Can you believe it has been 14 years since 9/11? The babies are now in high school. I remember where I was and what I was doing. Actually. I am in the exact same seat at the same company I worked for then. I remember someone saying a plane just crashed into one of the World Trade Centers. We were all in disbelief. How could an airplane crash into it? Did the pilot have a heart attack? Where was the co-pilot? Then we heard the news of the second plane crashing into the other World Trade Center building and that it could be a terrorists attack. Then the plane that crashed into the Pentagon and the plane the passengers took down in a field near Shanksville, PA.
Do you remember where you where?
9/11/01 is a day that forever changed our nation. Airport security. Wars- that we are still involved…
Six new musician followers this week. Take a listen, find some new music to listen to. Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote the lyrics to, Lily Messer is the voice and Ceylon Wise is the producer. I have many more songs I would like to get out there but can not financially afford to record them. If interested in teaming up together, feel free to contact me.
What a great first weekend of college football. The Buckeyes looked like they might be better than last years team. You know, the team that had a record number of NFL draft picks. It is early. We will see how how the rest of the season goes.
It was great to see the upsets. Houston beating Oklahoma. Texas A&M beating UCLA in overtime. Wisconsin beating LSU. Clemson almost losing to Auburn. Tennessee almost losing to Appalachian State. South Alabama beating Mississippi State. Western Michigan upsetting Northwestern. Richmond upsetting Virginia.
Texas upset Notre Dame on Sunday night. Texas was my first choice of schools to go to but out of state tuition was/is too expensive so I became a Buckeye instead.
Most of the SEC struggling to win or lost. Seven SEC teams losing in week 1.
Alabama losing. Oh yeah, that was just a dream. They looked unbeatable , but they said that two years ago also.
All these great games, close games, upsets, etc…..
But sometimes it’s more than a game.
James Conner, star running back for Pittsburgh, coming back from Hodgkins Lymphona cancer. He broke Tony Dorsett’s records that had stood for 38 years. He was invincible…until he wasn’t. He played in the first game in 2015 then was out the rest of the year battling for his life. You can read his story in his own words here : http://www.theplayerstribune.com/james-conner-pittsburgh-college-football-cancer/
photo credit : James Conner
Travis Rudolph, Florida State wide receiver, was visiting a school and saw a boy eating alone. He sat down and joined him for lunch. The boy, Bo Paske, has autism and often eats lunch by himself. Travis says he didn’t think it was that big of a deal. We are all the same and one man can make a difference. You can read the full article here: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/us/photo-of-fsu-football-star-sitting-with-boy-eating-alone-at-florida-school-charms-internet.htmlnyskyz.com.
photo credit : Michael Halligan, Associated Press.
Sarah Hill, the wife of Weber State’s head coach Jay. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Weber State football players, coaches, family and friends shaved their heads in support. At the end of each practice they chant How strong are we? Strong like Sara. You can read the story here : http://www.sltrib.com/sports/4275503-155/weber-state-football-wildcats-rally-around
photo credit Leah Hogsten , Salt Lake Tribune
The one that really brought a tear to my eye is Nebraska. On July 23rd, they lost their senior punter Sam Foltz in a car accident. Michigan State punter Mike Sadler also passed away in the accident. On Nebraska’s first punt of the game they only sent out 10 players, the punter didn’t go out. They took a delay of game which the opposing team, Fresno State, respectfully declined. Tell me you don’t get goose bumps watching this video. http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2016-09-03/nebraska-football-honors-sam-foltz-lines-10-men-first-punt?cid=ncaafbsocial_fb_sf35087046
Lions by Skillet –
Cheer You On by Jordan Feliz –
We March On by Hillary Scott and The Scott Family –
I wrote this several years ago when I was trying to turn the words into a song. That hasn’t worked out, maybe because I’m not as good a song writer as John Cooper and Skillet. The first two songs after the post reflect that. Some day I will get there. Just have to keep writing.
Four new musician followers this week. Take a listen, find some new music to listen to. Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote the lyrics to, Lily Messer is the voice and Ceylon Wise is the producer. I have many more songs I would like to get out there but can not financially afford to record them. If interested in teaming up together, feel free to contact me.
What I Am by Lara Landon –
This Love by Joseph Cannavo –
Awake by A Foreign Affair –
Lucky Star by Stan Silver –
Thanks for all the follows, musicians and non-musicians.
