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Joann and the Free Bird

It has been quite a week here in the land of Gritz and honey. 

We lost another friend to cancer. I never met Joann Pierce face to face, but I sure did love her. I spoke to her on the phone many times, and through e-mails and reviews at the hands of her loving husband Richard, along with countless photos, I grew to love the lady confined to a wheel chair that never kept her away from a good rock and roll concert.

Joann’s infectious smile graced many pages of Gritz over the years, often topped off by her famous tie-dye mad hatter hat, and always flanked by her husband and the best rockers- from Aerosmith to Charlie Daniels, Meat Loaf to Van Zant. 

Joann passed on May 1, 2007 at the age of 54. She was born on July 12, 1952 in Pittsburgh, Pa. and lived in Frewsburg, NY.  She had long suffered health problems, including Multiple Sclerosis, yet she always had that beautiful smile for everyone. Joann married Richard J. Pierce on May 21, 1983, and in 1999 the couple joined the staff of Gritz Magazine.

We’ll miss you sister Joann. Until we meet again - and we will.

Today I went up the street to Country Ham House, and in keeping with my never-ending diet, I got some fresh country steamed veggies. When I got home and stepped out of the car, I experienced some real animal magic. A beautiful blue jay swept down and landed on my shoulder. I stopped in my tracks.

My first thoughts were of St. Francis and his animals. My second thought was, God, please let Jill step out the front door and see this.

I was told later that the blue jay is a member of the crow family, and are basically the bullies of the bird world. They are basically bad guys that pick on the other birds. So why did it spend almost eight full seconds on he shoulder of the Buffalo?

I’m sure there are many reasons, many of which we read about in the Native American book “Animal Speak,” a really cool book about animal totems.

One of my first thoughts was of the song “Free Bird.”

“If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?”

Then I thought about Joann Pierce again and how she loved that song. For a brief moment, I entertained the thought of Joann sending me that blue jay, and right around the time her memorial service was taking place up North. No wonder this “bad bird” was so sweet. Maybe Joann and I finally did meet face to face after all.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo

See Our Photo tribute to Joann HERE.

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