Football Season Is Just Around The Corner

A good sign that football season is near - the UK - UL Governor's Cup Luncheon. Tom Leach and I rode to Louisville to the Cardinal Club together. I met Joker Phillips (KY's football coach in waiting) as well as a host of others. This is a photo of my buddy Tom Leach (The Voice of the Wildcats) with one of my favorite players of all time - Derrick Ramsey. Derrick was a quarterback and tight end at the University of Kentucky, where he was part of the team that won the 1976 SEC Championship and the 1976 Peach Bowl. He was first team All SEC and third-team All-American as QB in 1977 when Kentucky finished with a 10-1 record and #4 ranking in the final AP poll. He also played tight end for nine seasons for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, New England Patriots, and Detroit Lions. Tom Leach is entering his 13th year doing play by play for KY.

Born Again American

Take 20 Minutes And Learn

King James Visits A REAL Basketball Program

The King finally visited Camelot. College basketball's greatest tradition and basketball's most visible star came together Friday afternoon at Kentucky's campus. LeBron James, the 2009 NBA MVP, flew into Lexington to tour UK's basketball facilities. King James and Kentucky have long been viewed as two of the most iconic figures and programs in basketball for some time, but Friday was the first time the two had come together. Even though James never attended UK or college for that matter - he was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft - UK head coach John Calipari and James have had a budding friendship recently.
When Calipari heard James was interested in touring UK's basketball facilities on his way to an event in Mississippi, Calipari and his staff set up a mock recruiting visit. If James would have ever considered going to UK, he would have received a treatment similar to the one he got Friday.

That Was Embarrasing

Having a flaming liberal for a President is embarrassing enough but having one who throws a baseball like a girl who can't throw, is REALLY embarrassing. Sounded like quite a few boos too and what is with the heavy jacket in 90 degree weather? Did you notice how the cameramen from Fox had been instructed to not show where the pitch landed? That's because it bounced.

Baseball Has Left Me Behind

I can remember the day when I actually used to look forward to the All Star game on TV every year. Major League Baseball began to lose me when the whole free agency thing started back in the 70's. Growing up, I used to know all the players on the St. Louis Cardinal roster. I follow the Reds a bit now, but can barely name anyone on the team. I check the standings occasionally and that's about it. MLB lost me for many years after the 1994 strike and now the whole steroid thing just won't go away. The summer months have always been slow for me when it comes to sports coverage but now that baseball has left me behind, the summer months is just a time to gear up for football. I watched "First Time Buyers" on HGTV last night instead of the All Star game. That either says a lot about how I've changed or how baseball has changed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUNKIN!!

Hard to believe that another "young rocker" is on the way!
We love you and we know you'll have a great day because you have a great husband.
Love ya! Cya soon...
Mom & Dad (Pops and Mee Mee)

A Lesson in Poor Service

Dave Carroll writes: "In the spring of 2008, Sons of Maxwell were traveling to Nebraska for a one-week tour and my Taylor guitar was witnessed being thrown by United Airlines baggage handlers in Chicago. I discovered later that the $3500 guitar was severely damaged. They didnt deny the experience occurred but for nine months the various people I communicated with put the responsibility for dealing with the damage on everyone other than themselves and finally said they would do nothing to compensate me for my loss. So I promised the last person to finally say no to compensation (Ms. Irlweg) that I would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world. United: Song 1 is the first of those songs. United: Song 2 has been written and video production is underway. United: Song 3 is coming. I promise. Follow me at http://twitter.com/DaveCarroll."

Why People Move

People move for different reasons; a better job, a job transfer, different climate, to be close or closer to family and I'm sure there are other reasons why people move. Now, we can make it official; we are moving back to South Florida; our home previously for about 4.5 years. There's a lot I like about Florida. I love the ocean and I love the weather - especially Nov - March. And we have a a lot of great friends and a great church there. I will miss KY a lot! I am a KY boy and always will be. But our reason for moving is much stronger than the love of a state. Our reason for moving is our love of family - to be close to Lyndsey, Andrew and our soon to be grandchild. We are extremely excited about being grandparents! Our kids never had a chance to know their real grandparents. My parents and Mary's parents died at fairly young ages. We adopted some grandparents for them (Which is a cool story) and that was wonderful, but it's just not quite the same. We have a chance to be grandparents now and (did I already mention) we are excited! So Florida - here we come. We are blessed...

Have You Ever Heard of Rebbie Jackson?

Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Brown (née Jackson), professionally known as REBBIE JACKSON , (born May 29, 1950 in Gary, Indiana) is an American singer, best known as the oldest child of the successful Jackson family and sister of pop icons Michael, and Janet. As a singer, she is most famous for the 1984 hit "Centipede".
I have never heard of her.

I Bet You Can't Help But March....

When you watch this, you need to crank up the volume and march. It's fun. We had a few participants last year. If you march while watching the video, please leave a comment. If you didn't march, move to Mexico. :)

Happy 4th of July!

Our cat Allie.

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

New Cool Google Feature

I like what I have seen and believe it will be useful once it's operative. Users of GOOGLE VOICE are able to select a single U.S. phone number, from various area codes. When a Google Number is called, any or all of the user's phones may be set to ring. Which phone(s) ring can be set based on the calling number, based on contact group (e.g. Family, Friends, Work, etc), and/or based on time of day (e.g. disabling a home phone during business hours and routing calls to mobile or business number). The service also features centralized voicemail and indexable, automated voicemail transcription, accessible by PC or phone. Google Voice incorporates long-desired abilities, such as automatic blocking of known telemarketer numbers, the ability to switch lines in mid-call, different voice mail greetings based on the caller, SMS forwarding, and even call recording.

Twitter Loses Money

In the last week, I have tuned in to Fox News and CNN Headline a few times and the amount of air time they are giving to Twitter is unreal. By doing this, they're basically admitting they can't cover the story in Iran but that's another story for another day. Iran is the best thing that could happen for Twitter. If ever there was a time to buy some stock, it's now. Unfortunately, Twitter is a privately owned company. The owner - JACK DORSEY (30 years old) has turned down a $500 million offer from Facebook. Why make an offer for a company losing money? Kind of twists the brain doesn't it? I guess ole Jack is just waiting for the "big" offer.

The Drive-Away...

It was great having Justin & Kacey here for 3 days! Mary and I LOVE spending time with our kids and their spouses! I can remember when I would go home to Paducah to visit Mom & Dad. With every trip there always came the time of departure. The time when I would throw the last piece of luggage into the car while Mom & Dad were standing in the driveway fighting back tears. We would exchange hugs, climb into the car and begin the "drive-away." A quick look back to see Mom & Dad waving goodbye and turning to walk back into the house as we did a quick toot of the car horn. Now, it's Mary and I standing in the driveway. We've been the ones standing in the driveway fighting back the tears as the kids drive away or get out at the airport. And, it doesn't get any easier. We are sooooo proud of our kids! We are blessed. They have grown into wonderful "adult" people. And I think that's what makes it so hard. The realization that they are no longer "kids." But now, because of our upcoming move to Florida, we are eliminating one of the drive-aways. It will be great living near Lyndsey, Andrew and the grandkids when that time comes. But we'll still have to do the "drive-away" whenever Justin & Kacey visit. The visit is always worth it though! Thanks for taking the time and effort to visit on your way to OK. We love you! Drive safely....

Meeks Goes Pro...

Bummer....but it was probably a smart move considering the weak draft this year and the kind of year Jodie had. He'll be missed but I am predicting KY will still make the Final Four without him. Meeks is a class act.

Why Is Gas Going Up? I Thought It Was Bush And His Oil Buddies' Fault

NEW YORK, June 6 (UPI) -- U.S. gasoline prices have increased more than 27 percent in the past seven and a half weeks, a study shows. The motorist group AAA said the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline rose 1.4 cents Saturday to $2.606, CNN reported. AAA said the climb marks the thirty-ninth consecutive daily increase in the price of gas.

Send Him - Please!

I think he may be our best hope to get the two reporters freed from Kim Jung-il in North Korea. Who better to negotiate with a crazy man than another crazy man? Worst case scenario - Gore is held captive too. What a minute - that would be the best case scenario.

The Truth About The NCAA Memphis Probe

Under ordinary circumstances, the issues involving the basketball team would be disposed of fairly simply. The accusation that a player, reportedly star point guard Derrick Rose, did not take his own SAT is a huge deal. There's not much worse than academic fraud. But this customarily would not constitute a major violation against the program because no Memphis staff member is alleged to have facilitated it or known about it. STORY

I Am Enjoying The NBA Playoffs - Especially Charles Barkley

Memorial Day...

We're Baaaccckkk!

Oh My!! #1 Ranked Recruit Chooses KY!

John Wall chooses KY over Miami, Duke & Florida. This is probably the best recruiting class in NCAA history. Yes - better than Michigan's 1992 Fab 5. STORY

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

The Big #1! We sure do love you two and we're very proud of you!

