Howdy from Crockett, Texas!  It's me, Leslie Michaeyla Babineaux!

Sorry if I haven't written in here in a while; been incredibly busy.  Schoolwork, taking care of my cousin and my two younger sisters (they're four and six), and doing things around the house or with my family.  You know how that goes!

Our cousin, Shelbi Marie, who's six (the same age as Evonne), lives with us now.  Her parents got divorced; neither one of them wanted to take the responsibility of taking care of Shelbi, so we said we'd take her, raise her.  So now I have a sister who's also my cousin.

Go figure.

Shelbi's handicapped.  She is in a wheelchair, but maybe one day she will be able to walk with braces on her legs or crutches.  I hope so!  That would be nice!

Our grandpere' Auguste Reaux died back in May.  He was like 99 years old.  He had Alzheimer's.  It was very sad to see him go from a happy, cheerful man to one who didn't know who he was or what was going on in a matter of a few short months.  His wife (my granny) ended up having to put him in a nursing home; it was there where he died just a few months later.  He really went downhill fast.

I miss him; I loved hearing his homespun stories and listening to him play the accordion!  He was the one who taught my daddy how to play; however, since grandpere Reaux died, daddy don't play the accordion much anymore:  it makes him too sad.

Grandpere' Reaux was my daddy's father.

I have gotten to sing at a few opry shows; did really good, although I was nervous!  While it wasn't the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee, it might as well been:  I was scared spitless!  My parents were very proud of me; they say I sang good, just like Loretta Lynn.  Made me feel super-special!  :)

I did get to see Tony Booth at one of the local Opry shows; he is such a wonderfully talented man, and very nice, too!  He's been in the country music biz for a very long time, even before I was born! 

I have a crush on him; when I saw him, I got all butter-tongued, and I sounded like a real dorkette!  I was sooo embarrassed I wanted to die!!

Well, mama is calling me, so I must cut this short.  I will try to write more next time; and I will try to write more often.  I will talk to you again; until then, this is Leslie Michaeyla Babineaux saying bye!

~Love, Leslie.  :)