Coach Watch

It was great visiting family in Florida this past week. It was also good to be back in Kentucky and see that Spring has sprung. I don't recall seeing a single flowering tree before we left, but as we made our way closer to Lexington, we began to see the beautiful blossoms of the Bradford Pear trees. I had already been enjoying all the daffodils lining many country roads, and the colorful parade of spring blooms is just beginning.

The basketball drama has hit many lows this season for Kentucky. We faithful followers of the Big Blue have been mightily tested as each new low unfolded before us. I believe the majority of fans would have hung in there with Billy G., hoping for the best and supporting him and the Cats through it all.

Now that Billy G. is gone, we're hearing more than we care to hear about him and what's been going on and maybe it's best that he's headed elsewhere. I was especially troubled when a local reporter chased him through the halls of the UK basketball offices. I am so glad that reporter made a public apology to the fans, after apologizing to UK for his deplorable behavior. I believe he's making attempts to apologize to Billy Gillispie as well. There was no excuse to chase a man around when he's trying to sort out in his mind, such sudden, life altering news. I hope the news media tries to act more civil in UK's future.

Which brings me to the current topic, UK's future. I thought we'd be better off with a Kentucky boy at the helm of our Big Blue ship. I figured Travis Ford or John Pelphrey could handle the job. Travis could probably win more games, but John could probably positively effect more lives. John would be my choice. But, it seems, we may be going a different direction.

If the Memphis boosters can't change his mind, it looks like John Calipari, of Memphis, formerly of UMass, will be heading to Lexington. I've always enjoyed this coach, that reminds us all of Rick Pitino. We can never forget the excitement when UK played UMass years back at the Final Four ( or sweet sixteen, whatever) Anyway, it will be fun to see what he can do with our program. After our patient years with Tubby, who we loved, it will be nice to start emerging from mediocrity.

I hope I can get Riff and Roy groomed this week. They're spending too much time outdoors in their thick winter coats and they need to shed that fur. I hope the warm weather is just around the corner so we can all shed our winter coats and start enjoying another Kentucky springtime. Have a great day, luv, Susan

Timing Is Everything

I'm enjoying my current Bible Study, even though I've only attended two of the first five sessions and I'm not currently finding the time to do the "homework". But, I so enjoy the Beth Moore video and the fellowship with the women who attend.

The current study is Esther, and yesterday's session was a lot about timing. Wow, I've learned over the past twenty years, that timing is everything. One of Beth Moore's quotes from the session was,"If we cannot wait upon the Lord, we will not fulfill our destiny." How true that is. In this world of instant messaging, texting, minimizing waits at every turn of our day, we are practically unwilling to wait on anything. How sad to be unwilling to wait on the Lord, and fail to fulfill our destiny, our perfect life that He planned just for us, because we're always in a hurry. Some things are worth waiting for, maybe we should slow down, pay attention and wait for God to show us the way.

The Upperroom was fun for me to read this morning. I just finished writing the letter that I'll send out to former classmates to announce our upcoming reunion. Well, the daily devotion from Upperroom is about "Letters". I am so excited to reach out to those former classmates of mine, many I have known since the fourth grade. It's always a fun time to catch up with them all.

I also enjoy sending and receiving email letters from friends that I've left behind on life's journey. Even though we can't visit and chat face to face like we used to, we can still share our lives through our computers.

The daily devotion story reminds us, through one of Paul's letters, that we, ourselves, are letters known and read by everybody. I hope and pray that when I am, through God's precious timing, given the opportunity to cross paths with someone, that they see in me the love that Christ has for each of us.

Poor Pepper is still having a hard time with his new haircut. He and Taffy are finding it difficult going outside during these cool mornings. I hope warmer weather is coming soon, for their sake as well as mine. May you enjoy God's perfect timing today and have a great day, luv, Susan

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY !!!

