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!!!

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.

A letter to Ma

The letter was addressed to Lois V. Brown with the return address, PFC Walter Brown 36500163 Hq Det 2nd Bn 87 Mtn Inf Regt US Army Amphibian Training Force 9, Fort Ord,
Calif.

The letter read:

July 1, 1943
Dear Mother & All,
Received your letter and every thing is O.K.
We got our new dog tags today and we are still getting more
new equipment.
I got a letter from Dad the other day with a five in it, today
is pay day but we won't get paid for a few days. I'm allright I've
got some money.
Ma, Amphibian Training is training on land and sea. What we
probably will be doing is attacking islands that the Japs have taken
from us, and were going to get them back, and again we may go to Europe
we don't know yet. We have been practicing attacking our own bech out
here, we go out in small barges or attacking boats then attack at
a certain time and things like that, we went out the other day and
the other night and went under heavy artillery fire, boy is it
noisy. It sure makes a guy feel funny with those big shells going
over head and landing close by.
We got some new over seas fighting clothes coming but dont' worry
about me I'll come back.
Ma, I feel good about going across because some one has to go,
even fellow in here with children feel the same way.
And after I get out I wouldn't want people saying I was a
draft dodger, that one thing I'll be able to say.
Tell Jack to keep out as long as he can because there are to
many draft dodgers in that town yet.
Well Ma, I'll close.
Love,
Walter

This is the second Christmas I spend without my Dad. I've been cleaning up papers and I came across this letter. Unfortunately, my Mother never kept one letter from Dad that he wrote while in the service. I have only found two letters and it is sad to think she didn't keep these reflections of the war and the times. I suppose, since Mother had a large family, she might have been afraid her sisters or someone else might read her love letters from my Dad.
I miss my Dad and I cherish all of the fond memories. Discovery of this letter makes me feel close. Sometimes, I just pick up his "rule" or his hammer and it somehow brings me peace to know how much we loved each other.
So often I think WWWD? Dad was so filled with common sense and grass-root knowledge of how to do or figure out anything. He was and will always be my hero.

Field Trip

It was Tuesday, December 7th, Pearl Harbor Day and the day my Mother went on a field trip. The nursing home schedules a variety of field trips for the residents and Meadowbrook Hall was today's destination.
Upon arrival at the nursing home, we found Mother wasn't ready, thought the trip was cancelled and it was my fault. O.K. Let's rewind a minute and start over.
After much persuasion, a change of clothes, make-up and lipstick, she was ready to get on the little short bus. Toni, the nursing home activities director, drove the bus and somehow managed to load and unload this precious cargo.
Once inside the mansion, I spoke with Doug Thorpe, who was a greeter. I told him that Mother had worked for Mrs. Wilson in the 1930's and she was going to take the tour. Mr. Thorpe thought that my Mother might remember his wife, who was born on the property, Barbara Gay. The Gay family had the family farm on Squirrel Road and raised cattle at that time. Unfortunately, Mrs. Thorpe passed last year.
When Mother came in, I asked her about remembering the Gay family and she promptly recalled Barbara and said,"They were a nice family". Where was the bit of dementia from about an hour ago?
I pointed to a large oil painting of a young lady on a horse and asked, "Mother, who is that?" Again, a prompt reply,"Oh, that is Francis on one of her horses".
"Over there", I asked, again pointing to a larger oil painting. "That's Danny and Francis", she replied.
We took a small group photograph in front of that fireplace. That is Mother on the left, seated in the wheelchair, wearing the maroon jacket. Mother doesn't really smile for pictures.
I wheeled Mother through the entrance to the right of the fireplace (the only area where pictures can be taken)and she told me we were going to the living room and the sun room was on the other side. So much for needing the tour person.
"They have changed a few things here", she said. "Mrs. Wilson didn't put the tree (Christmas tree) over there".
Mother remembered the beautiful organ and the tiffany lamp, as we rolled by and went into the library area. This room contained and large table, which Mother remembered, but added, "Mrs. Wilson would not have had this rug on the floor."
As we proceeded through the mansion, there were areas where I could feel the presense of my Dad, whose hammer and hands touched many a piece of wood in the mansion.
Mother's job for Mrs. Wilson was the switchboard and other secretarial tasks she requested. We have photographs that Mother took in the late 1930's of the mansion, Mrs. Wilson's deer and horses. She worked there about five years.
The area of the mansion referred to as "Danny Dodge's wing" was intersting, as well.
When the man stationed in the upstairs area pointed to a bedroom and said, "This was the room where Danny Dodge's friends would stay when they spent the night." Quietly, Mother replied, "He didn't have many friends". This drew a facial expression of question from the tour person. I then told him that Mother had worked there. He was impressed.
Mother told the tour guides how nice Mrs. Wilson was to work for and each morning she would come to the "morning room" and have her coffee and discuss things with the staff. This was a room unknown to the tour guides, but Mother said it was off from the kitchen.
As we went down the elevator, Mother wanted to go down to the Ball Room. I think she must have seen many functions in that area during her time. Remembering as she did on this day was so much fun for those who were listening to this bit of history.

I was amazed how the tour guides and staff at Meadowbrook Hall treated Mother. She could have been the Queen Mum.

Lili Von Shtupp

She is a funny little 6 pound cat my friend Donna and I trapped outside her door in Washington Township. This little black and white cat looked as though someone put a blob of black dirt on her nose and slapped it sideways. Dear Donna thought she might find a good home for this kitty and our barn tack room was a "holding facility" until such time as a new permanent home could be located. That was three years ago.

We needed a name for this tall thin cat with her black hosery covered legs and slinky walk. A flashback to the movie Blazing Saddles came to mind and a scene where Harvey Korman (Hedley Lamarr) walked into the dressing room (or dwessing woom) of the femme fatale, Lili Von Shtupp. All Lemar could say was "Lili, Lili, legs Lili". So, our sultry kitty took that name Lili Von Shtupp.

We learned that Lili had at least two ferral litters in her short life, so the name seemed even more fitting for this four-legged seductress-for-hire.

Tomorrow, Lili goes to Cat Care for her yearly check and as always, a few laughs from the staff.