Would You Be Willing To Pay?

MediaNews Group, publisher of 54 daily newspapers including The Denver Post and the Detroit News, is making a major change to its business model and will begin charging for its newspaper content online. STORY

Please File Under - Why Didn't I Think Of That

Top 3 Office Episode Of All Time: Cafe' Disco

I Wants Me Some Chicken! And I Want It Now!

Next Bailout - Newspapers? Sure Makes Political Sense

Below is a good read from Eric Rhoades - publisher of the trade magazine and website - RADIO INK . I have been doing some work for Radio INK recently.
Newspapers are dying because they have become irrelevant to a generation who no longer wants to wait for their news when they can get it by twitter within seconds of it happening. Warren Buffet recently said that if someone were to suggest the invention of newspapers today people would laugh at the business model. Write the news, cut down millions or trees for paper, build massive printing plants to print it overnight, have a distribution model which pays people fold and bag hundreds of papers, and burn thousands of gallons of gas to go house to house and then to throw it out of their car window at every house so that people could walk out into the cold or rain in order to read news that was 12-24 hours old. Or they could just turn on their full page Kindle DX reader, launched today, or look on their iphone or laptop and use their Google reader to have customized news to their liking about any subject in the world. STORY

Obama Administration Kills Afghanistan Civilians

If this were the Bush administration we would be seeing pictures of the victims all over the news. Where's the outrage? You won't see it from today's press that's for sure. Up to 100 civilians, including women and children, are reported to have been killed in Afghanistan in potentially the single deadliest US airstrike since 2001 STORY

Something Big Is Developing At UK!

This is an incredible roster! And we still may sign John Wall, the best point guard in the country. This recruiting class is already being labeled as the top class in the country and if we land Wall - it will be the best class in NCAA history. Next season will be a lot of fun. Nice work Coach Calipari! In the six weeks he's been here he has signed Cousins, Bledsoe, Dodson and convinced Hood and Orton to stay committed after Gillispie hit the dusty trail. Go Cats!

Welcome Home Justin!

After 2.5 months in the desert - he's home! We are proud of you and soooo happy you're back! I know Kacey is too.

This Kid Can Sing

This 12 year old just happened to follow Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent. I think he got lost in the shuffle. You have to follow this LINK because You Tube does not allow the video to be embedded. The kid can sing!

Mary Wins! Not Even Close And A 50-1 Longshot!

I love this Jockey! WIN! Mine That Bird (Mary) - Jockey - Calvin Borel
Place - Rick - Pioneer of Nile
Show - Justin - Musket Man

Thanks for participating! Cya next year.
(Mom made some awesome Derby Pie - that's all that really matters) I love Derby Day!

Happy Derby Day! Good Luck With Your Picks!

Coverage starts at 4pm on NBC.
ALL THINGS DERBY


GOOD ALL DAY ON LINE RADIO COVERAGE
(Use microsoft explorer - works on mac too)

Infield Racing At The Derby

Here Are Our Picks

KENTUCKY DERBY
When: 6:24 p.m. Saturday | TV: NBC | Purse: $2 million | Distance: 1 1/4 miles












Mike - Atomic Rain, Friesan Fire, Desert Party
Ted - Join In The Dance, Hold Me Back, General Quarters
Kacey - I Want Revenge, Flying Private
Clay - No Where To Hide, Summer Bird
Andrew - Regal Ransom, Advice
Lyndsey - Dunkirk, Mr. Hot Stuff
Justin - Chocolate Candy, Musket Man
Rick - Papa Clem, Pioneer of the Nile
Mary - Mine That Bird, West Side Bernie
Odds Info

Order of the Draw

The post positions for the horses were drawn yesterday and I am now pleased to announce the order of The West Family Derby Sweepstakes drawing for horses. The order that the players would pick their horses was determined through a random drawing this morning.(See below) The first two players drawing (Me & Ted) will get three picks each; everyone else gets two picks. Your picks will be posted Friday afternoon. HERE IS SOME GOOD INFO ON THE HORSES AND, here is Mary's Derby Pie Recipe:
1/2 c. margarine, melted
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 c. English walnuts or pecans
3/4 c. chocolate chips
mix in order given. Pour into unbaked 9-inch pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Yum yum!
Order of draw:
Mike
Ted
Kacey
Clay
Andrew
Lyndsey
Justin
Rick
Mary
Be sure and check back Friday afternoon to find out who your horses will be.

