Merry Christmas

I hope that everyone has a blessed Christmas and enjoys good health and happiness for the New Year.

Rebecca Woodburn Age 10

On October 28th, while travelling to a softball tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. I became forever affected by Rebecca Woodburn. She and her aunt were northbound on I-77, between mile markers 6and 7, north of Marietta, Ohio, when the aunt lost control of her vehicle, apparently hydroplaning on the wet roadway crossing the median into the path of a southbound semi tractor trailer.

The aunt was ejected from the vehicle and little Rebecca Woodburn, age 10, was hopelessly trapped in the Mitsubishi convertible. I was stopped about 30 cars back from the accident unaware of how my life would be impacted by such a young child.

The sirens came and went, while we waited for the wreckage to be cleared from the roadway. Most of the people were out of their vehicles. With my police experience in accident investigation, I knew within a few minutes this would be a long wait and many people would be affected by this tragic event.

There was a nice couple in a van next to me and we talked about what little we could see from our vantage point. The man in the truck parked in front of me could do nothing but complain about his delay. I prayed that I wouldn't just go over and slap him stupid. Instead, we talked about how thankful we should be and how we all needed to think about those who were involved.

It was through Google, I learned that the accident was a fatality. Not until later that evening, did I find out that the fatality was Rebecca Woodburn, age 10. She was trapped in the car and died as a result of the accident. A little girl who will be mourned by her classmates, never go to a prom, marry, have children and all because of this accident. A needless loss of life.

Further follow-up reading about the accident, I was disturbed by comments made in response to the article. One woman wrote that she had been on the telephone with a witness who indicated that the woman driving the car in which little Rebecca Woodburn was riding was "texting" when the accident happened. Surely this can't be true. Could Rebecca Woodburn have lost her life because of a text message?

I pray that the families of those involved will find comfort in their faith and know that others are thinking about them as well. Travelling on I-77 SB near Marietta, Ohio will always remind me of how precious life is and how quickly it is lost, Rebecca Woodburn, age 10.

The Huntsman World Senior Games 2011

The Huntsman World Senior Games was on my "Bucket List". This year, I had the opportunity to fulfill a dream. Competing in softball with ladies who hold this sport near and dear.
St. George, Utah is the site for more old person sports activities than anyone can imagine. Everything from pickleball to 3 on 3 basketball. The scenery is spectacular.
Our team, The Golden Girls from Virginia, managed to seat ourselves in Division II and capture the GOLD after three days of softball competition. Thankfully, we didn't play like Betty White!
That's me, front row, second from the left with no cap and slightly gray hair!

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Never thought that I would sell the Ultra, but the time came, the decision was made and the bike went to a new and loving home in Indiana. I only rode 18,000 on this one, but more miles will be coming on the old 1999 Road King...my old horse. The Byron of Harley Davidson motorcycles. The one you can go anywhere on and do anything with and never lose your smile, bugs and all. The CD player will be missed, but the sound of the Road King is better than any Joe Cocker, Janis or Stones tune...well, maybe not quite. Old 99 has 54,000 plus on her old bones, but I hope she will still take me the long way home for many more years. Hurry up spring!!!