Some other music from non-followers I have listened to recently. Pick out a few you haven’t heard and take a listen.
Bad Day by Group 1 Crew –
Bounty On My Head by Grizfolk –
Heart Gone Cold by Foghat –
Rebound by Drew Balbridge –
Can’t You Hear Him Calling by Candi Staton –
Couldn’t Believe by Broods –
Leave Them All Behind by Billy Talent –
Go Big Or Go Home by American Authors –
How Much Longer by Half Mile Home –
Better by Hezekiah Walker –
Love Remains by Hillary Scott and the Scott Family –
God by House Of Heroes –
Drive It Like You Stole It by Hudson Thames –
Good Company by Jake Owen –
Pick Up Lines by Justin Moore –
Stars by Kat Deluna –
Son Was Lifted Up by Leeland –
If I Didn’t Know You by Nick Fradiani –
Be Enough by Nonpoint –
Interstate by Randy Rogers-
Breakdown by Rebelution –
Write It On The Wall by Royce Lovett –
Anthony by Run River North –
Catch Me When I Fall by Stitched Up Heart –
The Day That I Found God by Switchfoot –
Blood On My Hands by Through Fire –
Come Holy Spirit by Vertical Church Band –
Don’t Ask My Neighbors by Will Downing –
and our song:
I Question You by Lily Messer –
On Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943
Some of you may be saying what? I say why not? Why wait until December 25th to celebrate the birth of our savior. Why wait until we are so busy with everything else that goes with the season that before we know it it is here and gone. Why wait until Christmas Eve to go to church?
Summer is winding down, fall is coming on and then winter will be here. This year has gone by so quick. Seems like winter just ended. I know, we still have 3 months and 22 days until winter officially begins and I will appreciate every minute of fall but.. Back to school shopping is done, Halloween is on the shelves and in probably about 30-40 days there will be Christmas items on the shelves. Wal-Mart has already started their lay-away program for Christmas. Two weeks earlier than last year. Keeping the c in…
Here is a recap of last years training and race. The Ups and Downs of Training a 9/10 Year Old- and my spiritual life
Needless to say it was a struggle. I am proud to say I grew up. Last year it was all about pushing Kylie and Brinley, mainly Kylie. You have to get the miles in or you won’t finish. You have to do this or you have to do that and getting push back from Kylie.
This year was different. This year it was let’s get what you can in , do what you can and see what happens. Kylie was sick for a week and half and then a week after she recovered Brinley was sick for a week. Throw in the heat and humidity on top of that and there wasn’t much training going on. I really don’t think they even ran ten times in six weeks. They did do a five miler on the treadmill but the outdoor runs were always less miles than they were supposed to be because of the heat.
Was I ever surprised on race day. Even though it was hot they both set personal records. No, let me change that. They smashed their time from last year. Last year they finished in 1:17:22 (11:49 per mile pace). This year Kylie finished 1:09:48 (10:40 per mile pace). She took almost 8 minutes off last year, 1:09 minute per mile faster. Brinley finished in 1:12:18 (11:03 per mile pace). She took almost 5 minutes off last years time.
Was it the music or the determination to PR?
Kylie was strong the entire race. She surprised me at the water stations. I thought she would stop and walk but no, she stopped, drank, and was off. Maybe it was the music. This is the first race Kylie ran with music. Brinley started to struggle around mile four.
I ran ahead with Kylie because there was no stopping her and then I would run back and check on Brinley. Then go back up to Kylie and so forth. The last time I checked on Brinley a couple moms had taken her under her wing and said we got her, run with the other one. I love the running community.
After Kylie’s second mile she was faster each mile after that. That was even after taking a short walk break around four and half because her toenails were hurting. She even took another small walk break around five and half just to catch her breath from the heat. Those were her two fastest miles, beside mile one.
Anyway , I am so proud of both of them. Just goes to show you everyone trains differently. Some need pushed, some will just do their thing.
By the way, Kim had another strong run. She did awesome in the heat also. She finished in 1:42:04.
Then afterwards they celebrated at our church. Our church had youth small group kick off that night so they had lots of fun. Very busy day and they were wiped out when we got home. Their legs were sore the next day.
