I’d forgotten we no longer lived in a Central Time Zone with Louisville and so watched two and half hours of events and interviews leading up to the two minute race.
The really big topic was the weather. It was raining. In fact it had rained and rained and rained all day. The track was considered "sloppy." And it was. Just one big muddy mess. But there was no discussion of cancelling the race — and only lightning could delay it.
I saw GG almost immediately! They had switched anchors to a weatherman on the track and there was GG walking up from behind! She was wearing a clear rain poncho and it didn’t look like she had her Derby hat on just yet. She was with a couple of other ladies and some men were following behind them, but I never saw any faces, still I thought I spotted J’s form in that bunch.
J’s name and the farm was mentioned over and over throughout the coverage. Devil May Care was the only filly running in the twenty horse spread and there was a lot of interest in that little lady.
I recalled an early conversation I had with GG when I learned her husband was in the horse farm, breeding, and racing business. I wanted to know if she ever rode the horses and she told me no, that the thoroughbred racing horses were too wild for her to ride. (I was naive enough, at the time, to think that it was awfully sad to have horses you wouldn’t ride…)
There were so many good stories about so many horses. The 25 owners of Noble’s Promise was especially interesting.
It was only a half hour to the big race and now hubby has joined me to watch the horses, trainers, owners, and more, walk around the track before taking their places the race. And the sun was shining! It was a Christmas Derby miracle! (Okay, maybe not so much as the announcers were now commenting on how the sun shining on all that mud could become blinding for the horses and their jockeys.)
I could see that many of the ladies on the very sloppy track were wearing rain boots, but it was not so easy to see if the men were. I couldn’t imagine having to walk through all that heavy mud as far as they did without wanting to give in to the increasing weight of my feet, even on such a special day.
The horse were placed into the starting gates, then finally released to run, and the mud began to fly.
Devil May Care seemed to start at near the end of the pack, but it is hard for me to remember where she was because all the horses’ front legs and deep chests were soon covered in mud so evenly they suddenly became a twin, triplet, and on and on, to any mount that would come abreast of another. The mud was splatting onto their chiseled heads and into the faces of the jockeys. I even wondered if any were being temporarily blinded at the worst possible moment of the race.
And then I saw her, Devil May Care, making her way quite quickly to the front. I thought she’s going to place for sure, but then it looked like she may have made her bold move too soon as so many rides began to overtake her.
She didn’t win or place. It was Super Saver and jockey, Calvin Borel. A first for Super Saver and trainer Todd Fletcher (who also trains Devil May Care) and a third Derby win for Borel.
Still I had a good time watching. It really is a whole different experience come Kentucky Derby time when you feel like you have a little personal (even by degree) stake in the race.
I don’t think I’ll ever become a big racing fan, but I will always remember my friend GG and her enthusiasm for the horse and competition.
1. Did you pass your driver’s test on the first try?
Yes, I did, but that’s not to say I didn’t have a couple of embarrassing moments. Because…
I was forced into taking the test because I got pulled over while driving my boyfriend’s car with an expired permit
I was already 21 years old
A friend took me through the test area first (and the officer could tell)
I had to borrow my brother’s car because I only owned a scooter (that I had to have a motorcycle license to operate)
2. What is your most embarrassing moment?
Look, I’ve been around more than 49 years now. I am ADD, introverted, and a geek. My life story is pretty much one embarrassing moment piled upon another.
3. What TV show would you like to be on- Oprah, Biggest Loser, or What Not to Wear?
This is hard because I could use the help of all three:
Oprah: Because someday one of my books will be published and you know she’s gonna love it
Biggest Loser: You read it here first — I am fat — and I love working out!
What Not to Wear: First — this would have to be after my stint on the Biggest Loser and after the surgeries I would have to have to get rid of all those annoyingly huge hanging piles of skin (Hello, Dr. Rey!) plus who wouldn’t want to hang out with Stacy and Clinton
4. Would you ever get plastic surgery and what kind?
Yes. Refer to question 3
5. What are your favorite jeans to wear?
The lighter weight ones that are 96% cotton and 4% spandex — ask anyone and they’ll tell ya that the ones with a bit a spandex hold their shape (the jeans not your ass) better
…and when The Bloggess came to get hers? My comment box yelled at her.