Coming Soon - The West Family KY Derby Sweepstakes

The 136th running of the Kentucky Derby is this Saturday, May 2. You can GO HERE to learn all about the KY Derby. I need to to know if you would like to participate. The sweepstakes is only open to "The Fam." I will be randomly putting the entries into a hat with randomly assigned numbers. Mary & I will then draw numbers alphabetically by the first name of each participant until all horses have been chosen. You could possibly have 2-3 horses to cheer on to the finish line! Please comment below if you would like to be included and stay tuned for updates. Yes....the winner will receive a derby glass to proudly display in a place of prominence until the next Derby. The field should be ready to go by Thursday of this week. Mary had last year's winner - Mine That Bird - Jockey - Calvin Borel

Chicken Little & Earth Day - 39 Years Ago

“The world has been chilling sharply for about twenty years. If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but eleven degrees colder in the year 2000. This is about twice what it would take to put us into an ice age.”
• Kenneth Watt, Ecologist
Keep these predictions in mind when you hear the same predictions made today. They’ve been making the same predictions for 39 years. And they’re going to continue making them until…well…forever.
Here we are, 39 years later and the economy sucks, but the ecology’s fine. In fact this planet is doing a lot better than the planet on which those green lunatics live.
MORE CRAZINESS Thanks Ted.

The Earth Is Cooling? This Messes Everything Up

East Antarctica is four times the size of west Antarctica and parts of it are cooling. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research report prepared for last week's meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations in Washington noted the South Pole had shown "significant cooling in recent decades.STORY

Jack Bauer Crying?

Yep. In this week's episode when he met with his daughter. New low for the show? Perhaps. Interesting season so far. I don't think it's as good as past seasons but it's still definitely worth watching. I just never thought I would see Jack Bauer crying.

Happy Easter

Congratulations to Me!

Thanks to all who participated. Clay made a run at me at the end but fell short. I'm looking forward to winning again next year with KY as the champion! I'll just hang on to my trophy until next year's March Madness.

I Like This Commercial

Especially the kid at the end...

Party Time In KY! Calipari's A Cat!

CLICK FOR GREAT STORY

Little Ricky - Shaking In His Gucci Shoes

I have to apologize but it's like Christmas in Lexington right now. KY basketball is back! Pitino & Calipari - Click For Great Story

KY's Next Coach ? I Think So

John Vincent Calipari (born February 10, 1959, in Moon Township (a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a former professional and current college basketball coach. Since 2000, he has been the head coach of the University of Memphis men's basketball team. Though he did not invent it, Calipari is famous for popularizing the dribble drive motion offense which is popularly known as the Memphis Attack. Calipari lettered two years at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington before transferring to Clarion State, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. He played point guard at Clarion during the 1981 and 1982 seasons, leading the team in assists and free throw percentage. Calipari and his wife, Ellen, have two daughters, Erin Sue and Megan Rae, and a son, Bradley Vincent. From 1982–85, he was an assistant at the University of Kansas under Ted Owens and Larry Brown. From 1985–88, he was an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh under Paul Evans. From 1988–96, he was head coach at the University of Massachusetts. From 1996–99, he was head coach and Executive VP of basketball operations for the NBA's New Jersey Nets. During the 1999–2000 season, he was an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers under coach Larry Brown, before moving on to his current position at the University of Memphis. NEXT STOP - KENTUCKY!

Good Billy / Crazy Billy (calling his therapist)

He's gone and I'm glad. Weird things were going on behind the scenes with Billy Gillispie. Based on everything I have read, heard and seen in the past few weeks, UK's administration did the right thing by cutting their losses now. Why did they let him go?
Crazy Billy - His players no longer respected him or enjoyed playing for him. He would treat his players like dirt one minute and then praise them the next. All coaches do this to a certain extent - Billy took it too far. He insisted Miller play through a possible concussion in practice, ran Patterson until his feet bled, left Miller behind on the way to the SEC tourney (His parents had to get him there) threatened to kick Jodie Meeks off the team and told him (the #6 scorer in the country) not to shoot. He snubbed boosters, and important advertisers, said he was not an ambassador for the university, and is rumored by several people to be found drunk in public. He also embarrassed UK with his stupid halftime antics with ESPN reporters and insulted Tom Leach (UK's play by play guy) on the air. Not to mention he lost to Gardner-Webb, VMI and other lowly teams at home.
Good Billy - signed autographs for fans, gave some money to charity, teared up when talking about UK's tradition and seemed like a good ole boy.
Who is next? Today - I think it's John Calipari. Could definitely change tomorrow. Stay tuned. READ MORE

A Great US Representative From The Great State of Florida

I don't know how I missed this after football season but I did.

