Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Feed Me, Please


"I'm cold and hungry," says the little Tufted Titmouse.





"Me too," says the male Cardinal.





"How 'bout me?" says the little deer (who almost came to our back deck).





"I'm looking for something to eat also," says the little Mourning Dove.


All four of these beautiful creatures struggle to live during the cold winters. I try to help them the best I can. Yesterday besides all of our backyard birds, George and I saw TEN deer in our yard... I will post more pictures of the deer (and of our birds) on another post.

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To be honest, I just couldn't get 'into' my post for today. I started not to say anything because I feel a little 'silly' to be upset over something like this.. But---I AM upset, so I am going to share it since all of us have things in life which we enjoy and are passionate about---even though those things may be very different for each of us.

As most of you know, I am a HUGE fan of University of Tennessee sports. (Why??? I don't know sometimes. ha) BUT---I sat in total disbelief last night after hearing that UT is losing its new coach, Lane Kiffin, after being here for only ONE season. Kiffin has chosen to go to California to be the head coach at USC.

So many emotions and feelings went through me during the course of the evening... I cried; I was angry; I was stunned; I was shocked; I just SAT and kept thinking that this couldn't be happening. He just got here. He was building a program. We had almost signed a good group of new recruits (signing day is in Feb) --who now will probably go elsewhere (and maybe even follow Kiffin to CA). AND---not only is Kiffin leaving; he is taking at least 2 other assistant coaches with him, leaving UT with almost NOTHING.

I have SO many questions (which made me think of other things besides sports):
-Is there no LOYALTY left in this country---not just sports, but ANYWHERE?
-Is everything about SELFISHNESS and GREED??? Is that what we have become here in the good ole' USA?
-Is it always just about the MONEY and PRESTIGE?
-Are there any good ROLE MODELS left out there for our young people to follow?
-Did Lane Kiffin think --even for a minute--how his choices were going to effect the young players he has been working with this past year, and to the new recruits coming in????
-Did Lane Kiffin care one single bit that he is leaving UT totally 'high and dry' at the worst possible time? Obviously not!

Well---you might say that this is JUST SPORTS and it doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things. And you are probably correct. HOWEVER---this kind of crap is going on in many other aspects of life these days, and sometimes, it's just DARN UPSETTING---even to a usually POSITIVE person like me.

I try to see the good in everything ---and know that, in the end, this TOO will work out for the best for everyone, including UT. I now know that UT doesn't need a man with no character leading any of our young people anywhere. BUT--- I will admit that this entire incident has made me very very sad.

Sorry about the 'down' post. I'll perk up ---and take some more birdie and deer (maybe--if they come back) pictures tomorrow. I'll keep telling myself that this is what is truly important, and that everything will work out for the BEST.

Hugs,