Friday Free-For-All!

I’m sure you can probably guess what I’m going to be talking about today. Yep. You’ve got it!

The Saddled Hearts blog tour started yesterday! This will be a lengthy tour, and I’m taking a deep breath as we launch into it. If you missed the kickoff, ride on over to Staci’s and take a look.

No, this post isn’t going to be all about the tour, I promise.

I had the honor and privilege of appearing on the Coffee, Tea, Friendlee and Me radio show on Wednesday this week, (book release day) and it was, as always, a fun opportunity. Friendlee Buffington is a wiry little man with more energy than a two-year-old. Could be the coffee he drinks. Or it could just be his makeup. Here’s a photo taken during the show.

Photo by Ginny Foley

I’m trying to figure out how to download the video from Facebook and edit it to just my part of the show. Another thing that makes this radio show unique is that it is streamed live from the lobby of the historic Texan Theater in downtown Greenville, Texas. I’ve only heard bits and pieces of the history, but it was constructed in the late 1800s and is a world-class theater where a variety of live shows take place.

Back to Friendlee (I have no idea what his real name is). The little man has one saying that he ends every show with, AND every time he bids you farewell. “Keepitn your boot,” he says. Yes, it’s always run together. I don’t know how old Friendlee is, but he’s no spring chicken. He also has a regular internet radio show. I share all of this to say I love meeting unique and passionate people. Their energy is contagious. It gives me a boost like a vitamin B12 shot!

On a totally different front, my granddaughter had her first orchestra concert. She chose the violin and has really taken to the instrument. She is eleven and in sixth grade.

This is her with the big goofy smile.

I always get a little emotional when I attend these kinds of events. Just seeing the beautiful faces of the children touches me. I always wonder what life has in store for them. They are certainly destined for some struggles as our world comes more unraveled daily.

I don’t want to get too heavy, but I’ve been catching an occasional “Ancient Aliens” show recently, and I am convinced more than ever we aren’t the first world to exist on this planet and we won’t be the last. I often think of the scripture about “this world and worlds to come.” We are here temporarily. It’s our duty to put our very best foot forward while we linger in this dimension, but always know it’s not permanent. That perspective helps keep me from getting too undone over struggles.

Anyhoo, moving on. Have a great weekend everyone. The blog tour will pick up again next week, but I will still have my regular Monday posts, and a book review post will be thrown into the mix. I’ve read some fabulous books this month!

And just for giggles, I’ll end by saying, “Keepitn your boot!”

33 thoughts on “Friday Free-For-All!

  1. You have some great things happening right now, Jan! Your book release and watching your Granddaughter start what could become a music career. You’d almost think it runs in the family or something. 🙂

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  2. That was a fun post, Jan. Your granddaughter looks so happy!
    Congratulations on the show you did, too. Friendlee sounds like an amazing and highly entertaining man. What a wonderful spirit he must have!

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  3. What a fun way to kick off our tour, Jan. I’ve never done a radio show, and it sounds like so much fun, especially with Friendlee as your host. Lol. He sounds like a ticket. And a lovely shout out for your granddaughter. How sweet. I share your worries about the world we’ll leave our grandchildren. We can only give them the confidence, love, and tools to carry on, and hopefully make things better. Have a great day and “Keepitn your boot!”

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    1. You are right, Diana. All we can do is give them tools to help them maneuver through this crazy world. The radio show was fun for sure. I have asked for a download that I can edit and share out. Thank you for stopping by and YES, Keepitn your boot! 🙂 Have a great weekend!

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  4. I’m so sorry I missed your interview with Friendlee. My doctor’s visit went too long. Darn it! He looks like he’d be a hoot and a half! I’ll try to catch it on YouTube. Congratulations to Sydney! 🙂 The violin is a beautiful instrument. Love you and good luck on your book tour!

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    1. He is definitely a hoot and a half! Sorry you missed it. I have asked for a download so I can edit it and share it out. I agree that the violin is a beautiful instrument and she has taken to it like a duck to water. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by! Love you!

