Do You Have a Fan Club?

Getting through life each day can be a challenge. Daily chores and duties beckon us forth, and on certain days they sometimes seem as though there are too many to cope with. I encounter that feeling quite often, and occasionally feel as if I want to take a break from life for a long period of time.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful support system – what I call my Fan Club! My husband Charlie is convinced I can do anything he puts his mind to. Does that sound odd? Maybe not! Goals he sets become goals I desire to achieve.

It is apparent to me that others’ expectations for us create a mindset that we can do whatever is asked of us. When I am feeling really good about myself, I do tend to volunteer to take on more challenges. When I reach forward, it stretches my abilities. However, that stretching can feel like old elastic nearing the breaking point. Here is where that Fan Club comes into play. There are numerous people who cheer me along my way in life, especially my dear friends and family, as well as the people in our community who support Charlie and me in all of our endeavors.

Heading the list is my dear friend Alice, who is exuberant in her praises and produces accolades galore over a Newsletter I produce for our Gateway Club of Catonsville. By doing so, she has set a standard by which I judge my finished product. Along with Charlie, she is one of my most encouraging Fan Club members.

Another important member of this Fan Club is my Florida friend, Jo, who has read some of my website blogs and insists that God is inspiring me. She keeps me going in my quest to remind people that God is here for us. And, therein, is the answer. Our Number One Fan Club Member is God himself. He is available day and night, through stormy or calm weather, through rough times or on smooth paths. Call on Him! He won’t disappoint you!

According to Judy

National Football League Draft

The National Football League (NFL) draft is the official selection process used by NFL teams to stock their rosters with football players coming out of college. The NFL draft has become a very popular media event, being telecast on ESPN and the NFL channels. It has achieved excellent TV ratings over the years, and the NFL draft is now considered one of the top sporting events of the year.

The first NFL draft was held in 1935 and was the brainstorm of Commissioner Bert Bell. Prior to the draft, NFL teams were free to sign any player they desired which, of course, led to “bidding wars” for players and generally resulted in the strong teams getting stronger and the weak teams getting weaker.

The NFL draft has been a constantly evolving process since its inception in 1935. However, the one principal factor that has remained constant over time is the selection procedure where the teams with the worst records from the previous year, get the first pick, the team with the second-worst record gets the second pick, etc.

The current NFL draft format consists of seven rounds. Each of the thirty-two NFL teams is assigned a selection in each round, based on the “team record” selection process described above. Ties are broken by strength of schedule and, if necessary, a “coin flip.” However, the Super Bowl participants from the previous year make the final two selections in each round.

The draft currently takes place over two days in late April, with rounds one and two on Day 1, and rounds three through seven on Day 2. Each team has its representatives attend the draft. During the draft, one team is always “on the clock.” In round one, each team has ten minutes to make their choice, with seven minutes for round 2, and five minutes for rounds 3–7.

In addition to the 32 picks in each round, there are a total of up to 32 picks dispersed at the ends of rounds 3–7. These are known as “compensatory picks” and are awarded to teams that lost more qualifying free agents than they gained the previous year during free agency. Compensatory picks cannot be traded and the “round placement value” is determined on factors such as salary, playing time, and postseason honors.

To be eligible for the NFL, a player must have been out of high school for three years. Most of the players drafted by the NFL come directly out of college as juniors or seniors, while others are selected from other professional leagues, such as the “Arena Football League.”

The NFL also holds a Supplemental Draft to accommodate players who did not enter the regular NFL draft since they thought they still had college academic eligibility to play college football. If a team decides it wants a player eligible for the Supplemental Draft, they submit a bid to the NFL Commissioner with the selection round they would pick that player. If no other NFL team submits a lower bid for that player, the team is awarded that player and has to give up a comparable pick in the following year’s draft.

According to Charlie

Reflections about Memorial Day

Are there any particularly outstanding memories of Memorial Days that you can remember? Truly, until yesterday, I would have had to admit that nothing stood out in my mind. So, what happened yesterday, you ask?

