Puzzled....

I have to admit I was very puzzled this morning when I read the newspaper headline, "Cornhole Tourney to Raise Funds for Patient."  I was brought up believing that a "cornhole" was a person's rectum - at least, that's what Mom usually called it.   I read the article and laughed at the construction of one sentence, that stated the patient found out he needed a liver transplant "after going to the hospital jaundiced with chest pains."  I had no idea that chest pains could cause jaundice!  -  In any event, I found out that a Cornhole Tourney was a bean bag tossing game....  Then, my local paper identified the body in Boulder Creek, at the north end of my apartment house.  When found, the description given was "a white male, in his 50s." It turns out that he was 38, and has lived in both Boulder and Broomfield.  This second press release also stated that a gun was found near the man's body.  According to the reporter, "Asked if police consider the death suspicious, Kobel (the Boulder PD spokesperson) said there is no public danger."  Why does that answer bother me?  Maybe because it didn't answer the question?

I didn't blog yesterday evening because I was so drained after Jim Cunningham's Memorial Service. It was a very good service, in which we celebrated Jim's life, looked at photos, and shared reminiscences.  Then it was food, drink, and fun time.  I kept refilling the punch bowl, and the cookie and cake platters, as well as the fruit and veggie and dip bowls, while Connie kept the cheese and crackers going.  And we talked to family and friends  - and Andy, Bernie and Jim's son, got a kick out of telling people that I had called him "Bernie" yesterday morning....  And I had, so I didn't care.  I was walking Rosie and Remy past the Cunningham house, and I saw a pair of legs in jeans at the shed door.  A maple tree was blocking the rest of my view, and then I saw Chama, the neighbor's dog run up to the door, with her tail wagging furiously. So I called out, "Is that you, Miss Bernie?"  At which time Andy stepped forward so that I could see him, and said, "I hope not!"  Then I told him that he couldn't be Bernie because his hair was the wrong color...  and we laughed.  It was nice to be able to meet him before the service, since I already knew his sister and nieces.

Yesterday, Black Caviar, the Australian mare, added to her winning ways by being first under the wire for the 15th straight time. Unfortunately, she will not be running in the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs next month.  .... And Daisy Devine, who last won the Fair Grounds Oaks back in March, was switched to the turf for yesterday's Pin Oak Valley View Stakes at Keeneland.  She was sent off at 43-to-1 odds - and she won, coming along the rail under jockey Calvin Borel.  She paid $89 for a $2 win ticket.  (Now, that's a nice profit!)  ....  Zazu, the gorgeous grey filly sired by Tapit, will not be running in the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic as planned.  She has developed inflammation in her right shoulder and will get a 90 day vacation from work.  ....  And Awesome Gem, the 8-year-old gelding, who has raced in the last 4 Breeders Cups, will not compete this year.  Instead, he'll be pointing towards  next year, when he will continue to race as a 9-year-old.  He's already won $2.7 million in his career so far.

Have a great weekend!

Miscellaneous and "It's Tebow Time"

After walking and playing with Rosie and Remy yesterday, I stopped by Bernie's and we spent about an hour talking about all sorts of things.  I don't think that Jim's death has actually become a reality for her yet.  She says she's fine, and continues to plan on cleaning up his hospice room, ripping up the carpet, re-finishing the pine floors, and painting the room.  She hopes to get started on it all before the memorial service, which will be on Friday, the 21st.  We looked through some of Jim's old keepsakes from his school days, and Bernie got a kick out of the way the school newspaper described Jim.  If we can get the Quaker Meeting Hall, we'll hold the memorial service there - otherwise, it will be at either the Elk Lodge or the American Legion Hall.

My kits are running in and out of the patio door this morning - and the apartment management turned on the boiler this morning, so we all have to check to see if the radiators under our windows leak.  At the moment, mine does not leak.  On the way back to Lynn's I need to stop at the grocery store and get milk, eggs, and meat.  I have plenty of kitty litter and cat food and kitty treats at home for my kids.  And I picked up 75 pounds of frozen chicken to feed Tessa yesterday, at the local organic pet food store.  Lilly, Lyra, and Dhisana get a teaspoon of the chicken with each meal, on top of their organic rice and chicken dry kibble.  Tessa gets 3/4 of the entire block for both breakfast and dinner.

