(PHOTO CREDIT-FRIEDA HUDSON)

It's difficult for all the stars to align properly, for the world to turn on her axis in such a precise manner that I can leave the farm for a while, much less for an entire day.
Even when there is "nothing in particular going on," with farm animals all that can change in one second flat. I swear I think there's a ring leader in each herd that says to the other leader of the herds and equine, "PSSSSSS! Kinda quiet around here, 10 bucks says she's resting!" And then the games begin...
In fact, it is not at all uncommon for me to think I'd love to have a rest, lay myself quietly on something comfortable, write, read a book, listen to mediations, or any of the things I love to do quietly and just "be." It's good for me...I hear. But, typically the case is I think I'll seize an opportunity to do some of those things and take a scan around to make sure every animal is where it should be and generally, out I go to put up a goat, see a sea of cows standing at water troughs that I SWEAR I just filled an hour ago, turned over water buckets for the dogs...just STUFF. So I take care of "whatever" and put my rest time on hold. In the mean time, people show up, the phone rings and before you know it, it's time to start the next regimen of chores. So, the rest time becomes a distant memory.
One example was this past Sunday afternoon. I had received two boxed CD sets of mediations and meditational music from someone very close to me! A SURPRISE FROM THE FED EX MAN! YIPPPEEE!! I had made a pass-through listen, but hadn't had time to REALLY start work on these CD sets. Sunday was the day. I pulled the blinds, found my nice soft blanket and piled across my bed. I hit play and off to mediation land I was going...ahhhh....so relaxed....so quiet...and then out of the blue as if Chicken Little had run in to tell me this time the sky was REALLY falling, out of my reverie came a thunderous, "GET UP! GET OUT HERE! ALL THE GOATS ARE LOOSE AND THEY'RE IN THE GARDEN!" Shaken, not stirred (hee hee-I like that little James Bond pun---and I digress, but...) I jumped up, ran past the lovely man's voice who was speaking to me about breathing deeply from my belly, threw on some shoes (generally crocs because I can get into them fast!) and out the door I went. So much for (ahem) "meditating." I was then meditating on where those escape artists were lining up to walk out, and exactly how I was going to hurt them when I caught them. (JOKE! Don't send PETA after me! I don't need that racket showing up here.) Anyway...finally the goats were corralled, they uniformly walked back into the cattle gate, looking at each other as if to say, "WHAT? WHO? HUH?"
Back inside I came....and back to my meditations I went. I was determined to get that accomplished! And I did!
So fast forward, I had to be out of town on Monday. WHAT TO DO???? OH NO!! This is going to be tough to work out. You see there is a fainting billy goat in my spare bathroom tub. He has a Foley Catheter because he had surgery a couple of weeks ago for, let's just call it for conversation's sake "kidney stones." It's too involved at this hour of the morning to go into the details. So, Beau the fainting goat and grand sire of all my fainting females,is currently "living' in one of the spare bathtubs, dining on watermelon, garden veggies, hay and basically whatever he wants that does not contain "silica." (OK?) He has also learned to open the shower door, turn on both hot and cold water which is interesting because goats hate to get wet and he's learned that if he makes enough racket, and there is nothing wrong, I'll come anyway.
Back to needing to be out of town...
My friend Heather Mays is either crazy or brave or a lovely combination of both. SHE VOLUNTEERED to stay at the farm while I took care of some important business. I kept asking, "Are you sure?" She could work from here (in theory), she had cleared it with her boss and "besides," she said,"I can get some things done for work that need to be done in quiet anyway." OK then, I agreed.
On the morning I was to leave, I got up at 4:30 and started my list. I had to get a LOT of things done before I could go so that Heather could work and get her own things accomplished for the day. She was going to keep Geordie, make sure he was in good stead, as he had just had chemotherapy 5 days prior to my leaving. I NEVER leave him during this period of time. But Heather had a good handle on how "things go" around here. She'd done all the chores either with or FOR me before, so it was all good. I felt mostly fine about it all. Heather was all smiles and ready for the day when she arrived.