No, not really. Apparently you can’t just leave a one or two word comment for me. If you try you will get this prompt:
"Your comment was too short. Please go back and enter a meaningful comment."
Who knew my blog could be such a bully! Or even "kind of awesome," says Jenny. So, I’m keeping the pushy prompt! Which means I’m being passive/aggressive, right? Right?RIGHT?
I love paying hobbies! (Not to worry, I’ve got a couple for myself in the works, too.)
And!!
Last week I got a email with a preview of the unfinished version of my scene from Marty Polio‘s short film project — and a review from a friend that made me BEAM.
I promise I’ll share the whole and published short as soon as I’m allowed!
So The Bloggess took a self-assessment test for alcoholism and she turned out to be a cocker spaniel. And because the hubby and I have been having nogs with bourbon, for like two weeks now, I thought perhaps I should follow Jenny’s lead.
• Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
Are you kidding? I’m unemployed now. • Is drinking making your homelife unhappy?
No, but only because I draw the line at misery and drunkeness. • Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
Actually, I’m too shy to go out and drink with other people. I think I’d have to be drunk to even be with other people and then I wouldn’t even know if I was with other people and still drinking… • Is drinking affecting your reputation?
Idunno. Can drinking give me a reputation? Because I need one. Not getting out pretty much seems to make me reputation proof. • Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
Only when I was paying. • Have you had financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
No, when I drink it cuts right into the electric bill. So I pretty much drink in the dark to make things balance out. • Do you turn to inferior companions and environments when drinking?
Did you just insult my husband and our home? Hey! • Does your drinking make you careless of your family’s welfare?
Nope. We drink at home and don’t even smoke so there isn’t even a chance of a mattress fire. • Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
You should see the stuff I write when I’ve been drinking. It’s so insightful. Publishers are lining up… • Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
I only drink in a certain window. That would be the one next to my chair in the living room… • Do you want a drink the next morning?
What? There’s leftovers? • Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
Let me consult my husband, I can’t remember… • Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
Well, it seems to be a seasonal thing and I’ve noticed a lot of pholks are less efficient this time of the year so I’m gonna say no. • Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
Nothing has changed since I answered this in the first question. • Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
Ha! Not even calgon can accomplish that for me. Maybe I should mix calgon with my noggies? Or Mr. Bubble! Mr. Bubble and noggies in the tub! • Do you drink alone?
Only the first and last drink… • Have you ever had a loss of memory as a result of drinking?
…not that I can recall. • Has you physician ever treated you for drinking?
Isn’t alcohol a depressant? I am being treated for depression. • Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
Alcohol can do that? Crap, we may have to turn off the heat, too! • Have you ever been to a hospital or institution on account of drinking?
Yes, but they only called me to come pick up my friend. She didn’t know who else to call… (Don’t call me again, Jenny — that drive from Kentucky to Texas — and no party once I got you home?) ;o)
According to the Office of Health Care Programs at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, the developers of this screening quiz, if you answered as few as three of these questions with a "Yes," it’s a definite sign that your drinking patterns are harmful and considered alcohol dependent or alcoholic.
So I answered yes to one question? What? I’m one third of the way towards being an alcoholic? Sheesh. I’d have to be at least halfway there to even worry…
Tokenbloggeris a middle aged fat lady who lives in a small Victorian cottage (in historic Lexington, Kentucky USA) with her husband of 28 years, 2 dogs, a cat, and a tortoise. She is the mother to one adult child who recently returned home (with his dog) to "attend" college --- and now he has a new kitten, too!
Tokenblogger is recently unemployed. While looking for a new position Tokenblogger also does stuff like:
write
keep house
hang out with the pets
walk the neighborhood
blog (write)
draw
read (books!)
cruise the internet
some website design
write
nap
visit friends and family
listen to the radio
and her iTunes collection
watch television
write
work on her wellness
in mind & body
get through each day
write
and some other … stuff.
Tokenblogger has a favorite color, too. Take a wild guess, will ya!
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