Happy Birthday Babs! You are on of the most remarkable people I have ever been honored to “meet”. Your compassion is unbelievable and the support you provide others is a gift beyond compare. You are carrying out your purpose…
We are having a chat birthday party for Bab’s today at The Tower. Come wish her Happy Birthday and all of us a Happy New Year. If you havn’t gained admission yet there are a lot of moderators that can approve you very quickly. You can sign her birthday card that Denise made… here. If you have tender eyes DO NOT GO. You will be blind…or grow hair on your hands or something like that.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
She is probably snoozing since we were in there half the night entertaining each other! What Fun….I was laughing so hard half the time I had tears rolling.
SOONER! SOONER? Where are ya Buddy?
Recent Comments
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Happy Birthday to Babs!
Om Malik on Broadband : � Wholesale Blog Plagiarism � Alert
Om Malik on Broadband : Wholesale Blog Plagiarism !! Alert
This is an awesome article about sploggers and scrapers. In fact, it is an article which specifically is about the aforementioned Blog “aggregator”.
Thanks To Marc at Full Throttle again! He wrote a lovely and informative post today about Snakes in the Grass. Check it out!
Aggregate this…NOT.
I am going to share a little about what has been going on in my small little blog life.
Why has the posting at the Church of the Great Oval slowed down?
Someone
http://nascar.xb90.com/
has taken the liberty to “aggregate”
my blog and…
Backstretch Motorsports
Full Throttle
Dustin Marson’s NASCAR Blog
NASCAR Napper
and a couple other’s.
Our entire blogposts lately and then show us as “contributers.” The site looks as if it is ours. Like a regular blog host with comments and everything. There are links by my name and blog and the bottom of the post that direct right back to this John Ross’s site. Under the list of contributors My Blog DOES link to here. This is very decieving. It actually looks like I and several other NASCAR bloggers have come together and are publishing this site. NOT ACCEPTABLE.
This was called to my attention by Full Throttle’s Marc Boland. ( Check out his site by the way…it is awesome). Thanks so much Marc. I recieved the email that I was replying to after the fuss had begun. We have been trying to trace this guy down for days.
I am posting the notice that I sent to see if anything is removed or not. If they have not removed the aggregation it will show on their sight. Stealing from a Church…how low can you go… Instant Karma gonna get you….
From: Church of the Great Oval churchofthegreatoval@yahoo.com… Flag Message Mark Unread
To: “john.ross@xb90.com” john.ross@xb90.com>
Cc: abuse@worldispnetwork.com
Subject: Re: XB90 has syndicated your blog – please reply (REMOVE http:churchofthegreatoval.blogspot.com
Date: Dec 29, 2005 9:09 PM
The purpose of Aggregation is not stealing entire blogs and adding them to your site as if we were contributers. Your site gives the impression that we are all collaborating and part of your website. I have never heard of you nor given permission to place my blog into your so called news and information portal. At the bottom of your site you state you are a Blogger’s Network.This is not acceptable. The links to the post route back around to you unless you click in three different places,. You are allowing comments at the end of each post as if they were commenting on my actual blog. It looks as if that is my blog. That is NOT link sharing. Had you posted the title and a leadline which would take visitors to my site , that may have been different. You have point blank stolen my entire blog. There is no benefit to anyone but you as far as I can see. I believe you may be attempting to create content with the sole intent of making money off my and my fellow NASCAR bloggers creativity, which does cross the line. I too am a member of EFF. You are a blatant misrepresentation of what they are all about.I am filing a compaint of abuse to your server through email, mail and fax. I DEMAND that you remove any and all of my posts, my name and any link to my site from your website as soon as you recieve this as you have stated you will. I will be watching to make sure it is done and that you do no harm to others.Clance’ McClannahan
—–Original Message—– From: “john.ross@xb90.com” Sent: Dec 29, 2005 9:10 AM To: churchofthegreatoval@yahoo.com
Subject: XB90 has syndicated your blog – please reply
This is an important email and not spam – please read and reply this email concerns your blog RSS syndication.
Hello,
Of all the blogs and content available today, you offer your readers excellent well written articles that stand above the others.
http://churchofthegreatoval.blogspot.com/
My name is John Ross and I am the editor of XB90 a news and information portal. We recently added your RSS feed to our XB90 site
http://nascar.xb90.com/
In doing so we have recently started to syndicate your RSS feed with link backs to your site. An issue has just been brought to my attention, for some reason we added your site without your approval. Although we attribute all posting back to the original site and use the Fair Use doctrine of the copyright act, I wanted to bring this to your attention and get your approval to syndicate your content and include it in our aggregation site.
A high quality blogger like yourself deserves the promotion and recognition. With XB90 now syndicating you, we are now spreading the word about your great content. You will benefit with increased traffic and readers. With the vast number of blogs and websites it is difficult for people to find great content, your site/blog is well written and you are offering the reader articles that are in our opinion some of the best available on the topic.
We very clearly linked back to your article and display your name as well. Our attribution reads Thanks “Author” from “Your Blog Site”. We do not make any changes to your posts, we simply publish your RSS feeds as it provided by you from your blog. In addition we add your site/blog under the heading Contributors with a link back to you.
As a webmaster/blogmaster you no doubt know the importance of linking. The more sites that link to you, the more the search engines consider your site a quality reference. XB90 sincerely hopes that the links back to your blog post will increase your search engine traffic and site popularity. If you want, please feel free to add us to your blog roll. Linking back to us will help in making your content, and the your site more popular with the search engines and sites like Technoratti and others.
I need to hear back from you if you approve of our aggregation of your content or you wish us to remove your RSS from our site.
