June 2007 - Posts

Finding the Right Words
25 June 07 02:49 PM | scoutmom | 6 comment(s)

How do you talk to your child about death? How do you tell them that a someone has died? How do you tell them one of their friends is gone?

I was faced with just such a decision this past weekend. My son was away for a week at National Youth Leadership Training for Boy Scouts. When I opened Friday's paper I saw the obituary for one of his classmates. Fourteen years old and dead from a previously undiagnosed heart problem. It wouldn't be the first time I had to tell my son that someone had died. But it was the first time I have ever had to tell any of my children that someone their own age, someone they knew and went to school with, had died.

I thought long and hard about what I would say, how I would say it and when I would tell him. In the back of my mind was also the thought "How can a mother face losing a child? What would I do if it were my son?" No matter how I practiced what to say, it came out wrong. There didn't seem to be a way to make it right. And then I realized why. There isn't anything that could ever "make it right". This was an awful, shocking, heart-wrenching event and there aren't any words in the world that could fix it or make it any easier. I lost friends in high school to a horrific car accident. It hurt, and as much as I wanted to shield my son from that pain, I knew all I could do was tell him what happened and try and help him through it the best I could.

On Saturday evening, my husband and I drove out to camp for the Parents' Feast, campfire ceremony and awards program. When we walked up to the dining hall and I saw him I had tears in my eyes. All I wanted to do was hug him and tell him how much I loved him and never let him go. Instead, I told him how glad I was to see him, and how proud we were of him. Five hours later, when it was all over and we were walking to the car, I told him about Jake. He didn't say a lot, and neither did I, except "I love you."

I guess that's the best thing anyone could ever say.

Filed under: Off Topic

As The Engine Revs - A New Installment in the Continuing Saga of Problems in NASCAR
23 June 07 12:29 PM | scoutmom | with no comments

 In the continuing saga of cheating - or as the teams claim "inadvertant, honest mistakes" - we now find our way to Hendrick Motorsports and teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.

This installment brings us to illegal front fenders on the No. 24 and No. 48 cars and the drivers banned from practice and qualifying.  The teams were, however, allowed to alter the fenders and get the cars back through inspection on Friday.  Saturday morning brought official approval.

``Everything is fine,'' said Doug Duchardt, vice president of development for Hendrick. ``We're way behind, but we'll just go out there and prepare today the way we would on any Saturday and hope for the best.''  ohnson and Gordon will start 41st and 42nd in the 43-car lineup for Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350.

For Johnson the key is to concentration.He also can't focus on the time the two lost..

``We can't get that back,'' he said. ``We just have to make sure that when we do get on the racetrack that our heads are in the right spots, we're focused on the right things and we do the best job that we can.''

According to Gordon, a five-time winner, series point leader and defending champion at Sonoma, it wil be difficult to try to drive to the front on a difficult road circuit that winds through the hills of Northern California wine country.

What makes things worse is that this is the premiere of the Car of Tomorrow on a road race track.  ``We're really put into a bind here and we're going to do our best, that's all I can say,'' said Gordon. ``You know we're going to do all we can to make the car as fast as it can be and to try to come up through that field the best way, smoothest way possible while trying to stay out of trouble and trying to play the right pit strategy.

``We'll try to do everything in our power to get the best finish out here we can. I'll be honest, right now it's a little hard for us to be realistic about a win. It's more about being realistic about trying to get a top 10.''

It still remains to be seen what further penalties the team, and in particular crew chiefs Chad Knaus (Johnson) and Steve Letarte (Gordon) could face further penalties from NASCAR after officials return home Monday.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 100 points and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. was fined $100,000 and suspended six races after NASCAR discovered illegal brackets on the rear wing of the No. 8 COT Chevrolet last month at Darlington Raceway.

You'd think these guys would get this figured out, wouldn't you?

Filed under: NASCAR

NFL Players + Alcohol = Major Trouble
23 June 07 11:10 AM | scoutmom | 1 comment(s)

 Appleton, WI - Green Bay Packers Nick Barnett was arrested for misdemeanor battery last Sunday after allegedly shoving a woman at a downtown nightclub.  In his defense, the co-owner of the bar said the woman threw a drink in his face before he shoved her...er...allegedly.  Barnett has been a regular at the bar for months, and was there with about six other Packers players, some with their wives.