About 40 minutes or so into the trip, I called to check in. "Things are FINE" she said. "Don't worry about a thing." Hmmm....ok. So far, so good. The next time we spoke, she said, "You jinxed me calling to see how things were going...the goats got out, but I got them all put back up." YIKES! Maybe it was a one off. We didn't talk again until I finished my business and was on the way back home. She said nothing of anything going on, just that things were fine.
Upon returning home to wags, hugs, licks, lots of jumping and then Heather moved out of the way and let Geordie, Dexter and Maybelline have their turns (I had to make myself laugh at that visual!), I see a white sheet of notebook paper on the bar.
It read, "HEATHER'S TO DO LIST-MONDAY AUGUST 17, 2009" She's so organized she makes me sick. She had little BOXES, each with a check in the box for the tasks she had accomplished and wow, it looked like a lot, especially when I saw a little arrow and the word MORE, directing me to turn the page over.
I will not take away EVEN ONE WORD from HEATHER'S TO-DO LIST, but will close in saying FARM LIVIN' IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART...DON'T EVEN MAKE THE SAD MISTAKE OF THINKING IT'S A CAKE WALK. It sounds all lovely and simple, but MURPHY'S LAW ABIDES HERE! (There's a thought for a sign coming down the driveway!!)
And here it is folks....HEATHER'S TO-DO LIST for farm sitting for me today. Thank God I had administered all medications before I left and did the repeat of said medications when I got home. PLEASE NOTE: NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED DURING THE COURSE OF THIS DAY! I'm sure it was CONSIDERED, and there were a lot of swear words, but no physical harm (that I know of! HA!) came to any animal! THANK YOU HEATHER!! WE LOVE YOU!)
AND THE LIST READS:
*GOAT HERDING
*KUBOTA DRIVING (this was done to help herd goats and I had never shown her how to drive it. Gave a quick lesson over the phone in the 2nd call.)
*Geordie-chauffering- you do NOT start the Kubota without Geordie. He MUST be in the passenger seat at all times.
* Car sing-along with Geordie. He seemed to have an affinity for a Taylor Swift song today among others.
*Make-shift FENCE REPAIR- Uh-oh. This didn't sound good. Heather dragged 2 or 3 HEAVY fence panels UP the hill to block where she thought the goats were sneaking under the fence.
*Laugh at Geordie eating whipped cream- Aww....ok this isn't so bad.
*Snuggle with Maizey- the kitten...GOOD! I LIKE THAT!! SOME REST! GOOD!
*Goat herding- AGAIN- I rolled my eyes and kind of gritted my teeth and thought, "Oh no" and especially after dragging all those heavy panels up the hill by herself...and they got out AGAIN??
*Used the phrase,"THIS HEIDI SHIT IS GETTING OLD!"- Ruh roh! I knew goat herding would not be a chosen profession at this point.
*Feed Beau-
*Corral Beau-
*Feed Beau-
*Corral Beau- current bath tub dweller that he is, Beau enjoys escape attempts. Clearly, he was trying Heather on for size. He knows her, but ALONE she was FAIR GAME!
*Remove contraband from Maizey's grasp- Maizey had an assortment of vet supplies, syringes, an empty Rx bottle that Heather wasn't sure about and other items of interest. She does this often. We found one of her rat holes in the lining of the sofa that contained a photograph of W, a hackeysack ball and things I can't remember. I wonder if my winning lotto ticket is in there?
*Clean self up. (I do this several times each day. Ya just gotta!)
*Remove W's shoes from Dexter's mouth- So, even little Dexter, Heather's puppy got in on the action! GO DEX!
(Now here is a cute little arrow and the word MORE, directing me to turn the page.)
*Crushed ice- Geordie demands this
*Crushed ice- Geordie clearly demanded more.
*Feed cats-
*Put Maizey back at her dish.
*Put Maizey back at her dish.
*Put Maizey back at her dish. (One could summize that Maizey didn't want to eat from her dish, I supposed...and by now tears are streaming because I'm totally cracking up.)
*Remove toy stuffing from Maybelline's mouth. (Are the natives getting restless?)
*Clean "goat pellets from the bathroom floor."- (I guess Beau got the shower door open again.)
