Hello all!

It's awful cold as I write this here in Byrdstown, Tennessee. It's been a long and interestingly funny, happy, and sad day. I woke up around 6:30 a.m. to get ready for a Monday at PCHS. Ugh! ;) Today was also one of about four blood drives that our school takes part in throughout the year. This was the 3rd one so far this year, and I've been wanting to help out each time they came around, but I seemed to be out of town every stinkin' time. So.. finally I was here for one and finally was able to support the cause. Of course, when they take you back to test your blood pressure, temperature, pulse, ect.. they have to do a tiny blood sample by sticking your finger. The lady handed me a little strip first thing to stick under my tongue in order to check my temperature. Then, she reached for my left hand hoping to stick one of my fingers, and then had the weirdest look on her face. So in the moment all I can halfway say with this thing stuck in my mouth is the word "musician" to explain the calluses on my fingers. Hahaha! It was really funny in that moment to see her initial reaction.
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I had to leave class early today in order to attend the funeral of my great grandpa, Willburn Choate. Pa was 93 years old and lived a long, mostly healthy life. Never in my life have I known someone that old to be so "with it". He was sharp as a tack and such a funny man to be around. He was a christian man and was the grandfather of about 40 something grandkids. (One of his daughters had 12 kids.. go figure!) The strange thing is, about 2 weeks prior to loosing my Pa Choate, my other great grandpa, Clyde Duvall passed away. Grandpa Duvall, also a christian, was also in his 90's... 96 I believe. He was in such good health for so many years. Even well throughout his 70's, 80's, and early 90's he always planted the BIGGEST garden you've ever seen. I'm talking 70 something rows in which he kept up all by himself. He loved working in his garden and always enjoyed being outside. It's a really sad thing for me to realize that I now no longer have any great grandparents left. My two grandpas on both mom and dad's side were the only ones still living. However, I feel so fortunate to know that they were able to live such long and happy lives. They were both christian men that loved the Lord and now "truly" call heaven their home. That's a great feeling to know without doubt they really are in a better place. There's a different kind of sadness that comes along with knowing that truth.
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In addition to all these thoughts - funny and sad - are some thoughts of forthcoming things of exciting. This is going to be one fun year I do believe! We've had a lot going on lately and I love the busy world that I sometimes find myself in.. well, that I ALWAYS find myself in whether that means music or laundry! I'm leaving for Boston this Wednesday in order to go visit Berklee College of Music. For the most part, I've made up my mind what I want to do after I graduate this year, but going to visit this college will be a great experience for me and will help make my decision be one that is based upon "having all the details". So.. I'm totally excited to go sit in on some classes and tour this amazing music school. I'm also going to go visit Rounder Records while up there and maybe discuss my next record among some other things. Should be a good time!

I finally kinda revamped my page a little, so maybe I will not be lazy and make time to post blogs more often this year. It's so hard sometimes when you've got a lot going on. I do appreciate you guys reading them, however!

Hope everyone is doing SO well!

Until next time,
Sierra

P.S. I just found out yesterday that the "Billy: The Early Years" official movie soundtrack is nominated for a Dove Award in the Special Album Event category, which was great to hear! The awards will be held on April 23rd at the Grand Ole Opry House and will also be televised. (Sadly I am gonna be on my senior trip during that week and will be flying from New York into North Carolina that night in order to make it to Merlefest on time. Darn it! It sure would have be fun to attend the show though!) Oh well I guess...