Diane & Barbra & Country Roads?

I don't watch a whole lot of tv. I record the shows I like and watch tv at night, makes me fall asleep. It was kind of funny the other day. On Ellen, her guest was Diane Keaton. And on Oprah, her guest was Barbra Streisand. Believe it or not, there is a Country Roads connection here. Both of these women have shopped at Country Roads. Diane use to come in all the time and was and is such a wonderful person. I remember one time she came in on a busy Saturday afternoon and started talking to me at the counter. I don't even remember what we were talking about, but we were both so involved in our conversation that I didn't notice the line of customers behind her and Katie telling a few customers, "yes, that is Diane Keaton, she comes in all the time". I've always been a fan of hers, and to have the opportunity to not only get to meet her, but spend time with her was amazing. She was and is such a down to earth woman that I truly admire! I loved seeing her on Ellen this week and she has a great sense of humor. I don't watch Oprah has much as Ellen. I know it sounds stupid, but it irritates me Oprah has her photos "air brushed" so she doesn't look so heavy. I know, why should I care! Anyway, I was SO excited to see that Barbra Streisand was on Oprah the same day that Diane Keaton was on Ellen. I have always been a HUGE Barbra fan. I've seen all her movies, use to buy all her CD's. I remember back in 1972 (I think that was the year)? There was a Democratic fund raiser for McGovern for President being held there. My friend was working as an usher or something at the LA Forum on that evening so she got me in. There were celebrities appearing to raise money for McGovern. To this day, I will never forget Barbra singing. Her voice was just magical as she sang. So, as you can obviously tell, I still remain a fan. I've written about this before in regards to how my Dad died early on Valentine's Day in 2007. My mom had just passed away a few months prior and I was always convinced my Dad "let go" on Valentine's Day to be with his true love. Anyway, I had taken the day off but Katie worked. Believe it or not, Barbra Streisand came in for a few minutes that day and then left. That in itself was cool. But at closing, there was a knock on the front door. Barbra had come back to buy a chair she wanted. We usually hardly ever ask for pictures or autographs when celebrities come in the store. We try our best to be cool, even if we are dying to be everything but cool! As Katie was writing Barbra's purchase up, she made the decision to just "go for it". She told Barbra, "I never ask this but my Mom just loves you and my Grandpa died this morning, her Dad, and I was just wondering if you would mind if I asked for your autograph for my Mom". Did Barbra just say, "yes" and scribble her name? Nope, she looked at Katie and sweetly asked what my Dad died of, to which Katie answered Alzheimer's. Barbra asked how old he was and shared the story of her own mom that also had Alzheimer's and spent several minutes talking about that. After Barbra paid for her chair, Katie gave Barbra a Country Roads receipt to get her autograph for me. You know, Barbra "could" have just scribbled her name and been done with it. But instead, she wrote the little note above. I made a copy of that little note and it was one of a few small things that were buried with my Dad, a long with a handwritten note from me as well. You know, my Dad, just a regular guy, and Barbra Streisand, takes the time to care about him. It's funny how life works sometimes. And Country Roads, well it is always an adventure to work there and I always have stories to share!!