 

Gilbert, AZ - Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson (yeah, the guns in the house/friend shot in the bar guy) was pulled over for speeding Friday.  He was also cited for "being impaired to the slightest degree" and had blood drawn to determine if he was drunk.  He is already suspended for the first eight games of the season for violating probation on a gun violation.

 

Las Vegas, NV - Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has posted bail and returned home to Nashville, after surrendering to face charges that he threatened to kill employees at the Minxx club and that he bit a bar bouncer.  The arrest was Jones' sixth since he was drafted in 2005.

 

Okay, guys, get a clue!  When do they start growing up?  Especially guys like Johnson and Jones.  How stupid can you be?  Obviously VERY stupid.  I'd ask what they were thinking, but obviously they WEREN'T.  And that's the problem, isn't it.  They don't think, they just do whatever they want.  And when you add alcohol into the mix, well, it's a real mess. 

 

I certainly hope these guys wake up, and soon.  And I hope the NFL comes down on Jones as hard as they did on Johnson - no, harder.  Somebody needs to do something.  There have been so many stories in recent months involving NFL players involved in various nefarious activities that it is almost "routine".  It detracts from football in particular, and professional sports in general.  If you can't hold your liquor, don't drink.  And certainly don't drive if you do drink! 

 

As for the rest of the illegal activities keep this in mind - just because you are rich and famous doesn't mean the laws don't apply.  Some day, this all going to come back and bite you in the...patootie.  And I hope you get all the punishment you deserve!

 

Filed under: NFL, Sports Related

Cabrera Puffs His Way To Victory in US Open
18 June 07 07:56 AM | scoutmom | with no comments

You know, if he understood English better, Angel Cabrera might have been a little upset. I mean, here's a guy who just won the US Open, and everyone was talking about the other guy - Tiger Woods.

Actually, in speaking through an interpreter, even Cabrera talked about Tiger. "Tiger can birdie any hole. He is No. 1". But not Sunday. Not at this US Open. Tiger couldn't one putt anything under 12 feet for the entire tournament. No, the guy who was No. 1 on Sunday was Angel Cabrera, "El Pato". And before you think that's a nifty nickname, it means "the Duck".

Here's a guy who dropped out of elementary school to help support the family by caddieing at a local country club. He plays golf because it's the only thing he knows how to do. With a physique like that, he certainly couldn't make a living at the national sport of Argentina - soccer. This is a guy who looked like a lot of dads out on courses everywhere on Father's Day - overweight, needing a shave, laughing with his caddy while he grabbed a quick smoke. Lots of quick smokes.  I mean, here's someone who even John Daly told he'd let himself go. He was there to shoot a round of golf and have a good time. While he waited for his turn, he bounced the ball of his putter. The only thing that was missing while he sat in the clubhouse waiting for Tiger Woods to finish? A drink in his hand.

Does it matter that Cabrera has won three times on the European Tour, or 11 in South America? Or does it make any difference that he has played in eight US Opens without missing a cut? Or that he finished seventh at last year's British Open or has three top-10s at the Masters? I don't think so. No, I think what matters to all the weekend golfers who sat there watching Cabrera swing and Tiger choke, was that a guy who learned the game on his own, who didn't get a college schalarship or any formal instruction, was able to win the US Open.

Angel Cabrera did more for the average guy's dream of golf greatness in that final round than just about anything in the history of golf.

Filed under: Golf

Dale Earnhardt Jr Makes It Official - Joins Hendrick Motorsports
13 June 07 10:35 AM | scoutmom | 3 comment(s)

It’s official. In a press conference at 11:00 ET Wednesday, Dale Earnhardt Jr. confirmed the rumors that he will be joining Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2008. They’re already calling it the "New World Order". What a team: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Casey Mears and now Dale Earnhardt Jr. Nothing was said about where Kyle Busch would be going. There was also no word yet on his sponsors or car number.

