The Walking Dead - Boys vs Girls

Okay, so after resisting the rage and force of "The Walking Dead", I am now a follower, addict of the show.  

But, one thing, the creator of the show must not like girls.  The little girls all seem to get killed off but that one little boy just keeps on trucking.....

Songs

You forget how much you loved a song 30 years ago until you hear it and are reminded of it in a movie.....

Putting up Corn 2013

Shucking

Washing

Boiling

Cooling

Cooling

Freezing

Life is too Short and Paige Died

Chris and I went to Mt. Juliet for our friend Paige's Memorial last night.  We knew Paige in the 1990's. She dated a horse trainer friend of ours and we'd travel to shows.  Often we stayed with her parents when we were driving through to somewhere.  Paige was a one of a kind women.   She was 43 Sunday.  Her birthday was celebrated in Heaven (if God does kinds of things) as she died several days prior.  

Wedding Day

I still cannot believe she passed.  Paige and I connected on Face Book about a year ago After not seeing each other since 1999 or 2000.  We Face Booked back and forth some.  She wanted to see me and Chris again.  She was going to go to Murfreesboro in October to watch him show.  


I knew she was terminal.  But Paige didn't talk time lines with me.  So I felt we had plenty of time for the visit in October.  I had to go to a couple of trainings for work and drove past Mt Juliet.  But was behind to get to the facility and no time to stop.  We talked about meeting up at other times for dinner or a visit.  The timing never worked out!  Why didn't it work out!  I so regret that it didn't.  Paige wanted to see me.  I should have moved Heaven and Earth to see her.  But once again, thought we had much time and would see her in October at the horse show.






Now Paige is gone and the effort I made to go visit wasn't good enough.  I am angry, so angry and disappointed in myself for not seeing her.  Not a selfish way at looking what I missed out on.  But in a way that I hurt Paige in not seeing her when she wanted me to. 

Paige at a horse show with us 1998

She was an amazing woman.  So funny.  I wish everyone I know could have met her once.  I'd been excited and proud for people to have met her as my friend.  She was country girl through in through who could rope, ride and barrel race and just about everything else.  She loved her horses and cattle.  She loved her little girl and family.

Paige went to Germany for some experimental treatment--last ditch effort for her and her family.  She came home and died a week or so later.  Her family had posted the treatment didn't work in Germany and she was resting at home and would not be taking any phone calls or on Face Book,  I had immediately wanted to call her but with the post understood I shouldn't.  It was several days later the post was on her page from a family member that Paige had died.

We just never know in life........what will happen next...............
with that, how much time is left..................

Paige Nash Morris, Terry Allen, Chris and Me
December AQHA show in Shelbyville. Full weekend
of Roping, Reining, Cowhorse along with the Four F's:
Food, Fellowship and Fun

Arizona Fires

Forest fires. I was shocked when I heard. Most times when I hear of fires I don't remember to think of the firefighters going in the thick of things when there is a wild fire.  So sad about the 19. Praying there are no more stories like those. I cannot imagine the awfulness those who died went through and those who are still fighting are going through-emotionally and physically.

Good News Friend

A friend had a great day today and text me some good news. I love when my friends are happy. Nothing makes me happier.....

Hockey Interviews

Hockey players must be trained at hockey school on what to say during an interview.  They all seem to say the same stuff.  Here's a narrative:

"Um, obviously we gotta take this season game by game and obviously outwork them. Obviously when we play our game plan it's huge for us.  Um, thought we are doing the right things but obviously gotta give them credit for winning the battles after getting the bounces.  Um, we aren't obviously playing our best hockey right now and um, could do better.  We got to get pucks to the net and play the full 60.  Obviously we thought we came out strong and gave a good, um, team effort.  But the bad bounces, um, they obviously hurt us.

But it is what it is......we created chances, but obviously, um couldn't deliver and bury the puck....Tomorrow night could be a big 2 points. We got to play our best hockey......obviously 

(Absolutely, I love hockey)

Baby Skunk Smell

Driving down the road tonight there was a baby skunk dead on the side of the road.  Chris said, "Is that a baby skunk?"  I said, "yes".  Went up the road a piece and started smelling something.  Chris asked, "is that baby skunk smell?"  I said, "yes".  (I don't think a baby skunk smell, smells any different from an adult baby skunk.  But I didn't say anything...)

