November 2, 2002
It seems like just yesterday that I drove into Branson, a stranger in a strange land... not knowing exactly "why" I was here yet feeling that somehow it was important. Now six months have gone by... and all my questions have been answered. Not only have I performed more than I would have thought possible in a town so full of talent, (and been received with open arms and much appreciation) but just a couple of days ago, I finished recording my first CD..."Food for Thought, from Abigayle with Love". That single accomplishment was reason enough to come to Branson...not to mention the wonderful contacts in the industry I've made, and the many new friends I shall always treasure..
But recording my first CD was definitely the frosting on the cake. Now I have yet another venue in which to share my art, and... if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty darn well. If you are interested in having a copy, I placed detailed instructions for ordering at the top of my "home page". I'm really excited about this CD. It's definitely "something different" and I think you'll enjoy it. We used the sounds of nature; from ocean waves to thunderstorms in the background, as well as guitar and keyboard. The CD contains 22 of my inspirational poems and it's kind of like those relaxation tapes. (But mine's "relaxation/inspiration".. The only bad part was that I was suffering from a pretty severe (but thankfully rare) allergy attack during recording, so my voice is not exactly 100 percent. Actually, I got my voice back just in time for the last recording session, so three of the poems do sound like me. Later, when I heard the difference, I wanted to re-record the whole darn thing...but I was out of time and had to be satisfied. So, here it is.
But at last my time in Branson is finished (for now anyway) and it's time to hit the road again. Although I enjoyed my time here, I have to admit... I can't wait to get moving. I'll be leaving in MUCH better shape than I arrived for several reasons. During the summer I was performing pretty regularly during the day, but that left my nights free. So, since I still needed some repairs made to "Faith" (my RV), as well as an oil change, tune up, generator servicing, etc., in August I accepted a job serving food at a VERY BUSY local restaurant, (the Fall Creek Steak and Fish House). In addition to those necessities I already mentioned, I also thought it would be nice to have a little nest egg to leave town with. (Am I getting spoiled again?)
Although I've had many wonderful experiences traveling on nothing but faith and am certainly willing to do that when necessary, I also believe that the Lord helps those who help themselves. So, for the last three months, I have been working SIX nights a week as a waitress. Add that to my already busy days and you have my feeble excuse for not updating this journal earlier. To tell you the truth, working six nights a week at one of Branson's busiest restaurants left me so darn exhausted I was lucky just to make it to my couch when I got home at night. I have a great respect for food servers and the hard work they do. I was definitely in pain for the first couple of weeks, but the "silver lining" to that temporary cloud of sore muscles and feet is the fact that I am now in great physical condition.. and healthy, .healthy, healthy! I feel so wonderfully blessed in that regard. Even when everyone else at work was getting sick...I never missed a single shift. This Thursday is my 51st birthday, and I'm actually in better health now than I was when I was 20. Next to my FAITH, I would say that good health is one of my most valuable possessions...and I couldn't be more thankful.
Right now, I'm sitting here at my computer...fingers actually touching the keyboard...but no words are coming forth. I am literally stumped. There is just so much to tell....so many paths that were laid open for me...so many miracles of faith...I don't even know where I could possibly begin. Maybe I'll just save it for the book Poetry on the Road (which, by the way...I am going to devote my entire winter to writing).
It seems like an eternity ago (1998) that I drove away from Gold Beach, Oregon with nothing more than $100 in my pocket, a 25 year old RV and a heart full of faith. I could never have imagined what the next four and a half years held in store for me. These last six months in Branson alone have been filled with so many amazing events and interesting people, that a single journal entry can't hope to do it justice. A few highlights would be FIVE (count them...five!) blowouts between here and Arizona, wonderful friends in Branson who "gave" me a car to use during my stay (absolutely VITAL considering the way this town is spread out... Thank you Tom and Mary!), performing at the "Chateau on the Hill" (Branson's only five star resort), the "freak" accidental death of my beloved pet and the unbelievable number of "doors" that I miraculously found wide open (thank you, Lord) and which led to the recording of my first CD at NO cost to me. Actually, I could use the rest of this page just "listing" events...but I won't. It's time to move on...and I'm in the mood to look forward rather than back. After all....I'm almost ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I sure am hoping it's early enough in the season for me to avoid "ice and snow" on my way to the West Coast...and since I haven't driven my RV in over 5 months, I'm also praying for a "breakdown free" journey. I'll be heading for my mother's house in Sacramento, California and that's one heck of a long way from Missouri... but at least I have some company for this leg of my journey as I recently adopted a homeless kitten named "Tinkerbell". I sure hope she likes to travel!
Well, it's time to say goodbye and begin travel preparations. Once I get to Sacramento, I can use my mom's telephone and check my email daily...so I'd sure love to hear from you!
May the Lord bless and keep you!
Abigayle
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ABOVE: My new traveling companion..."Tinkerbell"
BELOW: The Branson night sky...the view from where my RV is parked.