Way back in May, Darrell Waltrip said it would be the best choice for Jr. Hendrick Motorsports was always a possibility, but speculation began in earnest when Jr. stepped in during the Samsung 500 to finish the race when his car was wrecked and Kyle Busch was nowhere to be found. Oh, he insisted that it was nothing, but…

What’s next? Well, first of all, Jr.’s fans are going to have to get over the fact that he’s now on the team with the guys they love to hate – Gordon and Johnson. Hey, guys? Get over it, he chose them. They are now his friends. You’re gonna have to learn to love ‘em! And remember, at HMS, Gordon is No. 1. But think about what HMS has been able to do for those guys. What an opportunity for Jr. to have the quality of car he not only wants, but needs to win races and championships.

We’ll have to wait and see if he takes his crew chief (and cousin) Tony Eury Jr. with him, or if there will be some shuffling going on at HMS and he ends up with Darian Grubb or Chad Knaus. Regardless, Jr. will now have what he’s been telling DEI he needed all along.

Earnhardt made the announcement at his JR Motorsports shop, saying when he announced in May his desire to leave his current team, DEI, that he wanted to find a place where he could win a championship. He said he found that man, then introduced his new team owner, Rick Hendrick in front of a Hendrick Motorsports backdrop.

"This is a 'wow' day," Hendrick said. I’ll say!

Filed under: NASCAR

Around the League - Some Shine, Some Stink
12 June 07 07:56 AM | scoutmom | with no comments

We’re a third of the way through the baseball season – you can tell that because the NBA season is ALMOST over – and there are a few standouts.  The Red Sox and Angels dominate their division in the American League and the Padres and the Mets lead the National League. 

The Angels of course also have what amounts to one of the DUMBEST names in baseball.  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Please!  That’s the best anyone on the Left Coast could come up with?  Although I suppose it could have been worse, their name could have ended up like an college bowl game:   “The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim brought to you by insert sponsor who shelled out big bucks here.”   

But seriously, baseball season is in full swing (sorry, couldn’t resist that one!).  Despite shocking everyone early in the season with impressive pitching and hitting, the Brewers have managed to settle down into a more typical run of mediocrity.  The team that at one time had the best record in baseball still leads the NL Central division, but that’s not saying much.  Granted, the Brewers are still above .500, with a 34-29 record but in any other division they would be at least 3 games back in the standings.  Want to know how broadcaster Bob “Just a Bit Outside” Uecker described the team’s play?  He made a comment about something "spreading like one of those diseases those cargo ships bring in from the Orient."   Fortunately for the Brewers, they are lumped with my perennial losers the Chicago Cubs, a struggling World Champion St. Louis Cardinals team, the Astros, Pirates and Reds.  Yes, folks, this is a division where the Cubs can have a record of 28 – 34 and STILL be in second place. 

Speaking of the Cubs, it was nice to see that pitcher Carlos Zambrano can hit something other than catcher Michael Barrett’s face!  Taking things into his own hands Monday night, Zambrano not only pitched a great game – allowing just three hits and one unearned run over eight innings – he also homered to give the Cubs a 2-1 win over the aforementioned Astros.   

Oh, and in case anyone cares – I know I sure don’t – Barry Bonds hit his first home run in more than a month.  Big whoop.  Take away the steroids and suddenly he’s just another guy with a bat.

Filed under: MLB

Update On Mercy - Can You Help?
07 June 07 03:29 PM | scoutmom | 5 comment(s)

Just wanted to give you an update on how Mercy is doing since her rescue.  Here is an update from Hutch, with additional info from WISH-TV/Channel 8

I'd also like ask on a personal note that any of you who can donate even a few dollars to help in this worth cause, please send your donations to the address at the bottom of this post.  

From Hutch:

You all may have already heard the story already about the Gibson County Horse Seizure in Indiana just outside of Evansville, IN ~ where over 100 horses have been seized due to neglect and starvation.   Should any of you find it in your hearts to donate $ 10 that equals 3 bales of hay or wormer for these neglected horses.  One mare was in such bad shape, that Sunday, after giving birth to a foal, it took 8 men to get her on her feet.  She's nothing but bones and bed sores. 