Jane Goodall

Had lunch with a friend today, her little girl and the little girl's friend.  Talk turned of my friend's little girl going to Africa and seeing gorillas.  I'm not sure exactly how it went but the other little girl said something like, "Or Jane Goodall can bring you a gorilla back."  I said, "Do you know who Jane Goodall is?"  She said, "Yes".  I said, "How old are you?"  She said, "9".  I thought, oh lawsie day, it's a little Marna!

Moonrise Kingdom

You have to watch the movie "Moonrise Kingdom".  It's pretty stupid but so good.  Chris laughed his big laugh and put his head in his hands saying, "This is soooo stupid!!!!!  But I can't keep my eyes off the screen. 

Skydiving

Our cousins Jeremiah and Sarah, one of the cutest-most adventures couple ever, went skydiving for their second wedding anniversary.  Years ago, Chris used to talk about going skydiving all the time.

Chris asked about us going and I said,
"No.  I can't believe you asked.  Remember, I'm the girl you said would be a horrible contestant on 'The Bachelor' because I'm always saying 'no way, I wouldn't do that', or 'nope, not me, that's crazy', 
when they go on their dates on the show."

Chris said he'd probably be nervous now that he is older should he try it.  He said he'd probably need some coaxing before jumping.  I said, "I'll be watching from the ground."

Maybe I could borrow some of those cool orange light sticks the guys use at airports to direct airplanes on the ground.... I'll just point mine straight down at the ground instead of using all those fun hand motions in the air.  I'll not need to because straight down in the dirt is where Chris would go.

Ice Hockey is the Greatest

This video is one of the many reasons hockey is the greatest sport in all the world. Gregory Campbell of the Boston Bruins took a slap shot puck to his leg in the 2013 Stanley Cup Series against Penguins. He went down but then came but up and played as best he could with a BROKEN fibula. He was skating for quite a while as there was a power play and they couldn't clear the zone for a line change. Hockey players aren't playing for individual fame, they play for the team, for the boys. When something gets hurt they finish their shift if possible, then go to the bench for Doc to look at, then back out on the ice at their next shift. Tough? Yes. Dedicated? A resounding yes! In other sports if one gets a hangnail they'll run to the bench to be fixed. Hockey players work until there is time to be fixed.  More important stuff going on than a little bloody nose or a tooth knocked out......... or a broken leg.  ouch...... 


Admiration for dedication......

A Life Motto

"I shall pass through this world but once.  If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, let me do it now... For I shall not pass this way again."

               -anon

Photo of Daddy and Tanner

My favorite photo of Daddy and my nephew Tanner

My Check Up - BRCA Testing and Breast Cancer

Blood work was perfect today!  I will get a call later about Vitamin D levels from third blood draw.  No more appointments with oncologist till November!  

Dr. Charles went over the same ole same ole things he always does about reducing my risk of cancer coming back:

Still pushed to exercise at least four times a week for 20 minutes (proven to reduce risk of re-occurrence up to 50%) 

No wine/drinking (wine increases production on estrogen in your body).  So even though research shows wine may help reduce risk of heart problems it elevates, highly, the risk of breast cancer which is much important issue as a breast cancer survivor.  

No smoking - no worries, never have, never will

Keep Vitamin D levels up to reduce my risk of cancer coming back by a large percentage though I can remember the exact.  I wonder how that relates?  My totally un-researched theory?  Chemo weakens your bones and you need to make sure to strengthen once finished with chemo.  Vitamin D is essential for calcium to be absorbed into your bones.  Perhaps the Vitamin D normal levels help your bones regain health through absorption of calcium?  Those with high risk of re-occurrence can have new cancer re-appear in bones.  Maybe the Vitamin D is so important to strengthen your bones which when strong might fight off cancer cells???  I have NO idea.  That's just a out there kinda stretch of my imagination.  Nothing based on medical or scientific research. (Although it would be neat to look into this further.)

My Vitamin D levels dropped very low last year.  I believe you should be around a 30 for normal Vitamin D level.  My average is 27-28.  But one appointment my level was 15.  I was put on 50,000 units of Vitamin D a week for 4 weeks.

