle in beforehand.

This will be a really short newsletter, as I think it's probably time to pack...

The Summer of Solidarity Tour was fabulous!

Everyone was so gracious and wonderful with our group -- for most of the tour it was with me and six guys, mostly members of USW. I will always be grateful for their kindness, support and graciousness.  We visited 19 cities and were involved in 31 actions - fighting (and stopping!) foreclosures, supporting locked out and striking workers, supporting the fight for $15/hr for fast food workers, rallying and singing to save the Postal Service.  One of our great stops was in Madison, WI, where we joined the Solidarity Singers at the Capitol on day 548 of their incredibly inspiring vigil..  They've written a new verse to Have You Been to Jail for Justice?   I love it!

If you are arrested by Walker's palace guard

Don't argue or converse with them

Just ask them "What's the charge?"

Ask to speak to an attorney

Call your friend who lives next door

Have 'em call the Lawyers' Guild - 520-0654

BRILLIANT!

Working with activists in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Madison,the twin cities, Moorhead, MN, Butte, MT, Missoula MT, Portland, OR, San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles CA was a great inspiration for all of us.  I also did 17 or 19 performances in those cities with the amazingly talented and energetic and charming punk rapper - Mike O'Brien from Sudbury, ON.

Here are some pics from the tour...

Frank Little, 1879-1917

There are lots of shots on my tourmates' FB pages ... Check out Fight Back Pittsburgh, Patrick Young, The Summer of Solidarity page and follow the leads there.  This is the grave of Frank Little, intrepid IWW organizer who was "murdered by the capitalist class," a it says on his tombstone.  A refurbished grave was the vision of Mike Boyzsa, who, like Frank Little, organized a lot of folks to help with this project. The personal highlight of the tour was seeing Mike and Amy in Oakland, where we had a lovely dinner at the home of Jen Delyth and Chris Chandler

Here are my darling grandsons, Sebastian and Nicholas, whom I got to see in LA

MEET ME IN ST LOUIS

I'm so looking forward to the Jerry Tucker Legacy Conference scheduled in St. Louis for October 11- 13.  I'll be performing in Friday, October 11th.  Be there!

more info at: http://stllaborconference.com/

UPCOMING SHOWS

October 11th-13th, 2013

St Louis Labor Conference

Sheraton Clayton Plaza, Fleur De Lys A Ballroom

7730 Bonhomme Ave

Clayton, MO

I perform Friday night at 7

http://stllaborconference.com/

Price: see site

Saturday, October 19th, 2013 8:00 PM

Eugene Debs Award

Sycamore Banquet Center

Terre Haute, IN

812--232-2163

http://debsfoundation.org/

honoring Eliseo Medina

TMC Award Dinner Honoring Bill McKibben - Nov. 4

Thomas Merton Center's Award Dinner - Honoring Bill McKibben

Monday November 4, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST

On Monday, November 4, at Sheraton Station Square, the Thomas Merton Center 

will be honoring Bill McKibben, internationally renowned environmental activist, 

at our annual Merton Award Dinner at Station Square. We hope you can join 

with us in honoring this champion of environmental and social justice!

Sheraton Station Square Southside

Call 412-361-3022

or visit http://thomasmertoncenter.org/

See you next month!  Thanks for your support and encouragement!  I'd be lost without it!