Just reply to this email with your url in the subject line and say approve or remove and we will comply promptly with your request. We feel you will benefit from additional traffic and recognition by inclusion in XB90, BUT if we do not hear from you in the next 7 days, we will stop aggregating your RSS feed in XB90.
Your content is excellent and we sincerely hope that you will continue your active blogging with its great articles. More people need to know about you and your information – XB90 syndication will help your sit increase in popularity.
Many Thanks and may you and your family have a healthy and prosperous New Year.
John Ross
XB90 Editor
IMPORTANT:
This email is considered private and confidential. This email and its contents my not be published, posted or forwarded to an other individual.
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this email in error and that any dissemination, distribution, copying or use is strictly prohibited.
If you have received this email in error please notify the sender and then delete the message and any attachments from your computer.
This email has been scanned for all known viruses by the Blackspider Mailcontrol System, while the sender has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise risk, we cannot accept liability for any damage which you sustain as a result of software viruses. You should carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachments to this e-mail.
The Church of the Great Oval
http://churchofthegreatoval.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChurchoftheGreatOval
ChurchoftheGreatOval@yahoogroups.com
WE SHALL SEE…
The Dakar Rally
I am brain dead. It has been raining and grey for a week.. like a plant, starving for light and blue skies. The second it happens, I perk right up. I could never live in Alaska in the winter. There is supposed to be a small amount of sky tomorrow, before the next Gray Matter begins again and ends in another week. Ugh.
I am excited about The Dakar Rally which starts on Dec 31. Go Robby Gordon!! 
Scrutineering began today. You can go to The Dakar Spot and Robby’s Team Dakar USA to catch up on the events of the pre race. You can also sign up for daily updates from Team Dakar USA.
If you are not familiar with Dakar….well, let me tell you this. You think Robby Gordon has guts in the NASCAR races? Baja? This is not a race for the faint of heart. 
Th
e Dakar Rally is the World’s longest, most challenging and most grueling race on the Planet Earth. The 1,500 mile trek begins in Portugal, crosses through Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Guinea before ending in Dakar. Long, crazy, no maps, figure it out on your own and if you get lost, oh well…May the best Navigator win. 
Th
ere were some safety changes made this year after the deaths of 2 drivers last year. Speeds are limited, the amount of gasoline or fuel carried has been changed. The race itself has returned to it’s roots again. The amateur’s have a chance to compete again on a fair playing field. It will will be interesting to see how many actually finish this year. 60%? 25%? 50%? Hmmm.
Another great site to learn more about Dakar is Eurosport.com.
I’ll be keeping you posted.
Here are some of my badly scanned pictures of Robby that the #1 Fan of the #88 car took of Robby when he was at Fontana.
Christmas Together
For all of us that are spending Christmas alone…
I have a yahoo group site that is by invitation only that I have dedicated to be used for our own little Christmas party.
It has built in chat and a place for just posts.
If you would like to join us, click on my email and I will send you and invite.
Don’t be shy….we are all here for each other. I would send the email straight out to you already if I had all your email addresses!
Let’s have fun with this! Or not….cry if you need to…just come.
If anyone has any other ideas let me know or you can go straight to the site for admit :
Here in the Ivory Tower.
Another Letter from the Universe…
There comes a time in the evolution of every spiritual being, along that sometimes dark road that leads to enlightenment, when their inner yearnings, struggles and frustrations bring them to a truth that could not have otherwise been achieved. And so, beloved, I come this holy day with such a truth, though it may hurt eyes that have been shut too long.
Reaching this milestone was inevitable, for the light that will dawn hereafter is not only what you have summoned, but what all now seek. And with your blessing and recognition it will bathe those who follow in your footsteps and the burden they bear shall be lessened.
If it’s not yet obvious to you, the real reason for this season is You. A more perfect child of the Universe has never lived. Until now, only a celebration cloaked in myth and mystery could hint at your sublime heritage and divine destiny. You are life’s prayer of becoming, and its answer. The first light at the dawn of eternity, drawn from the ether, so that the Universe might know its depths, discover its heights, and frolic in endless seas of blessed emotion.
A pioneer into illusion, an adventurer into the unknown, and a lifter of veils. Courageous, heroic and exalted by billions in the unseen.
To give beyond reason. To care beyond hope. To love without limit. To reach, stretch, and dream in spite of your fears. These are the hallmarks of divinity – traits of the immortal – your badges of honor, and your ticket home.
This is the time of year we celebrate who you are.
Merry Christmas, a few days early – The Universe
Yeah, I said the same thing last year, but more people are listening now, and still, a more perfect child than you has yet to be born. Unless I missed someone…
"Life has its own hidden forces which you can only…
“Life has its own hidden forces which you can only discover by living.” ~ Soren Kierkegaard
I love this quote. I think it offers a profound piece of wisdom.
I’m not sure I can improve on Kierkegaard, other than to offer that life, lived well, is truly an action adventure—with lots of ups and downs.
It’s scary.
It’s fun.
It’s exhilarating.
It’s supposed to be a challenge.
Live the beauty of your dreams.
Become the miracle of personal metamorphosis.
Please don’t let another year roll by without thinking about how your life impacts others… and what you can do in the coming year to discover life by living it to the fullest.
Promise yourself that next year, no matter what…
I Will Live My Dream…
For me, my friends, family and community:
“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such. ” ~ Henry Miller
The Miracles of The Season are upon us.
No question, life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. But it can get better.
Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God. ** A Course in Miracles
You can become All that You Dream.
Prepare yourself for the Miracles that surround You.
Let miracles find you.
Join the adventure. Create Miracles in your life.
Get on the bus…once you get on you’ll never want to get off…
Think Good Thoughts… because Thoughts become Things.
Go On a Quest…Tally HO!!
THE LAW OF ONE
We are all one.
