July 1, 2010, Nashville, Tennessee, 10:08 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Sorry if I haven't written here in a while; hope you understand.

Between therapy (and doctor) appointments, and trying to do everything one handed (separated my shoulder about two and a half weeks ago; still have at least two/three weeks to go before I can get the sling removed), I just don't feel like writing.  Too painful, for one thing, especially on therapy days:  they work me to death!  *OW* 

Besides my shoulder, I also gave myself a nice, fat concussion (still have traces of the goose egg on the back of my head) and sprained my neck.  (The neck is fine; that's all better.  It's just my head and shoulder that are still healing.)

I'm also having to type everything (or write) with my left hand.  My writing looks worse than chicken scratch.  *eep*  LOL  NOT easy!!

Yet I can't complain.  At least I didn't break my shoulder!  That would have been tons worse!  Then I'd really be in a pickle!

ANYway, I am writing to wish each and every one of my friends a safe and happy Independence Day, which is in just three days.  I can't wait!  The Fourth of July has always been one of my very favorite holidays!  I love the parades, the speeches, the flyovers, the food, and especially the fireworks!!  The Fourth of July is America's birthday, and if there's one thing we Americans know how to do, it's celebrate it in grand style!

Tonight, our city (Nashville, Tennessee) gets cranking early.  The annual "Red, White, and BOOM!" Festival and Celebration starts later this afternoon and goes on until the huge fireworks show on Sunday Night (the Fourth).  The fireworks display promises to be even better than last year's, if that is possible!  I just hope no danged storms fizzle out the fireworks; that's happened the last two years, and frankly, I'm ready for some NICE dry weather for the fireworks!!

I will be performing later today (at four until four thirty), tomorrow (2 to 2:30), Saturday (12 to 12:30) and on Sunday (1 to 1:45 and again during the Patriotic Tribute before the fireworks); I cannot wait!  I just won't be able to play my instruments; all I can do is sing.  Oh, well.  I just hope I do a good job and don't have any more spills!  I certainly do NOT need THAT!!

Just to be safe, I will be using my wheelchair, as it will be easier.  *groan*

The weather gods will be smiling down on our festival:  no chance of rain, but it will be sunny and hot, with temps in the mid to upper nineties!  (Note to self:  do NOT forget the sunscreen or the sunburn cream!!)  That's good; at least I don't have to worry about dodging raindrops or going for cover like we did last year and the year before!

Well, my shoulder is starting to ache again, so I will rest it.  I will write in here again, probably after my shoulder heals in a few weeks.  Then I can have my life back, the way it was before I fell and dinged my shoulder.  It's just too danged hard to do stuff!  Until then, take care and have the best Fourth of July weekend EVer!  Stay safe and enjoy yourselves!  God bless y'all too!  And let's NOT forget to thank our troops and/or our Veterans:  if it were not for them, we would NOT be free!!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux.  :D