A Football Fanatic For Sure

When I last blogged, I was looking forward to seeing Tim Tebow lead his Denver Bronco's against the New York Jets. It was very disappointing when I realized that we did not get the game. It wasn't until tuning into SportsCenter the next morning that I was able to see that Tebow pulled off another one of his fourth quarter comebacks. It is unbelievable that he is able to will his team, through his amazing inspiring performances, to up their games and hitch themselves to the Tebow express. I realize that he does have an outstanding team around him, but they didn't seem to realize it until he was at the helm. I hope I'm able to watch his next game, like I need to be watching more football this weekend.

I'm afraid that when the clock struck twelve at noon, I plopped myself onto the sofa in front of the TV, and I've pretty much been here since. I had such high hopes for UK against Georgia. If you read Facebook, you already know that after Iowa State knocked off #2 Oklahoma State last night, I didn't see any reason why Kentucky couldn't do the same against #14 Georgia. And after prayers for safety and good sportsmanship and God's will taking place throughout the game, once the game started, it looked like Kentucky was ready to upset the Dawgs. Their first half performance was inspired and emotional. Danny Trevathan, Max Smith and Raymond Sanders were having great games and Georgia was not living up to their billing. Unfortunately as the second half opened play, Georgia started getting their act together and after Max Smith endured some major hits, the confidence of the Cats began to waiver. It was not the thirty point win as predicted, but a 19-10 very close game. I know Joker is proud of their efforts playing between the hedges, I know I was. Mark Richt, who happens to be my favorite SEC head football coach, after Joker, when interviewed after the game said,"as always, I give all the glory to God", then he commented how well Kentucky had played. He is a class act, not to mention really cute. If you've ever had the opportunity to see the football movie, Facing Giants, you'll see him making a cameo appearance.

I'm watching Tennessee and Vanderbilt really duking it out in Knoxville. As much as I enjoy seeing Tennessee losing at home, I'm not sure that it would be in UK's best interest to have the Vols so desperate for a win next Saturday when they come to Commonwealth Stadium. I'm just praying for God's will in this game and in next Saturday's game as well. Go Big Blue!

I found it interesting to watch the high school football scores throughout the year. Mark and I managed to move from Henderson County, home of the Class 6A Colonels, to Scott County, home of the Class 6A Cardinals. Until last night, both teams were headed to the semi-finals. Apparently, Henderson County was upset at Colonel Stadium in overtime. I still have mixed feelings about Henderson County's football program. After losing a wonderful young man on the practice field some four years ago, I just wasn't ready to see them back at the top of their game. The school system never accepted responsibility nor appeared repentant in any way, as far as I could tell. I will continue praying for Ryan Owens family that they finally find the peace and answers they have sought.

And, I think I mentioned in my last post that Pudge was jumping over the wall out front and heading up Bailey Road on more than one occasion. While talking on the phone this morning, I inadvertently let Pudge outside. As I watched from the window, I saw him jump right over the wall. As I ran down the hill he crossed the road and went under the wire fence around the neighbor's horse enclosure. He was getting back at the horses, who had been taunting the dogs mercilessly. Well, I had to climb under the fence and make my way around the horses to Pudge, who was now hobbling due to burr covered paws. We said bye to the horses and made our way under the fence, across the road and back up the hill, thankful that no cars had passed, until we were safely behind our gate. God is good.

Still watching UT/Vandy, I hope you've had a great day and have a great day tomorrow. luv, Susan ps, I did watch the basketball Cats beat Penn State. Did the Hoop Squad win?

Thankful For Pudge's Safe Return

I am having so much fun this morning watching Good Morning America with the Muppets. They bring back the best memories for me, especially of Dustin when he was about two. Muppets was his favorite show and he always climbed up onto the sofa with his toy saxophone as soon as he heard the intro music. He was over last night for hunting with his dad and might be back again tonight. As I heard this morning that Prince William and Kate are now expecting, I'm again brought back to the comparison I always think of with our own little prince. He's doing well as a single homeowner with a cat, working at the airport and still enjoys working on his jeep and driving his little red Miata.

