Friday, 15 July, 2006, Melbourne, Australia~

Dear Louisiana in America~

G'day! Greetings from the Land Down Under, land of kangaroos, koalas, boomarangs, and shrimp on the barbie! :)

You may not remember me, but I do remember you. We  met at the CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair held in Tennessee; I met you, your mate, and your children. You were very hospitable towards me. I appreciate it very much. Thank you. :)

To tell you more about myself, let me fill you in. My name is Agnes Michelle Clarke-Witherspoon, and I am widowed. Me mate died of cancer a few years back, and I miss him most dreadfully. We were married 18 years when he passed, and it has been a very difficult, emotionally-charged journey for me.

I have two sons (Gage, 15, and Zigmund--"Ziggy"--, 12) and two daughters (Cassia--10, and Jennifer--8); the children keep me busy. I was in service to the Australian Army, but I retired after 20 years (the Australian Army was where I met me [future] mate; we fell in love, and we eventually were wed; we endured many happy years together until God called him home several years back.)

Like you, I love country music. Ever since I was a small child I had always fancied myself coming to America, just so I could visit Tennessee--and hopefully see some of my favourite country music entertainers. I got that chance this year when I got my tickets for Fan Fair; happily, when I made reservations last year, tickets were still available! :)

When I came, I was in country music heaven! The only drawback? Missing out on seeing me favourite country female singer, Loretta Lynn! :( (Have heard that she has been unwell. Hopefully by now she is on the road to recovery; she has had a very hard road to cross lately, the poor dear! :(  So sad!!)

Besides going to Fan Fair, I got to go to the Grand Ole Opry; saw  many of my (other) favourites there--George Jones, Jimmie C. Newman and his "Cajun Country" band, Little Jimmie Dickens, Merle Haggard, Connie Smith, Jan Howard--man, it was BONZER just to BE there at the Opry! :)

In addition, I got to attend the Country Music Hall of Fame, saw Music Row, and the Parthenon (spelling??). Enjoyed the sites; am already making plans to return next year for the shindig! :)

Louisiana, I adored your children! I never saw such well-mannered, gentle-hearted, polite children in all my days! How DO you and your hubby manage to keep tabs on so many children?? Me, I would be going out of me bloody head if I were in your shoes! LOL WOW!! Your son (Johnathon) is a love, and your daughters Jodie, Barbara, and Ronnee' (did I spell her name write; what an unusual name!) were precious, too! I loved the other children, don't get me wrong; but Johnathon, Ronnee', Barbara, and Jodie have each made an indelible print on my heart! Tell those loves hello from me, and give them my love! :)

In fact, when I returned home to "Oz", I have been doing some thinking about adopting a child with special needs! :) It may take a lot of work down the road, but I am more than willing to do it. So many children out there need love and a family or a home; I would love to make a difference in a deserving special child's life! That would be so wonderful! :)

Well, Louisiana, I must go--the kiddies are hungry for their vittles. You know how that goes. *Grins* I do hope to hear from you; I'd love to write and keep in touch with a fellow country music fan! :)

God bless and have a lovely day!

With kindest regards,

Your new friend in "Oz", Agnes Michelle Clarke-Witherspoon. :)