I am so thrilled that today's weather is going to be up near 70 degrees. Spring must finally be here. I hope so, cause I got two of my dogs groomed yesterday. Pepper and Taffy look like big white rats! Actually, Taffy looks like a big rat, Pepper just looks like a normal sized white rat, with a big fluffy tail. Riff and Roy will get their turn in a couple weeks. It was also time for annual shots for Pepper and Riff, so now Pepper wants to know why he's being picked on, as he had two traumatic trips to town.

I hope you enjoy St. Patty's Day as much as I do. Green just happens to be one of my favorite colors, so it really appeals to me. Also, Mark and I just happened to get married on March 17th, so that makes it a real personally favorite holiday for us.

We didn't purposely pick this Irish holiday for our wedding date, it just kinda happened that way. We had gone down to the Florida Keys with friends the previous year and decided what a perfect scenario, to be married on the beach in the Keys. So, we informed our families, bought the appropriate beachside wedding garb, and headed down to the Keys for Spring Break 1978.

Unfortunately, it's not so simple pulling together a beach wedding in a matter of days. To make a long story short, we ended up saying our vows in the courtyard of the Marathon courthouse. Because we were a mere 10-15 minutes late, the judge who had agreed to marry us, decided to go on home early. The frantic court clerks rounded up the deputy sheriff, who was appropriately dressed in a green checked short sleeved shirt and green pants. So, it was, we tied the knot on March 17.

We were very fortunate to have Mark's brother nearby in Stuart, so he and his wife, Leslie and son, Neil, came on down. Rich was the best man. My friend, Janice, who, the previous year, had invited us down to the Keys, was my maid of honor. Our reception took place on our campsite at Long Key State Park, complete with wedding cake and champagne served off the picnic table. Our photographer was a guy in a swimsuit that was camping next to us with a group of bikers. Our honeymoon suite was the Lance van. We knew how to do a wedding on a tight budget, to say the least.

I don't think a lot of people thought our marriage would last, but thirty one years later, we are pretty well your typical "old married couple". Happy Anniversary to us!!!

I hope you are gonna enjoy what looks to be a beautifully gorgeous day here in Central Kentucky. I've got some work to do for my upcoming class reunion, but then it's gonna be outdoors and outwalking. The dogs already alerted me to seven deer in the field across the street, so I know they're anxious to go out.

Have a great day from this green eyed lassie of English and German descent. luv, Susan.........oh, and Go Big Blue!!!

A New Low

The out of control, rabid, University of Kentucky Wildcat fan in me was really upset last night. I wanted Big Blue to win so bad, because I knew how important each game, at this point in the season, is. Well, it wasn't gonna happen. The month of March and on into April are gonna be tough going, for us, in the Big Blue Nation.

This morning, I'm feeling much better. I got things back in perspective, and I hold tight to my faith in God that He is in control and He usess everything for His purpose. I haven't looked at today's paper....yet. I did, however read the article in yesterday's paper about Jared Carter, what a beautiful, grounded young man. He is and will be such a powerful force in God's plan. He has his priorities straight.

I remember seeing Jared at church in Lexington. It's hard to miss him at seven foot or more. I remember reading that he had gone to Africa on a mission trip with Ramon Harris. I'm glad that he feels confident that God has been with him and led him to where he is today. He is a wonderful inspiration to everyone around him. Good luck, Jared, you're gonna make such a big difference in this world.

Kentucky Basketball is, it appears, at a new low. We may not make it to the NCAA Tournament. I guess that's not the end of the world after all. I want to pray for this team, the players, the coach. I want God to use them to advance His plan for each of their lives and the lives of those around them. It may not be a National Championship, but when they listen to God's guidance, they will be living the best life for them and for us. I want them to be the people that God created them to be. I hope we'll be seeing them all in their churches and doing the things that God loves His children to do.

In other words, I want God to lift them up, as I want the same for myself and each of you. I've learned that sometimes to be lifted up, we have to be down low. Well, I think we are there, as basketball standards may reflect. God, use Kentucky Basketball, and all those involved in and dedicated to it, to further your kingdom.

