Dear Journal~

Louisiana Sandusky here, taking a break with the kiddos before we head on over to see the air show which will be starting in a half hour.  We are at our city's annual "Let Freedom SING!" festivities (formerly known as Nashville's "Red, White, and BOOM!"); we are having a marvelous time.  

I have made sure that Bill and the kids have slathered on the sunscreen: it is as hot as blue blazes out here, with ample sunshine, and a good breeze blowing in from the southwest.  We could have a shot of rain later, but I pray and  hope not.  There are some spotty showers and storms in Kentucky, headed this way, but hopefully by the time they come here, they will begin to fizzle and die out before they shoot off the first of the fireworks.

After the air show, we will be gravitating towards the main stage, where there will be special speeches, a military tribute (and flyover), and of course, live music.  Our daughter Ronee' will be singing two songs during the Patriotic Program: she is dong the National Anthem and will be singing "God Bless America Again".  After the music, there will be the star attraction of the evening: the fireworks, which promises to be even better than last  year's (if that is even possible!).

I just wish Johnny was here with us: he is spending the day at the hospital with Rebekka, who is recovering from her latest illness/setback.  She will probably remain there for at least another month; when she gets out, they will probably stay with Rebekka's mother until Rebekka recovers.  Johnny was with us last night, and he truly enjoyed himself, but you could tell that his mind was on other things ... mainly his wife.  I know he misses her terribly.  We do too; Rebekka has been through so much with her health!

The fireworks last night were spectacular.  Nashville's fireworks display has been touted as one of the top five fireworks displays in the entire NATION and I know that tonight's will be even better than last night's or even last  year's!

We didn't get home from the festival until about 12:30 last night.  That's how jammed the roads were, plus there were several accidents, which only tied up traffic even more.  Poor Roberto was beside himself: he does not like traffic in any way; it was all I could do to keep him calm or keep him from jumping out of the car and taking off.  (He's done that already, once when he was seven, and another time when he was fifteen.)

I will also have to ensure that I keep my little dog, "Cajun Gold", safe from when they shoot the fireworks off; they are so hard on her tender little ears.  I will have Michael (our son, not Ronee' 's fiance') stay with her in our bus and try to comfort/calm her while the display is going on.  I know the poor little thing will probably be scared to death.  :(  I will have to give her a doggie tranquilizer at least a half hour before the first firework goes off.  Then, hopefully, by then the tranquillizer will take effect and she can sleep throughout the entire fireworks display!

The parade this morning was wonderful.  Nearly 300 floats (and three marching bands) represented.  It lasted nearly 2 hours.  Gemini and several of my kids were in it; I was in it, and so was Bill.  Bill and I were on the float for our church, and several of the kids rode on other floats, or, in Gemini's case, marched and twirled two batons.  Gemini has always had a talent for baton twirling, ever since she was a small child.  I can't do some of the things she does; I always end up dropping it more often than not.  :)

After the praade, they fed the Veterans and their families (my Daddy is a Veteran from the World War II era); they had venison and beef brisket, salad, potato salad, baked beans, guacamole dip, chips, hot dogs, three bean salad, hamburgers, mashed or sweet potatoes, tater tots, and for dessert, a choice of lemon meringue, blueberry, strawberry, or apple pie, as well as blueberry, cherry vanilla, chocolate, or regular vanilla ice cream, plus plenty of beer, soda pop, and bottled water.  The food was absolutely delicious!

Ronee' performed with her band, "Cajun HEAT!", roughly around 1:30; they were on stage for forty five minutes and did a super job.  During her set, Bill and I (as well as several of the kids) danced to the (Cajun) music; we were having so much fun!

Now it is nearly time to go to the air show, so on that note, I will sign off and gather the troops together, so we can head in that general direction.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Louisiana Sandusky saying I hope  you are having a wonderful, happy, and safe holiday; may it be full of fun, friends, family, food, flags, and of course, FIREWORKS!!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :D