Tuesday, October 31, 2006

We Can Still Learn From Our Children ! !

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?" "It was great, Dad." "Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son."So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father. The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!

Saturday, October 28, 2006

A LONG ROAD TO NO WHERE ! ! !

When I first saw this picture I really liked it. I Love the season of "FALL" with the colors changing and autumn leaves falling. The cool brisk air blowing to and fro. I just think that this pictures shows a place of peace and quiet where no-one and nothing is bothering you. Where you could just walk, ride your bike, drive for miles and miles with no worries, no thoughts thoughts..... Just you and God's beautiful creation. It just gives me that old time...... old fashion..... back in the day feeling.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

PINE TAR or NO PINE TAR ? ? ?














Well after the 2nd game of the World Series and a 3-1 victory for the Detroit Tigers there is a major question being asked everywhere. Was Detroit's starting pitcher using Pine-Tar or was it actually dirt and spit as Roger's claims? The real answer is does it really matter. The media really has taken a hold of this situation and trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Does Pine-Tar or any other foriegn substance really help a pitcher have more velocity on his pitch? The answer to that question in "NO". The only advantage is it helps the pitcher grip the ball better especially on a cold night. I know for a fact that many of Major League Pitchers have or are using Pine-Tar, Shaving Cream, Suntan Lotion or some sort of foriegn substance to help get a better grip on the ball! So in my personal opinion the media needs to lay off and just let this situation DIE...... After the 1st inning of the game Kenny Rogers went and washed what ever substance was on his hand off and still pitched 7 more scoreless innings. So you answer the questions did it really make a difference??

2006 MHSAA PLAYOFFS

The 2006 Michigan High School Athletic Association Playoffs have finally arrived. There are four teams from the Wolverine Conference that made the playoffs to the best of my knowledge. Also a personal favorite team of mine the undefeated Climax-Scotts are looking to win the title for the 2nd year in a row. Below I am posting the teams and their schedule. Stay tuned for results in the upcoming week.

PLAYOFFS 2006

Division 3 - Region 2 - District 2

St. Joseph (5-4) @ Richland Gull Lake (8-1)


Division 4 - Region 3 - District 2

Comstock (6-3) @ Battle Creek Harper Creek (8-1)

Dowagiac (7-2) @ Three Rivers (8-1)



Division 8

Morrice (6-3) @ Climax-Scotts (9-0)

Wolverine Conference Picks 10/13 and 10/20 - 2006

Ok so I got a little busy with life and lost touch with keeping up with my Wolverine Confernce Picks. The week of 10/13 I got 4 out of 5 games correct. Then in week 10/20 I again got 4 out of the five games correct. And if you wanted to guess I would tell you that both weeks I got the Comstock games wrong as they ended the season on a tough but low note. The upside is they still made it into the play-offs. I will post the results below. Thank-You for hanging in there with me and Stay tuned for the play-off schedule and results.

October 13th, 2006 Scores:

dowagiac 44 vs OTSEGO 0

allegan 10 vs PAW PAW 13

plainwell 6 vs RICHLAND GULL LAKE 39

vicksburg 21 vs SOUTH HAVEN 24

three rivers 37 vs COMSTOCK 20




October 20th, 2006 Scores

dowagiac 43 vs PAW PAW 12

plainwell 25 vs OTSEGO 19

richland gull lake 22 vs COMSTOCK 8

south haven 28 vs ALLEGAN 18

three rivers 34 vs VICKSBURG 21

Halloween @ Work ! !

