DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT

It has been eleven years since the Twin Towers of NYC fell and my wish for everyone remembering that time today is to think back to what that day taught us.  We became closer with our families, our friends and as a nation.  As the World Trade Towers crumbled to the ground with all those souls with them, we suddenly realized that the most important things in our lives are not our homes, jobs, careers, cars or possessions.  The most cherished things in our lives are our relationships we have with each other.  Be it our families, our friends and neighbors, our church families, and our fellow countrymen and women.  Are we still reflecting that in the way we live our lives?  I hope we can say we are.

I can say that it has been a beautiful September day, just as it was on this day in 2001.  Walking with Riff and Pudge was a wonderful way to pass an hour and then some this morning.  During the past weeks, the doggies have, on occasion, not wanted to go on the walk due to the heat.  I, of course, let them stay home when this occurred.  Thankfully, I only went one day without either of them.  I actually thought it would be easier for me, not having to keep up with them and their leashes, their potty breaks and their other distractions that pull me off in all sorts of different directions.  I was surprised to learn as the walk progressed that I was having difficulty coping with all sorts of aches, pains and discomforts.  It just made me realize how important it is, in our daily lives, to be concerned about all of those making their way through this world along side us.  So, whatever you're doing, try to include someone else along because it's so much easier to share the trip and be concerned for more than just yourself. 

I'm glad football season is back.  I'm a fan of high school, college and pro football.  I usually latch on to a team due to hometown ties and stick with them through thick or thin.  And as these players venture on, I'll often support them and their future teams as well.  These past football seasons have been difficult for my high school Alma mater.  It has been sad seeing a long tradition of doing well in Class A Kentucky football become season after season of struggling for even one win.  I am happy to say that this trend has begun to turn around.  My fellow classmate, Bill Alverson, told me a couple years ago that he had a vision that Paris football would return.  I believe he and others have worked tirelessly these past years getting support for the struggling football program.  With the Greyhounds starting off with a 3-0 record, we are hoping for another win this Friday night in Paris as we go for win number four.

And, I'm happy to report that after a disappointing loss to UofL, the University of Kentucky Wildcats were able to do well knocking off Kent State by a score of 47-14 on Saturday.  The first quarter was a nail biter, but by the time the second half started, even the defense was able to step up and we had a much needed revival of sorts with our strong offensive effort led by our super sophomore, Maxwell Smith and a veteran receiver, Aaron Boyd, a Henry Clay graduate and the rest of the receivers and the offensive line.  The disappointment of the night, which turned out to be perfect weather for a game, was that so many fans decided to be no shows.  I can't imagine what could have been more enjoyable than tailgating with friends at Commonwealth Stadium on a beautiful afternoon and watching the Cats rack up touchdown after touchdown.  The poor "Wildcat" mascot was worn out after doing his one handed pushups after each score.  I actually think they put in a sub for him.  UK plays Western this coming Saturday.  It would be so nice to see the stadium closer to full capacity again.   Go Big Blue!

I've always been a fan of Jeff Foxworthy.  When he hosted the Country Music Awards show, he did the best job I've ever seen for the program.  His Blue Collar Comedy Tour is always funny and his show about Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader is cute and fun to watch as well.  But, I have to say that his newest creation, beginning this season is hilarious, educational and touching.  It is called The American Bible Challenge.  Jeff Foxworthy is a hoot and the categories for the Bible questions are so clever and imaginative.  Just imagine "tweets" that Bible characters might send or a segment of CSI concerned with one of the many deaths found in scripture.   The contestants represent churches and charitable organizations that are hoping to win prize money for their efforts.  So far I've found it on Thursday afternoons on the Game Show Network.

As we continue to commemorate this day and remember those who were lost in New York City, Washington DC and that field in Pennsylvania, let us also remember our priorities in life.  Take care and have a great day.  luv, Susan 

HAPPY LABOR DAY

It's September in Central Kentucky and our weather, again, has become the topic of choice.  What had previously been hurricane Isaac down in the gulf has now been downgraded and become merely a slow moving and slow arriving formation bringing much appreciated rain to our area.  We had been told that it would be a wash out for the entire weekend, however, Saturday turned out to be dry and partly sunny.  We wondered Sunday, if in fact, Isaac would ever arrive with it's potential to bring the drenching rain we greatly needed.  It was a blessing, during the late afternoon to see the pouring rain as it pounded the dry and thirsty earth.  Thank you, God!

I'm not sure the crowd at Papa John Stadium in Louisville had the same appreciation for the late afternoon deluge, but I believe most in Kentucky breathed a sigh of relief for the shower.  Unfortunately, the Cardinals were also in the midst of their own type of shower.  They poured forth their own deluge of offensive yardage on our Kentucky Wildcats during the first half of the game between the interstate rivals.  We had hoped the tide would turn in the second half as Kentucky recovered an onside kick to start the second half.  But, it just wasn't meant to be, as Kentucky lost it's second straight game to Da'Ville.  I am going to stay positive and take the things from the game that I saw that looked promising.  Maxwell Smith looked comfortable and racked up  a lot of passing yards.  The Cats did well with it's no huddle offense and, as earlier mentioned, the onside kick recovery at the beginning of the second half was impressive.  I look forward to the next two games at Commonwealth Stadium as this very young team learns to hang on to the ball and the defense shows improvement in stopping our opponent.

Because it is the Labor Day holiday weekend I thought it appropriate to mention the Bible verses we were discussing in our Beth Moore Study yesterday morning.  As I've mentioned, we are studying the Psalms of Ascent, which are Psalms 120 - 134.  With each Psalm we study, we are ascending the steps that lead to the Temple in Jerusalem.  The women of that day could not ascend these steps to the next level, but in our new age of equality, we feel women are indeed allowed to make their way up these steps that lead to a more fulfilling and closer relationship with God.   Our current verse from Psalm 127 begins by reminding us that laboring without God's involvement and direction, is laboring in vain.  This is so true in the lives of Christians.  If what we are doing is not in His will, nor giving Him glory, then what is the point of doing it.  We can spend an awfully lot of time, energy and efforts in many of our endeavors, only to realize at the end that it was all simply a waste of time because it wasn't what God was wanting of us in the first place.  But, due to human nature, we fall into this trap time and time again.  I pray that we look to Him and His will for our lives before we take on any time consuming labor and that all our labors are going to glorify Him.

Because it is a rather gray, gloomy day outside, we haven't felt like taking our walk.  The doggies and I are being a bit lethargic so far, but we are hoping to do the things that will make God smile when we think of them.  I hope you are having an enjoyable and not so laborious Labor Day.  Take care and stay safe. luv, Susan