Happy Holidays!

Gift Idea

...just sayin'.

Perspective

Churchill Downs Tribute To Curlin

For more on Curlin's retirement ceremonies, check out today's Starr Ann Chronicles

All photos © 2008 JoeyJo

Einstein

“To be able to win a stake like that means the world to me, but to get a graded stake on the dirt for him is super. It was kind of my main objective coming in here," Pitts said. "He was second in a grade I in the Stephen Foster. But to win a graded stake on the dirt for him, he deserves it more than anybody out there because I’ve never had a horse that loves his job and loves to train and loves to run as much as he does. When he turned for home, I knew he’d dig deep down inside to find all he could to get there. He’s a very special horse.”

I Think

I think sometimes people think too much. Or maybe, I think, sometimes. Anyway, it seems to me that people are thinking too much, or at least I am, I think.

It used to be that I could sit on the deck, enjoy a cup of tea and a granola bar and relax. Now, when I try it, I drink the tea, crunch the granola bar, and think! Think about stuff like what others think or what will they think!!

I think I am not the only one who does this. I think others who don't care what other people think, think about what other people think.

I am not saying that caring about what others think is wrong. No, rather, I think that thinking and re-thinking about what you think others think will eventually find you "having another thought coming".

Having said that, I am thinking, should I end this post here or should I go on?

I'll have to think about that.

...and still thinking about this, as the story goes, when my brother was a little kid and saw a statue of "The Thinker" he said "He is thinking about where he lost his clothes."

Dona Nobis Pacem

Ever fall asleep with the Sun shining on you? Perhaps, you were on a couch with the rays streaming through a window. Or maybe you were in a hammock basking in the brightness. The heat that penetrated your pores filled you with a sense of calm, a sense of peace. Then, a dark cloud drifted across the sky, blocking the radiance. A chill settled over you, disturbing you. You were awakened. But when the beams broke into the clouds and became stronger and stronger, the warm glow returned. You were once again enveloped in serenity.

Hopefully, the dark cloud that has hovered over our great nation is passing and peace will begin to radiate throughout the world.

Decision 2008

Today, be a part of tomorrow.

VOTE!

As my friend Starr Ann (hi, Starr Ann) would say, "It's a booth, not a closet."

Breeder's Cup 2008 - Hats Off!

Curlin.

Zenyatta.

One of two...Zenyatta!




Nothing more be said.



Breeder's Cup Classic. What a race!

Way to go, Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator!!
And Tiago!!!

Things just didn't work out for my favorite, since Barbaro, Curlin.
Considering everything, I was worried about the Euros and they came through. Truly a classic race.

But, I am looking forward to welcoming Curlin back to Churchill Downs, Kentucky!!!!

Breeder's Cup 2008 Curlin - Zenyatta

Curlin

Zenyatta

Election 2008

Another debate tonight will rob me of much needed sleep. Yet, I will stay up and watch and hope that the public will see who the best candidate is.
I could go on about all of the obvious, ... hasty decisions (Sarah Palin), the strong economy (not), the Party that landed us in this place, the loss of human life to a greedy war, disregard for fellow inhabitants of the earth, etc., etc. (Dang. I did go on a bit.) But, it looks like citizens of the United States are ready for a change; a move to the positive direction.

Be a part of that change...VOTE !

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

New Movie! Bet everyone who didn't get one during the Taco Bell surge is gonna want one. They are precious little creatures. My first, very own dog/doog, "Cutie Pie" (named her myself) was a Chihuahua. They may be a bit head-strong, but they are highly devoted. Please remember that they are very small, thus, despite sometimes a big dog demeanor, very fragile. They are meant to be a companion dog and tend to be a lap dog. That means, they should live inside where they are protected and warm and loved. Treat them as a child or at least a fellow living creature, not a disposable possession. And if you do decide you are up to being a good human to one of these little ones, check this out:

Little Dog Birthday!