Every Halloween my wife's deparment at her work enters into a company wide competition for Decorations and Costumes. Each year is a different theme some examples are : M.A.S.H. Characters, Board Games (Clue), Fairy Tail (Little Red Riding Hood),and this year's theme is Favorite Era (40's). As you can see my wife Tamara is dressed supposedly like she is going to a 1940's evening party. Does she look the part? I don't know but, I know one thing for certain..... She looks "BEAUTIFUL" to me..... If she looked this good every morning I would never leave home...LOL

Monday, October 23, 2006

C.F. Payne (Artist)

Are you familiar with who C.F. Payne is? Well if you get the Reader's Digest you would ....... He always has the best art that are presented on the very back of each issue. I have long since been a fan of C.F. Payne's work. He always does a good job illustrating through his art. This month has to be one of my all-time favorites with the rivalry between Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio Buckeyes. If you don't know yet Michigan and Ohio always end the season playing each other. These two teams absolutely "HATE" each other.... The is NO LOVE between these two team in the least bit. Well the stage is being set each week as each of these teams are undefeated and are looking to meet at the last game of the season each 11-0. This could be History.... who needs the Bowl Championship Series... When these two teams meet this year I promise with all the hype that is building you will have the game of a life-time. You will not need to look to USC, Auburn, West Virginia, or even Flordia. All you need is the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes and #2 Michigan Wolverines and then the rest is History. GO BLUE THE BUCK STOPS HERE ! ! ! !

WHEN I SAY GOOD MORNING ! ! !

G-od
O-ffers us His
O-utstanding
D-evotion to

M-ake us
O-bedient &
R-eady for a
N-ew day with Him.
I-nspire others please, and
N-ever forget
G-od loves you!

Heralders Quartet, Florida Boys, & Praises4Him

This past week on Tuesday October 17th, 2006 a group from my family went to see a wonderful Concert in Hudsonville,MI. The show started with a new quartet called Praises4Him and they sang 2 songs. Then THE HERALDERS QUARTET came out and sang a number of different songs in which "BEULAH LAND" was my favorite. We then heard from THE FLORIDA BOYS who sang alot of different songs and some of my favorites were "SING YOUR BLUES AWAY", "I CAN'T EVEN WALK WITHOUT YOU HOLDING MY HAND", and "ON SOME SWEET DAY". All three of these quartets were absolutely wonderful to see. I enjoyed the time listening to them and spending time with my family.

God Alone

GOD ALONE

Prophet and apostle seeing,
God Alone is still revealing.
Vision clear for all, the willing;
Christ enthroned, the heart is filling.


Praying, praising, sight amazing,

At the throne, on Glory gazing.

He is God Alone.

Above He stands, all holy burning;
God alone, my soul is turning.
Face that shines, a heart all glowing,
Creatures praise, submission showing.


Praying, praising, sight amazing,

At the throne, on Glory gazing.

He is God Alone.

Full of fear, a heart near failing,
Lips unclean, my sin assailing.
Held by Him, His hand all-caring.
Christ alone, my burden bearing.


Praying, praising, sight amazing,

At the throne, on Glory gazing.

He is God Alone.

Meek He stands, His blood atoning,
Ever praying, ever owning.
Lamb all pure, with wisdom holy,
He my Savior, always only.


Praying, praising, sight amazing,

At the throne, on Glory gazing.

He is God Alone.


By: STEVE HANKINS

based on the visions

of Isaiah and John








Thursday, October 19, 2006

Learn a lesson from Robby's Night



Robby's Night
True Story -- Worth Reading!!!

At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story. My name is
Mildred Hondorf. I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des
Moines, Iowa. I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano
lessons-something I've done for over 30 years.

Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical
ability. I've never had the pleasure of having a prodigy though I have
taught some talented students.

However I've also had my share of what I call "musically challenged"
pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his
mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I
prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which
I explained to Robby.

But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him
play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his
piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless
endeavor.

As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm
needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some
elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.

Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and
tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always
say, "My mom's going to hear me play someday." But it seemed hopeless
He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a
distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him
up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.

Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons.

I thought about calling him but assumed because of his lack of ability,
that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he
stopped coming He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!

Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the
upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me
if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for
current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not
qualify. He said that his mother had been sick and unable to take him
to piano lessons but he was still practicing. "Miss Hondorf I've just
got to play!" he insisted.

I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it
was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that
it would be all right. The night for the recital came. The high school
gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby
up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the
students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would
do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his
poor performance through my "curtain closer."

Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had been
practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were
wrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it.
"Why didn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why
didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special
night?"

Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he
announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was
not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys,
they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to
fortissimo. From allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart
demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by
people his age After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand
crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause.

Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in
joy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it? "
Through the microphone Robby explained: "Well Miss Hondorf . ..
remember I told you my Mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and
passed away this morning. And well, she was born deaf so tonight was
the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special."

There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from
Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care,
noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself
how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.

No, I've never had a prodigy but that night I became a prodigy. . . of
Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil For it is he that
taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in
yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know
why.

Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah
Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995. And now, a footnote
to the story.

So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a
choice: Do we act with compassion or do we pass up that opportunity and
leave the world a bit colder in the process?

Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from.
--Unknown

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Winter is almost here ! !



New Hat $2.99

New Mittens $4.99

New Winter Coat $24.99

Looking so cute in my new winter attire......Absolutely PRICELESS ! ! ! !

Monday, October 16, 2006

WHAT TOWN?

Two tourists were driving through Wisconsin. As they were approaching
Oconomowoc, they started arguing about the pronunciation of the town's name.

They argued back and forth until they stopped for lunch. As they stood at
the counter, one tourist asked the girl ready to take their order, "Before
we order, could you please settle an argument for us? Would you please
pronounce where we are...very slowly?"

The teen leaned over the counter and said, "Burrrrrr, gerrrrr, King."

Friday, October 13, 2006

Friday 13th

What's the maximum number of Friday the 13ths that can occur in any given
calendar year?
A. one
B. two
C. three
D. four

The answer appears near the bottom of the page.

* Is the fear of Friday the 13th based on the fear of the number thirteen
itself?

It is, yes. And when you think about it, 13 is when numbers reach a new
level when it comes to common items. There are 12 months in a year, 12
inches in a foot, 12 items in a dozen, 12 signs of the zodiac, and when we
learn our multiplication tables in school, they go all the way up to 12
times 12. While some think that Christianity deems the number unlucky,
researchers have determined that the modern-day fear of 13 is based on Norse
mythology. According to the story, 12 gods were dining at Valhalla when a
13th guest named Loki joined the party. Loki ended up causing the death of
Balder, the Norse god of light and joy. From that day forward, the legend
goes, the number 13 has been unlucky.

* Does Friday the 13th really have an impact on the U.S. economy?

More than you might expect, in fact. According to an ABC News report from
2005, businesses lose nearly one billion dollars every Friday the 13th,
owing to everything from people who stay home from work to those who won't
travel on the unlucky day. Some of this loss is due to lower volume on the
stock market, but investors shouldn't be frightened of Friday the 13th. A
study looking at stock prices over the last 50 years proved that the Dow
performs better on Friday the 13th than on other Fridays.

* Is there anyplace in the world where Friday the 13th is considered lucky?

There are a few places, in fact. In China and much of Asia, the date is
considered fortunate, or at the very least not unlucky. You'd have to go
down under to find the people who really think Friday the 13th is lucky,
however. In Australia, lottery agents report a brisk business every Friday
the 13th, selling 50 percent more tickets than average on that day.

Quiz Answer:
C. three. Every calendar year has at least one Friday the 13th, but no more
than three of them can occur in any year.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

I LOVE YOU T-SHIRT !!!

I NEED A SHIRT LIKE THIS...... I THINK IT IS SOoooooooo ME ! !

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

No. 4 Michigan will be without top receiver vs. Penn State

Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham will miss the fourth-ranked Wolverines' conference game at Penn State on Saturday after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday.

The Big Ten's leading receiver appeared to injure his knee in Michigan's 31-13 win over Michigan State last Saturday.

"We got great news as far the injury," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said during a conference call. "He'll miss this week, but we're very excited about the news we've received."

Carr did not describe the injury further, and refused to discuss a timetable for Manningham's return.

The sophomore wide receiver leads the Wolverines (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) and the conference with 527 yards and nine touchdowns.

