Falcons Beat Cowboys

Falcons win again. Beat the Cowboys, who left RB Elliott at home and made numerous mistakes. Falcons remain in first place with a 6-3 record, ahead of the Bucs at 4-4. Birds own the tiebreaker, having beat Tampa both times. I may be an old white guy, but I swear the difference is Kirk Cousins. Last year Atlanta lost several close games. This year they’re winning them . Cousins is the difference.

Games remaining: at the Saints, Broncos, Vikings, Raiders, and Commanders, and home against the Chargers, Giants, and Panthers.

Dr. Pepper Fansville has finally jumped the shark. The self-depreciating commercial featuring the Aflac Duck is a little over the top.

Sunday: worked from 940 am to 220 pm. Drove to the office where I could really buckle down and work. Got a lot done, but just created more work for myself. And Monday has been so busy that I haven’t been able to keep working on what I had worked on yesterday.

After work yesterday I cashed in a deal for a free order of cheese curds from Freddy’s, a drive in type place. Ate the whole thing and thought I was gonna have a heart attack.

Stopped by two thrift stores on the way home and bought a cool pair of sneakers. More info on the Nike Air Speed Turf sneakers that I bought yesterday. I have a similar pair that’s a size 12 that’s kinda tight. This “new” pair is a 13 and fits good. But they look bigger on my feet. Worn by Barry Sanders and Dan Marino and Brett Farve.

Ceil had a birthday lunch at the Roswell Country Club. I should’ve raked leaves but didn’t. Caught up on the final two episodes of Only Murders iin the Building. Good stuff. Ron Howard and Tea Leoni made guest appearances.

Up early this AM to lift weights at the gym. Facetimed with Millie. She doesn't say much, but sure knows the word "Bobble". I’ve eaten too many donuts and candy today. We ate eat leftovers tonight.

Interesting article about the Christian couple who started the support group for parents of LGBT children, after their son came out. The article may not be from a Christian point of view, but does detail all the turmoil that the couple went through after their son came out, as well as when the mom had breast cancer. The couple organized the parenting seminar hosted by North Point Community Church that stirred up so much controversy. This prompted Andy Stanley to explain his support of the seminar to his detractors. Good to read the entire long article before making any judgements.

AARON JUDGE [B-R Bio] had played for the Fresno State Bulldogs and homered in his first college at bat, on 13-Aug-2016. The previous batter, Tyler Austin, had also homered. Judge also homered in his first MLB at bat. He regularly shares Bible verses and faith-based reflections, crediting his values and faith for his approach to life and baseball. Judge uses his faith to stay positive without ever being overbearing to his interlocutors. Judge wears  uniform #99, the number worn by hockey great, Wayne Gretzky.

Dawgs Beat Gators

Watched UGA@Florida and Louisville@Clemson. Gators played well, despite having to play a walkon QB after the starter got hurt. Three Gator defenders got hurt on one UGA possession.

UGA RB Travis ETN missed the second half with an injury, but freshman RB #3 picked up the slack.

UGA QB Carson Beck looks lost. Threw three interceptions, then got hesitant.

Next up the Dawgs face Ole Miss and Tennessee. Rebels just hung 63 on Arkansas.

Down three scores, there was no urgency from the Clemson offense. When they scored they needed to go for two, but inexplicably kicked the PAT instead. Tiger RB Mafah takes the handoff and gets up a head of steam running the sweep – but has too much momentum to cut upfield for a bigger gain – instead continuing to run in the same direction – straight out of bounds. Pretty much eliminated Clemson’s slim national championship hopes. Louisville's uniforms are among the ugliest in the nation.

South Carolina upset Texas A&M. Ceil's 66 year old friend Jackie stormed the field after the game, causing a $100,000 fine for the Gamecocks.

Penn State lost to Ohio State – again. Neither team looked good, but both will probably sneak into the playoff. Oregon looked strong, beating Michigan. USC lost again. Undefeateds Indiana and Army both won. Iowa State lost.

Trailing at halftime, the Vols outscored Kentucky 21-8 in the second half. Vandy beat Auburn to become bowl eligible.