When one is harmed, all are harmed.
When one is helped, all are healed.
Therefore, in the name of who I AM,
and I am one with all;
I ask that ONLY THAT WHICH IS THE HIGHEST GOOD OF ALL CONCERNED happen here and now, and through all time and space.
I give thanks that this is done.
How can Thy Will not be done?
Blessed be…
From ME
Just Pathetic….
Ok…I must be sick…in the head. The Boise Inversion has gotton to me. I NEED professional help, I think. Oh yeah…I am a Professional. Maybe I need to create a Hypnotic script for NASCAR Fans who have a hard time coping with Real Life during off season….or we can dedicate Bab’s Asylum to NASCAR Fans only during certain months… I know it’s Christmas… I heard about it somewhere… I got an email from my kid asking if the Church of the Great Oval Mascot “Brenda the Mer-baby had kidnapped her Mother”, and if she had she wasn’t paying any ransom money…she knows the money would just go to Brenda the Mer-baby’s Mother, “Brenda the Alien”.
Brenda the Alien is an entity that occasionally takes over my body if I partake in certain beverages like Yukon Jack or Southern Comfort. When she has taken my body and mind over, I have to wear a sack over my head for weeks lest someone recognizes me as her. She can get me in a lot of trouble. 
In fact I think she may be writing this, pretending she’s me.
I take no responsibilty for this post or the music contained within.
**(I know it’s her writing this this because I would NEVER allow anyone to dis’ My Driver…) …and that is scary cuz it’s morning and I am drinking coffee with a little Creme’ Boulet creamer in it.
Winter Soltice in History
December is known as a month for holidays. Wherever you live in the world, this month has become a time to treasure all that was in the past year and to begin to make way for a new cycle of rebirth.
Much of this seasonal mood has roots in the celeb
ration of Winter Solstice, which takes place every year in the northern hemisphere on December 21 or 22. On that day, the daytime hours are the shortest they will be all year while the nighttime is at a maximum. For the ancients, this indicated the disappearance of the nourishing, life-sustaining sun and yet it also meant that in the days following the Solstice, the Sun would rise and strengthen again, bringing the promise of spring and new life. The Winter Solstice pledges the same to us today. It presents an opportunity to release that which we want to leave in the past and set our intention for the coming year.
Many aspects of ancient Winter Solstice festivals live on in traditions of the season. The Roman midwinter holiday, Saturnalia was a merry time in which homes were decked with boughs of laurel and evergreen while friends visited each other with fruit, cakes and other treats. In Scandinavia, people listened to minstrel-poets singing ancient legends while the yule log, which was thought to magically help the sun shine brightly, burned in the family hearth.
Burning indoor hearths and candles were an aspect of numerous winter solstice festivals and continue to be a part of the season today. In Iran, the Winter Solstice is observed through the Yalda festival, when a huge bonfire is kindled to symbolically stimulate the sun to grow stronger. For the Hopi tribe of Native Americans, the month-long Soyal festival includes many rituals to honor lights shining amid darkness, a theme echoed by holidays such as Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa. Common to many winter solstice festivals is the gathering of friends and family to feast and spend time together. China’s winter solstice festival is called Dong Zhi and is marked by plentiful winter foods.
For many in northern climates, Winter Solstice is an opportunity to celebrate the cyclical nature of our lives. You can honor the New Solar Year by creating your own Winter Solstice ritual incorporating both darkness to represent the end of a year and light, to mark the rising sun. Perhaps you will want to close off the artificial lamps and light candles or a bonfire, ringing in the solstice as in ancient times. Maybe you will choose to contribute some time to helping those having a hard winter or just spend some time meditating on how to bring more light into the world. Whatever, you do to commemorate this crucial time of year, remember that winter solstice is all about the hope for a bright and warm future.
I have journaled for many many years… since 1980 consistently, sporadically prior to that. I have journal that go back to when I was 10.
I go thru my journals specifically to look at the cycles and themes of my life, that surround the Soltices and Equinox. There are several major lessons that are recurring themes in my life. More about that later…
If you want to create your own ritual for the winter solstice, keep in mind that many modern observances involve symbols for three important actions: remembering and appreciating the year that is ending, letting go of the “bad stuff” in the past that we want to leave behind, and then setting an intention or a direction for the new year.
Orange’s are the colors for the the Day.
I have honored the cycles with awareness since 1988.
Soltice exactly occurs today at:10:35 PST.
You can learn more at Candlegrove on the exact time. They have a beautiful and very informative site that is dedicated to Winter Solstice.
So for now…Happy Yule! I am off to cleanse in the beautiful rain in my back yard to remove my old wheel and build a new one.
Son RISE!!! I will also observe Son Set….
In Love and Gratitude to all of YOU.
Blessed Be…Clance’
NASCAR’s Pacific Northwest Expansion
Ok I just lost my entire flipping post except what I had saved as a draft earlier. Never mind. I was just gripi
ng.
It all came down to I think it rains too much in Seattle to even consider a track there. Bla bla bla l
ong lengthy bitchy post…Never mind. Never mind…
…grrrrr.
Seattle is beautiful….because it rains so much there.
Tomorrow will be a better day. Winter Soltice.
Out with the Dark and in with the Light.
ADVENTURERS WARNING!!
Sometimes being your true radiant self, living in the moment, glad for all you already have and who you already are, isn’t always easy.
Nope, such conditions create the precise moment in one’s life when the floodgates of abundance swing open the farthest, giving rise to that persistent, nagging issue of the ages:
…where to put it all.
Really. 
Caught you just in time, huh, ?
Tomorrow is Winter Equinox…
I sing…Out with the Dark and In with the LIGHT!!!