Dr. Charles, who in my three years with him seems to be a very conservative oncologist when it comes to future tests and radiation based tests (PETs, etc) due to exposure, suggested I have the new 2nd generation genetic test.  I'm not big on genetic testing but since Dr. Charles wants me to I will.  I trust him.  This test is mostly for risk of breast-ovarian cancer (HBOC) I believe.


Hmmmmm, writing on Jolie a few weeks ago shot right back at me. I pretty much know if the test turns out to be positive (first generation wasn't) what my plan will be.  And will go with proactive prevention/research due to my prior diagnosis being estrogen, progesterone and HER2 positive.  Reminder to self: knee jerk reaction to a test can cause future problems in other areas (no ovaries = having to worry about all the problems related to having those removed itself and treatment for that issue which would in turn mess up keeping an eye on my estrogen levels (fat cells produce estrogen, not just ovaries) which all in turn impacts risk of re-occurrence of breast cancer.......

Dr. Charles has never encouraged me to have a hysterectomy because of potential links.  A large reason being that fact that your body produces estrogen in other areas-not just ovaries.  Therefore removing ovaries doesn't cure risk of cancer returning for those with estrogen fed cancer.  But it does cause problems association with hysterectomy.  

This is all just too complicated……

Interesting side note: there are many proactive things you can do for prevention of breast cancer or re-occurrence of breast cancer.  Such as diet, exercise, vitamins (D), no smoking, etc.  The only dietary proven prevention: no drinking.  

Doc this Week

Oncology four month check up this week.  Wouldn't it be WONDERFUL to be cleared for only six month check ups????

Hockey, Hockey, Hockey

No hockey games on tonight.  Stanley Cup Playoffs aren't over but I'm already dreading a summer with no hockey.....

Athletic? No, not really....

Someone told me I was athletic or I wouldn't be able to ride a mountain bike.  I said have you seen me ride a mountain bike?  I wreck.  A lot.  I've wrecked going down the mountain, going up the mountain, got eaten by a bush (or 2) wrecked when I hit a root (every time), fell off a bridge, wrecked going slow, wrecked going fast, hit a tree, wrecked in a creek, wrecked getting ON the trail in the parking lot, wobbled my handle bars and fell off the trail, wrecked whenever and every time someone passes me, wrecked when I stopped because I saw bear poop, and

Best of all I wrecked when I met someone on the trail: Packy and Chris had went down a mountain, around a curve, outta sight and left me.  Some French guy was going up the trail and I was about to meet him.  I panicked and what did I do?  Went off the side of the trail and took a tumble for oh, about 1000 feet (well, that is a fishing tale, it was about 50).  The nice Frenchman just peddled on up the hill.  Packy and Chris heard me skid down the side and Packy turned to Chris and said, "Man. I think you're wife just wrecked."  Luckily they came back.  French guy didn't.

I haven't ridden in a few years-since I was sick.  Back then Chris had gotten to the point when he went out ahead of me out of sight and he met someone coming toward us he'd tell them, "My wife's back there.

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

Our friends Kathy and Steve visited Saturday and Sunday from Nashville.  They rode horses Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday night we went to the lake where Chris wakeboarded a little.  

The water was too cold for the rest of us to get in.

Commit Goalie

Dear Mr. Goalie, like the little squirrel running across the road I talked about a couple of weeks ago, if you are going to commit to something, commit.  Don't hesitate half way to the bench......

It Would Only Happen to Me

This is one of those "it would only happen to Marna" 

stories as some say.

Let's see.......we'll start at the beginning:

My sister and her friends were planning a trip to New York City (NYC) several months back.  Lynette asked me to go.  I decided sure, I'd always wanted to visit NYC, mostly to see a Broadway play and New York Rangers hockey.

After a couple of weeks went by I thought there might be a possibility that the Stanley Cup playoff season would be going on while we in New York in May.  The New York Rangers (NYR) weren't having a great season so far.  On paper the team looked unstoppable.  But on the ice, well, they were.

So even though I figured the National Hockey League (NHL) season ending date and the playoff beginning date would hit the timing of our trip, I really didn't think the New York Rangers (NYR) would make the playoffs.  Three weeks before the playoffs began it became clear they would make it!!!  Now I just had to wait for the schedule to be released and keep my fingers crossed they would have a home game the week we were in NYC.