With Manningham out, Carr said freshman Greg Mathews will be counted on to make plays, but he said it should not alter the team's overall offensive strategy.

"I don't think it's going to change what we do, because we do have a number of receivers who are very capable," Carr said, adding that Carl Tabb will also play a role.

The game will be the 12th meeting between the schools, with Michigan holding an 8-3 series advantage. The last time the Wolverines played at Beaver Stadium was five years ago in a game they won 20-0.

Carr is 7-2 lifetime against Penn State (4-2, 2-1).

30 ways to eat PUMPKIN

When trick-or-treaters hit the streets at the end of this month, they will be winked at and jeered by a nation of flickering Jack O'Lanterns. Already, buzz on "pumpkin carving" has spiked 130%, while searches on pumpkin stencils, patterns,and pictures have rustled upwards.

But there's another stage where autumn's thick-skinned fruit plays a more nourishing, if unsung, role—and that's at the kitchen table. Sure, everyone snacks on roasted pumpkin seeds and digs into pumpkin pie at this time of year. But when's the last time you sank your spoon into a finely wrought pumpkin Crème Brulee? Or woke to a steaming plate of pumpkin pancakes? Whether you have or haven't, we're sure you'll find something new to devour in this list of the top 30 pumpkin recipes, as cooked up by Search... If you want the recipe copy the pumpkin name you like and search in on www.yahoo.com or google.com.... Happy Halloween ! !

1. Pumpkin Recipes

2. Pumpkin Pie

3. Pumpkin Cookies

4. Pumpkin Bread

5. Pumpkin Soup

6. Pumpkin Seeds

7. Pumpkin Cheesecake

8. Pumpkin Muffins

9. Pumpkin Roll Recipe

10. Pumpkin Cake

11. Canned Pumpkin Recipes

12. Pumpkin Pancakes

13. Pumpkin Bars Recipe

14. Pumpkin Jam

15. Pumpkin Dip

16. Pumpkin Spice Cake

17. Pumpkin Butter Recipe

18. Pumpkin Spice Coffee

19. Pumpkin Ice Cream

20. Pumpkin Brownies

21. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll

22. Pumpkin Dump Cake

23. Pumpkin Ale

24. Pumpkin Desserts

25. Pumpkin Cupcakes

26. Pumpkin Crème Brulee

27. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

28. Pumpkin Ravioli Recipe

29. Pumpkin Fudge

30. Pumpkin Beer

Monday, October 09, 2006

Wolverine Conference Football 10/06/06 Picks

Well this past weekend 3 teams in the Wolverine Conferce Cliched a spot in the play-offs. Those teams are Comstock, Richland Gull Lake, and Three Rivers. Dowagiac should get their spot in the play-offs next week when the visit the Dawg Pound of Otsego and most likely leave there with a victory... Although this would be a great opportunity to shed a little bit of sunshine on Otsego winless season with a huge upset over Dowagiac. Next weeks game of the week with be Comstock (6-1)traveling down to Three Rivers (6-1). These two teams will be pairing off to maintain a share of the conference lead with Richland Gull Lake. I would love to say alumni Comstock Colts are going to pull off the victory but, I am going to reserve myself.... This will be "THE GAME" of the season. GO COLTS ! !

P.S. I missed one game this week in my predictions which happened to be the Richland Gull Lake vs Dowagiac Game.

ALLEGAN 27 vs otsego 7

paw paw 34 vs VICKSBURG 20

comstock 48 vs PLAINWELL 41

richland gull lake 28 vs DOWAGIAC 27 (1 OT)

three rivers 34 vs SOUTH HAVEN 28

Sunday, October 08, 2006

God's Loan


"I'll lend to you for a little time,
A child of mine," He said,
"For you to love the while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.

"It may be six or seven years
Or fifteen plus three,
But will you till I call him back,
Take care of him for me?

"He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And should his stay be brief,
You'll have these precious memories
As solace for your grief.

