Dear Journal~

Howdy, one and all!  I pray and hope this finds y'all well and happy!

I am doing great!  Michael is driving as I write this; we are headed home to Tennessee!  I can't wait to see my family and friends again!  We are going to spend the Fourth of July with family and friends; we are gonna have a BLAST!! I just know it!

I woke up about two hours ago; we are sill in Louisiana, but will plan on arriving in Tennessee sometime tomorrow if Michael drives all night.  I hope he doesn't; I pray he will pull over somewhere for the night, so we both can get some rest.  We can always get back on the road after a good night's rest for the two of us.

I am slated to sing at the city's annual "Let Freedom Sing!" festival.  It was known as "Red, White, and BOOM!" for years, but then the city decided to change the name, so there you go.  The fireworks display is like one of the five biggest in the nation; it is nothing short of spectacular.  I am sure this year's fireworks will be no exception.

There will be other performers slated; goodness knows, I'm not the ONLY one, but still ... it IS an honor to be asked to sing at an event as major as this!  I am truly blessed; God is using me (and my singing) to bless and reach out to others with the truth and hope that is found in my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

I am happy to report that my brother, Johnny, is out of the hospital and is back home.  His wife, though, remains in the hospital, where she is going through more rehabilative treatment; when she gets out, her mom will probably have her and Johnny both go there so they can recuperate.  It will be good to see both of them when I get back home; I truly and really miss both of them so much!

My sister, Rhiannon, was also recently in the hospital, but she is back home as well.  She has CF (cystic fibrosis) and had a bleeding episode from her lungs.  This is a common problem as the disease progresses. She is doing a lot better too, but what's to say it won't happen again ... or WHEN??  I will have to keep her (as well as Johnny and Bekka) in my prayers and thoughts!

We will pull in somewhere for lunch; where, that is debatable.  We'll decide once we get there.  LOL  Last time we went somewhere (Fan Fair, back last month) we had Taco Bell for breakfast.  Poor Michael's burrito was talking to him all day long in more ways than one; I really felt bad for him!  I had to nurse him and give him plenty of Peptol Bismol and 7 Up, as well as Kaopectate!  LOL  

Michael said I was a good nurse, just like my mamma.  (Wasn't that sweet?? :) )

I checked the latest weather forecast for Nashville for the Fourth: hot, hot, HOT!!  We're also in line for a small chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms on Indpendence Day; I pray the storms don't fizzle out or dampen the fireworks!  That would JUST suck!!  (I'll just  have to make sure that Michael and I will take plenty of sunscreen, bottled water, sodas, and stuff to keep us hydrated and/or cool!)

I remember a few years back when I was performing at the city's Fourth of July Celebration and storms popped up while I was on stage.  We all had to run and duck for cover while I had to cut my performances short; I was NOT amused, but getting to shelter is a LOT better than risking getting struck by lightning!  

Well, we just pulled into a Shoney's, so I guess that means we're gonna have breakypoo.  Besides, my tummy's growling.  LOL  I will write in here again, probably before the Fourth (Monday or Tuesday, if not, ON the Fourth).  Until then, this is Ronee' Reaux saying so long; may y'all have a very happy and SAFE Fourth of July complete with family, friends, fun, food, and FIREWORKS!!!!! :D

~Love, your friend, Ronee'.  :D