*Check to see if EVIL GOATS HAVE OUTWITTED ME AGAIN!- Yep, that's what I always do! Heather was being a farm hand like a pro!! You ALWAYS check to see if goats are outwitting you because generally, they ARE!
*Understands FULLY why Anne drinks so much coffee.
(END OF NOTE!)
Well, everything turned out fine...just fine. I have laughed at this note since I got home, as I have been typing this post and will laugh at it for years to come.
In closing, another pearl of wisdom...Just TRY and make some plans when you live on a farm..."THEY" will change 'em for ya!"
Love your lives, find the humor and be happy you weren't Heather today!
THANK YOU HEATHER!! There's an extra star in your crown for this one. I owe you!
Till next time,
Annie

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photo credit Ann Ehringhaus
***CAUTION!*** This is a novella! I'm relishing a great weekend and want you to feel you were right with me! ENJOY! And read it in chapters if you must!!!
I am currently sitting on a ferry, leaving Ocracoke Island after playing at the OCRAFOLK MUSIC AND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL on of course, lovely Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.
This is the NINTH year of this festival and it amazes me how the level of talent grows, how people hear of the festival and return year after year...I find so special that I, as one of the performers, take away so many more friends and lessons EACH year from this gathering of spirits.
There are dear friends and people that I love so very, very much and sometimes this once a year event is the only time I get to see them. For that, I could be sad, but the spirit of the festival is strong enough that the memories can carry Wayne, Geordie and me until the next year.
This year, I found even deeper connections with friends that I felt already deeply connected to. Those experiences are tremendous. I was able to sing and perform, as always from my heart and soul,totally relaxed and hopefully giving my audience plenty to think about and continue my resounding theme of LOVE. My prayer is that everyone who attends my show leaves with the feeling that we were all "piled up" in my living room and just having a great time I hope they leave with thoughts of "how we love." It's pretty easy. Love everyone...even if you don't want to or feel like it! Time IS of the essence. There are no politics in Heaven. Therefore, on the earth, we must live each and every moment to its fullest capacity. We must SAY I love you and then do the sometimes awkward task of DEMONSTRATING it.
Ann Ehringhaus, as you may have read about in previous posts, was right there, camera in hand... with that big, beautiful glowing smile. She truly is one person that really RADIATES "love" in every step she takes and every word she speaks. I was able to spend time with Martha and Gene, my friend Chris. We shared an apartment and it was a breeze and a blast. My "brothers in music," Catesby Jones and John Golden added such wonder and beauty to my set. We love each other deeply and that connects us in ways that words could never show. John's wife, Mary Ellen Golden was right there with her ever calming presence and once again sharing her abounding love for all those around us.
We take our friends for granted. I am sometimes guilty as charged. I dislike it immensely when I don't make the time for connections with my loved ones (both friends and family) as I should. Now, don't get me wrong. I love and adore my them all. I pray for each and every one of them regularly. That said, perhaps I should pick up the phone more. Perhaps I should take a paper and pen and use my handwriting to fill out a little card just to say "I'm thinking of you and love the fact that YOU are in my life." How easy is that? As those of you who read my blog, you know I do love electronics, so I let email suffice for the times I don't send cards, make calls, and use the old, wonderful ways of communicating.
This weekend, was magical in many ways. Gene, THANK YOU for loving me. You are a dear and true friend. I appreciate the time you took for just the two of us to share. I said last night, the words escape me to say what that "forever link" means to me and will continue to mean to me as I go back into reality and our lives move ahead.
The ferry is slowly moving along now. We are on the Pamlico Sound. My thoughts are already moving toward the farm, what the animals are doing, praying the heat didn't affect them and we go home, finding all the critters safe and sound. We are listening to Catesby Jones' "SAMPLER" CD. My favorite song (I have many favs that Catesby has written...but this one is "it." It is called "HOLY GROUND." Tears stream down my cheeks as I hear his voice and know he is speaking to us all from HIS heart.) He is singing to Wayne, Geordie and me about love, life, hurt, tears and ALL the things we all experience every day. Cates, sometimes, it's feels as though you are looking into my soul and writing about it. Does it scare me? NO! It assures me that "as humans," we all have the same fears, we all have the same wants, wishes, desires, questions and most of all, we are just not that different after all.