"I cannot promise he will stay
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.

"I've looked this world over,
In my search for teachers true.
In the crowds that throng life's land,
I have selected you.

"Now will you give him all your love
Not think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call
To take him back again?"

It seems to me I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done.
For all the joys a child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.

"We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.

"And should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand."

Mark 10:14 ......... Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Army Spc. Jonathan R. Kephart


Today, in my church the Bob Jones University drama team told me about Army Spc. Jonathan R. Kephart's story, and how he was so willing to die for his platoon just like Jesus was willing to die on the cross for our sins. My Grandfather, Uncle, Cousin, Friend and church member of mine have either served or are serving in the military right now. Some of these people are in Iraq for a 2nd time even as I sit here and write this blog entery. Hearing this story made me think about carrying on that tradition. Even though I didn't know him personally, I wish that I would have and also if I was able too, I wish that I could have been there right by his side fighting with him, so that America could keep her freedom. If I could describe him in one word, from what I know about him, I would say courageous or dedicated. Today we were challenged to be "COURAGEOUS" and not a "COWARD" in sharing the gospel with others around us. We live in a lost and dying world and there are people we walk next to on a daily basis that don't truley believe in Jesus and are about to spend eternity in a place called "HELL" ! ! ! These people could be your Family member, Neighbors, Co-Workers, Friends, ect....ect. Are you willing to be like Army Spc. Jonathan R. Kephart and be "COURAGOUS" and share the GOOD GOSPEL NEWS with these people. You may be the only hope to witness to this lost and dying world. If you don't witness then who will??? My personal thanks goes out to the Truth in Action Drama Team from BJU for sharing this wonderful story with me and my family. How guilty I can be for taking our countries freedom for granite from time to time. God Bless our Men and Woman who lay their lives on the line daily for our protection and freedom. May those Men and Woman who have fallen in Service ever be remembered. May God send a mighty revival to this United States of America Nation and teach us a valuable lesson " We can't make it with-out God Almighty" let's get back to our nations motto "IN GOD WE TRUST"!!

Michigan Wolverines Defeats Michigan State.


They call him "Super Mario " at the Big House in Ann Arbor but, his real name is Mario Manningham. By now opponents have to know that Michigans Chad Henne will attempt to throw the ball deep to Mario Manningham. Michigan State was just the latest victim as Michigan won with a score of 31-13 to win the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Manningham played a major role in the Michigan win with 3 receptions for 75 yards. He scored with a 41 yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter and a 27 yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Michigan remains undefeated with a 5-0 record and stands side by side with their biggiest rival Ohio State. Next week Michigan has a tough game as they have to travel down to "HAPPY VALLEY" and match up against Joe Paterno and his Penn State Nittnany Lions.

Saturday, October 07, 2006

BORDER PATROL ! ! !



Some people can get creative when trying to cross the border. Unfortunately for this guy he got caught.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Home Sweet Home

This are looking on the up and up for baby Cheyenne Caincross. The family were able to finally get approval to leave Duke University and travel back home to Greenbush, Michigan. The Family will be making trips to Ann Arbor twice a week to check Cheyenne's blood levels and they are also trying to get things set up to have the g-tube placed so she can get her proper nutrients. God has been so good in helping baby Cheyenne get healthier and have met many needs for the Caincross family. Please continue to pray for them as they still have a long road ahead of them. It has been a blessing to see the Faith that the Caincross family has shown. We serve such a great and mighty God who is the best Physician any man, woman, or child can have. If you have time please take a moment to send a word of encouragement to the Caincross Family. Even though they don't actually know you they still would love to know that you are thinking and praying for them. I will post their address below.