Kentucky football is winding down now as Kentucky basketball gears up. Our football team is traveling down to Georgia this weekend to take on the UGA Bulldogs. I believe they're rated somewhere in the top twenty. While attending the UK women's basketball game on Tuesday night, Pam and I were able to talk briefly with Danny Trevatheon. We wished him luck and just told him how much we were supporting the team and their efforts against Georgia. I was also thrilled to see and talk with Kyle Macy at Memorial Coliseum. I'm afraid the game wasn't much of a game, it was more of a performance of superior basketball skills put on by the Lady Hoop Squad. They were awesome scoring 100 points to their opponents 25, some of which were given in sympathy, I believe. I highly recommend checking out Matthew Mitchell's marvelous team.

I hope to be watching football tonight as Tim Tebow and his Denver Bronco's take on the New York Jets. I truly believe God is doing amazing things with this young man who isn't afraid to share his faith in Jesus with anyone and everyone. He has done amazing things since he resumed his position of starting quarterback four games ago. I believe he has won three of those four games, losing only to the Detroit Lions and we know how Christians have fared against lions from their past history. It was also fun seeing Randall Cobb, another strong Christian professional football player, do well in the Packer's last game against Buffalo. It's too bad Kentucky couldn't have kept him one more year. He saluted Kentucky basketball with a celebration move at the end of his eighty some yard return touchdown. We're all celebrating Kentucky basketball now in the commonwealth. I know everyone in the Big Blue Nation enjoyed the second half of the game from NYC with Kansas. Looking forward to Coach Cal as he hopefully orchestrates another successful season and molds a team full of outstanding young men.

Well, things have gotten a bit exciting here since starting this post. After hearing shots in the woods and watching a deer scamper through the yard and on across the road, I had to scramble out of the house hurriedly to go retrieve Pudge, who had gotten out of the yard moments earlier. I think he was tracking the deer, luckily he lost the scent and just meandered on down the road checking out the neighbors' yards. I lured him into the car less than a quarter mile down the road.......whew!!

It looks to be a beautiful day today, though a little brisk. I hope you have a great day and maybe even enjoy some football. Go Tebow, go Broncos and most especially Go Big Blue!!! luv, Susan

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

This morning has started out picture perfect. There has been that awesome red sky off to the east heralding the beginning of a new and beautiful day. I am even enjoying the constant presence of my five furry friends as their cumulative warmth is indeed welcome this morning. They even smell good, thanks to the hour or so we spent closed up in the little bathroom Tuesday afternoon. After their baths I sprayed them with a doggie freshener that smells like baby powder, so they have that wonderful newborn smell emanating from their soft, white, newly fluffy fur. I have plans with my mom and sister to have lunch and visit a dear friend, so I'm really looking forward to the day. Maybe my children will even come tonight for supper, we'll see.

It seems everywhere I turn these days, I am constantly reminded about the topic of reconciliation. I wrote last time that I had led a program at my UMW meeting last week. I was again reminded of it in the Upperroom reading for Sunday. I think I may have mentioned that it is actually an underlying theme of my life. When I see or hear of breakdowns between families, friends or others, I have the strangest, strongest feeling to get in there and show them the path to reconciliation with their loved ones. I am often so frustrated when hearing how people can be so stubborn and stiff necked once they feel wronged and waste so much time and energy wanting their story vindicated that they miss the opportunities to simply mend the rift that allows genuine healing, not only for them, but for everyone concerned. Sunday's Upperroom story about the individuals involved in brutal killings in Rwanda illustrates how sincere confession and apology coupled with true forgiveness can heal, not only hurting families, but ultimately a nation.

The most recent news item that brings this topic of reconciliation to mind is the story Penn State and the sex scandal involving one of its defensive coordinators. It seems this man allegedly abused young boys through his program that helped at risk young kids. When an apparent abusive act was reported to Coach Joe Paterno, he then reported the act to the administration, but the alleged abusive act was never handed over to the police. Apparently, those who were aware of this crime felt that it was better covered and buried than brought out into the open and handled properly. Because Coach Paterno did not follow up and insure the future safety of the youngsters in this coach's program, the abuses continued for years undetected. Now that it has all been brought to light this storied football coach who has lived atop a pedestal of adoration for many years is being forced to retire in apparent shame. From my vantage point, I can see that he needs to seek out each and every one of the families who were involved in this sad event and admit his individual wrong doing and apologize from his whole being. Nothing short of this will bring him and all those concerned an opportunity for full forgiveness and healing, for his part, at least.

