Sometimes good ol country music really matters and after a week that makes most days look like hell and then some, and this was even worse, all I have to say is give me back my hometown. Here. Now. Not where I grew up (though that was damn awesome too). But the hometown where we have fireworks and beer, and where no one thinks I am weird for staying in all holiday weekend to check on my injured horse. Where this is life, and how we live, every day.

So how are you doing, kid? How is life out there? Out everywhere but here? Because I promise you I’d take this alone over the falsities of any suburban America any day. This is life. This is real. And I love each and every one of my friends for it.

And then this happened – I was alone, and I was happy, and I was loved. Thank you.