What most people would consider an unpleasant thing to do, Charlie and I attended a funeral on Memorial Day. Certainly, most funeral homes would not encourage families to bury someone on a holiday. But, that is how it was. A long ago friend of mine Betty, now living in West Virginia, lost her husband, Wil. And, although it has been many years since they lived in the area, Betty knew her husband wanted to return to his roots. So, despite many hurdles, she and his family brought him “home.” Wil was also a veteran, so it seemed appropriate for it to be Memorial Day when he was laid to rest in Randallstown.

What inspired me so were the tributes from his two daughters, who recalled a truly loving, trustworthy man of God. Their personal reminiscences made me realize that this is the type of person God wants to populate the earth. For those individuals who do not want to bring a child into a world such as we know today, think twice. How is God going to achieve His goals of having enough “good” people choosing Him over the way of the world if we do not continue to procreate?

God so loves us that He does send encouragement our way. He provides us with opportunities and loving people to help us rise above the setbacks we encounter. By turning each day over to His care, we will conquer the hurdles life presents us. Prayer is always the perfect answer to any problem.

God bless you all!

According to Judy

Chocolate and Hot Peppers

Chocolate and hot peppers! What kind of a combination is this? Good question! Check out Caribbean cuisine at brimstonerecipes.com to titillate your imagination for a chocolate cake using this unique combination of spices and chocolate. Caribbean chefs love a challenge, especially with the use of spices including hot peppers, which are abundant in that part of the world. The result is that you will be enticed and lured to have your taste buds wrap around this wonderfully moist and delectable tasting dessert.

Americans sometimes find it difficult to experiment with new ideas; however, this one is very intriguing and warrants further investigation. Do check it out!

According to Judy

I’m Alert! I’m Alive! I’m a Ball of Fire!

Today I am beginning to learn about being a more positive individual – again! How did I let myself get beaten down to where I think I’m tired all the time? How is it that every little chore has become a mountain to climb? Why is it that I let myself believe the hype that I will become more forgetful with age?

I’m not sure that I want to live with those negative thoughts floating around in my mind. Years ago, when I was much younger, a group I belonged to had a Dale Carnegie representative give a sample talk to us on public speaking. Her advice to us was to stand up tall and straight, throw our arms upward with vigor, and shout out, “I’m alert! I’m alive! I’m a ball of fire!” We all stood up and followed her advice. Louder and more fervent each time, we would call out: “I’m alert! I’m alive! I’m a ball of fire!” Truly, this was an uplifting session. It so impressed me that I eventually took the Dale Carnegie public speaking course and became, for a time, a student assistant for some additional classes. I was on the road to becoming a more confident, assured individual.

Now it is time once again to begin chanting that encouraging mantra that I somehow had let slip out of my life. So, I urge you, too, to get up out of your easy chair and join me. “I’m alert! I’m alive! I’m a ball of fire!” And now, once more with feeling! Doesn’t that make you feel better? I know I do!

According to Judy

Another Lesson Learned

Do you feel invincible? Sometimes I forget that my aging body rebels when I feel inclined to overdo it.

Saturday was a perfect day for me to clean our miniscule patio. It appeared to be a “piece of cake” once I got started. Using a portable vacuum cleaner on reverse, I blew off all the accumulated debris from the outdoor carpeting, as well as from all the corners and crevices of the small rectangular area. Then I filled a big container with hot soapy liquid and went to work on the two PVC piping chairs. After seeing all the grunginess of the built up dirt just disappear from sight, I was feeling really good. With Charlie’s assistance, we washed down the doors, screens, small table, and chair cushions and replaced everything. Then I tackled my little fountain, which keeps on plugging away year after year. The patio is now ready for spring.

Uh! Oh! Now comes the price to pay! Twenty-four hours later I began hobbling. After sleeping all night, Monday morning found me with excruciating pain in my left knee and not being able to put any weight on that leg. Not wanting to regret a wrong decision on Tuesday, I actually went to the doctor right away. The bottom line seems to be that my arthritis decided to flare up due to the extreme use to which my knee was put (and, of course, the rainy weather on Sunday).