The week before we were to leave for our NYC visit the schedule was posted on the NHL website.  Only there was one problem: the NYR play Wednesday night BEFORE we arrive on Thursday and then again on Sunday night, THE night we are flying home.  Oh the agony!

I, Marna, was in the middle of my first real conumdrum.  What to do???  Fly out a night early?  Stay an extra night?  Lot's of people had different opinions on what I should do.  Some said go the day before.  Some said stay the extra night.  Others said, "Oh, go on and go early and stay late-see both.  When will you ever be able to go again?"  I thought about the options and looked into Sunday night's game-maybe I could go to the 8:00 pm game (our plane was leaving NYC at 8:00pm) and catch a later flight.  Problem?  There were no later flights.  Only next day flights.  So that fact X'd out the game.  For fun I looked at single seats available.  There were only ten or so left anyway.  Those would sell quick.

 

With dreams of seeing my beloved NYR play hockey at Madison Square Garden dashed I had great fun in the city with my sister and her friends.  We saw "Wicked" on Broadway.  I hated the "Wizard of Oz".  Mostly because of the flying monkeys.  I hate flying monkeys.  I said if there are flying monkeys in this play I'm outta there.  There were flying monkeys.  But "Wicked" turned out to be one of the best performances I've ever seen in my life.  Just to go see the show is reason enough for a trip to NYC.

One of the tour buses that were everywhere!

Now, back to hockey.  Adding insult to injury, everywhere I went I saw tour buses painted with huge New York Ranger playoff ads.  I watched some Playoff games in the room each night.  On Saturday during the NHL talk show the New York Rangers game the next day was brought up.  The Sunday (remember, our leave day) game.  But it was at 3:30!  Wait.  Whoa.  I could easily go to the 3:30 game and have plenty of time to get to the airport at 8:00 pm!!  (I had been wrong about the start time.)

Now to find a ticket.  I pulled out the good ole trusty laptop to watch the last two single seat tickets be sold right in front of me. Geez!  Oh well.  Laura, who was with our group, said "Let's ask downstairs."  The hotel and had helped us all week find great places to eat and visit.  Laura told the desk that I really, really wanted to go to the New York Rangers game tomorrow and was there a way to find a ticket.  Supposedly the hotels work together with customers for event tickets.  Several tickets in different areas of Madison Square Garden were found.  We talked about the pros and cons of where the location of each seat was.  The guy at the desk said, "Let me call one more person."  The guy he talked to had a ticket that was third row from the ice!  But the seat was really a front row due to the way the rows were lain out.  I said that is the one I want!!  Deal done.  I'm going to a New York Rangers playoff game.  Excitement and nerves began to set in.  The guy at the dest told me "That's a REALLY good seat."  Hearing that made me even more excited and proud.

The New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994 and I ordered the win package-video of series, hat, jersey, license plate....the whole nine yards.  Now.  What to wear?  My 1994 Mark Messier jersey is long gone.  I had my 1994 car license plate that I was going to take to NYC with me.   I didn't think I'd get to see the game so left it at home.  I was planning to write 1994 on the back and hold it up showing the license plate then flip to the year.  (Like anyone would see it in the sea of fans.)

Henrik Lundqvist, #30, New York Rangers goalie

So I had nothing to wear.  I passed a NHL store in NYC.  Ummm, they would have NY Rangers shirts and yes, I bought one.  A Henrik Lundqvist #30 jersey, the goalie, some say the best goalie in the whole of NHL.  I'm ready, I have a ticket and a jersey and a plan to get to the airport on time.  I arrive at Madison Square Garden about two hours early.  There are bands and tons of people.  Everyone was hyped up to watch NYR play the Washington Capitols.  I listened to the band and people watched for a little while but eventually went toward the entrance to wait the for the doors to open. 

I had no idea where to go or where my seat was.  There is a small escalator to one side that said Club and Suites.  Well, that can't be my entrance I said to myself.  I saw a man and women standing near by and showed them my ticket saying "I’m from Tennessee and I'm not sure where to go or which gate to enter."  The guy said "That's a really great seat."  He told me to take the escalator - in an hour.  That is when the Garden would open.  I stood there a while more thinking what the man said about the escalator couldn’t be correct because the sign said Clubs and Suites........