The Caincross Family
2460 S. State St.
Greenbush, MI 48738

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Wolverine Conference Football 9/29/06 Picks

Week six comes and week six goes in Wolverine Conference Highschool Football. I had 4 games picked correctly with my wrong prediction coming in the South Haven vs Comstock Game.This weeks big upset is with South Haven hosting Comstock Colts and sending the colts trotting back home with a sour taste in their mouth. Another big game was the nail-biter between Allegan and Richland Gull Lake going into 1 overtime with Richland Gull Lake sealing a close victory. There are 4 teams that have a potential with a sure bid to the play-offs considering they get one more win. Those teams are Richland Gull Lake, Three Rivers, Comstock , and Dowagiac. Stayed Tuned........

allegan 14 vs RICHLAND GULL LAKE 17

comstock 28 vs SOUTH HAVEN 31

dowagiac 34 vs PLAINWELL 0

OTSEGO 6 vs vicksburg 27

PAW PAW 7 vs three rivers 34

THE PAUL BUNYAN TROPHY
















The Paul Bunyan-Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the University of Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State University Spartans. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game.

The naming of the trophy after the mythical giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan reflects Michigan's history as a major lumber-producing state. The trophy was first presented in 1953 by then-governor G. Mennen Williams, and is a four-foot high wooden statue on a five-foot high base.

This rivalry runs deep in the heart of the people of Michigan because most people are a fan of one team or the other.

HISTORY


The University of Michigan has held the trophy since 2002. Most recently, the team retained it in an overtime 34-31 upset of #11-ranked Michigan State on October 1, 2005, in East Lansing.

The last Michigan State victory was in 2001 in Spartan Stadium, a game that has since been called Clockgate. The game ended on a controversial last-second play where Michigan State quarterback Jeff Smoker threw a touchdown pass to T.J. Duckett to win the game. The Wolverines had contended that the clock had run out of time before the last play of the game took place; video evidence of this is disputed. This led to a Big Ten rule change that control of the game clock would be held by a game official instead of a school representative.

Michigan leads the series with a record of 32-19-2 over the Spartans.

THIS SATURDAY OCTOBER 7TH, 2006 THESE TWO TEAMS WILL SQUARE OFF FOR THIS TROPHY ! !

Monday, October 02, 2006

Strongest Dad In The World (Inspiring True Story)

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay For their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.

But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back Mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. On a bike. Makes Taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?

And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick Was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him Brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.

"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him And his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an Institution.''

But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes Followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the Engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was Anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''

"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a Lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed Him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his Head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the School organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want To do that.''

Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran More than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he Tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore For two weeks.''

That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, It felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''

And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly Shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a Single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few Years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then They found a way to get into the race Officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the Qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''

How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he Was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick Tried.

Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud Getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you Think?

Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with A cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best Time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world Record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to Be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the Time.

``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a Mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries Was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' One doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.

``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''

And the video is below....

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Story of "THE LITTLE BROWN JUG"


The Little Brown Jug is a traveling trophy passed between the football teams of the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers and the University of Michigan's Wolverines. It was created after the two teams met up on October 31, 1903. The earthenware jug, originally used by Michigan coach Fielding Yost, is painted with the victories of each team. The name most likely originates in the 1869 song of the same name by Joseph Winner.

After Yost took over coaching the Wolverines in 1901, the team went on to win 28 straight games. In the meantime, Minnesota assembled one of the best teams in school history, so Gopher fans were excited about possibly ending the Wolverines' streak.

As Yost and the team came into Minneapolis, student manager Thomas B. Roberts was told to purchase something to carry water. Yost was somewhat concerned that Gopher fans might contaminate his water supply. Roberts purchased a five-gallon jug for 30¢ from a local variety store.

20,000 fans watched the matchup between the two teams in an overflowing Northrop Field. Minnesota held the fabled "point-a-minute" squad to just one touchdown, but hadn't yet managed to score a touchdown of their own. Finally, late in the second half, the Gophers reached the endzone to tie the game at 6–6. As clouds from an impending snowstorm hung overhead, pandemonium struck when Minnesota fans stormed the field in celebration. Eventually the game had to be called with two minutes remaining. The Wolverines walked off the field, leaving the jug behind.