My husband is delivering round panel gates tomorrow to the site so that the horses remaining on the property can get outside.  This organization of two people, Becky & Bob Shope is a non-profit organization and all donations go directly to the horses.  I know this, since they live 2 homes down from us, they rent the acreage and barn and they personally live in an RV.  They are wonderful, caring individuals and you can rest assure that anything you can do, will go directly to the horses ! 

I know alot of people have always wanted a horse but haven't had the space to actually have one ... here's a great opportunity to help those that are in the greatest of need.  All donations are tax deductible.  Visit Hope's store to purchase personal products for the horses.   Thanks so much !  Your a great group of individuals that I am proud to be a part of !  If you all would happen to know of anyone else that may be interested in helping, please forward this information to them.  Every penny helps !

 

WISH-TV/8 report: 

There is a call for help as more malnourished horses are struggling to survive. 24-Hour News 8 went to the one of the farms housing the horses. It's still a sad sight, but what a difference just a few days of care can make.

One horse has died since the rescue. Originally thought to be foal, a necropsy showed it was actually a year old but was so malnourished it had stopped growing.

One of the horses gave birth Wednesday. The foal has weak legs and is probably still a bit disoriented. It faces a few more challenges than most. It was born to a malnourished mother struggling to feed herself, let alone a newborn.

"Devastating you know. How else to describe it. You go in and these animals are being withheld food and basic need," Tony Caldwell with Indiana Horse Rescue said.

News 8 showed you more than 100 horses rescued from Richard Stallings' Gibson County farm last week.

"I just believe that he never thought that anyone would do anything based on the sheer numbers," Caldwell said.

Some had bite marks from other horses, protruding ribs and were even pregnant. A handful were sent to a farm in Frankfort. We went to see the slow but progressive healing process.

"He just has all these nasty, nasty injuries," farm manager Kelsey Cook said.

Cook unwraps and wipes down wounds every day. "It was just horrible and he wasn't treating it. And it just breaks your heart."

The farm has plenty of medication on hand for the horses, but they are costly. They can run anywhere from $40 to $75 on up to $300.

The cost to get these horses back to health, and for some, on their feet for the first time won't be easy but perhaps worth the price.

"I know that when they come here I can fix them or Tony can fix them," said Cook.

People donated $7,000 to Indiana Horse Rescue since our story first aired. It will cost $80,000 to care for the horses over just the next six months.

If you would like to help, contact:

Indiana Horse Rescue South
6951 Highway 335 NE
P.O. Box 312
New Salisbury, IN 47161
812-366-4838

In the meantime, Richard Stallings faces several charges and has been questioned concerned the care of the horses in the past.

 

Mercy in the back of the RescueMobile                              

Mercy  up and about

Filed under: Off Topic

Blessed Are The Merciful...
06 June 07 07:46 PM | scoutmom | 5 comment(s)

 ,,,for they shall obtain mercy.  And that's a miracle.

 For our Steeple Media friend Hutch, obtaining Mercy took on an entirely new meaning yesterday.  Hutch belongs to a group called Indiana Horse Rescue.

About 6:00 AM, she got a call from Bob and Becky Shopes of Indiana Horse Rescue, asking her to come with to a Gibson County (near Evansville) farm for a rescue.  The farm, owned by Robert Stallings, was arrested for animal neglect after officials found over 100 sick and starving horses on the property.  And this isn't the first time he has been arrested for this or had groups come in to rescue his animals.  No, they were out there last September for the same situation and has 32 charges pending against him from that incident. 

Now, Indiana Horse Rescue, a non-profit group, is trying to find farms to take in the mistreated horses and nurse them back to health.  Most are malnourished and some have ringworm and lice.  Right now, Bob and Becky are doing their best to keep some of the horses alive. 

"There's no sense in this," said Becky Shope. "No animal should be treated like this. You know, if you can't afford them, then find somebody that can take them."  When they came to the farm, they even found a dead foal, that had been left in a pasture to be eaten.  This guy deserves to be punished by being treated the same as he did his animals.  People like this deserve the most extreme punishment.