Eventually I walked up to the man taking tickets at the escalator.  I showed him my ticket and told him I was from Tennessee and had no idea where to go.  He looked at my ticket and said "That's a REALLY good seat."  Hmmmmm, I knew it was going to be a good seat because it's third row.  But the way people are saying "it's a really good seat" struck me as weird for some reason....

Verizon "red carpet". Verizon was taking free photos on the way in.

At the assigned time, one hour before the puck drops, I went up and showed my ticket to the guy at the escalator.  Then I went to the next person for security check and showed him my ticket.  He said with emphasis, "That's a really good seat."  Strange......everyone seemed to know the seat section.  Maybe they were just good seats anyone would love?  I didn't know, had no clue and didn't really care at that point.  I went up the escalator to a small lobby with large boardroom looking doors (which were shut).  Ummmmm......where do I go I thought?  There was NO way I was about to open one of those doors.  I turned around and walked right back to the three teenager welcomers standing at the top of the excalator.  They told me they had no idea how to get to any of the seats.  Great.  Even they didn't know.

 


I walked around the lobby for a little bit and then saw a very nice looking, evidently wealthy, older gentleman.  I walked up to him and showed him my ticket saying "I’m from Tennessee (why I kept repeating this I do not know) and I don't know where to go.  Could you help me?"  The gentleman looked at my ticket and said, "That is a really good seat.  Go down the stairs at the edge of the room.  Turn right and you'll be at an escalator that will take you up to the concourse for seating." I thanked the gentleman and walked away.  

When I was about 60 feet away he yelled out "That is a really good seat. That's where all the girlfriends and wives sit."  I turned back to look at him, threw up my hands, waved them and said "No, not me, no I'm not one of those. I'm from Tennessee.  I'm just here to see a dream come true."  Then I looked down at what I was wearing.  #30 Henrik Lundqvist jersey....oh.....no.......  My stomach churned just a little.

I went up the escalator and took my seat.  Wow.  It really was a good seat. No, take that back.  It was a GREAT seat!  I was super excited.  The teams came out for warm ups.  Not many people were in the stands during that time.  Most were outside with the bands and others just don't want to be at the game an hour early.

It was probably my nervous paranoia over being told what the section was for, but I felt some of the players were glancing my way.  No one was sitting around me........  Oh my, they were probably thinking "Who gave that ole lady a ticket."  (I am old enough to be their mother.)  But it was the other team’s end of the ice in front of me so I dismissed the thought.

Ryan Callahan, Captain, NYR
Dan Giardi, NYR

The game was getting close to start when a very pretty blond with very curly hair sat behind me.  She had a little boy of about 6 with a Rick Nash #61 jersey on.  I thought, "Oh great, this is probably a girlfriend and she is probably wondering who the heck I am and what am I doing with #30's jersey on.  Especially since he is married."  She was probably thinking this woman is stupid.  If she is #30 mistress she shouldn't have worn the jersey.   (Funny I am dreaming up some script going through her head.  She was probably doing the same about me.)

I was sooooo uncomfortable from that moment on about having a jersey on, period.  Everyone in Madison Square Garden had jerseys on.  Or some type of NYR shirt/outfit.  NONE in our section had a jersey on.  I'm not even sure they had NYR's colors on.  (From what I could tell.  I was too intimidated by what was going on to look back very far.  The furthest I did look was the little cute blond lady with the gorgeously curly hair.

Before the game began a man in a suit walked in front of me from the concrete path below.  He handed me a frozen practice puck and pointed at the little boy wearing the #61 Rick Nash jersey.   I turned around and gave the puck to him.  Thirty minutes or so later another man in a suit brought a string NYR backpack filled with Rangers stuff and a NYR hat for the little boy.  Hmmm....something special about that kid.

Two young girls came and sat my me when the game started who seem to be spoiled.  Before they came a lady had walked in front of me and asked "Are you alright? Do you need anything? Just let me know when and if you need something."  Wow, more uncomfortableness..... I sat up straight as a board wondering if she was talking to me.  I responded, “No.  No thank you. I’m fine.”  (My friend Patty said I should have asked her if she could get me another jersey.)  This section had waitresses.  I’m used to guys going up and down the stands selling cotton candy.