CAL RIPKEN, Jr. [SABR Bio] was the first AL shortstop to hit .300 with 30 home runs and 100 RBI, in 1991, the year he won his second MVP. He hit .323, had 34 HR, & 114 RBI. Only Ernie Banks had achieved these levels previously. He was the last American League player in the 20th century to collect six hits in one game. On 13-Jun-1999 in Atlanta, 38-year-old Cal slugged two home runs, doubled, and 3 singles off 5 different Braves pitchers in a 22-1 victory. A very good day. Cal’s father, Cal Ripken, Sr. came to manage Baltimore in 1987 after having managed & won only one single game for them in 1985.

Friday: worked til 6 pm, and discovered more trouble at work. So worrisome that I couldn’t sleep on Friday night. So worrisome that I skipped church to work on Sunday morning.

Ceil made homemade pizza on Friday night.

Up early to golf in the fog on Saturday morning. Couldn’t see well enough to tee off until almost 740.  Played alone, hitting 3 or 4 shots. Did better than last week.

1. Hit two decent hybrids off the tee. Two decent 7 irons just short of the green. Three passable chips. Great lag putt. “Bogey”.

2. Popped up two 7 irons off the tee. Several not so great chips. “Double”.

3. Two okay 8 irons off the tee – one to the front fringe. Two putt for a “par”.

4. Three 7 irons off the tee, none great, but straighter than I had been hitting them. Chip shots weren’t great. “Double”.

5. Two halfway decent 6 irons off tee, both relatively straight. Three decent chips. “Bogey”.

6. Two good hybrids off the tee – one all the way to the 150 yard marker in the middle of the fairway. Hit 2 of three 6 irons okay but short. Two of 3 chips were okay. “Bogey”.

7. Three poor drives off tee, though one got a good roll up hill. Neither fairway shot was good. Hit four terrible approach shots. Only one of 3 chips was fair. Good lag putt. “Double”.

8. Thought I’d hit a good drive off the tee, but never found it. Hit three approach shots: one went left, one right, and one short. “Bogey” on the short, downhill par 4.

9. Popped up a hybrid, but it was straight and of decent distance. One of two chips was decent. One of 2 lags was fair. Two putt for a closing “double”. Finished at 905 am.

Stopped by Kimball House in Decatur to give Matthew a few items. Topped off the air in my tires on the way home. Ate leftover meatloaf for “brunch”. Walked 2 miles with Ceil and Winnie. Housework.

Wendy's to close 140 restaurants by end of year. Applebee's files for bankruptcy, and 8 locations abruptly close. TGIF shuts down 50 stores. I’m sure all those newly unemployed American citizens think the US economy is great.

Biden threatens to cut off military aid to Israel one week after US election. Kamala is running anti-Israel ads in Michigan.

R.I.P. Teri Garr

R.I.P. actress Teri Garr. Young Frankenstein. Tootsie. Mr. Mom. Frequent guest on Letterman.

Garr even guest starred on Star Trek. Fun fact: her Star Trek character was part of a proposed spinoff show, that sadly never gained traction.

Garr also played Phoebe’s mother on “Friends”. Perfect casting.

I guess you heard that Melanie Sheffield’s father / Elizabeth Brooks’ brother Cliff Sheffield passed away. Any idea when / where the funeral is / was? You know that Charlie’s brother married my aunt Harriet. When Lang got me to chaperone the youth trip to Disney World back in the mid 1990’s, I was sitting with Melanie on a park bench. I pointed out Charlie’s son and told Melanie how we were related. Melanie’s face lit up with excitement, and she screamed “He’s my cousin – that makes us related!”

Similar to how my daughter Anna’s best friend in high school Caroline is Andrew Johnson’s cousin, making Anna and Caroline related since Claire and I are “brother and sister”.

THURMAN MUNSON [SABR Bio] was the first catcher to win the AL Rookie of the Year, in 1970. He was the first post-expansion player in the AL to hit .300 with 100 RBI three seasons in a row, in 1975 (.318,102); 1976 (.302, 105); and 1977 (.308,100). Munson’s retired uniform number 15 is between Yankee retired uniforms #10 Phi Rizzuto & #16 Whitey Ford.

Hall of Fame pitchers who were Veterans of World WAR II.

