Winning Horses were 6-6-6 ......
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The 76th running of
The Carolina Cup was held in Camden this weekend and it feels good to pick a winner!
Even better when you pick 3 out of 4!
But then, someone mentioned how odd it was that the first three races were won by the
number 6 horse. Hmmm. And I had drawn that number twice. Another hmmmm.666.
My horse in the 4th race was number 4 and he won, breaking that string of sixes but apparently, the damage had been done.
The 5th, 6th and 7th races were run in a heavy downpour. The heavens opened. So to speak.
One couple decided to it was time to dance with joy. So, they did.
Usually about 70,000 people attend the Spring event and, this year, the Bridge Run is set for the following Saturday, so there may have been even more soggy celebrants.
Seems like there were 70,000 cars in line ahead of us trying to exit on the single road leading from the mushy infield.
Make way for a winner.
Labels: 666, 76th annual, Camden, Cooper River Bridge Run, horses, The Carolina Cup
Ka - BOOM!
Two wonderful things happened to me while I was the
Director of Tourism for the state of Missouri.
Well, actually quite a few more than two but two especially come to mind.
I didn't take either picture and was, for a change, in front of the camera.
My Mom describes me in the photo with
President Carter as "
my son is the one with the gray hair." I helped welcome him to Tom Sawyer's Hannibal, on his way down to New Orleans aboard the historic paddle wheeler Delta Queen.
My other memorable moment was a year later, doing something we've all seen in the movies and on television.
I placed my nervous right hand on the plunger of a dynamite detonator, shouted "3-2-1" and pushed it as hard as I could. It made that familiar
"screeeech" sound and then
"BOOM!"The terrific noise was still ringing in our ears as a geyser of sand and small rocks rained down on a group of dignitaries.
For those who know the Kansas City area, the new Visitors Information Center is built on a hill overlooking the twin stadiums used by the Chiefs and the Royals.
The main stuff that fell from the sky landed on the hood of a parked Missouri Highway Patrol car. Well, he knew we were playing with dynamite.
Labels: Chiefs, Delta Queen, dynamite, Hannibal, Highway Patrol, Kansas City, KC Royals, President Jimmy Carter, Tom Sawyer, Visitors Information Center
Not A Good Easter Pet.....
It's THAT time of the year when articles appear about baby chicks and why they are NOT a good choice as pets for children.
That makes sense.
Baby chicks are cute. They go "cheep" "cheep", they are yellow, fuzzy and tiny, they start out as a small handfull but then grow into, well, chickens.
But who is warning about the mishaps that befall chocolate Easter bunnies?!
Each year thousands are maimed...or worse.
Labels: chicks, chocolate bunnies, coops, Easter bunny
Home Team BBQ Good Blues Venue
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When Cumberland's closed last December, it ended a long run for a fine music venue, but Fiery Ron's
Home Team BBQ in West Ashley already was in place to help fill the gap.
Actually there are more "blues" acts being booked there than had appeared downtown.
Last night the band
Delta Highway was in town again from Memphis, TN and pleased a soggy crowd drying out after the Saturday storm had rolled though.
Lead singer and harpist Brandon Santini, caught everyone's attention when he sang
"I like chick'n and I like grits..I like my wimmen with big ..eyes."They did three hard driving sets and Brandon mentioned - a few times - they had several "records for sale." Somehow, I don't think he meant vinyl.
They'll be back again so race up the on ramp of
Delta Highway for some rollicking good blues.
Labels: Delta Highway, Home Team Blues, venue, vinyl, West Ashley
That's Almost 9 Lifetimes...
My mother celebrated her
92nd birthday last week.
About 25 friends joined her for a party, complete with creamy slices of birthday cake. It was a good time.
Yesterday a thick packet arrived from the
Divine Redeemer School filled with handmade cards from 5th graders who have been sending her good wishes on holidays and special events.
I guess they're probably aged 11 or so and caring and creative... and VERY talented.
The drawings are delightful and the messages anything but trite.
"I hope you have a safe birthday. Have FUN!" said Veronica.
"Hope all your wishes come true" adds Danielle.
Max noted
"Another year has come and gone." Austin hopes Mom has
"a good one."James wished Mom
"..a grand old time and a spectacular B. Day." Holly wrote
"Hope you have the best birthday ever." Rina said
"May your special day be filled with joy and happiness. May God bless you."This is the same group of kids who sent her Autumn good wishes with one card that hoped she would
"Have a great fall."
We still chuckle over that one.
(Click on cards for colorful details)
Labels: 5th graders, Autumn, birthday wishes, creamy cake, Divine Redeemer School, handmade cards, spectacular B. Day
Hands Up Everybody!!
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A buddy accepted a new job down in Florida and I was invited to his going-away party.
It was a nice new bar on Upper King Street that I didn't know.
We were standing around drinking and laughing and, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a man with a gun... a shotgun!
I turned, smoothly taking my camera out of my pocket and quietly flicking the "on" button. Old newspaper staff photographers never lose that instinct to get the picture! Capture it on film, er, I mean, digital.
Snapping the shutter fast a few times, I quickly realized it was a bunch of guys playing a coin-operated game.
Guns in a bar. Great concept.
At least I had not shouted
"Everybody get down!"Then I looked around the bar a little closer and realized this was a young crowd - much younger than I normally see in bars and clubs I go to. Obviously this was close enough to campus that I was in with a college crowd.
Personally, I would probably "card" everyone in this booth.
Labels: college crowd, Florida, hands up, shotgun, Upper King Street
Can You Picture This?
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Well, yes, I AM an impulse buyer.
I know the difference between "needing" something and "wanting" something. But, there is a third category ..."hey, that would be neat."
Thinking it through is the opposite of quickly deciding to buy an item. High tech devices especially affect me this way.
So now I have a
PC camera.
It installed easily with the included software disc. It shows an image on the screen and even has a setting so it will follow your face. You can relax while you are on camera and you don't have to sit rigidly in one place. Whew, what a relief.
But.... I don't know anyone else who has a PC Camera to receive my video messages.
I have a friend who had me sign up for Skype last year but then he changed his phone service and doesn't use Skype anymore so I have no one to call for free.
Is this how YouTube got started?
Labels: high tech, impulse, PC Camera, Skype, YouTube
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