Fall is the time for the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. Senior athletes from everywhere converge on Utah to strut their stuff in the relm of senior sports. Everything from lawn bowling to senior softball. For the second year, I had the opportunity to make the trip to Utah with a 55+ woman's softball team. This year, I played with The Village Vixens from Florida. A great group of gals who enjoy softball. Some actually refer to themselves as "softball whores". Playing with more than one team and traveling as often as the tournaments allow. These women come from every profession under the sun, but with the common love for the game of softball. We played on Monday in the round robin portion of the tournament, winning two of the three games for the day. These results placed us in Div. II with three teams from Canada! On Tuesday, we came out on top, defeating two of the three teams landing in the winner's bracket! The thrill for me was hitting my very first ever home run! A clean deep bomb over the left fielder, which continued to the fence. Somehow, I managed to chug my way around the bases, only to be greeted by the team chanting "superstar". What a thrill! For the tournament, I played 1st base, which was new for this 3rd base person! I'm not sure I'd be another Prince Fielder, but it was great fun. It's a gumby position for sure. The third day was the battle for silver or gold. We met the team from British Columbia and managed to win 14-3. The gold was ours!

Cyclone

I bought one of those EAS Weather Alert radios some time ago when they were on sale at ACO Hardware for under $30. The radio was very active yesterday with the tornado warning for Columbiaville and the severe storms in and around Lapeer. I was relieved to have this little gem, since I'm not sure I would hear the storm siren.

Our dog, Olivia (La Jefe) was pacing around the house and all the kitties seemed a bit unsettled with the pressure changes. Bob, the whistlepig, remained deep inside his burrow and Joshua, the horse, just kept on eating.

I was installing a new front "storm door" (go figure)and kept my eye to the sky hoping not to see anything dangerous. As I watched and listened, I thought about the cyclone of 1896, which removed the Village of Thomas and Oakwood, killing so many people. Many decendents of those families, still live in the area. It is so difficult to imagine how it was for them without rapid communication or a warning system. We take so much for granted.

I May Live in Michigan...but I Bleed GREEN & GOLD

My beloved Green Bay Packers lost last week and I am in major mourning. Despite such a disappointing game, details not to follow, I proudly hung my Clay Matthews picture on the library wall today. Somehow, it made me feel better looking at the old pictures of Brett, Aman and the rest of the guys, to know that we can still beat the Lions.
I have such fond memories of working the parking lot detail at the Silverdome, drinking my coffee proudly out of a rather large PACK mug. Needless to say, I received many offers to join the grillers for a brat or two, eh. Back in those days, it appeared there were more PACK fans at the game than Lions fans.
Now, that I am an owner of one share of PACKERS stock, we would give up the season to the sorry New York Giants.
I had the opportunity to visit PACKER fans Mecca a couple years ago. For those who are uninformed, Mecca is Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. While touring, I met Lousie, an owner from New Jersey. We had lunch, shopped at the gift store and exchanged E-mail addresses. Since then, on game day, we E-mail and enjoy sharing the game. Sometimes, Louise doesn't have televised coverage, so I become the play-by-play broadcaster person. Included in our viewing is Tina and a guy named, Steve. Tina lives in Appleton, Wisconsin and has her picture in a book titled, "For Packers Fans Only". She is famous! Steve, who I've never met lives out west somewhere and worked with Lousie. We have fun bantering back and forth without any expletives. I'm sure going to miss those guys, but there is always next season.
GO PACK GO!!!

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!!!