Louisiana Sandusky, at the Tennessee State Fair, takes some time to email her friend in Finland while her husband and kids are off to the midway, riding the rides.
Friday, the 15th of October, 2004~
Dear Sari~
Hai! How are you doing? I hope this finds you well!
I am taking some time to email you while I can. I am at the Tennessee State Fair as I write this; my husband, Bill, has taken the kids to the midway, where the kids will be riding the rides. The only kids with me are Jodie, Todd, and Johnny. We are now eating breakfast, and I am taking advantage of this quiet time to email you because I do owe you a letter.
You are probably wondering why I haven't written. Well, besides keeping track of one husband and fifty kids, plus working full time, and taking them to appointments, games, or such, now you know why I only write in spurts. I DO try to keep up with my email as best as I possibly can, but a lot of the time, this proves to be impossible, and I don't always respond as soon as I would really like. Such as in your case.
I do hope this finds you well. We are all well; we have been having fun here at the fair, and the other night, my 11 1/2-year-old daughter, Ronee', opened up for country music legend, Loretta Lynn. She did a really terrific job, and we were so proud of her! Loretta did super too; and we are always entertained by her. She is such a gracious person, and she is so incredibly talented! One of the nicest people in country music, and one of the best in my opinion! There is nobody like her, and no matter how she ages, she still manages to put on a terrific show, and her fans are never disappointed. If she gets sick, she is more than sorry, and she does her best to try to make it up to those fans who came to hear her sing, but by some chance, they end up not being able to see Loretta perform because she becomes ill. Loretta isn't as healthy or as young as she used to be, but she still tries to give her fans what they want. Such a trouper she is; no wonder so many people love her so! She is as tough as they come, and as long as she can, she vows to keep going for HER fans!
Ronee' sang some Cajun songs and played her accordion and fiddle; and she also played her banjo; and she had the crowd on its feet the entire time she was on stage; she got the crowd warmed up for Loretta; and by the time Loretta was to come on, the audience was more than excited, and they were looking forward to a great show by a living legend. Loretta did not disappoint, and by the end of the show, they were on their feet, hollering and clapping for more. It was a fun time had by all, and an evening filled with great country (and even some Cajun and bluegrass) music! Loretta's children, her twin daughters, Patsy and Peggy, sang some too, and they are just as pretty and as talented as their mama; and even the Lynn son, Ernie Ray, was there, leading the "Coal Miners". The one granddaughter (I think she is six now) even came on and sang with her mama and grandmama, and she was cute! A future superstar for sure!
When we were not seeing stars (besides Loretta, we also saw Tanya Tucker and Alan Jackson; both put on terrific shows as well, and tonight it is Toby Keith's turn to shine; we will be at his show too!), we have been riding the rides...okay, let me rephrase that--I have NOT been riding the rides excepting for maybe the merry go round or the ferris wheel; I am just not a fan of rides excepting for roller coasters!--or pigging out on the fair food. I think I must have gained ten to fifteen pounds just this week alone; it's only been one week since the fair opened, but my pants feel a bit snug, and so does my shirt; may have to start wearing something bigger! LOL I have also been trying to keep the kids out of mischief, but it is so hard when the kids are so excited by the excitement and pageantry of the fair and the midway rides! Still, they HAVE been behaving themselves (for the MOST part~)! We also have been looking at the exhibit halls; everything on display that you can possibly imagine: cars, crafts, food galore, hobbies, etc, even animals, both farm and domesticated. So you have it all at the fair; and to tell you the truth, even though I AM having a great time here, I WILL be glad when the fair ends! I am not as young as I used to be, and it is getting harder for me to get around! (I have been using an electric scooter to motor myself around the fair!)
I am glad that you are all okay, and I am glad that the weather is holding out too. I haven't heard from Nikolas yet, but I expect to do so, any day. I looked at my email account, and saw letters, but none from Nikolas. Hopefully he will write soon. Anyway, I am glad that you and Nikolas are happy; you are so lucky to have him! Such a wonderful man with a great personality! (He kind of reminds me of Roberto Sormiento in looks, before Roberto got his hair chopped off when he joined the Marines three years back, right after September 11, 2001, happened!) I am glad that your mother and brothers are well; do tell them hello, and thanks!
Yes, I heard from Louisa Mason in Soulsbysville, California--also heard from Kendra Williams--, and Louisa is having some health issues; but hopefully she will be doing better by the time I hear from her next. As for Kendra, she is getting ready to adopt yet another little girl; but this time one from Japan. I hope the adoption goes through; such a wonderful family! And such a caring mama! She is so good with her girls, even though she is physically disabled herself and uses a wheelchair (spina bifida).
The weather here is a bit on the rainy side; but it is expected to clear out of here by nightfall; and tomorrow is supposed to be partly sunny and cooler. Still, it's not a complete washout, just a little on the damp side is all. But the kids are still determined to ride the rides, and not even a little rain will stop them! I hope the weather over there is okay! Have you seen any more auroras? I hope so; I do hope to get a chance to come to Finland and see the Lights there in the Arctic; that would be spectacular! They were spectacular in Alaska; I bet they are even more so in Finland or in that part of the world!
Well, Sari, I will go now; Jodie's alarm is beeping again, to let me know that her feeding is overwith. I will disconnect the tubing and clean it out, and I will then take Jodie to the restroom--Todd and Johnny, too--and change her; she is starting to stink a little. Think she went in her diapers again. I will write more next time; and hopefully I will be home by this time next week. The fair is fun, but it is starting to wear me out; and it's only been a week; still have another week to go! *Sighhhh*---Until later, take care, and thanks for writing; always nice to hear from you!
As they say in your part of the world, Nakemiin! LOL God bless you always, and when you hear from Nikolas (that is, if I don't hear from him first!), tell him hello from me! Love and miss you like CRAZY!!
(((HUGS))) Your friend in America, Louisiana Sandusky (at the fair!). :D
P.S.: By the way, the ride I put on here was one that I did NOT ride. Neither did my hubby; but some of my more braver kids did. They can HAVE it; toooo scary for this old broad! LOL I think I will stay off; if I go on, the durn thing just may do me in! LOL
A well written and entertaining write again Karen..that never fails to interest and capture your imagination...
C'est magnifique mon ami...
Love and hugs
Peter
Yankee Doodle Daddy is a historical Appalachian Family Saga. The story follows a mother's reckoning as she struggles to survive and keep her four daughters alive.
Friday, the 15th of October, 2004~
