American Idol Pool Update

After the 2 round of eliminations which have the same point values, here are the scores at this time:

Sara - 120 points
Amy - 85 points
Kirk- 50 points
Benji- 50 points
Kristen- 0 points
Claire - 25 points
Jamie - 50 points
John - 120 points
Terry W. - 110 points
April - 85 points
Susan - 85 points
Terry H. - 85 points

KUDOS to Will and Kristen

By the time I was Will and Kristen's age, all my grandparents were either dead or in such ill health that they could not enjoy the things that were going on in my life so I feel particularly blessed to be able to witness and be a part of the phenomenal achievements of my grandchildren!

Last Saturday, Kristen won a Superior Award in a piano competition which enables her to perform at the State Piano Competition. Then on Sunday, she won 1st Place in another piano competition which means she is the #1 student at the Chadek Conservatory of Music at University of Chattanooga, and she is only a junior in high school! With this award comes $1000 to apply toward her music education.

Tuesday night, Will was given the Fireman's Award on Auburn University's Golf Team. This award is given to the team member who is the torch bearer for the rest of the team. He is the team member who sets the example for everyone else. He is the one who goes the extra mile in everything he does. He doesn't miss a practice or a workout and is the one who encourages the rest of the team members when they are feeling down and out. He inspires everyone ,by his own example, to be dedicated and committed to school and team efforts.

I really do not know how two young people could do more than Will and Kristen do to maintain high standards for behavior and achievement! You are both a true blessing and an inspiration to us all!

One Word Riddle

There is a word in the English language that has 9 letters. If you remove one letter at a time until you get down to 1 letter, each remaining word is also a word in the English language. The word is "startling". See if you can come up with all the words - removing only one letter at a time.

Remembering Morris

Yesterday, my first cousin Morris, died after attending Easter services at his church. He was almost like a brother to me in my growing up years because we always lived on the same block and our backyards joined each other by way of my grandmother's back yard. We were all like one big family. Morris was three years older than me but we spent many hours during our childhood hiding Easter eggs, playing croquet, riding bikes, playing marbles and counting stars on warm summer nights.

As we grew older, we went our separate ways but always remained close. I could always count on Morris to be there when I needed him.

Morris graduated from law school and served in the Alabama legislature. He maintained a large law practice while owning and operating three banks. He was very active in civic affairs and loved geneology. He was the cousin who always attended all the family gatherings, weddings, baptisms, funerals, and school performances. He was the one cousin from my family who drove to Austin, Texas, to attend the wedding of my daughter and son-in-law.

When I retired from my education job and started my real estate career 19 years ago, Morris was the first person to list property with me and he encouraged me every step of the way. Then when I decided to branch out on my own and start my own company, Morris was the one who stepped up to the plate, stuck his neck out and loaned me $30,000 to get started.

Morris has not been in very good health in recent years so it was not a huge surprise that his heart finally gave up but even though his physical heart is no longer working, the heart of his soul will live on in his family forever.

He was the "kissin' cousin" - he kissed me every time he saw me and always called me "Sally". I love you, buddy, and will miss you terribly!

Poll Results to Date

After the first round of three eliminations which count 25 points each, here are the results:

Sara - 50 points
Amy - 50 points
Kirk - 50 points
Benji - 50 points
Kristen - 0 points
Claire - 25 points
Jamie - 50 points
John - 50 points
Terry W. - 75 points
April - 50 points
Susan - 50 points
Terry H.- 50 points

Lady Gaga

As the name of my blog implies, I am trying to remain open to new ideas, innovations, and changes of the times as I grow older but last night's American Idol presentation of Lady Gaga proves to me that some things are just going to be beyond my ability to understand the new generation.

You Just Can't Fix Stupid

These are actual articles from newspapers.