Unless the x-rays that were taken of my knee reveal something else, I should find that each day the pain will lessen until I can walk fairly normally again. With several of our friends currently awaiting knee replacement, I am glad to postpone that waiting list (at least for the time being).

According to Judy

Friendships

Is there anything so wonderful in life than friends? Friends are people you choose, or those who choose you to spend time together. There is an old saying: “To have friends, you must first be a friend.” Over the years Charlie and I have both found this to be very true. Both of us have been truly blessed by God to have a multitude of friends – friends of all ages and persuasions.

This past week I hosted two separate book club discussion groups and each of them, although unique unto themselves, proved that people share so many things in life that are common to us all. Yet, the individuals themselves have different points of view. How delightful that we can have the confidence in our friendships (however new they may be) to open ourselves up to possible criticism by sharing our thoughts. Despite differences of opinion, we can respect other people’s dissimilarities and even enjoy them.

We pray that God will shine his light upon each of you and increase your friendships seven-fold.

According to Judy

History of the National Football League, Part III of III

By the end of World War II, pro football began to compete and rival the college game for fan support and attention. The NFL expanded to the West Coast in 1945 when the Cleveland Rams moved to Los Angeles, becoming the first major league sports franchise on the West Coast. The NFL also expanded to 13 teams in 1950, when the league merged with and accepted three All-America Football Conference teams (Cleveland, Baltimore, and San Francisco). It was also in 1950, that the NFL began broadcasts on national television and earned its place as a major sport.

The NFL had its final major expansion in 1966 when it merged with the rival American Football League. In an agreement brokered by AFL founder Lamar Hunt and Dallas Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm, the two leagues announced their merger deal.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the NFL solidified its position and dominance as America’s top spectator sport and its role as a major part of the American culture. The Super Bowl became an American idol, and the NFL became America’s pastime.

According to Charlie

History of the National Football League, Part II of III

The game of college football matured and evolved throughout the late 1800s. It was during this period that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was formed to oversee the national game of collegiate football. It wasn’t until the start of the 20^th century that professional football began making its appearance on the American scene.

The American Professional Football Association (APFA) was founded in 1920 in Canton, Ohio. One year later, the APFA was reorganized and in 1922 was renamed the National Football League. There were eleven teams in the first professional league and legendary athlete Jim Thorpe of the Canton Bulldogs was the first president. The Akron Pros claimed the first professional football championship.

Throughout the 1920’s membership in the NFL was very unstable and the league was not a major national sport. Only two charter members, the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) and the Decatur Staleys (now the Chicago Bears) are still in existence in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers (founded in 1919) joined the NFL in 1921 and is the oldest NFL team not to change location.

By 1934, all of the original small-town teams, with the exception of the Green Bay Packers, had moved to or been replaced by teams in large cities. An annual NFL championship game was initiated in 1931 and the annual NFL draft started in 1936.

To be continued…

According to Charlie

History of the National Football League (NFL), Part I of III

The story of football, as we know it in the United States today, had its beginning in England during the 19^th century. The athletes playing soccer during that era became frustrated with just using their feet to control the ball and, thereby, started picking up the ball and running with it during the soccer game. Although this was obviously against the rules of soccer, it was very appealing to some of the players and eventually led to the birth of the game of rugby.

The new game of rugby became a very popular sport worldwide and made its way to the United States during the mid 1800s. It became an especially popular game in the Northeastern Ivy League colleges. As a result, in 1876, Yale, Harvard, and other Ivy League colleges met in Massachusetts to formalize the rules for the game of rugby. The rules they developed were similar to those utilized in England at that time with two major exceptions. The shape of the ball was changed from a round ball to that shaped in the form of a sphere, and the name of the game was changed from rugby to football. Also, to formalize and promote the new game of football, an organization called the Intercollegiate Football Association (IFA) was created to manage and preside over the new American game of football.