Intertwined Fates
From today’s Daily OM
“There are times when we may feel disconnected from the world. Our actions can seem like they are of no major consequence, and we may feel like we exist in our own vacuum. Yet, the truth is that our simplest thought or action – the decisions we make each day, and how we see and relate to the world – can be incredibly significant and have a profound impact on the lives of those around us, as well as the world at large. The earth and everything on it is bound by an invisible connection between people, animals, plants, the air, the water, and the soil. Insignificant actions on your part, whether positive or negative, can have an impact on people and the environment that seem entirely separate from your personal realm of existence. Staying conscious of the interconnection between all things can help you think of your choices and your life in terms of the broader effect you may be creating.
Think of buying a wooden stool. The wood was once part of a tree which is part of a forest. A person was paid to fell the tree, another to cut the wood, and yet another to build the stool. Their income may have had a positive effect on their families, just as the loss of the tree may have had a negative impact on the forest or the animals that made that tree their home. An encouraging word to a young child about their special talent can influence this person to develop their gift so that one day their inventions can change the lives of millions. A poem written “merely” to express oneself can make a stranger reading it online from thousands of miles away feel less alone because there is someone else out there who feels exactly the way they do.
Staying conscious of your connection to all things can help you think of your choices in terms of their impact. We are powerful enough that what we do and say can reverberate through the lives of people we may never meet. Understanding that you are intimately connected with all things and understanding your power to affect our world can be the first step on the road to living more consciously.”
I have thinking a lot of all the wonderful people whose paths have intertwined and crossed mine this year. Do we fully realize the impact we have on each other?
Do we in our own self denial, realize that we are all Angel’s in each 
others lives? Think about the fondness we feel for each other as bloggers. Strangers (in the beginning) who we have never met and may never…yet bonds are created, love, respect and concern grows for each other. The Universe creates an impeccable system of support, and brings together those that were bound and destined in some way, to meet and touch each other’s souls.
I am very grateful for all of you. We all keep each other feeling, moving and Shining…
What did I get myself into now…
I have a lot of new reader’s…emails asking who I am…what I am, and a few other pieces of spam.
For the real enquiree’s that really wanted to know..this is the post that started it all:
Honoring the Sacred Sport of NASCAR
It is my feeling that as a citizen concerned with the religious rights of All, that being forced to work on Sunday because of driving, “give it to me right now”, consumerism is wrong. Obviously some government officials out there in our fine country agreed with me and gave employees the right to apply for religious accommodations from employers, so they could not be forced to work on the Sabbath of their choice. I, being an avid Nascar fan have come up with a solution to the “Sunday dillema” for all Race fans. It is called :
The “Church of the Great Oval” .
To join this church you must agree to and follow the creeds and doctrine of said church.
LAW 1.
YOU agree to observe the following days as Minor and Major Sabbaths…
a. ALL Sundays during Race Season. If there is no Race on Sunday you will use this day to celebrate that you have nothing that you HAVE to do. These HOLY days are considered MAJOR SABBATHS.
b. All Saturdays during Race Season. Although not all Saturdays have Races, there are always qualifying events and you might need to prepare for the Sunday Sabbath Race the next day. Saturdays are also considered MAJOR SABBATHS.c. MINOR SABBATHS are considered to be any Thursday, Friday, Monday or Tuesday that you must travel to and from a Race to attend Church. This includes travel and recovery time.
LAW 2.
REGARDING TITHING:
a. All Race expenses, souvenier costs and related items shall be considered tithing.
b.If you have additional money that you would like to donate, Clance’ will gladly take it off your hands. She will look high and low for someplace to spend it. It will be hard but she CAN manage to do it.
LAW 3.
REGARDING WORSHIP:
a. Your Driver will be considered your personal Avatar. You must display the number of your Driver’s car somewhere proudly on your vehicle.b. If you do not have a vehicle or don’t even like NASCAR, the Members of The Church of the Great Oval will pretend you do.
LAW 4.
REGARDING Church Status:
a.The more memorobilia you display, the more pious in the Church you will become.
The Church of the Great Oval is currently accepting suggestions…
*************************
A few days later…
“I think I am on to sumpthin” I say.
“Boogity…BOOgity…BOOGITY!!” D.W. says…
…all sorts of thoughts are going through my mind as it turns and churns over this gigantic life decision…
1. I can get ordained on line for FREE on the internet. ** ( I did)
2. I could marry people at races. **(I can)
3. I could perform baptisms. **( I can)
4. I could perform funerals. ** ( I can)
5. I could get a tv ministry and make a BUTTLOAD of money. **(still thinking about that one)
6. This might even be LEGAL. **( It is.)
7. I am fairly sure that I am going to offend someone with all this.
*( I have)
Dick Ralstin… My new Hero.
http://home.flash.net/~dralstin
I was bored, cold, and going through my NASCAR withdrawal after the Banquet. The annual Season of the Inversion in Boise Idaho had begun. Too cold and too ugly to go for a walk.
It was Sunday and I really had nothing I had to do. I did some yoga, listened to Mozart and decided I woud just go where the Internet took me. I like to do that sometimes. You never know what you will find.
I made the rule, NO NASCAR surfing. Learn something new. I decided to run my site through a google search ranking and clicked on the link thats said “See other sites like this” .
What I found next was an absolute treasure. Priceless memories and real “true from the Heart” memories.
I had landed on Dick Ralstin’s Racing Home Page.
Dick Ralstin grew up around automobiles. His father opened up an automobile repair shop in 1919. His entire life has centered around cars in one form or another with the exception of 1943-1946 when he was serving in the Navy on the USS McDermot DD677.
Dick started out his career as a journalist over an argument about how many mistakes were made in the Automotive Column that he had with the Editor of his local newspaper. The editor told him if was so smart why didn’t he write the column. Thus…the story begins.