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  5. Congratulations on being a guest on that show. It sounds like a great experience. I hope it helps a lot with sales. I love seeing children perform. It makes you realize how talented they are and how much they are individuals. Congrats on that too (share with your granddaughter).

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    1. Thank you, Dan. It was great to be on the show. I can only hope it helps with sales for the new book. That’s always the goal. I agree about watching children perform. Thanks so much for stopping by and yes, I will share your comment with Sydney! Have a great weekend!

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  6. I just love your Friday Free-For-All posts, Jan. Your granddaughter is adorable! She made me smile. And I love the show, “Ancient Aliens”! When I look up into the night sky and see all those brilliant stars, I know we are not alone. Call it a feeling… 🙂

    Enjoy your weekend! xo

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    1. I totally relate to that last sentence, Mary. If we are arrogant enough to think we are the only intelligent beings in the Universe, we are mistaken. We are not alone. Thank you for the kind words about my little Sydney. She’s an energetic handful sometimes, and I wouldn’t trade her for the world. Thank you for stopping by. I’m glad you are enjoying these posts!

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  7. Wow, how great that you were on that show. Amazing!! Congrats on that too, not only again on your book. I love the saying. Whatever it means, it feels encouraging and motivating. My sister played the violin too for a while (she must have been about that age too). She struggled with it and got even more discouraged when I took that instrument one day and just played something, without any lessons… lol

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    1. Lol, Erika. I love that story. I’m sure your sister was discouraged when you could play naturally. It was super fun being on the show with Friendlee. The saying, “keepitn your boot” is another way of saying, always be prepared. 🙂 Thank you for visiting and have a great weekend!

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      1. Very cool, because that is how the phrase felt to me. See, you don’t need to know every detail of a language to understand it… hehe. Thank you, and you have a great weekend too, Jan 💖

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    1. Oh my, yes, Darlene! They are the light of my life for sure. I have five of them, and they are each so different. It’s a joy. I agree about Friendlee’s saying. 🙂 It’s kinda like having an ace in the hole. Have a great weekend, and thanks for visiting!

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  8. Thanks for the additional shout-out today.

    I really loved this post. You covered so much that resonates with me. Congratulations on the show. People like Friendlee always fascinate me. All that energy and zest for life… makes me wonder what I’m doing wrong and how to rectify it. I LOVE your granddaughter’s joy for the violin and performing and music. (She clearly comes by it honestly.) I, too, watch these kids and wonder what life has in store for them. It used to be exciting; now it’s kind of scary. Finally, I used to be totally addicted to Ancient Aliens. (Many of the ideas I saw on it in some way inspired the Astral series I wrote.) I never hear people talk about it. So nice to find a kindred spirit. Have a great weekend, Jan.

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    1. Every time I watch one of the Ancient Aliens shows, Staci, I think of your series. I devoured those books and can only imagine the research that went into them. I’m sure our parents and grandparents felt the same looking at us as children and feeling like the world was going to hell in a handbasket. (Hmm, wonder where that saying originated?) But it is uncertain as to what the future will be like for these sweet kiddos.
      I agree about people like Friendlee. Where do they get the boundless energy? I drink coffee too and don’t have that kind of contagious energy. 🙂 I think some folks are just born with it.
      I love watching all of my grandchildren take to playing musical instruments. So far, all of them play except for the youngest boy, and he just hasn’t gotten there yet. Sydney also plays piano and is getting really good at figuring out hard pieces of music. Even my little Sammy plays piano. I love sitting with them when they practice. Thank you for stopping by and adding to the free for all!

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  9. Your granddaughter looks so thrilled! I’m with you on the world and it’s struggles, Jan. My daily mantra is ‘all things change’, and I agree that keeping in mind our temporary existence is a helpful approach. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend 💕🙂

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Harmony! I love your daily mantra. Sometimes it’s those little reminders that keep us going. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!

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