Player's for Peace

There are no more surprises to be had at the USOPEN. Once you have made it past the first and second round you have done super well. Especially without Rafa on the mens' side. Rafa losing would be the only surprise until the final. Rafa is not there to lose anything. I wonder what Rafa is doing? Anything could happen on the ladies side if Serena does not win. That is nothing new. Roger Federer losing would bit be surprising. Roger winning would not be surprising either. Same with Nole. I hope someone like Tsonga or Berdych can step up and get their slam. And then there is always Stan :) This Slam is a nice big dog fight on the men's side. The flesh colored dresses that all the Adidas ladies are wearing are kind of Blah. But if you think about those ladies battling it out flesh colored is appropriate. Not a great fashion statement but those ladies are putting their flesh out there as athletes. It would be nice if it was an anti fashion statement.

I watch tennis year round. I just started this pass time in the last 9 years or so. I've noticed it before. The USOPEN is a crucible like no other grand slam. American perspective of sports is the only perspective that I have. Being a Lompoc girl football, baseball, high school sports...that's always been the perspective I've had of sport. There aren't many American voices year round in tennis sports casting. The voice of football calling tennis all over the place in New York for two weeks is super different. The year round voices are Brits, South African, Aussies and maybe one American occasionally. I hardly ever hear references to baseball. There are 4 grand slams. Depending on their ranking and the quality of tournaments a player would qualify and how deep they go into a tournament ATP players compete on average in about 20 to 30 tournaments a 11 month season. I doubt it if many of these American broadcasters know that.

2/7/2017 I'm starving...too early for ribs and wings...and not the best day to barbque

Healthy Breakfast Cookie Submitted by: COFFEEBEANS Introduction Don't run out the door without breakfast! Grab a portable, delcious, and nutritious breakfast cookie. Number of Servings: 30 Ingredients 2 large eggs, beaten 1/2 cup of honey 1/4 cup of butter 1 cup grated carrots 1/2 cup raisins 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup rolled oats 1 tsp Nutmeg 1 tsp Cinnamon 1 and 1/2 cups Cheerios Directions Combine egg, honey, and butter. Add raisins, walnuts and apricots. Stir to combine. In a separate bowl combine flour, oats, nutmeg and cinnamon. Add this to wet mixture and stir until everything is wet. Fold in Cheerios. Drop mixture onto cookie sheets about 2.5 cm apart and bake at 350 for 15 minuts or until cookie is firm.

My entry for Racquet Bracket :: US Open WTA

My entry for Racquet Bracket :: US Open ATP

Watching Venus Williams play her last two matches made me very emotional. I am overwhelmed with joy. Seeing so many tennis players struggling with the exhausting game and elite competition is an entertaining aspect of the professional game...it is what sets it apart from the recreational level of play. Believe me I have played through injury and illness with my regular weekly play with my ladies group. I have watched Venus beat Carla Suarez Navarro and Serena this week. I'm weeping like a baby. I've watched her struggle through losing to new girls that are nearly a decade younger than her the past 2 years. She is so strong and complete. She is playing like she's going to be number one again if she can manage her health and body in the joy of the sport and profession that she embodies. It is stunning, and gives me hope an just seeing her fitness is extraordinary. It makes me appreciate vitality in myself and everyone else. Aga, Aga, Aga....how in the hell!!???!!

The first time I saw Milos Raonic he immediately reminded me of my friend Bradford. Brad is 6'5 and super fit...he also wears a lot of designer clothes and has a really famous sister. When I was taking pictures of Milos he was one of the players who actually took notice and posed a bit. I knew he was going to be a star and since then following him on Facebook has been exciting. Feliciano Lopez is one of my favorite players because when I was volunteering at UCLA for the first time in 2010 I kept crossing his path and then followed him to take photos. If Feli knew I was there I don't know it. Feliciano Lopez is one of the most gorgeous tennis players ever, but that doesn't make his game any less fierce. It's fun to see Milos and Feli playing RIGHT NOW in Toronto from my beloved couch.

I knew today was going to be a special day for tennis because it is Roger Federer's birthday, and he is playing David Ferrer...That is the night match...HOURS FROM NOW. I've already watched the Williams sister's matches and Sharapova's main squeeze is in the middle of a battle which could make Roger's match end tomorrow, after midnight!!! So I'm a little excited. I don't think I'm the only one. Venus Williams is into the semi final. From what I've heard in the ESPN3/WTA broadcast she hasn't played this tournament before. She's playing like she is new to the game. Her loss of the first set was largely due to her appreciation of Carla Suarez Navarro's back hand. Carla was hitting it like no one else and she had Venus playing her game trying to imitate her incredible slice backhand...word to Venus...you have a two handed backhand!! Venus woke up and started to play her own game again. Grace, power, strategy. Excitement!

A tribute (from Latin tributum, contribution) is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. (copied from Wikipedia) If you feel so inclined...mama needs a new yacht...$1 suggested donations...no paypal account necessary. Thank you.

Nuthin says it's summer like the Dead Live :)

Thanks for sharing #Dewdrop157

#Tutu