GOLDEN GIRLS ~ GG55's

February is a great month for a trip to Florida, even if I have to fly. The senior softball Tournament of Champions was being held Feb. 11th - 13th in Lakland, home of Tigers Spring Training.
The first day of the tournament was a bit chilly and overcast even by Florida standards. The fields were in a very rough looking part of Lakeland. Our first game was against our sister team GG60, which we spotted five runs. The bats rocked and we won 22-10. The second game was against The Village Vixens (55's), a rival we played last October at the Villages, Florida. We were trounced in October by their super hitting and fielding. Not unlike October, The Village Vixens were a tough opponent and despite our hitting, we were defeated 17-14. That left us 1 - 1 for the day!
Aunt Phyl, who lives in Florida, was our #1 Fan for the weekend! Each day, she ventured to the fields to root us on.
The evening activities included a dinner at the Fantasy of Flight Museum. Unfortunately, it was only about 50 degrees and the crowd was enormous. After listening to a few of the speakers, it was time to head out to a restuarant for a warm dinner.
Saturday began with a game against the youngsters of Sunny Beaches, Florida. We like to call the youngsters the Title 9 Teams. Needless to say, we lost, but gave them a run for their money.
Once back into double elimination play, we were able to come back and beat the Village Vixens by a score of 7-2. We had a knock-down drag out game with our sister team and it was Cheryl's single that broke the tie and we ended up on top.
Sunday, we were rooting for the GG60's to beat the Village Vixens for the chance to play us again. We watched an awesome game, with our sisters coming out on top!
We were very pumped for a "sisters" game. We had to spot them 5 runs again, but we managed to pull it out 16-7. We were all winners!!!
A wonderful group of gals and a most enjoyable weekend!
(I am in the back row, third from the left)

Spring Training

The training facility is called "Spring Training" and it's about an hour from the house. There you can throw, hit and field to your heart's content. This winter, I was fortunate enough to be involved with the trainer and receive lessons in softball. Sounds a bit strange at my age to be taking lessons in softball, but it has been invaluable.

This week, I leave for sunny Florida to play in a tournament. Our team, called The Golden Girls, based out of Virginia plays in the over 55 bracket. I am hoping to put my recently acquired skills to the test. I'm learning to be a "rotational" hitter and put the power to the ball...sound impressive, let's hope it works!!!

Fire

The day of the big snowstorm, a friend lost her home to fire. The family lived on Groveland Road in a lovely log home some 1000 feet from the road, nestled in the woods. According to the local fire department, the cold weather held the smoke down near the ground and it was not easily visable. By the time a neighbor saw smoke and the fire department arrived, which was only minutes, the home was fully engulfed by the fire. It was a total loss.

Thank God, no persons were in the house, but their two beloved dogs were missing and presumed killed in the fire.

I never have personally known someone who has lost their home and pets to fire. I have investigated fires, found charred remains, yet this really made my heart ache
for the family.

No cause has been determined and that might take some time, if a cause can be determined at all. Often the cause of a fire will remain a mystery.

BOB CAME OUT

HE CAME OUT! We went out to put the chains on the Kubota tractor and when I went in to check Bob's burrow, he had moved the stick in front of his entrance! He had even gone to the other entrance and moved one of his toys too.

Bob is smart enough to realize that we have a severe winter storm warning in effect and tomorrow, he would need his shovel to dig his way out to see his shadow. So, why not check it out today? I wish I would have seen the Bobster come out, as I miss him so much during the winter hibernation. That little turd (affectionately) is so much fun and I just can't wait to see him in the spring.

(The picture is a felted Bob, made for us by a gal in California)

The television displays the WINTER STORM WATCH and there are only two more days until Groundhog Day, it's just not right! We are supposed to get the mother of all winter storms beginning tonight and reaching its peak on Groundhog Day. The news broadcast indicated that we might have as much as 12 to 15 inches of the white stuff.
Unless Bob has a shovel, our Cobblestone Farm groundhog is not going to come out to see his shadow. Just because he is a groundhog, this is no dummie. Our Bob has it all over that Punxsutawney Phil.

michael vick gets first endorsement

Between 2002-2007, michael vick and his co-conspiring cronies killed 13 dogs while operating a dog fighting organization. Today, he is not only back playing NFL football, but he has received the endorsement from "Unequaled Technologies" a footwear insert company!

michael vick went to prison, paid his dues to society and is now a revered professional athlete, again. It is easy for some sports fans to look away and believe that michael vick's puppet-like, orchestrated apology was "fo-real".
Keep in mind, using this man for product endorsement is like using Jeffrey Dahmer to endorse Cathlon cookware!

