Monday Miscellany

This morning I feel like Mr. Rogers, and want to wander around singing "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood..." It's a sunny morning, there's a west wind, and while it was in the mid-40s earlier, it's expected to hit 90 this afternoon. I saw a huge variety of birds during my morning walk, and was followed for about a mile by a raven that kept clicking at me from nearby trees. I also spied a skunk, several squirrels, a fox kit, and a whole bunch of cottontail rabbits. All combined, it made for a good walk.

The kits are running in and out - as they did most of yesterday evening. I spoke with my friend Michael (Jane's widower) for about 2 hours last night. We finally hung up when our cats got too raucous over the phone - Natasha was howling at his end, and Lovey was howling right back... it was really funny. - Well, maybe I should clarify that: they were both meowing at the tops of their lungs, not actually howling... - Tomorrow is niece Sarah's birthday, and this afternoon we get the results of Jim's bone marrow biopsy. I'll pass on whatever the results are tomorrow. .... Nothing much else is going on around here - I walk the Irish kids, as usual, about 10. Denver is in the throes of Nuggets fever, as the NBA team is going to the Conference Finals for the first time in 24 years - facing the Lakers.

All runners in the Preakness came back without injury, and both Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird are already back at their respective barns at Churchill Downs. Belmont Park has yet to meet all of its accreditation standards, but is expected to do so before the running of the Belmont Stakes on June 6. While a decision on running Rachel (in the Belmont) is due soon, three horses are confirmed entries: Mine That Bird, Flying Private, and Luv Gov. Possible entries who ran in the Derby, but skipped the Preakness include: Chocolate Candy, Dunkirk, Summer Bird, and Mr. Hot Stuff. Two other possibles have been named, those being Charitable Man and Miner's Escape. - The day after the Preakness, Calvin Borel was riding a long-shot in a $7,500 claiming race at CD; with a 3 furlongs to go, he headed his mount to the rail, burst through on the inside and won the race. He told a cub reporter afterwards that it was riding the claimers that made him into what he is, and he isn't going to forget his roots.