…………………………….WAR 

Leon Day............Army…...18.3

Bob Feller...........Navy..... 63.4

Bob Lemon.........Navy .... 48.2

Robin Roberts...Army.......86.1

Warren Spahn...Army..... 100.1

Hoyt Wilhelm......Army...... 46.8

Early Wynn.........Army.....  61.0

Ted Lyons...Marine Corps..70.6

Red Ruffing........Army Air...68.6

People are posting: “Don’t tell someone you love them, then vote for someone who will hurt them”. That’s why I voted for who I voted for. Love is doing what’s best for the other person, right? For their long term welfare and well being. To keep them safe from harm. 

Don't be surprised when thousands consider the election stolen. Numerous reports already of cheating and other improprieties. 

Genuine Friendship

Like many, sometimes I go through life just trying to keep from drowning. Making it up as I go along. Just doing my best. So busy it’s hard to develop and keep good friendships. Often discouraging. Then Reid shares a Michael Youssef devotional “Hallmarks of Genuine Friendship” – and says it reminds him of our friendship. Made my day.

1. Friends are available to each other and do not abandon each other during difficult times. Heb 13:5.

2. Genuine friends communicate feelings, listen, vulnerable, honest about shortcomings and temptations, keep confidences.

3. Forgive, encourage, praise.

4. Loyalty. Don’t gossip or complain about the other. Work together, Walk together. John 15:12-13.

Trick or treaters…we had our share. Tried to give out generous amounts of candy, but still had plenty left over.

Thursday: worked through lunch and left work around 420 pm. Got home and cleared leaves off the driveway. When the trick or treaters came I would hand out the sugary candy I wanted to get rid of, while at the same time Ceil was handy out the chocolatey candy. Eventually I started asking the kids which they preferred.

Can’t believe Beck went out as a Dallas Maverick, and not a Memphis Grizzly. Shivvy & Millie wore their Disney princess dresses.

Last night yet another player dropped the football before crossing the goal line, a rookie RB for the Jets. It was his first carry of his pro career. May have been his last. The ball rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. Even if football players are too busy playing and practicing to watch other games, you’d think they’d see other players screw up on social media – or have coaches show these clips during film sessions. Announcer Kirk Herbstreit called the drop inexcusable, and it was.

Then a Jet receiver made a nice catch during a Thursday night game in October between the Jets and Texans, and it's supposed to better than the Immaculate Reception, which put the Steelers into their first Super Bowl. Right.

GT, Bama, Texas, LSU, and Notre Dame all have byes this weekend.

700 Georgia State @ UConn tonight

1200 Duke @ Miami

1245 Vandy@Auburn

330 UGA@FL

330 UCLA@Nebraska

730 Louisville@Clemson

730 Texas A&M @ South Carolina

745 Kentucky@Tennessee

100 Cowboys@Falcons Sunday

400 Jaguars@Eagles

815 Tampa@Chiefs Monday

Thursday: supper was spaghetti and meatballs, with tossed salad. Watched Death in Paradise and Georgie & Mandy.

Friday: up early to lift weights at the gym. Still battling to get below 40 emails in my in box. Got down below 30 by the end of the week. But I'm about to run out of inventory. I did get to chat with Mill Mill today.

JOHNNY BENCH [SABR Bio] was NL ROY in 1968. He worked in the cotton fields during school vacations to help his family survive. Bench says it taught him the value of hard work and perseverance and directly influenced his approach to baseball. Bench was the first Reds player to have his uniform number permanently retired, in August 1984. The Reds franchise began in 1882. Note:  “On 03-Aug1940, Reds’ backup catcher Willard Hershberger took his own life.  In the wake of this tragedy, the Reds announced that Hershberger’s number would be taken out of commission indefinitely (presumably following the example of the Yankees, who had started the tradition of retiring numbers with Gehrig’s 7 months earlier). But by 1942, Reds #5 had reappeared on the roster, remaining there until Bench’s retirement in 1983”. Reds players who wore uniform #5 between 1942 &1966:

Steve Mesner - 1942–1946

Bobby Adams - 1947–1955

Ray Jablonski - 1956–1958

Frank Robinson - 1959–1965

Don Pavletich - 1966

Article: how can a political party govern if they publicly show hatred and disdain for half the country’s citizens? And this is the party of love and joy?