Why do we say Happy Memorial Day . . . happy that we are free, but, why must we take up arms to keep the world at peace?

Oldest Confederate cemetary in Franklin

I am my brother's keeper . . .

I've been shedding a few myself lately . . .

My cousin Kyle sent me an email with pictures of the The Teardrop Memorial pictured above. The point made in the email was that this memorial hadn't gotten a lot of attention in the media even though it was a fairly impressive gift to us from the Russians in memory of those who died in the 9/11 terrorist attack. The following is some information about it:

* * * * * * * * * *

Variously known as "The Tear of Grief," "The Teardrop Memorial," and "The Memorial at Harbor View Park" — as well as by its official name, "To the Struggle Against World Terrorism" — this monument to the victims of 9/11 was built by Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli on the waterfront of Bayonne Harbor, New Jersey and publicly dedicated on September 11, 2006. It was, in the words of Vladimir Putin, "a gift from the Russian people."

* * * * * * * * * *

The monument comprises a 100-foot-tall bronze tower with a jagged split down the middle and a 40-foot-long stainless steel teardrop suspended in the gap. It stands on an 11-sided slab of black marble carved with the names of every person who died in the September 11 attack, as well as the victims of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

* * * * * * * * * *

The brightly lit memorial is visible even at night from the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park, the Staten Island Ferry, and other locations around the Hudson River. Though not well known in the United States, Zurab Tsereteli is renowned for his work in Russia, as well as public sculptures he has erected all around the world. He reportedly spent $12 million of his own money to complete the Bayonne Harbor monument.

Two finishers who didn't come in 2nd to last place . . .

This new picture in from the Music City Marathon of

Grant and Keri crossing their finish line.

April 25, 2009

Okay, I named my last post correctly . . .

Mine that Bird in last place and Mine that Bird in first place ---------------> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I ragged on my horse in the title of the last post because, much as I wanted my horse to win, I knew he wouldn't. I'm just not lucky. And after I Want Revenge scratched this a.m., Friesan Fire was the Favorite, and the Favorite hasn't won the Derby in a long time (I don't believe). * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

So, to make a long, miserable story short: my horse came in 2nd to LAST, and the horse with the worst odds, 50-1, Mine That Bird, came in FIRST. Well, congratulations to Bird. The best thing I liked about the typical dumb press interviews with his trainers was when they kept referring to his 21-hr. drive to the Derby (from AZ) with his broken foot and when finally asked what he would say if his horse won the Derby, he said "Maybe we could start talking about something other than (and you know he wanted to say damn) drive over here." A $2 bet on him would have paid $103. But, the Bird is gelded. Isn't that strange? I'll have to research the why on that one! Grant's horse, Pioneerof the Nile, came in 2nd and paid $8.40.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Oooooh, Erin just called to say she bet on Mine That Bird and won, but I couldn't understand how much she said. I'll have to find out later. I usually have trouble hearing what people are saying on cell phones compared to my regular home phone. She did say that every year she will play the horses that have the real high odds just in case they come in. She's getting her PhD in Math so she thinks like that. Of course, I've told Bill quite a few times that that would be a good thing to do, but figure I only have one bet with Grant.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

But, still, quite a race; always good to shock the horsy crowd. They said it was the 2nd biggest

upset in Derby history, whatever that means (I guess the odds). "With Musket Man taking third and Papa Clem fourth, the triple had handicappers blinking in disbelief with a payoff of $41,500.60. The superfecta returned a staggering $557,006.40." Hmmmm, I wonder if my kids bet the right 4 horses. Now that's one bet I'll take: bet I would have gotten a phone call on that!

GO Friesan Fire, you miserable disgrace of a horse!

It's less than 4 hours until the 135th run for the roses, this year's Kentucky Derby. And where might the VandeWater children be? That's right, in Louisville, betting their hard-earned $$$ on the horses. They tell me, however, that they always make $$$ or break even on the Derby. Grant called a bit ago for my bet and I'm putting a whole $20 on Friesan Fire - $10 to win and $10 to place. I'm sure I'll lose; I only win when I haven't actually put real money on a Derby horse. And of course the kids don't go to the Preakness or the Belmont. Meanwhile it's raining here, so I'm hoping for a nice, sloppy track to slow down some of the horses that have only run on synthetic (not my horse and one of the reasons I picked him yesterday and could find no reason to discard him today).

I picked the picture from the Derby's website to show the twin steeples on the left because it reminded me of our Batman building in Nashville. And the roses on the right because they are so beautiful that I thought I'd highlight a little info on them.

From the website: In 1904 the red rose became the official flower of the Kentucky Derby. The tradition was strengthened when, in 1925, New York sports columnist Bill Corum, later the president of Churchill Downs, dubbed the Kentucky Derby the "Run for the Roses." The garland as it exists today was first introduced in 1932 for the 58th running won by Burgoo King.

Burgoo King ???!!! Still want to eat HAMburgers from that place? :>

Kroger (grocery store) has been the official florist since 1987, and each year 400 roses go into the garland with a single rose in the middle pointing upward to symbolize the struggle and heart that goes into reaching the winner's circle. I would assume that means struggle and heart of all involved: owner, trainer, jockey, horse, and racing fans everywhere. The garland is made at one of the local Kroger stores each year and is put on display the night before for fans to view. Sounds like a mini Rose Parade to me as I would love to see both!

So, here's why I'm "voting for" (what I used to say before I was a money placer):

• his jockey is wearing green, my favorite color
• he isn't one of the horses that has only run on a synthetic track; it is a sloppy track today
• his pedigree is down from Seattle Slew, a Triple Crown winner
• his trainer was the trainer of Eight Belles, the filly who broke her legs and had to be put down immediately following the Derby last year; Larry Jones has also already announced his retirement after this year's Derby; the jockey, Gabriel Saez, rode Eight Belles and Jones has stuck with him which shows a lot of character to me as well
• he's a pretty horse :>

Happy Derby Day to all!