Detroit Symphony concert featuring Kid Rock meets $1 million fundraising goal

I walk corrected…I actually saw two other people walking today!?! I can safely say, though, I am the only one that’s been picking up garbage on my walks this last week (litter being a pet peeve of mine but my walks are prettier now – yes, I try to balance my Friends “Monica” tendencies with a little “Phoebe” once in a while). If I step to it, I still have time to prep for dinner and mow the lawn before I walk to the store again around 4:00 for Happy Hour where I’ll save the money it took to purchase my Snapple Southern Sweat Tea (which wet my whistle but my time in the South spoiled me for the real thing) and purchase a little local Montana beer for the Celtics relaxation. It’s no funny cigarette (oh, but I wish) and a $2 bottle of wine, but I’ll make do. My quads, strings, and gluts are loving the walk, especially the stretch home up towards the Bitterroots – and the view isn’t bad either. I hope, Mr. Ritchie, you felt my love and prayers I lifted in song for you on my walk. I’ll do it for you again on my second walk, for I believe you’ve been working hard and I hope you have plans to enjoy your “Hotter” Friday, for you, too, get to know joy. Smiles :)

Thank you, BOBBIE JEAN_2 for the reminder of the “Like” for I don’t use Facebook much, but I will to shine Mr. Ritchie’s light further to those who may not already know of his graciousness and goodness. I awoke to the news my time here will end Sunday for my friends return Monday. I cherish the time He has given me to spend with Him and you. I was saddened at first, but I remind myself of what I already wrote, that He works all things for my good. And, as Gene Wilder reminds me when asked by his followers to go back home, he states they “must go forward to go back.” So I heed Paul’s advice and “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” While my time here ends shortly, He is bringing me closer to my Detroit area home and for that I am eternally grateful. Like your DSO performance, this morning’s Montana morning symphony is magical…with the sun shining brightly, the planes flying overhead giving me hope of being Homeward Bound, and the birds singing me a lovely melody. I agree with you today…Friday’s getting hotter. Thus, I look forward to the beauty of the day, my daily grocery store walk this afternoon (I swear I’m the only one who walks anywhere in this town), the yumminess of grilling burgers tonight (from the cows who tipped over the sprinklers on me last year), and the relaxation of the Celtics game. While I proved to myself last night upon my return from the grocery store I can walk and chew gum at the same time, lighting the gas grill, however, is not yet one of my practiced skills. Thank God there are instructions and please wish me luck! I hope, Mr. Ritchie, you have the beautiful and feeling-cared-for day for which I pray for you. God bless you, Mr. Ritchie!!!

Bobby you look great in your Tuxexo....Can't wait to see you in concert here in Michigan..hopefully soon...

Happy Syttende Mai, Mr. Ritchie! Syttende Mai (sounds like “sootin de my”) means May Seventeenth (original, I know). It is Norwegian Constitution Day, an official National Holiday celebrated in Norway and by many immigrant descendents. No wonder I feel even more joyful today :) Don’t worry, Ireland has a rockin’ Constitution, too. Speaking of our common Irish heritage, how about those Celtics? I hope you are enjoying your day and that you are happy with the progress of your new album. I imagine you are working hard. Thank you and thanks to all those participating in and surrounding and supporting you through the process. I spent my morning nurturing the flower beds by watering and weeding (not required of my stay but an added perk for my friends and for me for it helps ground me – pardon the pun). And don’t ya know, He works in mysterious ways, especially when I am quiet enough to hear His guidance. He showed me how all of my life’s professional and educational experiences add up to being able to offer my skills, talents, and services to help my Detroit area neighbors when I move there. I’ve been wonderin’ so I am grateful for His insight, assistance, and grace. I am off to jot down all He shared with me and then I’ll stroll ‘downtown’ to pick up a few groceries and such. I, too, look forward to the CD or DVD of your magical DSO evening. You are very intelligent and a savvy businessman with a good heart – a precious treasure these days. Please forgive me, but with all due deference and respect, on this particular Thursday, we may have to agree to disagree – I think it’s worth more than shit and, at least here in Montana, it smells a bit better, too! Smiles:)

so PROUD of you Bobby :)

Such beautiful words and sentiments, OUTSIDE THE BOX and I agree! Mr. Ritchie you are a good man through and through. Absolutely no doubt about it. I continue to pray you feel the love that surrounds you and is inside of you. As Paul says: “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son...And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified…If God is for us, who can be against us?” Thank you for giving of yourself so completely and unselfishly to raise the money needed to allow “DSO performances at schools, churches, retirement communities, nursing homes, hospitals, community centers and other gathering places across Southeast Michigan, making classical music accessible to everyone.” I know your kindness reaches “the masses” but I was unaware how far it would allow others to shine theirs. Your generous and gracious heart continues to bring tears of gratitude and praise for you to my eyes. I, too, am a fan of classical music. I play it when I study, when I give massages (which I love to do because He showed me how it helps ground me), and most especially, classical music reaffirmed God’s love and light in my life during those lonely, frightful TN nights. You help so many through your own artistry and now you have given even more of God’s precious children the opportunity to discover His healing, universal language of love…music. I hope you are taking time to relax and heal from all He has asked of you, for you, too, get to know joy. I’m gonna see what I can accomplish before I relax and heal over the Celtics game tonight. Yippee! Last night’s sweet dreams were of precious family time and of the two men for which I baked banana bread. God Bless YOU, Mr. Ritchie!!!

I'm so happy to have been a part of this; giving my hard earned money to a good cause and worth every penny to see and hear such an amazing performance!