Well, we have a busy day planned. I'm looking forward to a weekend of football games on TV, that is unless anyone going to Nashville for the UK/Vanderbilt game could squeeze me in. I have high hopes, not only for UK, but also for the Bengals against the Steelers and I'm also gonna be rooting for Tim Tebow and his Broncos. Have a great day and stay safe. luv, Susan

Now Is The Best Time For Reconciliation

Last week, for me, was extremely hectic and busy. Between Christina's birthday party here last Sunday and Mark's birthday celebrated over several days, I felt like I was just bouncing from one thing to the next. I think the UK football game on Saturday was the last event in a series of very positive, yet time and energy consuming things that I had on my agenda. And the game did not disappoint. We've mustered high hopes these past weeks as we started the SEC portion of our schedule, but those hopes were dashed to pieces game after game, whether away or at home. Saturday's game against Ole Miss was finally a finish to celebrate. I was not at all happy to see our quarterback, Morgan Newton injured during the first half of the MSU game two weeks ago, but I was impressed with the play of our back up freshman quarterback, Maxwell Smith. He was unable to turn the game around for a win, but he certainly turned our opinions around for the remainder of our season. We have a reason on which we can again hang our high hopes once more. Go Cats and Max this coming Saturday in Nashville against Vanderbilt.

I was responsible last week for the program at our monthly United Methodist Women's meeting. I had selected the program about reconciliation. This is one of my favorite topics in a Christian life, one I hope I live out each and every day. Our UMW study took us to the Bible story of Jacob and Esau, from the book of Genesis, chapters 25-35. These two brothers were born to Rebekah and Isaac, who you may remember was the son of Abraham and Sarah. Although Esau was the firstborn, Jacob was favored by Rebekah. She enabled him to betray his aged father, Isaac, into giving him Isaac's blessing, that should have been given to the firstborn, Esau. Because of this, Jacob left his home and became successful and fruitful in all that he did. When the time came for Jacob to return to the land of his father, he was fearful of Esau and how he would be received. Thankfully, for him, Esau had learned to forgive his deceitful brother and they were reconciled at long last.

As Christians, we should always strive towards reconciliation when there has been some sort of a divide. Whether we have been separated from family, friend or our God in heaven, it is always the right time to make amends and reconcile. 2 Corinthians 6:14-21 is a portion of scripture that I have had underlined for many years. It stresses the way that God reconciled us to him through the death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ and how we are now ambassadors of reconciliation for Him. Because he wants us to love one another, we should always be ready for opportunities to reconcile others not only to God, but to others as well.

We have been so blessed this month with mild weather, sunny skies and continuing fall colors. I've enjoyed so many beautiful walks and outdoor activities. I want to take advantage of this before it's gone. The rest of the afternoon, I will be continuing to hang things on the line and bathe dogs, so they can dry in the sun as well. I hope you're making the most of the beautiful weather. Stay safe and take care, luv, Susan

CHANGES

Things they are a changing for me and Mark. He is no longer a sales manager, after having been one for the last thirty five years or so. He is now a warehouse manager. This change of position with the same company is causing a lot of scheduling adjustments at our house. Mark no longer has to head out of town on Sunday afternoon. Instead, he can enjoy his weekend at home working on one of his many projects. He doesn't have to travel out of town and stay in different motels and eat in lots of different restaurants. No, he gets to come home every evening and get a wonderful home cooked meal. He can then relax for a while before turning in for the night. It is wonderful having him home. I only hope I can get used to preparing a hot meal every night and sharing access to the upstairs TV during the evenings.