Dick became the Sports Editor for The Kokomo Morning Times, where, (as kismet does), he had the fortunate responsibility to cover automobile racing at many different race tracks.
Dick was already a Racing Fan. He saw his first race in 1933 at a half mile dirt track. He was there when the helmets were cloth and the goggles were probably dangerous.
**I will have to ask him about that. Weren’t they made of glass that could shatter easily?**
As a member of the Press he got to hang out with the racer’s and have a beer and listen to the stories that were told. His articles and expertise were widely respected in the racing world. Kismet again…
Dick Ralstin became the Manager of Public Relations for Goodyear’s Racing Division.
Dick’s site is full of everything imaginable about racing. Pictures and Pictures and Pictures to go with each Tale. The history of the tracks, the men that drove them , the myths and lore surrounding each one. The track Ghosts Stories are awesome, evoking every emotion from happy to silly to sad. The Names in the storys… like AJ Foyt. Roger Penske, Buddy Baker, Parnelli Jones. Tales of the tests and the accidents that make our sport safer now. Tales of accident’s that were tragic and accidents that were miraculous.
I cuddled up with a blanket and my warm chai with the “good book” and read and read and read. Marvelous stories of courage and pain. Hilarious stories of fun, racin, and beer.
My favorite of all is a story about riding down Pikes Peak in Dick’s rented Mercury Cougar with Mario Andretti and Bobby Unser. I lived in Cripple Creek, Colorado in the mid to late’80′s. I know the road they went down well. Unser’s Hill. I know a back road to that back road in fact. You wouldn’t catch me driving faster than 20 ?? or so on those grades and curves.
There is a story about being at the World Speed Records on Bonneville Salt Flats on the Utah Nevada border. WOW! To have seen that must have been something. Oh! The places a good tire will take you.
Take your time looking around his site. Read each and every story. You will learn a lot. Best “Novel” I have read in years.
Dick writes so vividly…I could see, hear, feel his stories. When you read his stories about his life with his animals you get to see an even bigger picture of what kind of a Man he is. Kind, full of Wonder and respect for Nature. Appreciative and Humble.
I wrote him an email asking permission to do a shout out about him. He immediatley answered and said “yes, but he didn’t understand what the hell I could find to write about him”. **lol**
He likes to watch the counter on his site go up. Well, gang …start raising that hit count. Pass it around …forward and recommend this site to anyone you know that loves racing. It is such a treat. He is a treat.
I can find lots to write about you, Dick. I could do a post a day for a year and still not be even close to finished.
You were a true Mover and Shaker in the NASCAR world. The USAC and Indy world. The Auto Racing World, period. Your not fooling me…being all humble.**LOL**
I have a thing with quote’s. When I find one I love, one that touches my soul , I tape it to my computer screen, where I can see it and allow it to motivate me.
This is the new one on my computer…
“If I had written a script the day I was born, I couldn’t have written it more perfect that my life has been.
I would hate to be the undertaker who has to try to get the smile off my face.” Dick Ralstin
I will email you before my next trip to “our secret”. Maybe we can have a cup of coffee…better yet, a beer. You are my new favorite hideaway on the net too.
The dreaded Tag …
1. What did you do in 2005 that you hadn’t done before?
Had a total Hysterectomy **the “hysteria-ectomy**
2. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
3. Did anyone close to you die?
Gratefully, no.
4 B – Where did you go?
To the grocery store and the gas station here and there **lol**
in Texas, Phoenix, Sedona, Moab, and all the miles in between there and a few other races…
4 C – Best holiday memory?
This year? NONE. Ever? I used to go every other year to Long Beach WA for Christmas by myself when my kids had Christmas with my X. I would rent a really fabulous Hotel right on the beach with a fireplace and Jacuzzi and the ocean waves. It was awesome. I need to do it again…(half price too, cuz it’s COLD.)
5. Best thing you bought?
My new HP computer and PSC All in one. A BIG Flat Screen Monitor My Nikon digicam (soory they are all tied for the best…)
6. Where did most of your money go?
Gemstones, Medical Bills, Diesel for The Church of the Great Oval Travelling Temple.
7. What do you wish you had done more of?
Slept. Spent more time with my Grandbabies and my daughter’s. Especially my daughter and Grandaughter that are in Oregon.
8. What do you wish you had done less of?
Hot 
flash…bitch…housework…bitch…be moody…Hotflash…bitch…be moody…
9. What kept you sane?
NASCAR, NASCAR, NASCAR…
Creating jewelry, writing, blogging, Biking. Jet Skiing. Working out. My secret journal @ Oprah.com…an occasional Xanax. Norco and a few beers a couple times.
10. What drove you mad?
Hormones, Bush, Politics,both Local and National, the lack of compassion and care of the Hurricane Victims, the poor, the mentally ill, handicapped, senior citizen’s. Health Care.
Pegatron and Ribavarin.
11. What made you celebrate?
Dale’s Viral load has dropped from 250 MILLION in Oct. to 61 this week. 61!!!! Only four months to go. His Doc says this is REMARKABLE progress. So I guess the Satanic moments will be worth it.
And of course… Tony Stewart’s 2005 Championship.
Rubbing the win in the #1#88 fan’s face….
12. What made you sad?
Mouser’s kidney’s beginning to fail. He’s so old but he is a happy kitty still. Doing pretty good now on the special diet, cept for the kitty Alzheimer’s. He just gets a little confused sometimes. I don’t think his eyes and smeller are too good any more either…
13. How was your birthday this year?
Very Quiet…It was the same week I quit my corporate job. I just went thrift shopping, found a way cool gauzy hippy dress, and had a quiet dinner at home with the #1 #88 fan. Dale gave me a Tony Stewart office organizer.
