The Great American Race

Every year from the end of January and to the middle of February the eyes of the racing world turn toward Daytona Beach, Florida and the beginning of the NASCAR racing season. This year will be the 52nd running of the Daytona 500 also called the Great American Race; you never know what will happen at NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race of the year. In 2008 the 50th anniversary race was quite exciting; there were 42 lead changes among 16 drives which was the second highest in NASCAR history; when all the exhausted had settled the winner was Ryan Newman who made a last-lap pass on Tony Stewart to win his first ever Daytona 500. In 2009 at its 51st annual running Matt Kenseth won the race which ended up being called off with 48 laps to go when a severe rainstorm hit the track. Don’t miss the action this year.



The fans here are hardcore, people party in the infield for days before and after this event. The Daytona 500 is at the end of Speed Weeks, two full weeks of racing at the Daytona International Speedway. These weeks are full of races, events and chances for fans to meet and get pictures of and with their favorite drivers. If you’d like to be there in person to catch all the action, which most race fans will tell you is the only way to experience it, be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible because the Daytona 500 is the most coveted ticket in motorsports and has been a sell out since the race was first run in 1959.

The Reason for the Season

I am so distressed by the homogenization of our society. We’ve become so afraid of offending anybody and being ‘politically correct’ that we are letting our traditions fall by the way side. We’ve given up what we value in the name of ‘getting along’ and I think it’s no more apparent than at this time of year. It’s awful that you get a look if you wish someone a Merry Christmas, or told “Oh you shouldn’t say that.” Well why not? If that’s your tradition and if that’s what you mean. If you’re Jewish, wish them a Happy Hanukkah, if you’re African American then Happy Kwanza.



The point is to do what YOUR tradition dictates, celebrate your reason for the season. We as a society shouldn’t accept someone telling us what is allowable when it comes to our traditions and values. We all talk about peace on earth this time of year, well doesn’t peace on earth start with accepting people for who and what they are instead if trying to make us all the same? We weren’t all made the same for a reason and I think true peace can only be achieved when we not only accept that fact about each other but learn to embrace it. So as a Protestant, Christian I will be celebrating the birth of Christ,therefore allow me to wish you a VERY Merry Christmas and the most prosperous New Year.

Giving Thanks

I don’t know how you all celebrate Thanksgiving but one thing we always did was gather as a family for a huge meal. When we were all seated before the feast we’d go around the table and each of us would say something we were thankful for in the past year. I know in these uncertain times we have more than enough to worry about but this is the time a year to take a break, if only for a day, to count our blessings so allow me to share a few with you. I’m thankful, first and foremost for my family. I have a wonderful spouse, stepdaughter, stepson and son-in-law; my Dad, Mom, sisters and their families are all amazing and I have wonderful in laws. A have a few good friends who are very dear to me, I have my health, a comfortable life and feel truly blessed. So at this time of year I’d just like to say thank you to God and all the amazing people in my life. You know who you are; I could never have gotten this far without you. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

My Idealized Winter Wonderland

As we head into this winter I must admit that I have very romanticized images in my head of sleigh rides and snow covered fields, snowball fights and sliding down hills on cardboard or a lid of some sort. Then trudging through the snow to a little log cabin where there is hot apple cider and a roaring fire to warm one up after a day of frosty fun, can you tell I live in Florida? Now I’ve lived where it snows before, I spent my younger years in North Carolina, so I know that’s not a realistic picture of what really goes on, especially if you have to drive anywhere in it but you can’t say that most people who live where it’s warm don’t daydream a similar scene.



I think I got my idealized perfect winter scene innocently enough as a child plying with Lincoln Logs, do you remember those? Christmas time would come and you’d see that big box with your name on it, when you shook it you heard it rattle and just prayed it was Lincoln Logs. Then the day came and there they were, while other kids enjoyed their Tinker Toys and Erector Sets I spent hours and hours interlocking these wonderful logs to build the perfect winter place. Apparently I’m not the only one to have had this fond experience in my childhood because if you look them up you’d be amazed at how many companies are called Lincoln Log Cabin builders.

The Forrest Gump Bench in Savannah

When I was in my early teens we lived in Atlanta, Georgia for a while and I really loved it. I Ioved that city but even more I loved the state of Georgia, the summers are relatively mild and the winters aren’t bad either, the seasons change just enough to know the difference. I’ve always thought though, if I ever moved back to Georgia I’d like to live in Savannah.



One of the many draws to Savannah is the history there. I love the old Civil War era and no where it is felt more than in Savannah from all the museums to all the old antebellum homes, to the tree lined streets and many parks. One of the most famous parks in the city is Chippewa Square, this is the place where the bench that Forrest Gump sat on in the movie is located. When you think of Savannah you can’t help but think of that movie, it’s a classic and so is Savannah. If you ever get the chance to visit, do. Savannah is graceful and genteel, beautiful and fun, historic and modern all at the same time.