Why Basketball Is King In KY

It's been an exciting couple of days of basketball in Rupp Arena with day two of the boys sweet 16. And it's been a record-setting tournament as well with the most fans ever to watch the first round with more than 21,000 people in attendance for the fourth session. Those games featured Shelby Valley against Mason County, followed by Elliott County against Anderson County. Many schools sold their entire allotment of tickets in less than one hour. Tickets in Anderson County sold out in just 15 minutes. Elliott County, the smallest school in the tournament, and the Cinderella story in the Sweet Sixteen, is hoping its third trip in a row to the tournament will be the charm. The school with just 392 students has gained national attention this year. It has been on ESPN, in USA Today and Sports Illustrated. The largest crowd to ever watch a Sweet Sixteen game was set in 1987 when some 24,000 people packed Rupp Arena.

NIT

(Click on photo to enlarge the best dunk of the year) Cheered on by a raucous crowd in MEMORIAL COLISEUM , Kentucky outlasted UNLV 70-60 Tuesday night in the National Invitation Tournament first-round game. KY was still playing in Memorial Coliseum when I was a freshman at UK in 1975-76, the last year before moving into Rupp Arena. The Coliseum was a great place to attend games. I remember watching coach Dale Brown from LSU take his sport coat off, walk out to mid-court, throw it down on the UK logo and stomp on it. You talk about the roof coming off. KY fans are trying to do their best to get excited about the NIT. The first round NIT game being played in Memorial Coliseum was pretty cool. Rupp Arena is booked for KY's High School Sweet 16. Rumors are rampant about Billy being replaced at the end of the season. Something tells me that even when the season finally ends, we're going to be in for an interesting off season. Louisville being named the number one overall seed in the NCAA and Minnesota making it into the NCAA sure hasn't helped UK fans cope with the post season.

Priorites....

Sometimes, you just have to eat your WHOPPER

Poor Ruth

Your husband is off to prison for life for ripping of thousands of people for a total of a billion dollars. You must be devastated. If we weren't living in Bizarro World, the property you bought with all that stolen money would need to be sold so that the victims could at least get a little restitution. Well, Ruth Madoff is retreating to a $9.4 million beach side compound on Palm Beach in Florida that the feds will be powerless to seize from her, where she will relax, sun herself, and cackle at her husband's victims. Ruth recently declared their Palm Beach home to be her primary residence, for the same reason O.J. Simpson moved to Florida. Florida law protects homes from being seized to pay off creditors or the government. Prosecutors are in the process of seizing the Madoff's $7 million New York City apartment, and they will try to go after the Palm Beach home. The house in 1994 sold for $3.8 million, so it's skyrocketed nearly 150 percent since them. Poor Ruth. At least she'll be able to hang out with neighbors - probably some of the AIG executives. It's just another day in BIZARRO WORLD

Gitmo Detainee Sponsorship Program - Make A Better World For A Detainee

Thousands of detainees will soon be released with no place to go. They need your help. As a detainee sponsor, you are connected with one special detainee who will know your name, write to you and feel your tender love and prayers. Your detainee sponsorship monthly pledge of $30 will provide a detainee with things such as: Nutritious Food, Health Care, Educational Opportunities, Spiritual Nurturing, Cable TV and a Home Mortgage. Won't You Call Today? 1-888-Luv-Them or log on to LuvATerrorist.com and find out more.

Bush makes good on promise to visit 8-year-old Lexington girl

Annie Toffey received the thrill of a lifetime this week when she got a visit from her favorite president: former President George W. Bush. Bush joked around with Annie, 8, during his stay at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington. He was nicer than she thought he'd be, she said. "It was awesome." Bush's visit to Kentucky was his first trip out of Texas and his first flight on something other than Air Force One since he left office, said Annie's dad, Ned Toffey. He arrived in Lexington on Tuesday afternoon and REST OF STORY

March Sadness

KY was knocked out of the SEC Tournament today by LSU and therefore I'm 99% sure we were knocked out of a chance at the NCAA tourney. First time in 17 years. It's just not the same. We'll probably be in the NIT. I guess that's better than nothing.