I want to thank Wayne, as always for being my "right hand man." He watches over me, makes sure that what I need is THERE as I need my equipment and so forth. He thinks ahead and knows my routine so well. What a wonderful feeling that is. To have someone who knows what you're thinking without words makes performing so much easier...and Wayne is good at that. He's always looking ahead, making sure plans, as I have announced them, get done in the way I both want and need them to be carried out.
Mary Ellen, thanks for sharing John with me. John, your voice and your presence are beautiful. I couldn't have been more thrilled than I was yesterday having you and Catesby join me in my show. It gave the audience a "treat" that they would not have had otherwise.
My friends Ruth Fordon and Ken DeBarth, who own the Lightkeeper (google them and see the wonderful things they have to offer to maintain a healthy, happy life!) had plenty of hugs and kisses. Just their presence lowers your blood pressure! PROMISE!
In keeping with "how Annie does things," the shoes came RIGHT OFF immediately. The next thing was to ask all the lady folks in the audience how much time they spent putting on make up that morning, KNOWING it was 1000 percent humidity, hotter than blazes and that our air-conditioned, perfected faces were simply going to slide right off as soon as we stepped outside! I had to laugh. So before the show got started and I asked about the makeup (oddly I didn't see any fellows raising their hands. I guess they opted out of the makeup thing!) So, I took a towel and simply smeared ALL my makeup off and got to work! Folks were there to hear me SING. Not to check to see if my makeup was impeccable, or if my blush was making me look smooth and youthful. What a release. So, the definition of insanity? (Doing the same thing again and again, expecting a different result!) What did I do this morning? You guessed it. I jumped up and there I went, putting that makeup on AGAIN! It wasn't quite as hot, so I didn't melt as quickly as I did yesterday.
I don't even know where to start with Gary and Kitty Mitchell...my long-time, much loved "family." Oh wow guys. You know I love and appreciate you so very much. Thank you for all you do for the festival and all you are in my heart and in Wayne's. If I type too much more, I'll cry and my makeup will smear! (tee hee!) And a big thanks to David Tweedie and his expertise, all the folks who set up the Greenroom, the folks who man the sales tent. No one has ANY idea what it takes to pull off a festival such as this in such a seamless way. The sound folks make us all sound better than we really are! HA! And they have a pretty thankless job, really. But, they're THE most important ones.
I got to spend time with Gerald Hampton (mandolin player extraordinaire), our old pal and dear friend Wes Lassiter was there to play incredible banjo, as was a new friend Alan Forrest, who flat out SMOKES his banjo too! WAY COOL! Robbie Link was there with his "AMAZING BASS!" (WE MISSED YOU KAREN!) We love them dearly. Marcy, Lou and baby Charlotte were also right there. I got to spend time with my sweet love puppy Noah Paley (I still think the HALEY-PALEY PROJECT could work! HA!), Rodney Kemp was right there sharing his stories and making us roll with laughter. And Lewis Allen was there (WEWIS, don't forget to get my address from Gare and just send me the check, will ya?) I got to meet lots of new folks to boot! That's just so GREAT! In fact, some folks just came by my vehicle to say they enjoyed my show. I love it when they feel FREE enough to come and tell me that they enjoy what I "do." It is a blessing and a PRIVILEGE to perform...and most of all, MY pleasure! We had a nice visit and I learned about the various folks who come to see us and their lives too! They show SO much gratitude. It all becomes very emotional for me. I am truly humbled and still stunned that people actually want to hear what I have to say, sing and write about. That propels me to keep right on going...and the music I perform has given me SO much more in terms of friendships that run deep and lasting and acquaintances that I see from year to year. It's a weekend of love and fellowship.
As I have been typing this post, my friend Libby Steadham came for a visit. She brought laughter, some chat and some SQUASH! YUM! Thanks Libby!!! She is another friend I would have never known had it not been for OCRAFOLK and Ruth and Ken. My rewards are far greater in terms of getting to know superior people that you would think is possible.
