Madison Marie Johnson

IN memory of Madison Marie Johnson...........

1997-2008

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

VACATION!!!!

Hi from the OBX!  A t-storm is to the north, Bertha is offshore, and the waves here are kicking!  I would say at least 8 feet, glassy this morning, but completely choppy yesterday.  I won't go in past my thighs-I am afraid the current will yank me out to sea!

Graham got stung by a bee yesterday at Jockey's Ridge-his first sting and he handled it rather well.  We just got back from Duck and the kids are playing with their new toys.

I have finished "the Lovely Bones" and have started "Missing Mom" by Joyce Carol Oates.

We are enjoying the quiet hum of traffic that flows past the DQ, right across the street from us.  We have not yet ventured to the ABC store to acquire white russian ingredients.  For now, we are enjoying Landsharks with limes and some beer Chad got that I cannot pronounce.  I am fighting with the heads at UNC to save my enrollment, because even in the place some call Heaven, they still drop balls.

We have yet to visit the Pit.  We have eaten at Dare Devil's and grilled out burgers.  Tonight, we go to Pigman's.  Speaking of which, Rog, if you read this, I saw a perfect shirt for me today....it read:

People say I have ADD, but they don't under.....

hey look, a squirrel!

Happy July 4th!

Rejoice in our American freedom and pray for the safe return of our troops. Be grateful for those who have fought and died to protect our lives and our beloved country.

Lake Benson finale':

Remembering....a stormy night together

One summer night, eleven years ago (July 22, 1997 to be exact) Chad and I ventured out to Walnut Creek ampitheatre with a few friends to take in a phish concert. Chad and I had already seen Phish numerous times and the previous time we had seen them at the creek, they were not even big enough yet, so we were able to comfortably sit underneath the overhang, which was not sold out (6/29/1994).

ON this summer evening, there was a severe thunderstoprm warning, and I remember being stupidly excited, because anyone that knows me knows I am a weather-hound and I love a good storm. Well, I got a gift from God hand-delivered to me that night in more ways than one. I will never forget as it began to thunder and rain and people started running down the hill for cover. Lightening danced acrossed the sky, thunder cracked and right before my eyes, lightening split a tree in half, in the distance, behind the stage. It was amazing. Chad and I stood on the lawn, hands outstretched (we may as well have been lightening rods) and welcomed the downpour. THe band played into it, going along with the storm. It was a theatrical performance being made up as they went and you could never re-create that kind of magic. I stood there, trying to take it in.

While only those of us there could say we actually experienced it first-hand, eleven years later, I will be able to look back on that night and remember what fun we had, because.....the band is releasing the performance in a dvd package, appropriately called "Walnut Creek Severe Thunderstorm Warning". Perhaps we may be able to pick ourselves out somewhere on the vast lawn of individuals filled with stories you would not believe.

Phish tales of mystery, delight, wonder and amazement. Traveling folk, music lovers, and yes, pot heads, but one thing that connected all of us was the extreme love you felt for these complete strangers. You felt connected to them, no matter who you stood next to. You watched people spin in their own world, you ate your $1 grilled cheese to support someone's next ticket (which are by and far the best grilled cheeses that have ever existed). I never went to a Dead show, but I assume the connection was a bit of the same. Hippies are like that-no one judges you, you can be yourselves and no one cares. They don't care what you wear, they don't judge your past or present-they live in the now and everything you have to say, is the most interesting thing being said at that moment-they hang on your every word. Does it help that they might be higher than kites? Probably, but the affection and attention is sincere. I felt like we were all short of holding hands and swaying together.

There is (was) nothing like a phish show, for my generation anyway. I am glad I got to experience them at the many shows I saw before they disbanded. It was always something different. You never knew what you would get. Chad, myself and our friends shared some of the best times together at those shows. As a birthday present to me one year, Chad gave me a tape case full of shows-probably something like 50 shows. Their music meant a lot to us and still does.

So, I look forward to the August 5th release date:

http://drygoods.phish.com/Dept.aspx?cp=773_14035