How To Get Your Dog To Entertain Themselves & You

Take a cone shaped Kong toy and insert a dog biscuit into the little round hole. Then, sit back and enjoy hours of watching your dog try to get the biscuit out. Gracie has figured out how to get three out in the last few days. I'm still not sure how she does it. Part of her technique includes laying on her back (See photo) like a bear cub and using gravity to her advantage. Smart dog. (Click on photo to enlarge)

It's Official - We Are Now Living In Bizarro World

ESPN All Access - Georgia Game

All Is Not Well In Cat Land

UPDATE - KY loses at Florida - 60-53. As my 2 readers may have noticed, I have not been posting about KY basketball recently because THEY SUCK! Last place Georgia beat us at home last night. They said it best on the KSR Blog. "I have watched a lot of basketball and I have questioned a lot of coaching moves. But I have never seen a more bizarre decision than the mass substitution to start the second half. For reasons that only he knows, Gillispie took out four of his five starters (leaving Porter) and put in Harrellson, Galloway, Miller and Slone into the game, with the contest close and momentum very much up in the air. Over the course of two minutes, that lineup took a 2 point lead and turned it into an 8 point deficit from which UK never came back. In so doing, Georgia got the confidence it needed to pull through to the end and UK found itself dug deep in a hole that could end its NCAA Tournament chances. Lots of people take up for and try to understand Billy Gillispie’s mind games…..this is one that is incomprehensible to me." I stayed up and listened to the post game radio show and Gillispie had the audacity to attack my buddy Tom Leach and accuse him of trying to get Gillispie to talk bad about his players. "You can't get me to talk bad about my players Tom, you just can't, I won't do that." Right after the encounter with Tom, he proceeded to throw his players under the bus. Although KY pays him 2 million dollars a year I'm beginning to think someone from Louisville is paying him 3 million to screw up the program. March Madness has turned in to Gillispie madness here in KY.

American Idol "Pick That Song" Competition

I thought it was supposed to be about singing but according to the judges, it seems to be more about the songs the contestants choose. My pick to win it all - Alexis Grace. Yeah, we're hooked again. BTW - I'm still keeping up with 24 but we have fallen behind with Lost.

Everyone Should Do It Once

In February I was called for jury duty. I actually enjoyed going and I recommend that everyone do it at least once. I was chosen to be a juror on a trial where the defendant was accused of shooting the plaintiff in the foot and robbing him of $400 and two gold chains. The plaintiff and his witness were from Honduras so we had an interpreter involved in the trial which slowed the process down. When we reported for duty the morning of day 2 of the trial, the defendant (A white guy probably in mid 30's) pleaded guilty to a lesser charge so the trial ended. Darn, I was hoping to see exactly how the sentencing part of the trial worked. The judge was a friend of mine. We have been in BSF together and a Sunday school class together years ago. It's refreshing to see a strong Christian judge on the bench. He was actually pretty funny and had everyone laughing during the jury selection process. I have often thought I would have been a good attorney and found myself daydreaming of nailing the defendant and the prosecuting attorney just like Matlock would. But then the thought of going back to school snapped me back to reality. I think we have a good judicial process and I found the quick civic lesson to be refreshing. I also made some friends with the other jurors. It reinforced the fact you can go anywhere in the state of KY, mention KY basketball and immediately have a room full of friends. I love it.

"Hello Americans - It's Time For News"

Paul Harvey could say more in fewer words than anyone I have ever heard. I often keep him in mind when writing radio scripts; trying to choose words carefully. I made quite a bit of money in the 90's selling his newscasts and features on WVLK. He was a radio voice who made you stop and listen whenever you heard him. I remember when Tom Martin, a radio news anchor for the ABC radio network in New York came back home to KY. WVLK hired him to do afternoons. He was still a fill-in for Paul Harvey when Mr. Harvey was off. I remember watching Tom do Paul Harvey News from the WVLK studios in downtown Lexington. I looked over his shoulder as he wrote the stories he would be using for that broadcast. He faxed the copy to an editor in Chicago who then faxed back any changes. I remember how exciting it was to watch Tom do the newscast that was broadcasting on close to 1000 other radio stations across the country. Many of us stood outside the studio as Tom turned the mic on and said: "Hello Americans, it's time for news. I'm Tom Martin for Paul Harvey. In Washington today...."
I'm having lunch with Tom next week. It will be interesting to hear him tell his Paul Harvey stories. I'll miss Paul Harvey's voice and his ability to capture my attention unlike anyone else I have ever heard. He was a class act who changed the radio industry.

Enjoying The Snow - Gracie & Her Buddy Roxanne