I pray with all my heart that "THAT" aspect of OCRAFOLK is never lost. No commercialism. No fancy, schmancy stuff...just good music, good times with friends and visitors and as Gary Mitchell wrote in a song he penned a few years back, "Love All Around." That is how I pray OCRAFOLK remains...with love all around. Simplicity will keep OCRAFOLK in a beautiful place. I just feel it and perhaps that's the key to nearly 10 years of love, laughter, music and togetherness.
I love you ALL my friends. I miss "us" when we are not closeby and connected, but you are always close in heart. Just know that. Life makes things so very busy for us...but just know that you each have taught me something, you each love me and always know, I love you too.
OCRAFOLK 2008 is drawing quickly to a close...but the memories, photographs, laughter and the fun will carry us in the weeks to come. My prayer is that the grassroots simplicity that began this festival in its humble beginnings will be the mainstay in the years to come.
NEXT YEAR IS THE 10th ANNIVERSARY!!! It's almost like being married. This gathering brings us together for a weekend...one weekend that offers more love and fun than I could ever share with you in several lifetimes.
In the off-times last night, we played a game called "Chicken Foot" with dominoes. I called it everything but the correct name. It was turkey foot, chicken neck and anything else utterly ridiculous I could think of, but Martha won a game, I won a game, Gene won a game and CHRIS SIMPSON WAS THE OFFICIAL TURKEY NECK CHAMPEEEEEN!!!! GO CHRIS!!! What a blast we had while listening to Catesby's tunes. (Where was Wayne you may wonder? Asleep. He was tuckered out and he just gave himself the gift of REST.)
As I have said many times before, life is VERY, VERY good. This writer is one blessed gal. In my wildest dreams as a child, I couldn't have imagined that I would be "doing" what my heart said I would be doing all along...writing songs, performing them for people...and gee...THEY LISTEN!!! It doesn't get any better than that!!!
A SPECIAL NOTE TO BRENDA CAMPBELL AND JOYCE ALLEN: Wayne, Geordie and I missed you terribly. You were with me in every song I sang and every step we took on Ocracoke this year. You were with us all. We love you so much. And Joyce, you and your family have been constantly in our prayers. Just know that.
Support live music, songwriters and most of all BE a friend and love them as hard as you can! This blog post is for mostly for me, as a small token of thanks to all my friends. It may not make sense in terms of the "inside jokes,the "you had to be there jokes," but please take away this one truth...FRIENDS and LOVE are like bread and water. We have to have them to survive. Sometimes, things get changed up, and change isn't easy...but hold tight, hold dear and spread the LOVE...then it all works out just as smooth as that chocolate pie I was singing about yesterday. As Wayne says,"Let go of the steering wheel and let GOD do the driving...it's so much easier that way!!!" It's pretty difficult to mess anything up when God is doing the driving. (And I don't backseat drive as much when He's driving!) Wayne especially likes that part!
God bless and keep each of you and I'll you see out there somewhere...for now, I'll close and let the wind hit my hair, breathe salty air deep into my lungs, enjoy the ferry ride and relish this precious weekend.
Till next time,
Annie
What the heck...I'll "proof" this later...mistakes are even part of life...so, if it ain't perfect, just know I ain't either! I hope your weekend was filled with all things wonderful and happy! And yep! I said "AIN'T!" What a great Southern word!!! It ranks up there with "yonder." Here's a good Southern quote to leave you with: "We just left from over yonder at Ocreecoke (misspelled on purpose because that is how the locals pronounce it and that makes it correct!) and we shore did have a bunch of fun makin' music. Good music is just something' else, ain't it?" -Annie

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I'm having coffee this morning, looking at a gray day and thinking of snow...not that we will get any, mind you. But, it's OK to dream! Yes! It is.
Oh and by the way...just as the picture proves, I DO know Santa. I know him well...and yes I BELIEVE! I've known him literally since I was born, so I've been busy trying to make sure to get things all sorted and corrected since time is drawing nigh for the annual visit! I hope you're doing the same!!! HE IS REAL!! AND HERE IS PROOF!!!
I just happened to see that the last post was number 99 and found it interesting in some odd way that those of us who blog talk about everything and nothing. We share information, give information, share our joys, celebrations, sadness and all points in between with those we know and those we don't.
