May 15, 2010 (Friday), Nashville, TN., 8:02 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Ronee' Reaux writing.  I am back home here in Nashville; I'm very happy to report that our house "weathered" the storm:  it's still standing.  It has power.  And all we ended up with from the recent flooding was several inches of water in our basement, not to mention, some trees blown down in our yard, plus some roof damage, but our house escaped relatively unharmed, thank you, God!

My car got some water in it (yuck!), but it's drying out, thanks to the last few days:  supposed to have nice weather until later next week.  *Ihhhk!*  Maybe by Monday or Tuesday I can get in it without getting my feet or bottom wet!  That'd be downright nasty!!!!

Maybe it was a good thing we stayed several days extra in Louisiana:  I don't think I would have wanted to be in all that heavy weather they had here.  I would have been hurtin' for certain, and we would have probably ended up stuck in some shelter somewhere; that's no way to live!  The weather in Louisiana was nice, but it rained two days later (Tuesday); we were rolled out of bed Wednesday morning (early), by some heavy storms that blew through.  I hate being rolled out of bed by storms in the middle of the night; that's the worst!!

The Breaus Bridge Crawfish Festival was awesome!  The weather gods shone down on Breaux Bridge by providing stellar weather condidtions throughout the three-day festival run; you couldn't have asked for better weather!  I had my fill of crawfish and other Cajun delicasies, and the music was outstanding!  Saw/heard many of my favorite Cajun bands, and I performed on Saturday, in the afternoon.  That was a lot of fun as always!

I was sorry to see it end; I always have such fun there!!

Now we have Fan Fair to look forward to; that's next month.  Even despite the flood, Fan Fair will still go on, as will the Grand Ole Opry; however, the Grand Ole Opry is currently holding their shows at the War Memorial Auditorium until the damage at the Opry House can be repaired; crews are currently working on that, even as I speak.  So even the Grand Ole Opry goes on, even though in a different location.

When I saw the piccys of the flooding, my heart broke.  So many people lost their possessions or homes (some, like Kenny Chesney and Jeannie Seely lost everything!!); even the stars weren't immune to heartbreak.  People have been coming together to help Nashville rebuild, and it warms my heart to know that so many people care.  I have been praying for Kenny Chesney and Jeannie Seely; I know they must be having a hard time emotionally.  Plus they are two of my favorite performers.

I've seen Kenny Chesney something like six times and Jeannie oodles of times; every time we go to the Grand Ole Opry, she's usually there, performing.

There have been scade of "benefit" concerts for our city; it does my heart proud that people who lost things in the flooding are even reaching out.

Oh, speaking of damage, our church is no more:  it got totaled in the flooding.  So now we will be having "church" at an empty warehouse until a new building can be built.  We will still have church, just not in the traditional sense.  Our first service in the warehouse is this Sunday; hopefully there'll be a good turnout. 

I haven't been to school since this happened; no telling when it will resume.  I just hope I get to graduate next month and not in September!  *EEP!* 

Guess the school building even had damage.  *Siggghhhhh*

Well, kids, I'm getting sleepy, so I am going to go back to bed and snooze.  I will write in here again soon; until later, this is Ronee' Reaux saying so long and God bless; talk to  y'all again soon!

~Love, your friend in Nashville, Ronee' Le-Anne.  :)

P.S.:  See the piccy?  That was taken yesterday; it's of a magnolia off our tree in our backyard.  Isn't it pretty?  I love magnolias; they smell so sweet and are so pretty to look at!