American football, however, was still basically the game of rugby, which is, of course, much different than the game of football we know and love today. Thereby, it was over a period of three years starting in 1880 that Walter Camp, a football player for Yale, persuaded the IFA to change and modify the rules of football to create a game that is very similar to the modern game of football today. Walter Camp is now considered by many to be the “Father of Football.”

To be continued…

According to Charlie

Progressive Dinners

A progressive dinner is such a wonderful concept for an “over 55” condo community. Ours put on a lovely Italian dinner this past weekend. There were six couples and three individuals for a total of 15 people. Everyone generously donated different portions of the meal. An evening of familial camaraderie started out in the home of Jim and Ruth for wine and antipasto, provided by Dan. Appetizers were followed by tossed Cesar salad, pasta with meat sauce, lasagna, ratatouille, garlic bread, and more wine, combined with lively discussions. Despite the restricted size of our units, our dinner hosts, Burt and Maddie, were innovative enough to seat all fifteen of us at one table. As the evening wore to a close, it was topped off with coffee, sorbet and homemade sweets, provided by Denny, Bill and Marlene, and a more intimate chat at our home.

All I can say is that the evening was a social success with everyone looking forward to the next opportunity to bond with good neighbors. Come join us!

According to Judy

Trader Joe's

Whatever did I do before Trader Joe’s moved into the area? It is hard to believe that I rarely treated myself to fresh flowers before. Since Trader Joe’s sells such fresh flowers and at such a reasonable price (and they are the first display as you walk into the main part of the store), I buy them whenever I shop there. Sometimes, the bouquets won’t let me bring them home to stay. They say, “These are for __________.” So, off they go to lift up the spirits of a friend or play the part of a hostess gift for a dinner invitation. But, no matter to what use they are put, they do liven up my life (and sometimes others).

With Mother’s Day on Sunday, surely this is an added incentive to check out the many varieties of fresh flowers at Trader Joe’s. And, treat yourself to some fine dark chocolate while you are there.

According to Judy

Neuroscience

For a beginner to learn about neuroscience, it is helpful to have someone explain the dynamics of it in layman’s terms. The website idoneuroscience.com is quite helpful in this area.

Neuroscience pertains to the study of the nervous system of the body. This website includes an introductory session on how the brain is involved with processing thoughts, as well as physical sensations of touch, pain, hearing, seeing, etc. Classic rock music, diamonds, and intelligence are also included as part of this unique investigative website. To see if neuroscience will intrigue you to explore this subject further, check out the articles on idoneuroscience.com.

According to Judy

Mammogram and a Haircut

“Mammogram and a haircut” almost sounds like a song title, doesn’t it? Anyway, I thought it sounded like a catchy phrase, as I headed out this morning to get these two things accomplished.

While getting my mammogram, which we ladies are required to do annually, I picked up an old issue of “Oprah,” the magazine, and perused an article on what men think about breast augmentation. For the most part, anything regarding women’s breasts appeals to the average man. Surprise! There were some aspects of augmentation that men were not keen on, but size was definitely not one of them. Also, I learned some of the pros and cons from the woman’s point of view, that is, from women who had breast enhancement. In some cases, it appeared that nerve sensitivity was affected, usually negatively. Occasionally, it affected the neck and back muscles. However, for a great many women, it was an “uplifting” (pardon the pun) experience, giving a boost to her ego, as well as to her breasts.

Following those thoughts, getting my haircut was a soothing end to the morning. The stylist performed her skills with peak efficiency. As I am tending to go gray, she gave me some handy hints to enhance the natural beauty of gray hair for which I am grateful. With these two items out of the way, I am ready for Mother’s Day this Sunday.

According to Judy

Brimstonerecipes for Caribbean Cooking

If you are in the mood for a change in taste sensations, try brimstonerecipes.com. Many recipes for unusual dishes are available with that unique flavor of the Caribbean. Not only do most of the recipes seem easy, many of them are one-dish meals, which makes them appealing to the busy cook. Ginger, lime, coconut milk, and an array of exotic spices titillate the senses when used in the right amounts. Desserts are rich affairs, many of which are liberally saturated with rum and/or wine.