Dan Girardi, #5, New York Rangers

The two girls flagged the lady down and asked for beer.  She said she'd need to see their ID's.  The first girl, who looked right around 21, produced hers.  The lady asked for the second girl's ID.  (This girl didn't look a day over 16 or 17.)  The girl shouted loudly "My Daddy's got it".  She pointed back to her dad who must have been several rows up.  The girl got her beer, several of them.  It's not for me to say, perhaps she had an ID with her dad, or maybe Daddy covered for her and got her the beers.

About ten minutes into the game two boys about age 19 sat on the other side of me.  The last two seats on the row.  Foul mouthed boys.  By then my experience of my dream hockey game was becoming tarnished.  Tarnished by annoying girls, one of which took about twenty photos of herself within five minutes.  AND also by the foul mouthed boys.  AND sitting in the family and important people section with that stupid jersey where I obviously by this point didn't belong.

   

The game had started an hour late-at 4:30 so I knew I could not stay for the third period. (It was HARD to leave but just watching a little helped me reach a bucket list check-off.)  During the last ten minutes of the second period I turned and asked the curly headed woman if she would take a photo of me.  I told her I was from Tennessee and always wanted to see a New York Rangers game.  She said sure and took a photo.  Then she took another, for good measure.  She was really nice and wanted to make sure at least one of the photos turned out well.

Me in my #30 Henrik Lundqvist jersey - the photo the
nice lady took for me

The second period ended and I stood up, gathered my things and turned to the lady to once again thank her for taking the photo.  She exclaimed, “You’re not leaving already are you?” I told her yes, I was from Tennessee (again) and that I had to catch my plane home.  She asked what part of Tennessee I was from.  I said East Tennessee.  The lady told me she had a college friend from Chattanooga.  I asked her "So did you go to UTC?"  I could have hit myself on my forehead (and did later when I left) after her reply: "No,  I went to Columbia."  Columbia? Columbia?  Oh, yeah, of course Columbia and here I insulted you by automatically thinking you went to the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga....... Didn't I sound stupid....

I said, “thank you again” and started walking through the stands.  The lady with the beautiful hair said “Oh, by the way, who gave you the ticket?” She sure wasn’t going to let me out of there without finding that fact out.  Oh, no.  I was afraid this would happen.  What do I say?  I felt I obviously, maybe, wasn’t supposed to have this ticket?  I vaguely explained how and got out of the arena.

So there is the story of my dream come true, to see the New York Rangers play hockey at Madison Square Garden.  And what a dream come true it was.  Many have told me when I tell them the story, "That's something that would only happen to you Marna". 

Brian Boyle, #22, NYR

"I quit" this show.....

Okay, I hate "The Bachelorette" and "The Bachelor" but watch sometimes with Chris.  Seems the times I watch something "out of the ordinary", as they call it, happens.  I think the "out of the ordinary" this year should be this girl turning to the commentator/announcer guy and saying "I quit".

The Bachelorette

Oh, my, goodness.  I hate the shows "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette".  Chris likes them as does his mom.  I'm watching the new "Bachelorette".  Why?  I rarely watch or don't watch many episodes.  I can't believe the men who introduced themselves on tonight's premier.  Yuck.  Send them all home lady.  Where are the real men?  Not fake.  Real marriage material.  Ugh.

Chris used to go to his mom's to watch with her on Monday nights.  This season is definitely a season he is going to do that.  This is the biggest grossing me out season yet........Stupid.

Diesel Dog

Diesel Dog or Diesel Damage or Bubba.  He has so many names.  And gives so much love.  The past couple of years he has started getting gray on his face.  Diesel is ten now.  

I don't like him getting old....

Sabertooth Mosquitos

The mosquitos in Paris, TN may be so big they ask for your blood donor card.  But the ones in Corntassel are Sabertooth Mosquitos.  They can bite through anything.

Lazy River

I told Chris that Splash Country has some sort of new water coaster slide but that I don't really like Splash Country that good.

