The Wind DOES Wave the Wheat When It Comes Sweeping Down the Plain!

Georgia was beyond lovely. Our venue was the Georgia Baptist Convention Center, which is a retreat on Lake Louise in Toccoa, GA, outside Atlanta. We had rooms on site, and they had no TVs or phones or internet, and there was a curfew at 11 pm and lights out at midnight. They also requested we strip our own beds. All this was a bit much for some of our group, but I said "yes" and was down with the Baptists. I walked the grounds a bit with a castmate and got a cup of coffee at the Coffee Shop. They had two sizes, David and Goliath. Goliath was the small and David was the large! The young man running the shop recommended running all the trails I could find, because there wasn't one trail around the lake. After enjoying our coffee looking out over the lake and trading country stories, Chris and I went our separate ways and I strapped on my sneaks. It was in the 50s, perfect weather for running, and I found a nature trail right away. I was so thankful! It couldn't have been more perfect. I even saw the white tail of a deer as it flew away from the sound of my running. I made my way to their fitness center and found the first dumbbells I'd seen in weeks! Thanks, again.

Lunch was only served 12-1, so I had to hurry. The cafeteria was free, although I don't think anyone in our group knew that. I ended up, coincidentally, in line with some of the tech people for the show, so I had a place to sit. I'm not sure what kind of crew they had at the last show that so poisoned the venue's reputation with our production manager, but these guys couldn't have been more friendly or welcoming. No one else in the cast came to lunch.

I spent the rest of the day washing out my wig and reading The Power of Intention. At 5, nearly everyone came to dinner. I was so happy to have everyone joining in and making the best of everything. The venue didn't have traditional wing space, and the lighting was a bit less sophisticated than we're used to, but the crew and our tech team rose to the occasion and made it work! I felt I was in my best voice ever, and really had a great time doing the show. The next morning I ate biscuits and gravy and grits while looking out over ducks swimming in a misty, glassy lake. Not bad! We did leave at 8 am, though, earlier than ever, for a long drive to Colinsville, IL (right outside East St. Louis).

Twelve hours is a long time to ride a bus. You can watch movies, sleep, read, use a slow and spotty internet, eat junk food, and basically sit around. Any rest stop is a chance for some entertainment! I bought some state magnets and an awesome trucker shirt at one. Really accentuates my diesel look! When we finally arrived in Colinsville, we were all starved, so a few of us hit the Mexican restaurant next to the hotel, Zapatas. As soon as the chips and salsa hit he table, I knew there was a maragarita in my future. But just one! I turn into a pumpkin around 11:30 these days! (Speaking of, it's midnight now, so I better wrap this up!) Plus, my migraine pretty much had me down for the count. It had to to keep me from going to the local casino with some of the guys. I sure could use a couple of hours in front of the nickel slots! Hoo-yeah!

We had to split Illinois at 10 am today, so there was no time to hunt down the World's Largest Catsup Bottle. To avoid a snowstorm, we rerouted our next destination from Mitchell, SD to Lexington, NB. I spent the morning on my computer, but my migraine came back and I had to hit the bunk for a while. Thank heavens for Imitrex! I don't know what I would do without it. When I finally got back to normal, I found there was a bit of a music party happening in the front lounge. There was some light dancing, drinking stories and the trying on of other people's shoes. May not seem exciting to you, but after another twelve hours on the bus, I was desperate! We finally checked into the Days Inn in Lexington around 10:45, and that's where I am right now, taking advantage of high speed internet while the kids start partying it up down the hall. In about two minutes, I'll brush my teeth, put on my sleep mask and pass out. Yes, life on tour is glamorous and fast-paced, indeed!

We head to Billings, MT tomorrow, and we're hoping we can make it without hitting the kind of weather that requires us to spend the night in a parking area. Yeah, glamorous. But it's an adventure, and I'm just thankful every day that I'm getting paid to be an actor. Goodnight, children, Mama's tired!