August 17, 2025
Dear Liza,
The end of summer brings a festival called Burning Man to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. It is a week-long happening of art, music, creativity, and fellowship. It is also camping out in dust, wind, and heat.
I will not be going, although I love many things about it. A few years ago I went to a mini-exhibition Burning Man in downtown Portland. It was delightfully quirky.
Then last year, I attended SOAK, the northwest’s own regional festival, and that was enough outdoor living for me. Sleeping on the ground was more fun 40 years ago.
But Auntie Katie, being younger and more adventurous, has been to Burning Man many times and is packing up again! Every year has a different theme, and this year’s is “SPACE”. Aliens, space travel, astronomy, science and fiction and silliness, all are welcome.
Part of the Burning Man ethos is sharing with the community. Folks make food and art to share, and help their neighbors. Katie and her buddy Douglas play music for folks, wandering around the camp with their ukuleles. like traveling minstrels. I know they are good; they play for us on Thanksgiving!
They spend months compiling and rehearsing on-theme songs. This year’s play list has a few hundred songs and includes “Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime” by John Coulton and “Yakko’s Universe” from Animaniacs, so you know a good time will be had by all.
And Katie made space boots! An old set of boots finally died and they have become ART BOOTS. Silver paint, adorable pink and teal planets, and tiny bright lights will go with her silver-y jumpsuit and make a fine, shiny show walking around camp at night.
I (almost) wish I could be there to see it.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 