The next day, custodian Oscar Munson brought the jug to L.J. Cooke, head of the Minnesota athletics department, and declared in a thick Scandinavian accent: "Jost left his yug." Exactly how Munson came to possess the jug is a bit of a mystery. Some accounts say that Munson purposely stole the jug in the chaos that ended the game, although most believe it was accidentally left behind. Thomas Roberts, writing in 1956, stated that the jug had served its purpose, so he intentionally left it sitting on the field.

Still, Cooke and Munson were excited to have this little bit of memorabilia, proceeding to paint it brown (it had originally been putty-colored) and commemorate the day by writing "Michigan Jug – Captured by Oscar, October 31, 1903" on the side along with the score "Michigan 6, Minnesota 6". Of course, in the spirit of the moment, Minnesota's score was written many times larger than that of Michigan.

Later, Yost wanted the jug back, and sent a letter asking it to be returned. Cooke wrote in response: "We have your little brown jug; if you want it, you’ll have to win it." Michigan did exactly that when the teams met up again in 1909, and repeated the performance in 1910. Minnesota and Michigan met up again in 1919 after Michigan rejoined the Big Ten Conference, marking the first year that Minnesota won the Jug outright.

Michigan has mostly dominated the series, particularly in the last four decades where Minnesota has only briefly held the Jug. On October 8, 2005, Minnesota claimed the Jug for the first time since 1986, defeating Michigan 23-20 in a matchup in Ann Arbor, Michigan. However, the Wolverines grabbed the trophy right back the next year on September 30, with a 28-14 victory in Minneapolis.

There is a restaurant and sports bar called The Brown Jug on South University Avenue in Ann Arbor, near the southeast corner of the Diag, popular with Michigan students and football fans.

Michigan Wins ! ! !

{From left, U-M's Brandon Graham, Brandon Minor and Adam Patterson celebrate with the Little Brown Jug, the first time the freshmen held the trophy, after their win.}

There was no mad dash, nothing of the sort for the University of Michigan football team.

When the battle for the Little Brown Jug ended, the Wolverines locked arms, then walked across the field to take possession of the old trophy they consider their own.

As the jug sat alone on a folding table on the Minnesota sideline, the Michigan players approached respectfully before senior defensive end LaMarr Woodley finally grabbed the trophy, holding it up as the team and their small contingent of fans in the Metrodome celebrated. Calmly.

"The bottom line is we lost the jug, and we got our jug back,'' Michigan senior offensive tackle Reuben Riley said.

No. 6 Michigan (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) took back its prize after a year's absence by picking apart the Minnesota defense, then withstanding some tense moments late. But the final score, 28-14, kept the Wolverines unbeaten as they avenged the third loss from last year in as many weeks.

MAKING NEW FRIENDS

Yesterday Sat Sept. 30th,2006 Bryce and I took a Father/Son trip to Flushing, MI to the 15th annual Harvest Fest. This is an event where thousands of youth gather together for a time of games, music, food, and as always a dynamic speaker Evangelist Tom Farrell. Even though the weather was mostly wet and dreary we still had a wonderful time. Bryce made a new friend with a boy name Kendell (sp?) who is only 2 months older than Bryce. These 2 boys really hit it off with each other and I think made what could be a lasting relationship. We are already trying to make time for them to get together again seeing how his new friend only lives in Climax-Scotts.

Bryce and I had a good day together. We played many different carnival type games in which he states the game with the dart gun was his favorite. He drove hi-tech radio controlled cars and loved swinging on the rope. He especially had fun chasing after these plastic balls that were dropped by the hundreds from the sky from an airplane that flew by. If you captured one of these balls you could cash them in for nothing other than a kids favorite...... CANDY. I caught one in mid-air for him and he was so delighted seeing how he got trappled by the crowd trying to retrieve some of the balls. He took it well and brushed himself off and tried again. This was just some great fun just spending time with my little guy. I consider myself the LUCKIEST GUY in the world to have such a wonderful son. "I LOVE YOU BRYCE JOHN COOPER!"