I can finally feel Spring weather coming to Scott County. I hope you enjoy a warm and beautiful day. luv, Susan.........Go Cats!!!

ps I also know that all things are possible through Him who strengthens us, and if a National Championship run is part of God's plan, I'm not gonna argue with that!!!

I See The LIGHT

I am one of many individuals who prays for Randy and Marla Owens. They have been living in and walking through a very dark tunnel these past two years and some months. When their son, Ryan, collapsed on his way from the Henderson County High School football practice field and then died in the locker room, Randy and Marla's nearly idyllic life was plunged into a very dark and painful place. I am so pleased to finally say, there does appear to be a light at the end of this tunnel for them.

Since the recent death of Max Gilpin, a Pleasure Ridge Park football player, who also died following football practice, and the subsequent charges being filed against his coach, there is finally a bill in the Kentucky legislature to promote awareness, education and accountability on the practice fields in Kentucky sports. I urge educators and parents to pay close attention to this action in Frankfort. It is totally unneccessary for another child to lose his or her life playing in an extracurricular activity at school.

Marla and Randy, through discussions with Joni Jenkins and Derrick Graham, are finally going to be able to positively influence the direction of guidelines that protect Kentucky's children during school activities. I applaud these Kentucky Representatives for finally taking action and spearheading this needed initiative.

I will continue to pray for God to work through all of these individuals, and hopefully, Kentucky will be able to lead the nation in making sports safer for young athletes. Indeed, the Light of the world is there at the end of our dark tunnels. I also pray that you see Him as well. luv, Susan

THE REST OF THE STORY

You probably know already that we lost one of our wisest and most eloquent speakers Saturday. Paul Harvey died at the age of ninety.

I don't listen to radio at home, so I miss the majority of what goes on in radioland, but I have, through the years, always searched the dial, when travelling, to catch hearing Paul Harvey's news programs.

Like many of us, I have my favorites from his show. I especially liked the story of the undefeated football team that was sure to win their bowl game back in the forties or fifties. They were a shoe in to win as they were playing a team that wasn't even in their same league, so to speak. But, when the game started, it became apparent that nothing was going to go right for this gifted team of talented athletes, who had impressed the nation on the football field.

As the seconds ticked off the clock, this team and their coaching staff slunk back to their locker room and they all, dumbfounded, went on to thier homes, sick over this unbelieveable turn of events that ended their glorious season.

Yes, Paul told us, there was a reason for this substantial defeat. For if this team had won, they had tickets to the nicest nightclub of their time. Their victory celebration was planned in advance at a special , well-known establishment. It was so well known, that when it burned to the ground that very night, it was a shock and tragedy that remains a historical event even by today's standards.

I aplogize for not knowing the team, or the other details of the preceding story, but Paul Harvey knew them, and I got the whole gist of the story, how God is in control and how He uses everything for His purpose.

The second story, that is my favorite, is the one about the farmer and the birds. This farmer, who had no interest in church and such, was taking care of business on his farm, when a storm blew in. He noticed a flock of birds that was caught in the storm, flapping and flying aimlessly about in the rain and wind. The farmer saw the barn nearby, with an open loft window. He thought, those silly birds, why can't they just fly into the dry barn through the open window and be safe from the storm? Then he thought, "I wish I could be a bird, then I would simply fly with them and lead them into the loft window, into the safety and security of the barn. Surely, they would follow one of their own kind." As he pondered this scenario, it hit him like a ton of bricks. God wanted his people to escape the storms of life, the daily sin that tosses us about helplessly in an evil world. He wanted us to find the safety and security available in living a life sheltered from this unpredictable world. How would He do this? Maybe he should become one of His people, live among them and then show them the way Himself. I believe the farmer got the message about Jesus Christ, I hope we all get the message.

I can't believe it is March 3rd and it's as frigid as can be outside. I hope you all have a wonderful day today. Stay safe and warm, and remember this season of rejoicing that lies ahead. luv, Susan