14. What political issue stirred you the most this year?
See the ABOVE. BUSH BULLSHIT. The mess when the hurricanes hit. The ongoing garbage those poor people are still going through. FEMA. Wastes of taxpayers money when those people are still in Motels and FEMA having to have a Supreme Court Judge step in and tell them to do something today. UNBELIEVABLE.
15. Where you in love in 2005?
Very much so….
16. What would you like to have in 2006 that you didn’t have this year?
My total vibrant health back…hormonal balance. $250,000,000 by June 1st, 2006 or sooner.
17. What date from 2005 will be etched in your memory and why?
Dale’s 50th birthday. September 24.
18. What song will remind you of 2005?
“Gonna be some Changes Made” by Bruce Hornsby on the cd Halcyon Days (it is the background song for the latest Lowes commercial)
19. Compared to this time last year are you happier?
Nope. I know I will be better eventually and so will Dale.
20. Biggest achievement this year?
I recieved the Employee of the Year award at the large entertainment industry giant that I cannot speak of until Jan 2006. 
Then I quit a week later…and the story will come out when I can legally speak the Name again. So for right now Al will once again speak for me. He does that a lot you know…
21. Biggest disappointment this year?
Feeling WORSE after the Hysteria-ectomy than I did before I had it.
22. What is the one thing that would have made you more satisfied?
Ovaries. Suing my fucking Dr.’s ass off for lying to me and saying”oh you’ll feel wonderful after…and you eliminate your risk for ovarian cancer.” Not giving me any other alternatives when, I found out later… there were 
some.
I went to a woman doc too. I hate her.
23. Best new person you met this year?
All my blog buddies.
24. A valuable life lesson you learned this year?
Never give up….never give up…never give up…
I tag:
CJ
Dick
Tina Renee
Carrie
Antonette
Bethie
Nancy
Mr.Sun **Mu-ahahahaha**evil laugh
Susan
Living Your Dream…
I found this today as I was uploading my own video’s that I have made.
This guy travels around the world and dances. He is living his dream.
What would you do if you could live your dream(s) and do anything you wanted? Imagine no limit, no constrictions. What would you do? How creative can you get? The first thing to achieving those dreams is being grateful for everything in your life and then imagining it… the Key to being grateful is here.
My political Sentiments Exactly.
There are even
more here.
Flash back continued to Texlahoma
Another castaway has joined the island.
I got a kick out of the random question and answer in the Profile area. Fits with my post today.
Why does the taste of pennies remind you of losing a tooth?
The same reason that the taste of dimes reminds me of LSD .
*********** FUNNY**********
to me in the mood I am in today. Leo started it. Blame him.
Still laughing………………..
photo courtesy of London’s Times
A NASCAR Christmas…
I recieved this in a Christmas card quite a few years ago…I still love it.
Twas the Race before Christmas and all through the track …
Each driver was ready to make his attack.
The tires had been stacked by the pit crew with care
With hopes none of them would run out of air.
The drivers were belted all snug in their seats
Where visions of checkered flags looked mighty sweet.
When out of the infield there rose such a clatter
The crowd sprang to their feet to see what was the matter.
What sight met their wondering eyes as they rose
Twas Rusty Wallace punching somebody’s nose.
With eyes like the eagles the spotters they came
And they turned on their headsets and called them by name
“On Spencer! On Petty! On Rudd and Jarrett!
“On Cope! On Speed! On Ward and Jeff Burton!
At the top of the curve ran ‘em into the wall!
Now gentlemen, start your engines all!”
More rapid than lightning The Iceman they flew
With a sack full of cash and the Winston Cup too.
And then in a twinkling there came to the front
The bright rainbow colors of Gordon’s DuPont.
Then Bobby Labonte flew by in a flash
While Martin had a breakdown and Spencer a crash.
Then all at once with a rush and a roar
There came a new car they had not seen before.
From bumper to bumper it was painted all red
North Pole Toy Co.was the sponsor they read. 
With a little old driver so lively and quick
They all said at once, “Hey, this must be a trick!”
“A geezer like that shouldn’t be driving here!”
“And why does his pit crew all have pointed ears?”
The next scheduled pit stop went kinda slow
For the old fellow stopped at each pit in the row.
He spent no time at all, but left gas and oil
A new set of tires, new tools for their toil.
He asked no endorsement, demanded no fee
And left only coal for the black #3.
Childress got on the com and said
“Hey Intimidator … Want to chew him up now, or save him for later?” Dale spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
He gave him a nudge, then broadsided the jerk.
But the old guy escaped with a zig and a zag
And crossed over the finish line, right at the flag.
The ol
d man drove straight up to victory lane
Grabbed up the trophy and drank some champagne.
Thanked all his sponsors and took the cash too
Stole a kiss from Brooke Gordon, and then off he flew
As he sped out of sight, one last cry did they hear.
“Merry Christmas to all, better luck next year!”
Google Search
This is interesting….enter the word liar and see what the top result is…Taz will like this one.
Tagged.
Ok…Babs Tagged me. I am a bit on the slow side with that one. I am doing it tho!
It just isn’t going to be done today. I have a couple of major commitments and hopefully I will be able to fully sit down, contemplate on the subjects, and put it all down sometime in the next day or so. I promise I will do it ASAP. It may be in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping if I was a normal person.
I always do this on the new year. I have never done it publicly. Kind of like taking inventory and showing it to another Human Being…I like the idea of skipping the Fourth step you know. KIDDING!!!!
I am into lazy deep thought right now. Read someone else’s.
I am trying to avoid depp thoughts. Trying to stay sane thru this treatment.