Butten thinking about cake!

In case you are not aware, today is designated "Little Dog Birthday". Most of our pups (except Bug) have been rescued. So, we have had only a rough idea of when they were born. But it seemed like Oct. was about right for our first, a pound puppy, Challie (Jellybean Chalfonte..."Jellybean" never really fit) the second, street-wise puppy, Skippy (Skippy Peanut Butter...was retrieved from a four-lane parkway) and then, energetic Butten (found on another busy street that we now refer to as Butten Boulevard). All three whole-heartedly adopted Oct. 1st as their birthday.

Challie, one of their adored Moms, and Skipper
Little Dog Birthday 1997

Butten, as it turns out, was his real "given", misspelled name. His owner had died and her son had just turned him out and didn't care whether or not he came back. I digress.

Anyway, today Butten carries on the tradition
celebrating his 17th birthday!

This Is,

This Is..............................................................BUG!


And this is Bug's 6th birthday.

She's gonna have presents and cake, but wants to bypass the ice cream on account of what happened last time!

On the Happy Trail!

Powerful Memory - Eight Belles - Powerful Legacy

The remains of Eight Belles have been laid to rest at The Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs. Today, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, a memorial service was held there. I, now, have a heightened respect for Eight Belles' trainer, Larry Jones. Stifling his emotions, he said:

“I was the lucky one who got to see her come into the barn as a long-legged, gangly 2-year-old filly and was also the one who was lucky enough to see her turn into a lovely, gallant and courageous racehorse,” Jones said. “My memories of her on the day (of the Derby) is that she had so much poise. She knew everyone was here for her and she just decided that with 150,000 people looking, she felt she owed it to every one of them to make eye contact. I think people were mesmerized by her."

In the words of Rick Porter, her owner:

“I’m convinced that her tragic accident is a possible catalyst for the several crisis-level changes needed in Thoroughbred horse racing. If her death can bring about much-needed rules eliminating unnecessary medication and the implementation of a racing commission to whom all of us will be accountable, then Eight Belles will not have died in vain.”








Eight Belles, such a glorious, amazing creature.

GREAT NEW BLOG!

lolsarahz

Check It Out!

Deal With It

I believe that the only way to survive this world is to accept what it deals you and believe that there is a reason. (Most likely, the reason is not transparent.) Nevertheless, when times are tough, I have a hard time with my own philosophy. But, hay (intentional misspelling), it is all for a reason!

Thurston B. Howl IV

Shimmy Shake. Mr. ShimShamMan.

"Thurston the Murston. He is a puppy dog. He is a pup. He is a pup. He is a puppy dog!"









Santa, AmyJo & THURSTON! Christmas 2006












Thurston

Feb. 1998 - Aug. 17, 2008

Sordid Lives

Looking for some refreshing, bizarre entertainment? Tune in to LOGO Wednesday nights for the new series 'Sordid Lives'. Some of the best acting I have ever seen comes from Beth Grant, playing the role of Sissy. But, the entire cast is awesome. (Yes, that is Rue McClanahan!)





Of course, I am partial to Olivia Newton-John. She plays a tough lesbian country singer. She also has some great songs.





And Leslie Jordan (remember him from 'Will & Grace'?) plays Brother Boy!





Oh, here's one more photo of Olivia...just because.


P. S. If you don't get LOGO, you can rent the movie.

Ever Get The Feeling?

That somebody or something is bigger than life?

I saw a woman perform a few years ago at a womens' music festival. She was dynamic. She had stage presence. She had humor. And she could SING (and play the guitar). Oh, did I mention cute?
It was a full day and I intended to order her music. Never did.
Subsequently, I heard about her and her health problems. Had to be her.
Bound by her spirit, I, peripherally, kept up with her progress. Not too long ago, she was doing better, enjoying life and had hope.
Next thing, it all crashed. She died.

Surely, there is a reason.

Katie Reider