The Cat and the Garage

Yesterday I backed out of the garage and pushed the button to the automatic garage door opener. The light flashed on and off and the door stood wiggling in suspension. I looked down and saw a neighborhood cat in the garage and then, apparently scared of the racket, rushed out. The door finally came down and we left to eat. The cat had obviously run in to get warm. I felt sorry for it - it had bad pet parents. The weather was too cold to have an animal outside. Poor thing was just trying to find shelter. If you have a pet, you have to take care of it, or don't have a pet at all. I have two cats and they never go outside. They eat the finest food and have lots of toys. The girl, Fluffy Buddy, is 14 and the boy, TriPaw, is 11. Both were discarded by others. He was hurt when and got him and he has three legs. She never adapted to other people and runs and hides at the doorbell. Both have long hair. They really appreciate being saved and are great pets. Instead of buying a fancy cat with papers, go to the shelter and get a stray. Don't forget to spay and neuter. You'll have a wonderful pet for years to come.

Figure Skating

I watched the ladies figure skating championship yesterday for the first time in years. That Rachel Flat is someone to watch. She's only 14 and can really jump. She placed fifth and can be a star later, I think.

I knew Michelle Kwan was out this year - hip surgery. I was surprised about Sasha Cowen though - she didn't compete. She was last year's US ladies champion. Congrats to Kimmie. What an animated and athletic long program. Well deserved win.

Bill Parcells' Retirement

Bill Parcells announced his retirement. He's a Hall of Famer for sure.

What a mess for Dallas. Who's going to come in there with T.O.? Parcells made Romo. What'll happen to him now?

AFC & NFC Championship Games

Wow, what a comeback! Peyton's erased all doubts about coming back in a big game. That must have been the best playoff game I've ever seen. I think the Colts can go all the way.

Congrats to the Bears. I didn't think they'd blow out the Saints like that. They'll need their A game in the Super Bowl to have a chance.

American Idol's at it again

I watched some of American Idol last night. The show shows how desperate people are in this country. It's obvious most of those people had no talent, yet they tried out, some even losing their jobs. Why? Because it's their only shot at making any real money. You see, the unions are declining and they paid living wages to the average American. An example would be working in the labor gang at a steel mill. Back in the day, a guy could get out of high school, get on at the mill, and support his family on just one income. Now he's working for less than half that amount, taking account for inflation, with much less vacation.

The guy who taught singing should be unemployed soon. Let that be a lesson to any others. He was totally trashed last night, with the judges saying the students should get their money back. I bet he signed a document before auditioning saying he wouldn't sue. The girl superfan didn't fare any better. The music program she attended should fold too.

American Idol is great entertainment. A lot of people, I believe, love to see others humiliated and worse off than they are - makes them feel better about themselves. Hopefully they'll learn from what they see.

Emmons Jr. Fire

Please keep the survivors and the family of the nine victims in your prayers. For those of you who don't know, the Emmons Jr appartment building in Huntington, WV caught fire late Saturday, January 13, 2007. Nine people died, including three siblings and a seven year old child. You can send a check to the Red Cross and send it to Diaster Relief Fund, P. O. Box 467, Huntington, WV 25709.

NFL Divisional Playoffs

The Colts have come to play this year. The defense has really manned up. But can Peyton Manning overcome the Patriots and go to the Super Bowl. I think the Colts have a shot. Manning is no longer trying to win it all by himself; the Colts are playing as a team right now whereas the Patriots depend on Tom Brady. That will be the difference maker. For me, the game is too close to call. If the Colts can stop Brady, they're in. If not, the Patriots get another Super Bowl ring because the AFC is a much stronger conference than the NFC.

The Seahawks played better than I thought, but in the end the Bears was the better team. The Saints, the new America's team in my book, beat the Eagles, surprising me. I think the Saints can go to the Super Bowl. The Bears will have to bring their A game to win, even at home.

Vote for Me at Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll

The Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll is open until January 14, 2007. I've been nominated for an award in several categories, including poet, author, poem, horror short story, science fiction short story, romantic short story, editor, and nonfiction article. Please vote for me at http://www.critters.org/predpoll

NFL Wildcard Weekend

What a change from last year! All the higher seeds won. No Cinderellas this year.

In championship football for-real teams step up to the plate like the Colts did Saturday. If their defense can keep playing like that, they could finally go to the Super Bowl.

I was shocked at how the Cowboys collapsed. The game was there for the taking. I'll go out on a limb and say the Seahawks have no shot next week to win - too many injuries.

Congrats to Chad Pennington for a great season. I noticed Sims and Nance didn't trash him for most of the game. What professionals! Chad needs more talent around him. If he were the Giants' quarterback, they'd be going to the Super Bowl.

Short Story Published in DemonMinds

My short story "A White Christmas" is up at DemonMinds. You can read it at http://www.demonminds.com/tales/a_white_christmas.html. Be warned. It's an R-rated tale for violence.

Poems in Champagne Shivers and Appalling Limericks

My poem "Burning Mad" is in the 2007 issue of Champagne Shivers. Also my poem "How a Pixie Lost her Boyfriend" is in the anthology Appalling Limericks where I was the associate editor. I worked with the great guys Scott Virtes (lead editor) and Ed Cox. You can buy both at The Genre Mall, http://www.genremall.com.

NFL Week 17

My condolences to the Denver Broncos. Not only were they knocked out of the playoffs yesterday, but their CB Darrent Williams was killed in a driveby shooting today. That game against the Niners was by far the best game yesterday. The Niners look good going into the off season.

I think that was Brett Favre's last game yesterday, what with the tearful goodbyes and the team photos. What a great player! He's the epitome of what an NFL quarterback should be. I wish him and his family the best of luck, regardless of what Favre decides to do in the coming weeks. Remember, he hasn't said he's gone yet.

The Cowboys have melted down faster than the snow in Denver. There's no excuse for a playoff team to lose to a 2-13 in the last game of the season and having played all their starters. I predict they'll be out after the wildcard game next week. Ditto for the Giants. There's only so many miracles in Tiki.