Go Big Or Go Home by American Authors –
Rock On by Tucker Beathard – one of Ky’s favorites right now
Say Something by Royce Lovett –
Play It Again by Luke Bryan – Can’t talk about Kylie without Luke
Five new musician followers this week. Take a listen, find some new music to listen to. Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote the lyrics to, Lily Messer is the voice and Ceylon Wise is the producer. I have many more songs I would like to get out there but can not financially afford to record them. If interested in teaming up together, feel free to contact me.
Heaven Open by Colin Baker –
Believe by Arra –
Bottle Rockets by Cali Rodi (Rick Barker Music) –
Every Road Leads Back To You by Christiana D’ Amore –
Motherless Land by Virgin Marys (official VMS fans) –
Thanks for all the follows, musicians and non-musicians.
Some other music from non-followers I have listened to recently. Pick out a few you haven’t heard and take a listen.
What We Live For by American Authors –
Afraid Of Heights by Billy Talent –
All Of Your Glory by Broods –
You Got The Love by Candi Staton –
Don’t Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers –
Doesn’t Make It Right by Dirty Heads –
Dance With Ya by Drew Balbridge –
Come Friday by Eliot Sumner –
Upside Of Lonely by Foghat –
Old Friend Of Mine by The Grascals –
Best Is Yet To Come by Group 1 Crew –
Seperate Lives by Haleos –
I Can See You Trying by Half Mile Home –
Beautiful Messes by Hillary Scott & The Scott Family –
Colors Run by House of Heroes –
Famous by Skillet –
American Country Love Song by Jake Owen –
Somebody Else Will by Justin Moore –
Close My Eyes by Kat Deluna –
Carry It All Away by Leeland –
Remember Me by The Little Roy and Lizzy Show –
Divide.Conquer Them by Nonpoint –
West Texas Rain Wade Bowen –
Can’t Come Down by Run River North –
Up by The Score –
Breathe by Through Fire –
and our song:
I Question You by Lily Messer –
On Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943
In case you were wondering, I am still around. I have about a hundred drafts of things that have popped in my head the last three weeks but life has been crazy.
First off, there is the person that works with me that we have to fill in for the other when one of us goes on vacation. She decided to give one week notice that she wanted vacation two weeks ago. Normally that wouldn’t be a big deal but the problem was it was Kylie’s last full week of summer break.
Therefore, the things we were going to do over the last two weeks of summer were pushed into trying to get done in one week. We hit three different pools and did our annual trip to Zoombezi Bay and Columbus Zoo. We used to do season passes but the thirty minute drive gets old after say two times.
Then I had to fill in at work for eleven straight days. Always a good time. Especially when there is a full moon all eleven days. At least it seemed like it. I was fried after that.
Of course the Olympics started that week also so I was staying up a little later. More on that in a few.
Then I was off and it was Kylie’s last two days before school started so I didn’t write at all last week. Did you miss me? Not only that I didn’t read much of other people’s writings. And of course we were still watching the Olympics.
How amazing was the United States? Several times I teared up in the emotions of the moment. So many medals won in events we hadn’t had much success in. Women’s wrestling where Helen Maroulis won by beating the heavily favored Japanese woman. I saw her interview where she said she started to believe in herself when she understood that no matter what happens it doesn’t change who she is in Christ.
Since I am a distant runner it was awesome to see seven medals won by the United States in those events. I believe that was either the most ever or a tie for the most ever in middle to long distance running.
Today was the first day I’ve had by myself since school ended. It was weird. I missed having Kylie around. But it was also nice to get things caught up.
I even ran outside for the first time all summer. Eight miles in my new shoes. I felt really comfortable. I love my Brooks Pure Connect shoes. I ran in them for three years, three of my best years running. They quit selling them in stores two years ago and I tried other Brooks and even went back to Nike but it wasn’t the same. That is probably why I have had one injury after another for the last two years. So I went online to brooks.com and found pure connect and ordered a pair. No problem on my run. I might have to order a spare pair, or three just to have around.
Then yesterday we went back home to spend time with my mom. Yesterday was the three year anniversary of my dad passing. It was good to see my brother and his family and my mom. Lots of memories.
That’s about it. Oh, I am looking into trying to get some of my short stories published for children’s books. I have started the process so let’s see how it goes. With that being said I probably won’t be posting any short stories, like Rodney The Raccoon or The Snowflake, until I find out if I make it or not. I will still do poems and writing in general though. Say some prayers for me.