We were back to our usual first week/weekend of August this year.

And it proved to be a good thing despite heat indexes in the 100s. We had 63 people attend the Hoot this year. We have pretty much perfected the "Fan Belt" or "Wind Tunnel" by hanging a very large tarp in an electric site and encircling it with box fans. We just moved very slowly all weekend and took breaks in an artificial breeze from time to time.

We have decided that next year we will set up a "community center" in the camp site at the top of the campground with large tarps and as many fans as we can get our hands on. This will be a multi-purpose site for workshops and cooling down, morning coffee/breakfast and nice comfortable place to plop your camp chair and engage in extended conversations with fellow camp attendees.

Wednesday Ken, Paige, Spider, Seamus and I arrived and started setting up for the event. I don't think I have ever been so hot! But we survived it thanks to cool showers and our fans. Thursday we had a record number of folks show up and the Hoot got underway! It was almost too hot to eat Thursday evening but folks dragged out a variety of food to share and nobody went hungry. 

Most of our meals, in fact, are gravitating towards "collective." I find this very exciting as it demonstrates that our goal of developing a true, open Pagan community is a possibility.

Friday and Saturday night were drumming/dancing nights. I cannot even begin to explain the magick that happened there but I was truly awed and humbled by the Workings completed.

We also had a lot of laughs and patty-cake drumming may soon sweep the drumming circuit -- and I must assure J that this is a "girl thing" and he must not worry that he might be contaminated despite the fact we now have his daughter doing it with great skill.... (smile).

Speaking of up-coming trends, spinning is addictive and should you run into someone who attended Hoot 2006, who picked up a spindle at this time, you MAY end up getting a lesson on the fly and find yourself creating yarn and buying lots of wool.

We had four vendors this year (but we did dearly miss Crystal and Jackie who were unable to attend do to an injury). While the Hoot is not what one would normally think of as a place to make money, it does allow our vendors to participate as full Hoot attendees and we greatly appreciate all they contribute.

We had some awesome workshops this year and I want to thank everyone who ran a workshop. Poor Irene came prepared to run a talisman workshop on Saturday afternoon with toaster oven in tow... but the majority of folks were so ready for siesta or pool no one showed up! She has assured me that this is just fine and the beauty of Hoot is that there is no pressure and what happens, happens and all is fine. But I'm inclined to try and talk her in to giving it another go and scheduling at another time (like morning).

The Button Game was great fun and will be repeated. It was a fun way to find out about everyone's particular preferences and deep dark secrets. My only concern was the child who ended up with (and would not give up) the button that said: "Mead, I need more Mead".

The mead contest was a great success once again and we will repeat it in 2007. Congratulations to all our winners and a great thanks Angel for coordinating this.

Points to come out of Hoot 2006: Electric sites and fans make August heat bearable (well, marginally). If you plan to come in 2007 and want an electric site, remember only 15 are available (four are reserved for vendors) so register and pay as soon as possible (March is good). We will not hold electric sites unless  payment is received in advance and they will be available on a first come/first serve basis only.

We are at the point where there are enough Owl's Nest members, that if Ken and I were unable to attend, the event will go on and be successful.

And we learned that lots of free time in the afternoon lends itself well to pool parties, deep philosophical discussions and naps in front of fans.

I must offer special thanks to some very special people:

To Bill and Seamus for their dedication to Hoot, Bill was unable to attend this year, but sent ALL of his equipment via Seamus who appeared on Wednesday after recently undergoing surgery and was tough enough to endure the heat. We are truly Blessed by their friendship and open-mindedness for they were the only non-pagans among us yet support us with absolute grace.

To Chessie for her attention to detail and creativity when creating our Circle Celebrations! Magick really does happen when she gets the energy moving in all of us.

To Jay for his ability to build and tend fires that ebb and flow with energy and power. His ability to help a drumming circle coordinate itself and follow the flow of the dancers is truly a gift and we are grateful for him. His leadership abilities pop out at the most unexpected times but are truly awesome when he chooses to take on that role.

To Angel and Gary for the joy they bring to everyone who meets them. Their depth of knowledge in so many areas challenges all of us to reach a little deeper, tap our creativity wells and spring forth with energy and beauty. Angel arrived with one of the worst cases of poison ivy I have ever had the misfortunate to see. She claims she is now improving but any healing energies we can send her way would surely be put to good use. Gary the "Late, Always Late" Viking appeared on Saturday afternoon. We must find a way to spring him loose from work earlier for these events.

To Paige and T for their willingness to herd and shepherd not only their children but mine during Hoot. Ken and I could not begin to focus on all the details if we had to remember to stop and feed, clothe, fuss at or otherwise parent our children during the event. Thank goodness for you two! Paige, I also want to thank you for cooking breakfast and setting up a coffee bar when the camp coffee pot went on the fritz. We really could not do Hoot without you guys.

To Terry  and Bill for keeping my husband happy.

To Chris and his family who showed up to provide beautiful tattoos for the Hoot participants. We hope he can return next year for more than just an evening.

To Spider, Carla and Cat and Shirley for the billion things they did both large and small -- from helping Hoot participants set up tents to hauling water, providing first aid, and being everywhere at once. You guys are awesome!

To Alix and Erin for their excellent altar tending. Thank you so much for keeping the candles lit and reminding us that ultimately we are at Hoot to celebrate our spirtuality.

To Chelsea, Irene, Bear and Jason and for their wise ways and ability to take charge of a task and get it down efficiently and with grace.

To Irene, Jason, Joe, Bonnie and BJ:  the strength you bring to our drumming circle and the "witch's fire" is truly Magickal. Thank you.

To our wonderful teens!

"Seventeen", I fear you will always be known as "17" even when you are 53, but I must thank you for all your hard work. I will create a very special button for you next year. 

Matt and Joe and Thomas; you are the most remarkable little people care providers I have ever met!

Teddi; congratulations on taking on a very tough new apprenticeship -- fire tending. It's sort of like going from the frying pan into the molten core, but you will do well in this as you learn the skills needed.

Adrienne, Ashtyn, Jennifer, Jessica and Chad and Rachael... keep showing up, pay attention to the youngers mentioned above and you will find that the future of the Pagan Community will be stronger than anything previously imagined.

To all our participants you are the reason we do all this. Your energy is wonderful and I cannot tell you how much fun we all have hosting this event.

Sincerely,

Cate, Ken and all the members of Owl's Nest