When I was 12 years old I went on a bus tour to Branson with my grandma and a whole bus load of senior citizens. I got invited to take the place of another older woman who was planning on going with my grandma but she had recently had surgery and wanted to be close to her doctor. I was the youngest person on the bus and I think my grandma was the next youngest.
It was a blast! I was like the honorary grandchild of everyone there. They got me souvenirs at stops. We ate really well and enjoyed a bunch of shows.
One of the shows we went to was the Dixie Stampede, now renamed Dolly Parton’s Stampede. It’s a 4 course meal that you ate with your hands and no utensils and a live rodeo like show in the arena. I even got the signature boot cup as a keepsake, though I tossed it sometime later because it was impossible to clean.
I’m sure you’ve heard that Dolly passed away yesterday at the age of 80. I remember watching a documentary all about her life and in it she says of all the roles she’s had the role of “songwriter” is what she sees herself as primarily. And what a songwriter she was.
She was completely devoted to her marriage though her husband was so rarely seen with her. I imagine she is one of the most public figures who kept her private life private.
Dolly Parton was one of a kind and she’ll be so missed.
manageable mess 