The Band

We played last night in Manhattan, hopefully our last outdoor show for the season. Fansler, the mandolin player said he had frost on his mandolin. I think he may have been exagerrating just a little...but my hands and fingers were cold by the end of the evening. We could see our breath when we finished.

Gene just borrowed an electronic keyboard from Dale, and I'm already impressed by how much he can play! He never ceases to surprise me. Gene has been composing lyrics lately and wants to figure out the melodies for them.

All is well here, it's feeling like autumn and it's beautiful. May have to put a blanket on the bed soon...Take care everyone!

Joan

Family Photo

Just a quick post with the "almost complete" family photo. By the way, Dylan is standing on the hearth (at least, I'm pretty sure he is), he can't possibly be that tall!

More later...

Joan

Visit to Maryland

Gene and I just returned from 6 days in Maryland. Flew in/out of Baltimore and stayed with Maureen and Brent. Visited DC one day and saw the Smithsonian Museum of American Indians, along with the Roosevelt Memorial. While we were walking around, Marine One (Presidential helicopter) flew overhead. I waved, just in case the President was on board. I'm sure he waved back. And across the river, where the Pentagon is, there is now a memorial for 9/11 that you can see from a distance.

Saturday evening, we were invited to Alan Kelly's home in Potomac, MD for an "end of summer" party. Met some of his family, friends and neighbors. The next day, Alan joined us for dinner and a movie ("Julia and Julie" or something like that, the one about Julia Childs). The movie was great, I would recommend it to anyone! We laughed a lot, especially since Alan does a spot on imitation of Julia.

Monday, Brent took Gene and I out to Antitem, major battle site of the Civil War. Really interesting and oddly moving. Then across the river to Harper's Ferry. Lots of history.

So, happy to be home, if only for a week or so before we head out to California. See you there!

Joan

Home at last...

Returned home last night from our South Dakota road trip. I always consider it a success, if upon returning home, my critters are all still alive and the house is standing. We had a great time, and Maddy and I decided that Mt. Rushmore was our favorite place. Since I can't seem to control the placement of photos, I'll just tell you what they are...the bear is at Bear Country (clever, eh?) where we saw loads of Black Bear, then there's Jenna, Maddy and Gene and "hawgs" in Hill City.

(I really need to learn how to place pictures...)

So, glad to be home and back to our routine until Aug. 13 when we take off for the Washington DC area to visit Maureen and Brent Hanson, and Alan and Kim Kelly. Jet-setters!

Joan

Good Day!

Hey everybody!

It's been a while since I've checked this blog, but I am very happy to see that everyone still posts things up here! I LOVE seeing everyone's pictures and reading about your adventures! Joan...I am LOVING your pictures with your band! You guys are the real deal; rock on!

Anyway, just wanted to check in and make sure everyone was doing well! I have started a new show at Disney called "Celebrate: A Street Party". It's a high-energy dance party that stops 3 times along the parade route to interact with the audience and really get them involved. We have a swing section, a rock section, a latin section, a congo section, and a giant Finale, filled with confetti, air flames, drums, and shiny banners! I am doing a new role known as "Stand-By", in which I do just that. I know every single spot in the show (every dancer spot, stilt walker, character, and bike rider spot) and I come in everyday not knowing what I'll be cast in for the day. And they use me to do spots for the people that don't show up that day. It's really exciting because the rush of getting switched 2 or 3 times into different spots in the period of 45 minutes before the show starts is always a good time. So it's been quite fun getting to do something different everyday and not have to be stuck in one spot all the time. :]

But other than that, not much is new. I am still auditioning as the right auditions come along. I have an audition in 2 weeks for the national tour of Hairspray the Musical. So I am really excited about that. And I am hoping to go to NYC for a couple weeks sometime in the near future to audition out there and see how it goes. Anyway, I miss all of you and hope all is well! Here is the link to an album of pictures from my show! Love you guys! :]

Click HERE for pictures :]

On the Road Again...

Glad to hear that John is doing well, what a day Melinda had too! Hope RR is feeling better...

I neglected to tell you about the drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Hill City, SD...we stopped at the 1880's Town, which Maddy loved. Then a drive through The Badlands. It is amazing! When I get home, I'll post some photos. Then a stop at Wall's Drug, which is actually a city block in size, at least, and Maddy wanted to look at everything! Finally got to our cute motel in the Mt. Rushmore area and met a kitty who had lost 3 feet in an ice storm. Sweet little thing also lost her ears so I loved on her a bunch, since I'm missing my Kitty big-time. Already told you about Mt. Rushmore. Yesterday, we did the Reptile Gardens (not my fave), Bear Country (fab) and Big Thunder Gold Mine (I did laundry, someone has to be the mom). Big day. And all this time, there are hundreds of Harleys everywhere as the annual Harley Davidson Rally in Sturgis, SD starts this weekend. Everyone we met was very pleasant, these are not Hells's Angels, just folks with nice bikes.

So today, we left early and drove for almost 8 hours to Kearney, NE. Just before we arrived here, we took a small detour so Gene could visit a wild horse sanctuary. I was more than a little afraid we might be bringing one home...it's a dream of his to have and train a wild mustang.

Tomorrow, we head home, and I'm ready, I miss my critters. That's all for now, take care everyone, this family is an orthopedic nightmare!

Joan

Update from the Perrys

Well, you'll all be happy to know John's doing great. This morning he wanted the Wall Street Journal and his laptop! We saw the doctor and he reported that it took him the most time to straighten out his bowed legs-- but he did it. So, John might be a little taller! He didn't get into his room and settled until 9:30 last night. But they had him up and walking the hall this morning. He's really doing better than I thought.

Oh, and yesterday was quite eventful-- besides witnessing a bicycle injury/car accident-- hit and run (john had to walk to the hospital and admit himself while i gave the police/ambulance all the info)-- after that a red light went on in my car and the shop did not want me to drive it, so it got towed to the repair shop-- so I shlepped all john's stuff for the hospital (walker, suitcase, laptop, reading material) to the hospital. I looked like a bag lady. And then this morning, if that wasn't enough fun... Rachel got the stomach flu. Although I want to be with John, I'm home cleaning up from sweet Rachel Ray. That's probably more than you wanted to know-- but alas-- life is colorful-- all colors! It is a wonderful privilege caring for my family. I believe John will do just fine. He's been working out hard the last several months, so I think he'll come back strong. We're delighted he might not have as much pain. Y'all know better than anyone! Just wished I could be two places at one time-- right now Rachel wins the "most needy award".

Well, actually I wished we could be three places at one time-- we'd all like to be with Dick as he's healing-- we miss you all especially when someone is sick-- that's the hardest time to be so far away. I send much love from us all here!