This year is coming to a close. 2007. Like everyone else, it didn't turn out exactly as I had planned for many reasons, but I'm here and ready to give 2008 a shot. I don't do resolutions. In fact, I RESOLVE not to! So, I guess I do one resolution. I just try to keep it between the lines and keep moving forward.
I've had some "Griswold type events" (think Christmas Vacation/Chevy Chase) happening since trying to decorate, etc. I thoroughly checked all the lights for the outside. Yep, they all worked. The I carefully strung them among the garland and having a ball doing so. I even got out the great big 8 foot monster Santa...and as an aside, Marah DETESTS him! That's why he goes up every year. Mom's can just do that.
Well, I'm back...the rest of the day has passed. After taking apart the lights that ONCE worked and then didn't when I actually put them up, replacing those, replacing fuses in my massive Santa, ALL IS LIT UP! I LOVE IT! IT'S ALL UP AND WAITING FOR YOU MARAH!
I was thinking today, as we all do this time of year about Christmas memories. The least expected surprises are best! Specifically, I heard from two of my dear friends Mattie and Marti. We had some of the most wonderful times together. We grew together, we laughed together, we had great times. Mattie was telling her daughter about some of our times together and she googled me, next thing you know, WE ARE IN TOUCH! So, we've been emailing, sending pictures, remembering things together and probably most of all, realizing how life moves forward and doesn't wait for us. Even though time has passed, there are still fundamental things that do not change about old and dear friendships. Our memories hold us cemented and bound together always...no matter what else in our lives changes WE HAVE OUR MEMORIES and we can savor them and hold them close to our hearts. Mattie and Marti, THANK YOU so much for getting in touch! I have been so thrilled to hear from you! I can't believe YOU TWO actually have KIDS! That's just something else! Of course, I can't believe that we're not all 25 and 30 anymore either. How did that happen? The consensus? We are all happy. We are all living our lives according to our own plans and we still have the love and friendship in our hearts that will carry us always. That is just great to me.
At Christmas time, we celebrate, we remember, we start to hope for things we'd like to see happen in the coming year and we draw closer to family and friends at this time of year more than any other. That is a beautiful thing. We start the year celebrating and end it with a love and reverence for what the previous year has shown us.
We will be going to Jacksonville to the NC Symphony on Sunday. The Holiday Pops will be there for a 3pm matinee. I LOVE WILLIAM HENRY CURRY!!! I LOVE HIM! I DO! So, at Holiday Pops time, where ever "the maestro" is, THERE I'LL BE!!! It's just a wonderful part of our Christmas tradition.
Marah is finishing up the semester and getting ready to start exams. So, she's covered up. I get quick IM's from her, quick phone calls and that's just how it is this time of year for college kids. I can't wait to for her and Kevin to come home and we can BAKE!!!
All the sights, sounds, memories, traditions and magic of Christmas are priceless! Don't let them slip by unnoticed. CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE!!!

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Young Nancy and I arrived at the hospital this evening and Frieda was awake. She was listening to music and just kind of hanging out. The TV was on, but nothing that was particularly appealing to her. She indicated that she had been through some rehab work that was tiring for her. Of course it would be. She had also sat in the chair in her room again. She indicated that doing those things was tough and had run her through the ringer.
My parents had come by on their way to Washington early in the afternoon and Frieda grinned really big when I asked her about them coming. She then pointed at a card. It was a card that they had brought with them. I thought that was a great connection.
Frieda stuck her hand out for me to take it. She squeezed very tightly and just looked more "down" than frustrated to me. I asked her if she was feeling down and bummed out and she shook her head yes. I asked if she was just upset over the whole situation and she shook her head yes to that question as well. Nancy took her other hand and we both just tried to ask questions that would help her get her feelings out. It must be SO hard to be such a verbal person, as Frieda is, and not be able to talk. She sure tries though! And it will be a matter of time before she's re-fitted with something in her trach that will enable her to begin trying to talk again. What a welcome sound that will be!!
I asked if she felt sore...yes. I asked if it felt like the first day of basketball practice and she had been given 25 "wind sprints" to run. She grinned and nodded YES. I told her about an email I got from Dottie Osmun about playing tennis and what a determined player she is. Frieda loved that! And nodded yes. I believe that wonderfully competetive spirit of hers will shine right through this.
