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12/16/2003 I finally arrive in Florence, Alabama! Boy, was that a long trip! Whew!! And Diane's little boy, Bronson, is having his 12th birthday today. Happy Birthday, Bronson! He said he likes cowboy stuff like guns and lassos, and has some cowboy gear himself, even a handmade bullwhip his Dad made him. Diane's friend Cheri that lives in Texas sent him a real cowboy lasso a couple of years ago. Maybe Bronson and I can practice some roping tricks while I'm here. I enjoyed some chocolate cake and ice cream that Bronson's mom Diane made for his birthday. Now to rest up a bit (yawn...) |
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12/17/2003 I had a really great hot bath today to wash off all that trail dust I acquired from my travels, and that queen size bed sure felt good to my old bones after the long trip from Canada. Now that I'm rested up a bit, I think I'll head out today and see what Florence looks like. It was raining and very windy when I arrived and the temp is about 50 F outside. Florence is a very pretty town! Lots of trees and even a horse stable right down the road from Diane's house! Diane said she used to keep her three horses there when she was a kid. Mmmm...I smell coffee... 12/18/2003 After a good hot breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits and coffee, I decided to venture out with Diane, her daughter Amanda, and a friend of hers named Margaret. We did some Christmas shopping!! I got Jane a nice present. I hope she likes it. We also got a gift for Kevin so I can take it to him when I visit Michigan. Diane and her family gave me a sweater scarf and Santa hat to keep me warm while in Alabama. It's not too cold here, but its around 45 F today. It was a nice sunny day today. Great for Christmas shopping!! Bronson gets out of school tomorrow for the Christmas holidays!! Yeee-haww!! |
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12/19/2003 Yeee-haww!! Bronson is out of school today, so I have me a" cowpoke buddy" to practice my roping tricks with! Maybe we can lasso those two shelties of Diane's that keep barking at me. Those two cats of hers would probably be more my size, though...The one she calls Sasha keeps looking at me like I'm dinner. Bronson really likes me. He said he wished I could stay here with him and share his bunk in his room. It kinda reminds me of that movie "Toy Story" Bronson and I watched together..."You got a friend in me..." 12/20/2003 I helped Diane and her kids decorate their tree and we listened to Christmas music and wrapped some presents. Diane made us some hot chocolate and homemade cookies. Now, if only it would snow...Only 5 more days 'til Christmas!!! I wonder if I'll get that new cowpony I told Santa I wanted? |
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12/21/2003 Diane's friend Margaret invited us to go to church with her tonight. They are having a Christmas dinner. Yee-haw!! I'm always up for some good ole Southern homemade cooking! And since it's a Christmas dinner, you can bet there'll be a table full of desserts and homemade pies! I might have to boor "Hoss Cartwright's" pants before I leave for Michigan. After the dinner we went riding around looking at the Christmas lights. This family, the Wrights, has a H-U-G-E place decorated with all kinds of decorations and lights. It is unreal...looks like something out of a fairytale. You'd be amazed. I'll have to get some pictures to send back to Suzanne and show everyone. The story goes that the Wright's son loved Christmas and all the lights and decorations as a child. After he grew up, he joined the military where he was killed in action. His family kept adding decorations each Christmas in his honor over the years. Now, there are literally thousands of lights covering their land in front of their home. You can see the lights a mile down the road before you get there. There is a long line of cars close to Christmas that line up every night to drive through the entire scene to enjoy the decorations and lights, complete with Christmas music and a live "Santa" that gives Christmas candy canes to all the kids. Well I'm tuckered out for the night. I think I'll hit the hay early. Big day tomorrow! Some more places to visit before I head out to Kevin's. |
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12/22/2003 Yee-haw!! Only 3 more days 'til Christmas! Bronson sure is excited! He said he hopes he'll get a pocket watch and some cool toys. I hope he gets his wish from Santa! Looks like it's going to rain here today...sure wish it would snow..."I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...la, la, la, la, la, la, da, da..." 12/23/2003 Diane and her kids are watching Christmas movies on TV, and I'm writing in my "Cowboy Journal." They sure have been nice to me while I'm visiting. I wish the kids and Jane could be here with me...sigh..." 12/24/2003 Well, it's Christmas Eve, and Bronson sure is excited!!! Amanda is too. They gave me a Christmas present to open tomorrow. I can't wait to see what it is! |
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| 12/25/2003 YEEE-HAWW!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Diane and her kids gave me a great looking cowboy hat for Christmas. Now I look like a cowboy! Mmmm...Is that ham I smell cooking? I'm hungry!! 12/26/2003 We had a big Christmas dinner. Ham, turkey, dressing, homemade rolls, pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, green beans, corn, slaw, coconut cake, congealed salad, Mississippi Mud Pie, and fruit salad. It was great! 12/27/2003 Today we're just resting up from Christmas. Bronson is playing with his new toys and his Game Boy Advance. He got that cool pocket watch he wanted. It has wild horses on the case! Man, I'd like a pocket watch like that!! |
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| 12/28/2003 Well I'm getting ready to leave out for Kevin's tomorrow! Guess I'll be up there at his place for New year's!! Yee-haww!! Diane said we might go take some more pictures around Florence before I leave. We might go to visit Wilson Dam and McFarland Park, and the local college UNA where there is a real live lion named "Leo" and Una (pronounced "oona") his mate. They are mascots for U-N-A (University of North Alabama). 12/29/2003 Well, I'm heading out for Kevin's Wednesday. I've really enjoyed visiting Diane and her kids here in Florence, Alabama. We went to some of the local sites and Diane took some pictures for my website. I sure will miss my little cowpoke buddy Bronson...take care little buddy! P.S. Practice those roping tricks I showed you! Johnny |
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I'm
packing up and getting ready to head out of Alabama to Michigan to see
Kevin. Yee-haw! My sweater and scarf set should come in handy there! |
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12/31/2003 Finally I get ready to leave Alabama today. My ride out of here was delayed a couple of days, but I'm ready to see new places! Get ready, Kevin! Here I come! Johnny |
Gear Added
 Sombrero |
Souvenir picked up
  Christmas gear and Alabama State Patch |