July 3, 2012, Nashville, Tennessee, 11:21 a.m., D.S.T. ~

Dear Journal~

Howdy!!  This is your friend, Ronee' Le-Anne Reaux, writing!  I hope this finds y'all well and happy!  I am doing FANTASTIC!!

I am home here in Nashville, Tennessee: I am spending the Fourth with my family and friends.  It is great to see everybody again; everybody looks so good (though Johnny could use some more pounds on him; he's as skinny as a rail)!

This afternoon we start celebrating early: our city is having their annual Independence Day celebration later today and tonight, and all day tomorrow.  There will be military tributes and flyovers, speeches, a mammoth parade, food galore (all Veterans and their families get to eat FREE; my grandpere' is a Veteran, so that means one thing for me: FREE FOOD!!!), continuous live musical entertainment on three stages, a special patriotic program, and of course, the star of the entire spectacle, FIREWORKS!!

Nashville's fireworks display is one of the five largest in the entire nation.  I am sure that the displays tonight (and especially tomorrow) will not disappoint.  Last year's was nothing short of spectacular!  I don't know how Nashville will top last year's fireworks display, but knowing Nashville, I am sure they will find  a way.  They always seem to.

Until we leave for the festival later, we're spending the day relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  Daddy is cooking hotdogs and 'burgers on the grill to take with us later and Mike (fiance'), Maman, Danita, Sunshine, and Corbin have all gone to the store to get paper plates, plastic silverware, napkins, bug spray, sunscreen, soda and bottled water, diapers, and other items needed for tonight and tomorrow.

I am singing tomorrow, twice:  at 1:30 and again during the special Patriotic program, prior to the fireworks.  I am looking forward to it!  I love singing and performing for the people!  To hear their response always gives me such a thrill!!

During the Patriotic program, I am singing two songs: "God Bless America Again" and "The Star Spangled Banner".

I just wish Rebekka (Johnny's wife) could join us tomorrow, but she's stuck at the hospital.  She will be there for a month or so longer; Johnny may not join us tomorrow, which makes me sad, but I can understand if he's not.  Johnny needs to be with his wife.  I am sure he's as upset about this as I am, but he really has no choice.  I will have to videotape some of the events and the fireworks, so he can see what he missed later on after he comes home from seeing Rebekka.

He will be with us today, so that's good; at least he gets to see SOME fireworks: it's better than NONE at all, y'know??

Well, Maman and company just got home, so I will stop.  After we eat, we will probably head out to downtown Nashville and get ready for later.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Ronee' Reaux saying so long and God bless!  I pray each and every one of y'all have a very happy, safe, fun Fourth of July with family, food, friends, fun, and of course, FIREWORKS!!

Love y'all!

~As always, your friend, Ronee' Le-Anne.  :D  X0X0X0