Chris said, "I like it okay."

I said "Well.....I like the Lazy River ride."

Chris said, "Golly bum Marna, there's just no sport in you at all is there?  Bless your heart."

I love Dolly!!!

Memorial Day

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend!  So proud my Daddy was a WW II Naval Veteran.  And so very proud of the patriotism Monroe County always shows in time of great need in our community and Nation.  

One of my favorite photos of Daddy from his time in the Navy in WW II.  I've always wondered how the jeep named Janie got her name.  So many, many things I wished I had asked Daddy about while he was still alive.....

Friends Today

Friends from Nashville came today to ride horses with Chris.  Afterward we headed to the lake where Chris did a little wakeboarding.  Water was too cold for the rest of us to jump in.  Kathy and Steve are spending the night in Vonore and then coming to ride again with Chris tomorrow.  Great first day to the Memorial Day weekend.

Genetics

Genetics are estimated to account for NO MORE than about 10% of all breast cancer.  Age is biggest risk.  -National Cancer Institute

Although it's an individual's comfort level and decision, pause, think and research before you jump on the Angelina Jolie bandwagon.  And before you totally trust and rely on genetic counseling.  I have no genetic markers.

Undergoing that type of surgery is a life changing event-cancer or no cancer.  If you ever have a child there is no breast feeding.  There is an emotional side of the surgery that will hit you in a ways that you never thought possible.  Thoughts need to be turned toward implants-when will those have to be replaced?  They don't last forever.  And then there are the scars.  Horrible, horrible scars you can never imagine till they are your very own.  Unless, of course, you can afford the plastic surgeons that Jolie most likely had.

Twitter

Why have a Twitter page you don't man yourself?  I don't know if you can trust someone enough nor pay them enough to represent the real you.

Forever Ago

Wow, look what I found.  Hmmmmmm, guess the year??? Seems like forever ago........

Coming Soon!

My unbelievable trip to MSG to watch the New York Rangers play.  Wow.  It can be described as a thing that would only happen to Marna................

Watch for it...........coming soon!!

Retiarius Gladiator vs Shea Weber vs Zdeno Chara

A Retiarius Gladiator used a net to fight other gladiators in the Arena.  During practice they would have to swing the net over and around their head over and over and over again in order to get the exact movement needed to throw the net and catch their opponent.  Skeletons of Retiaruis Gladiators have been unearthed the past few years.  Those skeletons show signs of extreme rotator cuff wear and tear. Probably caused by the hours of practice spent day after day honing their craft.

NHL players practice shooting pucks. A lot.  Over and over and over again to practice precision.  The same precision is needed for the hockey player to perform his job, just as the precision needed for the Gladiator to perform his.  I wonder of hockey players and rotator cuff injuries.  Are hockey players more adapt to develop that problem than in other sports?

Some elite professional NHL players who have the hardest and fastest slap shots are Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins.  Chara record of hardest shot is 108.8 miles per hour at the 2012 All-Star Game.

Nashville Predator Shea Weber came up second to Chara's record at the 2012 All Star Game setting his personal record at 106 miles per hour.

Those two records are called the hardest shots.  And in ways that it truth.  But in ways it's only speed because the speed is rated, not how hard the puck hits something.   For example, 2010 Winter Olympic

Tournament- On Canada roster Shea Weber scored second goal of the game.  His shot passed through the netting mesh behind the German goaltender.  In order for the goal to be counted the video had to be reviewed.  Now that was a hard shot!  For sure.  Was it one of the fastest?  I don't know unless someone tested it at the same time the puck went through the net.  I'd say it was both in order to do what it did to the net

Eagles

Do not kill the eagles.......Eagles are all encompassing of America. They are the sacred symbol for the United States.  They are the definition of Patriotism.

Article in the Knoxville News about the local shootings of two Bald Eagles:
Knoxville News-Bald Eagle Shootings

Decoration at Hopewell Cemetery May 19, 2013

Decoration at Hopewell.  Photo is of Momma, Daddy and Gary's graves.  Wish the weather had been nice.  It's been yucky and rainy the past few years.  No walking and visiting in years with bad weather and I miss that part of Decoration.  Decoration seems to be a dying tradition and the weather doesn't help that matter.......