If you do not want to read about Tim Tebow, stop reading here.  (I realize that some of my friends have a Tebow burn-out from living in Gainesville, and getting news and rumors about Tebow  24 hours a day while he was attending UF and playing for the Gators.)  Me, I like the guy.  He stands by what his beliefs are and he backs up what he says with his actions.  In any event - the Broncos lost again on Sunday, against a main rival, the San Diego Chargers.  Kyle Orton was the starting quarterback (and I still like Kyle) - but he still couldn't get the job done.  He moved the team up and down the field, but we could only score field goals and not touch downs.  The only touchdown made by the Broncos in the first half was by a defensive player who caught a tipped pass.  Kyle threw his seventh interception, which was taken down to the Charger 5 yard line, and from there, they scored a TD.  Tebow was sent in for one play in the first half, where he scrambled for 2 yards.  ...  After half-time, Tebow started for the Broncos.  There was a 23 point lead that the Chargers had - the defense worked hard and kept the Chargers from scoring.  Tebow ran for a touchdown, and then threw for a second one; plus got the team into position for another field goal.  The game came down to the last second, with Tim dancing around the backfield, trying to find a receiver in the end zone with single coverage.  Time ran out, he threw the ball, and it bounced off several Charger players and then in and out of the Broncos player. The Broncos lost by 5.  -  But the team seemed to have more energy with Tebow at the helm.  Both the offense and the defense seemed to come alive, and the crowd loved it.  -  I personally felt bad for Kyle Orton who was booed each time he was on the playing field.  That is simply unsportsmanlike conduct.  Kyle went out, he did his best - he ran the plays he was told to.  He didn't deserve booing or the derision of the crowd.  -  At 8 a.m. this morning, it was announced to the team that Tim Tebow will be their starting quarterback for their next game.  The Broncos have a bye week the 16th - so they will be facing the Miami Dolphins on the 23rd with a new starting quarterback - Tim Tebow.

Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow gains rushing yardage against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, 9 October 2011.

A Potpourri

A friend and neighbor passed away yesterday morning.  Jim Cunningham, who lived at the corner of Topaz Drive and Garnet Avenue, died peacefully at home with his wife Bernie at his side.  Jim had been a long-time diabetic and was recently diagnosed with inoperable heart troubles.  Anyone who walks in the Githens Acres neighborhood will instantly recognize Bernie - a small powerhouse of energy with a cap of silver-grey, almost white, hair, blue eyes, and a terrific smile.  She is always working on the house, in the yard, in her garden, on the irigation ditch, chopping ice off the road, etc.  My heart goes out to Bernie and the kids.  Jim was a wonderful, kind man, and I thoroughly enjoyed his company, whether we were talking about growing up in the old days, or discussing Clive Cussler's latest book.  He will be missed tremendously by his family, friends and his neighbors.

If you like Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series, you need to look at the following URL:
http://collider.com/david-hayter-dragonflight-dragonriders-of-pern/85654/  It looks as if we will finally get a Pern movie, and they are going to start with the first written book in the series.  I hope it turns out as good as it should!!!  (Thanks for the information, Kathryn!)

The only thing I can say about college football yesterday was that at least South Carolina and West Virginia won.  The one touchdown the CU Buffs scored looked very good.  I have to admit I dozed through the Gators' game.  ....  I am looking forward to a USA TV-movie.  Certain Prey is scheduled to air Sunday, November 6 (9 p.m. Eastern, 8 p.m. Central and Mountain); it stars Mark Harmon as  Lucas Davenport, the main character.  USA owns the movie rights to all 21 Lucas Davenport mysteries (written by John Sandford), and if the public likes Harmon's portrayal of Lucas, then there might be a series of movies a la Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone on CBS.  Harmon meets the physical description of Lucas Davenport, who starts out as a police dectective in the series and progresses on to state investigator for the governor. He is also independently rich, as he developed several PC games that have continued to grow and spawn more games. The movie should be interesting; the books certainly are.

My kits are trying to figure out what's going on...  I packed Mocha's food up (again) this morning, and Lovey and Nedi are getting edgy.  I believe that I will leave them here tonight, so they can realize that Mocha is no longer here with us.  Then I'll take them over to visit Lynn's on Monday - that way I can move things outside while I clean the apartment, and it won't freak my kits out.  They are used to dogs, so Tessa won't be a problem.  I think the weirdest thing will be for Nedi to be the only male with four queens in the house. - But at least Nedi and Lovey will be able to run up and down stairs and play while I strip my bed, wash everything, and scrub the floors at home.  (Mocha has been pottying on the edges of my bedspread and  generally just under my bed for the last couple of weeks - so it will be good for all of us to clear out, while it airs out and the scrubbed floor dries for a couple of days.)  And Mocha will be stress free and back with her person.