I have been unable to blog for a while due to some technical difficulties that my daughter helped sort out. I am happy to say that, even though November is now here, the weather today is absolutely beautiful. The doggies and I enjoyed a couple walks and it could not have been nicer for walking. Yesterday when we walked, I started out by taking the two little ones. I was surprised about a quarter mile up the road by the two bigger ones, as they ambled up beside us. Seems they had made a break for it and gone over the wall. That first walk was abruptly pulled to a stop as I gathered up Riff and pleaded with Pudge to please follow us back home. Seems Pudge has managed to realize that he can jump the rock wall and Riff is more than willing to join him in his great escape. This morning, Pudge and Riff had to be enclosed on the deck while I walked Pepper and Roy. Mark is going to see about building the rock wall a little higher.

The UK football game on Saturday night was really pleasant. Mark and I visited some of his work friends in one area and then sister Pam and I visited some RV friends in their lot. Tailgating is a great opportunity to see friends and family. I'm sure it's no surprise that UK lost another SEC game and also lost the services of our starting quarterback, Morgan Newton. Even though we continued to struggle to score touchdowns, the back up quarterback, Maxwell Smith, did an impressive job after he was called in to take over. We're all waiting to see who will be the starting quarterback for our next game this coming Saturday afternoon with Ole Miss. I just hope whoever trots out on the field for the first snap isn't booed. I don't believe there is any place for booing in college sports.

We had a family gathering last Sunday. We celebrated Christina and Mark's birthdays. We had the party out at our house and we'll again do Thanksgiving here as well. I am so thankful for my neighbor, Jan. As I was trying to figure out how to get three roasting chickens into the oven at one time, I realized that I would not have time nor space to roast the chickens and bake the hashbrown casserole and baked beans. Jan was so wonderful to just let me bring them on over where they baked for an hour at her house while my oven roasted chickens. I can't over state how nice it is to really get to know your neighbors, you never know when you'll need them or their oven.

I've got several loads of laundry drying on the line and I believe that it's time to check on the current load in the washing machine, so I'm gonna close this for now. I'm looking forward to Dancing With The Stars tonight and still celebrating the latest win of the Cincinnati Bengals. I hope you're having a good start to November. Where did October go? No trick or treaters even came up to our house, so I've got lots of bags of pretzels to donate to some good causes. Stay safe and take care, luv, Susan

Wonderful Days for Walking, Fer Sure

We have been blessed with the most perfect Fall weather. It has been such a treat to get out and walk this past week. The leaves are changing into their most remarkable shades of oranges, yellows and reds. Whether walking through a narrow corridor of Fall colors or taking in a vista of treetops ablaze in an array of Autumn shades, it is, indeed, awesome. It is actually too nice to stay inside if you don't have to, so I won't. This posting, in fact, will be short.

I did have the opportunity to share my knowledge of social networking to my Homemaker's Club last week. After receiving a lesson the week before from a wonderfully knowledgeable young woman about how much information and technology is out there available to us, it was my turn to then tell our group of about thirty how we can use the computer to reach out to friends, family and others. Because I am still such a newbie at all of this I told them it would, in essence, be the blind leading the blind. Having my computer screen technologically enlarged above us, I showed them an example of e-mail, facebook and instant messaging. Christina was even so gracious, from work, to respond and show us how it all works. I don't know if any of those, who hadn't been exposed yet to this new trend, will decide to try the waters, so to speak. But, I hope I was able to, at least, open the door to the possibility of their becoming more willing to join the current trend of social networking.

And, after years of travel, it appears that my husband, Mark will be working from a Lexington warehouse. He started yesterday at his new location approximately 23 miles from home. This will be a new experience for us as he has been on the road, locally and throughout adjacent states for years. It will be interesting to see how well he likes being planted in one location and how much I can enjoy preparing meals night after night, week after week. Really, I am glad to have him closer to home.

UK football has a bye week this weekend. We get to enjoy not being pummeled, decimated or annihilated. As Steve Spurrier so eloquently commented that, " We could have scored eight points, but fifty was enough." I guess that pretty much sums up how we're doing in SEC play so far this year. Hopefully, the worst is behind us as we have Jacksonville State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt ahead of us. These games, we may have a shot, if we can find some offense. As far as Georgia and Tennessee go, we'll just have to pray we don't receive another stomping.

