"Somewhere in Texas, A Village...

[Maddy McCall]

will be graced by a DU tent."

When I get to Crawford tomorrow, I will set up a canopy wherever I can find room, as a central meeting place, a home away from home, for DUers to gather and to stay in touch. Bring your chairs and your ice chests; I've got the shade covered. Just look for the sign with the smiling frog below. You'll know that you've found me. Really. Just look for the smiling frog.

When I leave Crawford in the middle of the week, I'm leaving the canopy behind. DUers who wish to, bring whatever DU stuff you've got (I'll bring some tape), so that our canopy can be identifiable for other DUers to find later as a gathering place, after we are gone. After the protest is over, the last DUer out can donate the canopy to Iraq Veterans Against the War, or Code Pink, or another similar group that might need it.

It's brand new...can't remember if it's blue and white striped or green and white striped. Again, just look for the smiling frog sign.

I'll have a clipboard hanging from the canopy. Sign in so that we can have a list of DUers who have passed through. Leave notes for other DUers. Maybe each evening, someone can update a thread at DU with the names of DUers who have traveled to Crawford. Last DUer out takes the clipboard.

I've got to go load the trunk. I'll see you all in about 24 hours.

:loveya:

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Safe travels, Maddy and thanks for going.

[Maddy McCall]

3. Thanks, midlo.

:hug:

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Please take lots of pictures n/t

[Maddy McCall]

5. will do, proud2blib.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Muse wants me to come with her

but it doesn't look good for me. Damn! I really want to come.

[Maddy McCall]

18. I REALLY want y'all to come, too.

I hope that it works out. I mean that with all my heart. I really want y'all to come.

She's got my contact info. I'll be checking my email every couple of hours.

:hug:

[deadparrot]

4. Bye, Maddy!

Stay safe and have fun. :)

[Maddy McCall]

8. Bye...

I'll be updating threads daily on what's going on, and some very generous DUers have offered to receive text messages and emails from me, and they will keep a real-time, running update thread of what's going on as it happens.

I'll upload photos every night.

[MelissaB]

6. Thank you, Maddie!

What you are doing is wonderful. I wish I could go...

[Maddy McCall]

9. Nah, I have two canopies in the shed.

Not doing any good where they are...might as well take one that can serve a good purpose.

Wish you could be there, too. :hug:

[DistressedAmerican]

7. GREAT! Next Weekend!

[Maddy McCall]

12. You will be the keeper of the DU tent next weekend.

:hi: I hate that I will miss you. I'll leave you a note, though. :D Just look at the last page of the clipboard. :evilgrin:

[DistressedAmerican]

31. That is really great news. I will tend it with loving care!

You are great for doing this!

[Maddy McCall]

35. Really, it's no biggie.

I've got the extra canopy, people need shade. It all works out in the wash. I'll leave with much more in my heart than I brought to Crawford, for sure.

:hug:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. great idea!

I can't go, but I'm there in spirit, and am looking forward to reading your reports. Safe journey!

[Maddy McCall]

13. Wish you could go...

but I understand that many people cant. I was very fortunate to be able to get the money and time to go. Very fortunate. Can't wait to hug Cindy's neck.

[In_The_Wind]

11. Safe journey Maddy ~ There and back again.

[Maddy McCall]

14. We'll be very careful.

My son, my dog, and myself appreciate your well wishes. We'll be safe.

[In_The_Wind]

24. Walk in Light, my friend

The war in Iraq should end.

I'll be looking for your post and your safe return home.

[Maddy McCall]

33. ....

:cry: Very kind words, Joan. :hug:

[marions ghost]

16. yay maddy

:kick:

[Maddy McCall]

20. Thanks for the kick...let's keep this kicked for travelin' DUers to see.

[girl gone mad]

17. Great.

I think I'll be out there tomorrow night with the kiddo. We'll look for you.

[Maddy McCall]

19. There'll be a tarp on the ground, under the canopy.

Bring a blanket for ggm jr. if she decides to lie down and take a nap. Don't know how old jr. is, but there'll be room for a portable crib if anyone needs to set one up.

[jonnyblitz]

21. wow..that is great!! take care and be safe!!

:hi: :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

26. We'll be safe.

Got the car serviced, the up-all-night-to-drive Excedrin in the glovebox, and some good loud music to keep me company on the drive.

:hi: :loveya:

[Generic Other]

22. Maddy will be blogging the action in Texas for us.

Stay tuned!!

[Maddy McCall]

27. Hey! What I send you might be in cybershorthand, so feel free...

to clean up whatever I send before you post it. :D

I am so glad that you will be running the live update thread. :woohoo:

[merh]

23. Have a safe trip and thanks for DU central arrangements!

:hi: With you and MMjr & Cindy and all at Camp Casey in spirit! :grouphug:


:patriot: :loveya:


:hug:

[Maddy McCall]

28. I hope we can get Cindy to visit the DU barracks.

I'll certainly make a photo and post it if she does.

:hug: :loveya:

[merh]

30. Great!

I'm exciting for you & MMjr! :bounce: :bounce:

:loveya:

[gademocrat7]

25. Thank you for your efforts Maddy

I will be with you in spirit.

