Louisiana is trying to get her mail answered before Thanksgiving. This time she writes to her friend, Sari Annike Gustaffssenn, who lives in northern Finland, in the Arctic Circle.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004, 11:00 a.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Sari~
Hai! Miitas kuuluu? Kiitos hyvaas!
So glad to hear from you again; glad you and your family are doing well! We are doing well, too; but we are gearing up for the holidays, which are approaching fast. In about two weeks is Thanksgiving, and we are going to have an ARMY for Thanksgiving: our oldest children (three live out of state, and two live close by to us, in an apt. complex for people with disabilities) are coming home; and we are also having guests from Alaska, Texas, and Louisiana! At least 100 people will be here for Thanksgiving, and it is going to be a ZOO! But at least THIS year I don't have to cook, as I have done in years past: this year, we are going to let SOMEBODY ELSE do the cooking: for Thanksgiving, we are going OUT to eat! We then will be starting our Christmas shopping, and of course, on the day AFTER Thanksgiving, we will be out in full force; that's when the biggest and best sales hit, and we want to get our stuff while it is on sale! And while there are supplies left! Last year, we weren't able to get my son or daughter their remote-control HUMMERS, because we couldn't find them anywhere; but then our friend, Roberto, and his wife, M'Buti, went to a Kay-Bee's toy store, and they found two HUMMERS; this was how Johnny and Ronee' got their toy HUMMERS for Christmas! They have been having fun with them, but yesterday, Johnny's HUMMER was broken by one of my kids; and I don't know how I am going to tell Roberto about it! He is going to be so disappointed! And it isn't even Johnny's fault! I feel so bad for him; he really loves that HUMMER!
Today, we are taking the kids to the movies after they get out of school: today starts the widely-anticipated movie, "The Polar Express" (based on the book by Christopher Van Allsburg), and we all want to see it. So we will be at the movies later; I am getting out early today at 1; then, when the kids get home, we are immediately going to the movies, and then we'll be going out to eat (probably Grandy's tonight; we are a little Golden Corral'ed out! LOL). We have this book, and I read it to the younger kids every Christmas; and they have really enjoyed it. It truly captures the innocence of Childhood, and it makes believing seem more significant and real!
Did you know we saw the Northern Lights last night? There was a huge geometric storm, and we had some really intense lights here down south; which is a rarity; they even saw them as far south as TEXAS, OKLAHOMA, NEW MEXICO, and ARIZONA! We took some pictures; we will send you copies as soon as we get them done. I am sure you would like some pictures of the Northern Lights from here in TENNESSEE!! Of course, they weren't nearly as bright as they were when we saw the Lights in Alaska, but they were still quite impressive for US! They were pink, purple, green, white, and red, and they were quite spectacular! The kids were having a BALL watching them, and so were Bill and myself! We were thinking of Jenna, Michael, and Sikik, our friends in Alaska, who see the Lights quite frequently; I bet they were out there, too, up there in Alaska, watching the Lights!
I am pleased to know that your mother is doing better; good for her! Tell her I hope she continues TO do well, and I am happy to know that your family is well! I would really love to meet your brothers or your mom; they seem like nice people, from what you have told me. Family sure makes life more meaningful, doesn't it??
I am also happy to know that Nikolaus is doing okay. Tell him hello the next time you talk to him; and tell him to drop us a line; it's been a while since we last heard from him! Heard that Athens had some heavy flooding lately; I pray that Nikolaus and his family there are okay!
I talked to Athena Constantinos yesterday at the Rehab Hospital; she is about ready to get out, and she will start her life anew. I know it will be rough at first, but if I know Athena, she has that strong Greek spirit about her, and she will make it through her rough days! I have complete faith in her! Her attitude has improved greatly, and it has helped having familial support and having her brother visit on several different occasions. I really enjoyed my time with Athena (and also Nikolas); they are both really nice people! They talked a lot about you; they said nothing but "Good Things" about you!
Hear it is cold up there in Finland, but it is probably even more so there in the Arctic. Here in Tennessee, it's been partly cloudy as of late (although last night it was as clear as a bell; perfect for viewing the auroras last night!), but we may have rain by the weekend. Figures; seems it rains just about EVERY weekend! It is also supposed to fall into the FORTIES by the weekend for the HIGHS, and lows in the 20's! BRRRRR!! Too cold for MY "CAJUN BLOOD"! LOL I love cold weather, but it sure plays havoc on this old arthritic body and on this old Cajun Mama! LOL I can take the cold, but only for so long; give me WARMTH!! Or even the HEAT!! I am used to that; I am NOT used to long cold spells! BRRRRRRRRRR!!!! (*She says, shivering like a leaf* LOL)
Well, dear Sari, I will let you go; have to check on a patient who is recovering (slowly) from tetanus; she is doing better, but I want to make sure she is doing as well as can be expected, considering the circumstances she went through! It's been a long, hard, rough road for her, and I think she's finally turned the corner and is now on the mend, thank goodness! She gave us some scares for a while, but it seems as though the worst is behind her, thank God! I will write more later; until then, or until I hear from you, you take care, give your family (((HUGS))) and love from America, and God bless you all! Thank you again for writing; it is always great to hear from you again! We really miss you, Sari!
Nakemiin!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friends in America, Louie Sandusky (and Family). :D
LOL at tyrone's review--i feel the same way, sometimes--what an imagination you have! truly, a Gift
LIGHTS! LOL
you know i love sari...and louisiana...and all of your nine million, nine hundred and ninety nine "children"
excellent write--pretty picture
(((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
Reviewed by Tyrone Banks
11/10/2004
OK, I'm on stage ready to receive the "Dummy of the Decade Award" if you decide that I deserve that honor, maybe I haven't been paying a proper amount of attention.
However,
...I must ask, are the characters you write actual people or created to interract with other characters. Your writing feels so incredibly real as if you have either created these fascinating people or you've allowed this massive group of people with varying experiences to post in your Den.
You consistently fascinate me with your work and I think that collectively your stories can create books that are a joy to read or inspiration for a motion picture of some type. I can even see one of your stories serve as a strong foundation for a literary masterpiece.
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.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004, 11:00 a.m., C.S.T.~
