Raymond to his brother Gary's: looking forward to a visit

Raymond called me a couple of times on his way to Phoenix, the last time in Flagstaff to ask for his brother's new telephone number, so I expect to see him soon! I don't know if that will be today or not.
He did say that a theater friend had invited him to go see "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" at the Herberger this Saturday night. I said, "Good, now you can represent me!" as I had finally made up my mind it would not be a good idea for me to try to climb to the rafters to see this play when I can barely make my way up the stairs of an unpopulated movie theater. I just don't do stairs very well any more. As I recall, that theater was the most difficult for me to navigate even back 7 or 8 years ago, let alone now.
Raymond is having his own website created, so he is going to work on that with someone. He has a date in Austin for Thanksgiving with his GF Diana Trevino to meet members of her extended family. I always love seeing Raymond but I know that Austin is calling him now as he had formed his own band in Boulder and is thinking about doing the same in Austin. Downtown Phoenix where Raymond did theater for years was just not a good fit for his country western musical roots. All his dad ever thought about was singing since he had such a beautiful unique voice, and Raymond has an equal love of performing as a singer along with honing his guitar skills. His dad relied on his cousin Pole for his music, but Raymond has been determined to accompanying himself well and has played with a lot of musicians learning from them as he was developing his singing ability. I love it when he is able to combine his own music and song with dialogue in a play, as he has done in his show about his dad's disappearance, "Bohemian Cowboy".
He and I keep a close watch on what westerns are successful in the movies, as of course making a country western movie with music and song is what he is also aiming to do. His ancestors on his Grandfather King's side were all cowboys, practically raised on horses. His dad had the great voice and musical ability and even the good looks go with it but not the emotional stability to become a 'star'. Raymond has taken star quality further and further, becoming at home in big cities as well as in the country, not letting any setbacks throw him or keep him down long. He keeps doing what he needs to do to make a name for himself, I think.
I knew my health was going to hold me back. I wanted a long life with my family more than I wanted fame and a short one. So that is what I aimed for. Becoming a star takes stamina and I did not have it. So it will be exciting to see what Raymond is able to do in Austin this winter with renewed determination, a year of complete sobriety, and the will to win with his many talents.

P.S. How do you like the beautiful new header Connie made for me?

Going to tackle addiction harder

I have no choice. Either that or be overwhelmed! I listened to three hours of great country music last night on the CMA awards, and you don't get that good without a lot of hard work. Alchoholism and drug addiction used to be tolerated more it seems back in the 'old' days, but now you would soon 'fall off the charts' if you indulged yourself very much in that malarkey. I thoroughly enjoyed this show which was so well done. I thought the tribute to the soldiers was so touching by Trace Adkins. His tall dramatic figure and the choir singing behind him just knocked me out, especially when they were singing we won't come home. I thought it was great that they thought to give Lee Ann Rimes a humanitarian award for her work with the children of soldiers gone to war.
However, how does this all translate to the common people? I won't stop talking to alcoholics or trying to work with them as much as I can, as long as I think it is productive. Some alcoholics knew more about a good work ethic than some sober people do ONCE. That is the point. They have given up and fallen into some down thinking that is for sure, and this is where I want to stop short before they suck me into depression. I could not help but be depressed all this week with some huge meltdowns around here, topped off by another death that was clearly caused by excessive alcohol and tobacco use.
So off I go this morning to the grocery store and I will stop by for moment of cheer at the thrift store across the street. Haven't been there since I got the flu.
I got an e-mail from Krissy whose blog Sometimes I Think is now listed on my blog list. She reported on the last few months when John suffered from both viral and fungal pneumonia as a result of the weakness in his immune system after his marrow transplant. He first got shingles and chickenpox at the same time, and experienced maximum pain, but I can't believe how those two cooperate and fight for life. Krissy says she is back to blogging again after some harrowing months. There is a lot of courage demonstrated in her blog, so check it out. It will renew your faith in the determination of some people to find life precious enough to fight for it.
Dont you love the joy in Connies Creations three kids and horse? Try Windswept Whispers on my blog list if you want to snag something.