As I mentioned, we are anxious to get out today and spend some time enjoying the Fall colors before we get some possible rain. I hope you are able to enjoy this day as well. Stay safe, luv, Susan

WEATHER FORECAST; JUST RIGHT

To be honest, September was a fickle month, as far as weather goes. I believe it to have either been too hot or too cold. It may have even been too wet or too dry. I didn't get in nearly as many walks as I like. But we turned the calendar page on the first full month of fall and I'm so happy to say that October has been "just right". If you have been unable to get outdoors and enjoy this beautiful Autumn awesomeness, please make every effort to do so in the coming week. From what I see on the local weather reports, we are in for picture perfect Fall weather. Today was the best walk I've taken in months and I look forward to, hopefully, a walk a day until the weather pattern changes.

I saw some positive things in today's newspaper today as well. I thought it was about time that the young American, Amanda Knox, was finally allowed to come home after four years of captivity in Italy. I personally believe that she was coerced by the local Italian police, wanting a suspect to this gruesome slaying of her college roommate, and slandered unmercifully by the Italian media, as they made money selling their sordid tale of sex and murder to the masses. It's been hard for me to believe that a young girl studying abroad for one year and from a good home in the states, would suddenly become a sexcrazed monster and do such a thing. I hope the whole truth does come out. The parents of the young British student, who was viciously killed, deserves to know what really happened to their daughter.

I also read a really uplifting story of a UK library employee who is getting a Habitat for Humanity home that is being financed by several student organizations. Nice to see the students doing something for a campus employee and for their community. The other positive story I enjoyed was about the Cincinnati Bengals young rookie quarterback, Andy Dalton. He is making steady progress, even though he has taken a step back now and again. As long as he's taking more steps forward than backward, it looks like he'll be okay. I've always wanted to be a Bengal fan, as it's the closest NFL team that we have in our area, but the off field behavior as well as the on field performances of the players, have steered me towards other teams, i.e., the Colts, the Packers and the Saints, to name a few. But, if this former Texas Christian University redhead continues on this steady path of improvement in leading his team, I think we'll finally have a Central Kentucky pro team we can get behind. Now would somebody please redesign their uniforms. I love orange and black, but those tiger stripes are a bit distracting.

It's wonderful to have your neighbors looking out for you. I just received a call from the farmer and farrier across the street who is mowing his field. Seems he spotted a couple coyotes headed our direction. I got the doggies safely in the house for a bit, but now that I'm outside blogging, they are all five barking at the top of their lungs at, not only the mowing in progress, but also at the two horses, who, again, are planted right across the street from our gate. I remember calling my next door neighbor in Henderson to let him know about an early morning coyote spying on his little dog tied up in their yard. It didn't take my neighbor long to sneak out with his rifle, take aim and send that critter flipping through the air. He did, then, take off into the woods, but we spied his lifeless carcass days later by a creek, just inside the tree line. I don't mind hearing the howls of these wily creatures, but please don't mess with our pets.

Checking out the Fall Festival at Reed Valley Orchard turned out to be a really fun afternoon for me and one of my neighbors. We visited the craft and food booths set up on their property, had a wonderful walking lunch and enjoyed both the nature trail and the entertainment provided on the big front porch. I was especially tickled to see the dulcimer group of ladies from the Paris/Bourbon County area. The lead dulcimer lady is my former senior English teacher, Kenny Roseberry. She informed me that she is also one of my country neighbors, just up Finnel Pike and over the county line. Two of the other dulcimer musicians and singers are the mom of a very dear friend and the "mom" of one of my grandpuppies. It was so much fun listening and singing along to their performance. It was a fruitful trip to the orchard.

As I mentioned before, I'm outside as I blog, and it's getting a bit nippy as the sun has set. It's time to take the doggies in and get on with the rest of my evening indoors. I hope, truly hope, you have been able to enjoy this perfect day wherever you are. As for Central Kentucky, we are looking forward to many more to come, apparently, so I'm going to get out there each day and enjoy them. Take care and stay safe, luv, Susan