In case you think that michael vick's crimes were not worthy of attention, please take a moment to understand the extent of his involvement in the killings. According to information released from the prosecution, michael vick was DIRECTLY involved in the killing of at least 13 dogs. Dogs were wetted down and electrocuted with jumper cables, hung by the neck and strangled, slammed to the ground, shot and drowned. He even threw family pets into the ring with the fighting dogs.

This is the behavior of a sociopathic predator. His alleged statements of remorse are lies, pure and simple. I beleive that if he were to suffer a career ending injury or some event that would end his professional football career, he'd be back with his "homeys" acting like a thug and we would read about him involved in a shooting or other violent activity.

What in the heck is wrong with this picture. I cannot image that any responsible parent would want their child to look up to and admire the likes of michael vick!
Sure he did his time, but that doesn't excuse his behavior and certainly doesn't make him a role model...remember he went to prison because he got caught! Now, he's a sorry "mo-fo" because he did get caught!

Finally, don't buy or support ANY company that would endorse ANY person like michael vick...that goes for those trash talking Jet players too!

Go Pack GO!

Super Bowl XLV, here we come!!!

Rat #15

In the last 30 years here at Cobblestone Farm, I can only recall one rat infiltrating the horse barn. That particular rat ran into the tack room, where Floyd and Peggy lived and was promptly cornered. It was at that point, I gave the rat a swat with the broom, grabbed it by the tail and took him outside.

Y.C. was an outside cat back in the day and he eagerly watched as I walked the rat out to the fence row. "Hey Puddy" I hollered. "Look at what mom has for you."
Thinking our large yellow cat might take the bait, the rat was placed clearly where could pounce without much effort. Not. "Yeow", he looked as me as though I were crazy. Oh well, the rat was free at last and on his way to another barn.

In 2010, it was a different story. There were buildings torn down at a neighboring farm, resulting in a sudden jump in the rat population here. Over the past few months, I have LIVE trapped 15 rats and taken them up the road to a local wetland park. Put them in the rat ride (1990 Plym Acclaim) and take them down the road.

In November, I was seated in the barn petting BOB the whistlepig, when he and I both observed rat #14 come out, stroll over to Bob's dish and remove a peanut. That was the last straw. Out came the Nilla waffers and peanut butter for super bait. Rat #14 was on his way!

Rat #15 was a memorable guy. The trap was sitting next to the hydrant when he became captive. I felt sorry for #15, as he was the only rat who squealed! He squealed so loud, I thought he might have been hurt. I picked up the trap, consoled him for a minute and he actually stopped squealing. He calmly rode to his new home in the park, where he joined the rest of his rat family.

Bakersfield Blogger

Several years ago, I rode my motorcycle to Athens, Georgia for a Woman's Motorcycle Conference. It was there, I met a gal from Bakersfield, California. She is a life coach, writer and speaker. Recently, I came across her blog. The first topic was
forgiveness. "It is the hardest thing to forgive ourselves", she wrote.

Maybe it was the time of day or the mood, but it really took my thoughts rushing back. Over a lifetime, so many decisions are made in haste, for selfish reasons or without concern for their impact on others. Those hurtful decisions are the ones which make it nearly impossible to forgive ourselves. No matter how much time has passed, there is no repair kit available to "fix" things when other people are hurt. We live with the results of our decisions and hope we learn.

Forgiving others does seem so much easier.

I guess I'll have to wait for the next installment on her blog to see how a person can forgive themselves for things that really seem unforgiveable. How are we worthy of forgiveness for ourselves?

94

On January 7, 2011, Mother turned 94 years old! She enjoyed opening her presents, a bit of cake and ice cream (which I managed to resist) and a few laughs. We put the number 94 on her cake, but when the mention of lighting the candles, it was Mother who reminded me of the oxygen use on her floor! Her faculties are pretty much intact and she sure does enjoy having visitors. I am always amazed when she will tell me who was there, what they talked about and sometimes, what they were wearing. The clothing part usually refers to her sisters, who always dress the the "nines". It's cute how much attention Mother pays to these details.
With my Mother's family longevity, I hope to celebrate many more.