That took me to a REALLY FUNNY story. A couple of years ago, on Marsha's birthday, and Dave and Marsha Shirk, Frieda, Wayne and me loaded the Shirkmobile and made a road trip to The Royal James in Beaufort to dine on hotdogs and shoot pool! (Oh yeah...we're just high fallutin' like that!!!) Anyway, we had a blast. And I mean a BLAST! It's one of those times you just laugh until your stomach literally aches, but you keep laughing anyway.
Frieda was VERY serious in her pool playing. Me? Well, I mostly laughed and scratched. (The cue ball of course!!!) One of the, let's say, "local" pub attendees began to watch my lack of sincerity in my pool game. Before I knew it, I had a COACH. This salty old lager filled fellow accepted his role of "coach" with great honor. As Frieda played SERIOUS pool, I continued to rely on the careful instruction of my now named "COACH." Frieda, Nancy and I laughed as I recounted that story. Frieda was grinning and shaking her head at me. At the end of the evening at The Royal James, Marsha (the elected photojournalist---maybe that's where Andrea gets it from!) was taking pictures of Frieda, me and "Coach." Frieda was rolling her eyes and grinning when I said, "Can you believe we let that man hug us for a picture?????" She clearly remembered...and NO, She couldn't believe we did that. I'd say it had been a day or 10 since he'd run under any water faucet, but there we were striking a pose and making a huge deal of this "tournament" that Frieda mopped us up with. It's a really funny memory that I'll never forget. Good ol' "Coach." He didn't do squat for my pool game, and of course, Ms. Determination took the "trophy", but I did get in a few good shots. Marsha and I didn't take it nearly as seriously as Frieda, Dave and Wayne basically just laughed at us girls, but that story illustrates Frieda. Anything she attempts. She's GOING to do well at it, even if it's just playing around. It's the core of her being. That will be a huge factor in Frieda's recovery. Her fierce competetive nature will be her best characteristic in plans for recovery ahead.
Sandy, Frieda's younger brother called tonight and I put my phone on speaker. Frieda knew exactly who it was and was shaking her head at his fishing stories. She was giving him looks that said, "Yeah right Sandy. You just keep dreaming." That was a hoot. Then the sheriff called. Frieda grinned and was so happy to hear his voice.
My heart was so warmed watching her "talk on the phone."
I know that Frieda understands and realizes what has happened to her. Young Nancy talked about the next phases of her recovery with her, which includes moving to a room that is especially for stroke patients and includes intensive rehab. Frieda listened intently. That will be for several weeks according to the doctor today, but the upside of that is that once all that is finished, the goal is for Frieda to GO HOME!! The doctor told Young Nancy that she felt that was a great goal. I asked Frieda if she was ready to get into her big blue recliner and get back to Broad Street and I got a vehement YES.
Over the coming days, Frieda will experience more thoughts and feelings than any of us can imagine. But, knowing she's a fighter, not a quitter is powerful. She's not one to sit back and let someone else do the work. (We all know that, don't we?) So, while Frieda is adjusting to what has happened to her, I would bet cold hard cash that she's also plotting on the best way to get past it all too. She might not like it at all, and it's not going to be an easy, overnight task, but you can believe she's going to work hard to put this event behind her.
Just remember...it will be four weeks tomorrow. Check back on those blogs versus what I'm describing for you recently. You'll see Frieda shining right through, even in the most fearful times, we all carried FRIEDA'S strength in our hearts and never lost faith that she would survive and get better.
Everyone who has read this blog has had a MAJOR part of Frieda's recovery process. You have all been a part of "the team" and the teamwork we all share with Frieda has supported her. I want us to continue to do so. We will all be the benefactors of all the great things Frieda Hudson still has to offer this world.
More tomorrow!!! I'm off to bed now...and still humming that tune in my head from this morning's blog! LOL! Ain't life grand?
As for this stroke Frieda Hudson, it won't be long before you're sinkin' the 8 ball!!!
WE LOVE YOU FRIEDA!!!!

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