But back to the story; in February, I hurt my spine and couldn’t walk for about 6 weeks. Mom and Dad had to give me medicine, and carry me, and put heat packs on my back. During this time, Dad had to sing in Florida and we all went. I slept on pillows between Mom and Dad as we traveled in the van. We went to Gainesville, Brooksville, Clermont, and Ocala. Dad carried me on the beach to see the ocean. I was scared of the big waves.

RICK: Rosie really had a bad injury and we thought we would have to put her down if we could not ease her pain or if she did not improve. Thank you God for bringing us to a great veterinary, Dr. Root. It was a very rough two weeks before we saw any sign of improvement and then we went to Florida. Rosie is a trooper; she took her medicine, waited for us to pick her up and move her, and never growled or bit when she was in awful pain. It was great to be back with friends in Florida.

ROSIE: In March, we went to southern and then northeast Alabama. I even got to walk around in the Klondyke Center and the Flat Rock Community Center. I was feeling better but still on medication. Mom said I was friendlier with strangers on medication. I liked it when Andy road with us to the Community Center. He could pet me.

RICK: We love going to Alabama and seeing old and new friends. I am having fun introducing my new songs to people and am getting a good response. We also went to the CD release party for our friends Faith 3. It was so good to catch up and hear them sing again. In April, I went to the Walking Horse Hotel in Wartrace, TN for an afternoon concert. What a place! This is a singers dream! Joe designed Chais Music Hall for the professional and he got it right.

ROSIE: This May we went to Rossville, GA for a benefit for Jim Hill’s group, Cedar Hill, whose sound equipment was stolen. Dad sang with his friend John Lanier and Cedar Hill. I got to sit in the church until the concert started and I didn’t bite anyone, close but no blood shed. I just don’t like anyone touching my Mom and Dad.

RICK: We had a great time with Cedar Hill Ministries and John Lanier. It was so much fun to sing with old friends. We even had a battle of the tenors and yours truly won. Then we were back in Dalton, GA for Sunday morning.

I sang almost at home too this month at my friend Pastor Dan Strand’s new church in Portland, TN. It was great to see him again.

I will be at the Walking Horse Hotel the 20^th of June and can’t wait. Rosie will stay home as it will only be a few hours and her sitter is close by.

ROSIE: I am still catching up on the sleep I missed this weekend and really won’t mind staying home with Nick when Dad sings next weekend. It is hot outside and I am staying in.

P.S. I lost my 7 year old parakeet sister, Pansy last month. She used to throw seed down to me, and I liked it. Percy, my parakeet brother, was here with Pansy when Mom brought me home.  He has been lonely but we are giving him a lot of attention and he is doing better.