Did any one see my pics on the Church Site? I played with Flickr a little when I couldn’t sleep last night. You can actually make comments on the pics like a blog. Perty Coowell. I might put some here too.
Tally HO! Gotta GO!!
Harlequin Romance NASCAR Oriented Novelists Wanted
Ladies, start your engines.
“Harlequin Enterprises is ready to get you all revved up.
The romance novel publisher has hooked up with NASCAR to put out a line of truly racy romances.
In the pole position, due next month, is “In the Groove” by Pamela Britton. It’s the story of a former teacher named Sarah Tingle — yes, Tingle — who is forced to take a job driving the team bus for a fictional driver.
“He’s upset ’cause she doesn’t know who he is, and sparks fly,” Harlequin spokeswoman Katherine Orr said.
It was Britton’s idea to stage the unlikely wedding of NASCAR and Harlequin. She wrote a racing romance last year titled “Dangerous Curves” and wooed Harlequin with the series. The publisher popped the question, and the two embraced wildly in a feverish clinch, also known as a licensing agreement.
It might seem a star-crossed affair. But NASCAR claims that it has 30 million women in its fan base.
Harlequin, which sold 130 million books in 2004, offers a spectrum of sexuality in its various series. The NASCAR books will have “a very low level of sensuality,” by romance novel standards, Orr said. “It’s a family-oriented sport.”
But one that, nevertheless, makes Sarah tingle.”
Harlequin Romance Writer’s are one of the most widely read Author’s that there are. I have never quite figured that out personally, but then I am not into romance novel’s. I don’t believe I have ever even read one and I know I have not ever read one of the Harlequin’s.
I think I’ll go to the thrift store and buy (ugh) a couple for a quarter and (ugh) read them. The thought makes the nausea start churning in my gut.
I am as worthy of writing garbage and getting rich person who wrote all that garbage and got rich. They have just been smarter than I, and targeted the right market.
If your interested in the submission guidelines they are at the Harlequin Website along with a lot of actually, very good “Learn to write and get published information.”
Maybe we should have a little “Who can write the best NASC
AR oriented Romance Novel” Writer’s Group. Like real novelist’s do.
Some possible titles:
Talladega Tryst
Humpin at Humpy’s
Love at Lowes
Charlotte’s 20o
Sittin on the Pole **teehee**
I couldn’t help that one.
Rae Monet has written one that probably will give you an idea of the content. You can check it out here
Calling all Jeff Gordon fans!!
This is such exciting news!! Jeff HAS THE MOST POINTS in the Driver Survivor Contest! Quick!! Hurry as fast as you can to
http://www.racingjunky.com
and vote for Jeff!!
The contest will be decided if he stays in the Chase for the Driver Survivor in just a few days!! Hurry go vote for him. We want him to have the MOST Votes this WEEK !! Go Jeffie Fans!!!
RAH!! RAH!! RAH!!
Do it right now before you forget.
You can always come back and read the rest of the blog later.
Great! You came back!!
Now go take a look at that Great Website of Jeff’s .
It’s so TOTALLY AWESOMEE!!
Hurry you can always come back!!
If you click on the Testimonial tab, you can read his Testimony and Buy His Whine and a set of Whine Glasses at the same time. How Neat-0h!
The Chardonnay can be obtained via Internet order on a first-come, first-served basis. Simply click on
http://www.reids.com/displayroom1/
for further instructions.
Now is our Chance…Real Fans vs Helmet Licker’s
Only the Driver with the Strongest fans will survive.
This is far too important to allow any mis- interpretation of the rules of the Driver Survivor contest. Here is where the intelligent fans win.
The helmet licker’s don’t.
**So pay attention, kiddo’s**
The Ultimate Driver Survivor Contest has selected the most popular drivers on the Nextel Cup circuit. This contest pits the most popular drivers fans against each other to see who is smart enough and wise enough to have their driver survive the contest. The first round cut and the driver with the highest amount of votes will be sent to the pits on Monday – December 12th at 12:00am (est). After that, one driver will be voted off every day until there only is one driver left on the track. That driver will be the survivor of the 2006 Ultimate Driver Survivor Contest.This year it will be the challenge of other group’s of fans to prove that they have more dedication to their driver then any of the others. So which driver has the most dedicated fans?? We will find out in February, just in time for the Daytona 500. So have fun, come back often and vote everyday.Just a few reminders here on the contest rules….everyone is permitted one vote a day. To insure this we have had to go to a method of voting that will require you submit your e-mail address so a ballot can be sent to your address to verify your vote. In no way do we use the e-mail address for anything other then this and this is done automatically. There are several other methods that we had to go to to insure that there will be no power voting as we have seen on other polls. We reserve the right to change the security of the voting process at anytime. Votes are tabulated throughout the day and at the end of the day, the system is reset in order to allow you to vote the following day. Then after the initial driver is sent to the pits, then another driver is sent to the pits every other day after that. Many groups of fans may join together to get one driver off the track, which is a wise way to keep their driver on track & increase the chances of their driver winning. For a driver to win, his fans must show that they have the survival instinct and do whatever it takes to survive. Remember, when you votedo not vote for the driver that you want to stay on the track but rather a driver that you want voted out of the contest.
** ** ** ** ** rules courtesy of
http://www.racingjunky.com/
“
Last Driver Voted Off The Track ?? Tony?? We can do that.
Anyone else? Good Luck in 2006.
OK…who wants to be on MY TEAM? **lol**
Remember we do what ever it takes… for Tony to win.
It’s all about Strategy…Here I go…plotting and planning…
Objective #1: Get rid of Dale JR.
Objective #2: Get rid of Jeff Gordon.