 After getting the horses healthy, the organization plans to put them up for adoption. If you're interested in adopting or want to make a donation, contact Indiana Horse Rescue South, P.O. Box 312, New Salisbury, IN 47161. The phone number is (812) 366-4838. Or visit  http://www.ihrsouth.com.

Oh, and about Hutch obtaining mercy?  Well, she went out there alright.  Drove her car to the farm and as part of the rescue, brought home a foal born just that morning.  It's name?  Well Mercy, of course!

 

Hutch's Horse Rescue Mobile 

Mercy!

Filed under: Off Topic

The Man Who Built the NASCAR Legacy Dies at 74
05 June 07 06:20 AM | scoutmom | with no comments

The man who made NASCAR everything it is today has died.  Bill France Jr., who took NASCAR from a small Southern sport and transformed it into a nationwide phenomena passed away Monday at the age of 74 after a protracted battle with cancer and other health issues.

 

A man with a keen business sense, over 31 years he shepherded NASCAR’s move into the mainstream with big-time corporate sponsorships, sold-out races, full-season broadcast schedule and mega salaries for the drivers.  But there was sweat and toil there, too.  France literally helped build Daytona International Speedway, a Mecca to many of today’s NASCAR fans, working 12 hours a day, seven days a week driving the heavy equipment for more than a year while the track was built. He once even tried to use a mule to pull trees out of the swamps, because the motorized equipment kept getting stuck. 

 "He's the one probably most responsible for the state of our sport today," said Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's most popular driver. "We will do our part in continuing his legacy -- racing hard, and putting on a good show for the fans. "I think that's what he would want us to do."  

After Monday’s Autism Speaks 400 Nextel Cup Series Race at Dover International Speedway, the flag was lowered to half staff.

 "Bill France Jr. truly defined the often misused term 'legend,"' Fox Sports chairman David Hill said.   He will be missed.

 

Filed under: NASCAR

Isn't It About Time Professional Athletes Grew Up?
01 June 07 06:53 PM | scoutmom | 2 comment(s)

 Regardless of the sport, it seems that professional athletes have sunk to a new low in immaturity and temper tantrums. From NBA players charging into the stands to baseball players going after umpires...and each other.

Take Gary Sheffield and Josh Bard, for example.  Both were suspended for three games for confrontations with umpires.  Detroit's Sheffield for "aggressive actions directed at umpire Greg Gibson" at Cleveland and San Diego's Bard for "aggressive actions, including making contact with umpire Ed Rapuano" at Pittsburgh.  I can understand being upset when the opposing team is able to argue away your home run, but you DON'T bump the ump!  And Sheffield?  First he argued a called strike (definite no-no) then when he broke his bat on a groundout he threw away the piece of wood he had in his hands.

I don't care what happened leading up to it, it should not have happened.   Over and over again, high priced, self-centered 'star' athletes go berserk.  Maybe Fox should do a special "When Athletes Go Wild".

 And then there was today's display of machismo.  Carlos Zambrano vs. Michael Barrett in the NL Heavyweight Championship.  Zambrano couldn't pitch, Barrett couldn't catch, so Carlos decided to go after Barrett in the dugout and blame him for everything.  Yeah, Barrett allowed a passed ball and a run scored, but I'm sorry, Zambrano's pitching leaves a lot to be desired this year.  But you don't go after the guy in the dugout for crying out loud!  Then, when Barrett heads into the locker room to smooth things over, Zambrano lays into him so hard and heavy Barrett had to go to the hospital for stitches in his lip.

Enough already!! Didn't your parents and coaches teach you anything?!  Play nice!  Grow up and set an example.  How do we tell the kids who are playing to be good sportsman, to play aggressively but within bounds, to lose graciously when the people they watch are out there wailing away on each other?

This has to stop.  There need to be major repercussions for each and every one that acts like an immature brat.  It's about time they learn they can't just stomp their feet (or each other's faces for that matter) to get their way.  You're adults. Act like it!

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Filed under: Sports Related