[Maddy McCall]

29. Appreciate the nice words.

I'm going to tell Cindy that, for every DUer who visits Camp Casey, there are 100 more who are there in spirit.

:hug:

[skygazer]

32. Excellent idea

If I had any paid time off left, that is exactly how I'd spend it - I just don't. I will be there in spirit. :hi:

[Maddy McCall]

34. I'm certainly going...

to tell Cindy that many DUers are with her in spirit. :hug:

[Avalux]

36. I'll be there tomorrow!

Can't wait to see you and your tent - what a great idea Maddy! I'll have a DU sticker on the back of my T-shirt.

See you in Crawford. Godspeed. :hug:

[Maddy McCall]

38. I'll either have a DU t-shirt or a circle-slash W...

feminist sign tee.

Look for the woman with the little dog and the big kid. That'd be us. :)

Can't wait to meet you. :pals:

[Maddy McCall]

37. Alright...I won't be responding until later tonight.

Thanks everyone for the inspiration that you (and, of course, Cindy Sheehan) have given me. The DU community is like no other. Best on the web.

I'll try to post right before I hit the hay tonight. :grouphug:

[Catherine Vincent]

39. Haver a safe trip Maddy.

I don't know if you'll need to pass thru Houston/Spring to get there but wave out your window at me. I'll be thinking about you DUers who are in Crawford. I have a dinner party to go to this evening and I plan to inform everyone on what's happening in Crawford.

Peace!

:hi:

[Maddy McCall]

40. Taking 1-20 to get there.

When, from across the distance, you hear that really long honk at about 7AM tomorrow morning, that's MMjr and me crossing the Texas state line, up around Longview.

Gotta go load the car and buy water and RCs.

:hi:

[Iris]

41. Way to fight the good fight.

You've given me shivers!

I'm feeling compelled to make a road trip even though it's totally impratical for me right now.

[Maddy McCall]

45. Iris...

I really wish you could go. I understand that most people have commitments that they can't break. I'm just very fortunate that the timing is as it is, and I just happened to have a few extra dollars in my pocket.

:hug:

[Iris]

48. thanks! I'll be with you in spirit.

The few extra $$$ is what holds me back more than anything - esp. now that I know there are "familiar" faces to look for!

Good luck and take care.

[DistressedAmerican]

42. Kicker!

[ralps]

43. Cool Maddy McCall, I wish I could be there with you all. Hug everyone

for me. :hi: :loveya: :hug: :pals: :woohoo:

[Maddy McCall]

46. Will do.

:loveya: too. :pals:

[southlandshari]

44. Kick!

I came in off the beach just to do that!

Be safe, be strong, and know that there are many with you in spirit who couldn't make the trip. We couldn't ask for a better representative, IMHO!

:hug:

[Maddy McCall]

47. ...

You are a sweetheart and a gem of a DUer. :hug:

[VelmaD]

49. Dang...wish we had had that today...

there were a ton of us there. Oh well. I'm going back and I can always "sign in" for the folks who went today.

[Maddy McCall]

51. Velma, I am so glad that I will get to meet you.

I will leave here at about 5AM...have got everything together and loaded in the car.

I've already got a green poster with the frog sitting on "DU" so look for the green and white canopy with the sign.

I hope there will be many DUers there tomorrow. Can't wait to meet all of y'all.

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. How long do you think you will be there?

Will you still be there Tues eve and Wed?

[Maddy McCall]

52. Yep. Will be there until Wednesday morning, and then I have to ...

head home and get back to ordinary life.

Hope you will be there Tuesday. Please tell muse to give you my contact info.

[proud2BlibKansan]

59. Will do

I think we will be arriving Tues eve. Leaving Topeka Tues morn. It should be about a 10 hour drive.

Oh I hope we can get together. :woohoo:

I will PM you my cell number.

[faithnotgreed]

53. rock on to you and your little guy

take really good care

[Ladyhawk]

54. Wish I could go.

I'll donate what I can to help you guys stay comfortable.

[Ilsa]

55. Have a safe trip!

I wish I could go.

[peacebuzzard]

56. Thanks for representing your DU community. Drive safely....

I will be looking for pictures and updates....:kick:

[DancingBear]

57. Be careful Maddy

I'll look for the frog when I get into Crawford on Tuesday.

See ya then. :)

[Syrinx]

58. my grace through you

my failings mine. my aspirations yours.

[Straight Shooter]

60. Ruh-roh, Coward of Crawford, look out, Maddy McCall is coming to town.

As Camp Casey grows larger and larger, may the Coward of Crawford feel ever so much smaller and smaller.

I think your presence will be a tremendous benefit to those who are there. Blessings to you and all who accompany you on your journey for the truth.

:patriot:

[Generic Other]

61. UPDATE!!

Just got this PM from a friend of a friend...

She is running late, her son was not feeling well this morning so they got a late start. She is now on the road and anticipates getting to Crawford around 8:00 or 8:30 tonight. She will have the tent up tonight.

She wants to make sure VelmaD gets the message at Camp Casey.

[uppityperson]

62. Thanks Maddy

[southlandshari]

63. Has anyone heard from Maddy McCall in Texas yet?

Just wanting to make sure she made it to Camp Casey safely...