Objective#3: We will decide who we pick on from there each day…in our little morning coffee prayer and praise meeting at the Church.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChurchoftheGreatOval
8 AM MST Chat room open for planning the Mission.
Be stealth…
NASCAR ???
I am preparing something very special to post in the next few days. In the meantime just to be quick…and keep you on your toes, answer this…
In 1947 there was a race held with the following top 10 driver’s winning these purses:
1. Jim Roper – $2000
2. Fonty Flock – $1000
3. Red Byron – $500
4. Sam Rice – $300
5. Tim Flock – $200
6. Archie Smith – $175
7. Sterling Long – $150
8. Slick Smith – $125
9. Curtis Turner – $100
10. Jimmy Thompson – $75
What race was it and where was it held?
Mondays…
I have recieved several e-mails today wanting to know if I was ok. Thank You!! It feels good to know somebody notices when I am not here…
Here is a sample of my average day :
12 AM: Wake up hot flashing. Strip Naked. Lay there til I cool off and try not to wake up Dale.
12:20 AM: Give up on that bullshit. If he wakes up, he wakes up. Crawl out of bed. Start freezing. Put warm dry jama’s back on. Shut the french doors and go lay on the couch. Fall asleep…
1:00 AM: 17 year cat with Kidney and Kitty Alzheimer’s disease wakes me up yowling like he is part Siamese because he wants tuna fish juice. He thinks…no.. he wants water…no…he changed his mind. He wants outside. No… wait it is cold out there and he is afraid of the dark these days. I take him outside. He wants right back in. We cuddle up under the blanket again, on the couch.
1:30 AM: Fall asleep again.
2:ooAM: Wake up with another Hot flash. Strip naked til I cool off. Now I am freezing and I need to go back in the bedroom to get more dry jammy’s. Open the French doors…Wake up Dale. Dale turns into Satan. Satan falls back to sleep. I crawl in bed and fall asleep again.
2:30 AM: Repeat scenario 1…plus the Cat starts his thing again.
3:00 AM: Rpeat all every half hour until 5:30 or 6 AM if I am lucky.
6 AMish: Give up. Get up and make coffee. Answer all email as caffiene kicks in.
JEESH I am getting tired reading this. I better go take a nap and finish it later….
Dwelling in the Void: Numb and Sad
Dwelling in the Void: Numb and Sad
Sooner said so perfectly what we all wanted to say…
I too, join in the silence for our blog friend’s tragic loss.
Blessed be Sweet One.
My heart is with you and your family.
I cannot begin to fathom your pain.
Dwelling in the Void: Numb and Sad
Dwelling in the Void: Numb and Sad
Sooner said so perfectly what we all wanted to say.
I too, join in the silence for our blog friend’s tragic loss.
Blessed be Sweet One.
My heart is with you and your family.
I cannot begin to fathom your pain.
Need for Retreat
My Cloud Angel
I took this picture this summer from my back yard.
Going Away To Go Within Retreat
Occasionally, we need to pause – and step away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. One way to do this is to get away from our daily life and go on retreat. Far more than a vacation, a retreat offers us time to ourselves to rest, heal, reflect, and renew our spirit. It is a time to cocoon so that we may emerge renewed, refreshed, and ready to return to our everyday lives with a new perspective. A retreat gives us time for uninterrupted meditation so that we may go deep within and spend time with ourselves. A retreat may offer quiet, solitude, and sometimes even silence. Retreats often take place in humble dwellings with simple fare so that our senses may be reawakened to the beauty of unadorned tastes and the sights and sounds of nature. When we spend days in contemplation, we can more easily hear our heart when it speaks to us. We also are able to really listen when a bird sings, deeply breathe in the smell of flowers, grass, or earth, and delight in a soft breeze blowing on our cheek. When we go on retreat we have time to connect to the sacred geometry of a labyrinth, discover epiphanies through asanas, or take a long, reflective walk through the woods where we can give each step our full attention. Without the pull of deadlines, relationships, the Internet, or other media, we give ourselves time to go deep into our own solitude where we can fully reflect on our joys, sorrows, and fears, owning and releasing them as needed. We may even come to know and understand our life path more deeply. Hopefully, when we return home, we can take a little bit of this time alone back with us and create the space for deep reflection on a daily basis. We also may come back to our life renewed and ready to take on the world. The beauty of going on retreat is that no matter where you go or how long you stay, you’ll always meet yourself when you get there.
2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Awards Banquet Preview
Friday, Dec. 2
7 a.m.: Nextel Cup Pit Stop Tour, Presented by Sprint
8 a.m.: Nextel Cup Display at NBC Experience Store
8:30 a.m.: NMPA Myers Brothers Breakfast Presented by Sunoco ( Chex most popular driver is: Hmmm like that was going to be close. ) That award should have been called:
**Which Driver has the Most Wanna be Helmet Licker’s.**
**LOL** my dear reader’s who adore the Young Son. Jest teasin…
3:45 p.m.: Tony Stewart’s Park Avenue Photo Shoot
( can’t wait to see those)
6 p.m.: Nextel Cup Awards Ceremony Doors Open
6:40 p.m.: Tony Stewart Arrives ( in a humvee?, a tank? a fire truck? NAW… probably a limo. )
7 p.m.: Nextel Cup Awards Ceremony ( imagine all those driver’s in tuxedo’s…Oh! to be a young, single helmet licker again…oops…I wasn’t going to share that. )
Tribute to Tony cont…a little insight.
Sports: Stewarts sharing a drive
This is a really good article with a lot of good insight into Tony’s life growing up.
Naked Santa Snowball Fight Tournament
HO! HO! HO!
I am determined to like the Christmas Season this year.
So I will start a new tradition.
I challenge you all to:
The First Annual Naked Santa Snowball Tournament.
I scored 35.
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