Not only do the recipes entice you to try just one more, but the narrative, which accompanies the recipes, is as spicy as the cuisine, leaving you wanting more.

According to Judy

Prayer Shawls

I just completed an assignment to write an article on Prayer Shawls. While researching this project, I found myself becoming more and more intrigued by the concept. There are prayer shawl ministries in which women either knit or crochet shawls for people who are in need of comfort and peace due to illness, death, or other personal loss. Preparing oneself in prayer while creating a prayer shawl gives one a sense of oneness with God. Usually the shawl is crocheted or knitted using three strands of yarn, perhaps using three different colors, and incorporating a three-count stitch, which facilitates the belief in the Trinity of God.

Stories abound on the Internet of the nurturing comfort people find in cuddling themselves with these prayer shawls and of being aware of the loving concern of other people. In the past when I have crocheted items, usually an afghan for a friend or family member, I would think of them while working on it. What a wonderful concept of incorporating prayer for the individual along with each stitch created through the grace of God.

Perhaps this is an area for me to explore further. How about you?

According to Judy

Gettysburg National Battlefield

Yesterday, we had occasion to drive up to Gettysburg with our friends, Bill and Marlene, to tour the battlefield. Bill knows quite a bit of history pertaining to the three-day battle and turned out to be a most informative tour guide. We also visited the brand new visitor center, which is a beautiful edifice, containing a museum, restaurant, theater, and bookstore. If you haven’t been there in awhile, I recommend a return visit.

In the meantime, while discussing the different aspects of 19^th century Gettysburg, the townspeople, and the history of the Civil War, I could not but think of how our viewpoints have changed over the years. How patriotic are 21^st century Americans? Has the larger world community and its views on war tainted our children’s perspective? Thank goodness for those young people today, who enlist in the various armed services. These young men and women assure us that there are still those who feel strongly about our country and protecting its freedom.

Let us all pray for our president and national leaders to make wise decisions, as well as for the voters in making the best choice in the upcoming elections. We definitely need God on our side.

According to Judy

Family Get-Togethers

How often do you get together with your family? Somehow the lives of most of our families are tied up in their day-to-day activities. This results in our spending a lot of time with friends instead.

However, we had occasion this past week to have Charlie’s sister Jeanne and her husband Dick stop by to see our condo and to have lunch with us. What a treat it was to spend time with them and share photographs of Bob & Mora’s September wedding and discuss long ago times and family memories. Jeanne is older than Charlie and is showing signs of memory loss. She is also somewhat disabled due to arthritis pain, which is so severe that she has lost weight over it. Dick, however, seems to still have a fairly sharp mind although he too has slowed in his walk and demeanor. Jeanne is Charlie’s only sibling so their relationship is extremely important to him. We were very pleased that they made the effort to see us. Now that all of us are getting older, we need to treasure each moment we can. We can only pray that God will provide some more warm and cozy get-togethers.

According to Judy

Happy May Day

I must have been in my forties when I can remember a May Day of note. During the early morning hours just after people headed out to work, I had occasion to step out my front door to discover a small plastic May basket filled with lilies of the valley. What a delightful surprise! Who would have made such a thoughtful gesture, knowing that was my most favorite flower? As I racked my brain to think of someone, all of a sudden, I knew who it was - my dear friend, Millie. It was not particularly convenient for her to drive over and come at a time not to be discovered. I lost no time in phoning her and she was tickled that she had surprised me.

Millie is long gone now, but she remains entrenched in my heart and soul. Her thoughtfulness still encourages me, especially when spring arrives with its array of beautiful flowers. This is the time when lilies of the valley bloom in shaded areas, scenting the surrounding air with their fragrance. This conjures up another long ago memory of growing up in my grandparents’ home and having these sprigs of tiny white bells flourishing in the garden behind the house.

Today I wish each and every one of you an extremely love-filled day – one that will provide you with memories of your own to cherish – memories of being God’s messenger of love, just as Millie did for me.

According to Judy