Main Line Sportsman has bestowed "The Super Comment" award upon me. He is one of the "Good Guys" . His site is very interesting and he leaves some great comments on other sites.I am flattered, and will try to answer the questions, but I can not promise it will be interesting.

1) Why do you blog?
This is a much more poignant question for me than you might think. I started out just venting into cyberspace and really hoping no one would ever read my site.I began to connect with many like minded people and was really enjoying myself. It was delightful to see that the world had not turned into a giant collection of scumbags as I had feared. Then I noticed many were saying the same things as my posts,but so much better than I ever could.Some things bear being said as often as is possible, others not so much. Many of my posts were, I admit ,pretty sappy.I was expressing how I felt about people who meant a great deal to me. I truly believe a man's real riches are measured in his loved ones.Still it was sappy. One blog I followed shut down and advised his readers to "get out and talk to some real people". I thought that's what I was doing. Then another fellow posted that bloggers were "self promoting sad sacks" ( this from a guy who posts almost daily) OK, I have no argument with the self promoting part. Isn't that one of the things that most writers do? And bloggers are writers, at different levels of talent to be sure, but writers all the same. So you ask why do I blog? Because I flippin' enjoy it, and as long as I continue to enjoy it I will type away, even if no one reads it.

2) 3 best memories
I have had many blessings in my life and many happy memories. Births, graduations, weddings and a really long downhill shot on a Ruffed Grouse in '89. Far and away my favorite was a warm summer night with a beautiful girl. Walking through a stand of Ponderosa pine, smell of the crushed needles under our feet. She took the engagement ring and put it on before I could ask, but I always took that as a yes. Only 36 years ago, only yesterday.

3) If you had to change your name
I would use my mother's maiden name, Ferguson.

4) 5 things I could not live without
Well my family to be sure, other than that I don't know. Perhaps the knowledge that there are still decent people who live their lives class and grace. To think the whole world had gone over to the Dark Side would be unbearable.

5) 4 best books I've read
The Old Man and The Boy
Green Hills of Africa
The Confederacy of Dunces
Texasville

6) Unique and interesting fact
I'm not trying to be modest, but I ain't got one.

7)Love best about yourself
My relationship with my grandsons, I think my whole life was geared for this.

8) Best movie ever made
The Quiet Man

9) Change places with someone
Gen. Chuck Yeager

Sorry MLS it took so long to comply, but I had fun doing it, thanks

I will pass it on as soon as check to see if they have already done this.

My first( and quite likely last) giveaway

I was given a copy of this book by a Catholic priest at the school I coached soccer at about 1982 or 3. The story behind it is almost as intriguing as the book. Toad posted about it awhile back,read it here. If you don't know Toad take some time to read his archives. This man will make you laugh, smile,cry and sigh. but most importantly he will make you think.If you don't know the book, well it's not for everyone. I've heard and read many reviews and interpretations on it.I'll let you decide for yourself. but it's one of my favorites. Now for the big giveaway. I found this near mint copy in the "3 for a buck, 50cents for 1" box at a used book store. All comments will be given a number and a winner drawn randomly next Friday.. If you've never read it or want to read it again here's your big chance.

My Baby

It was 32 years ago today I was standing next to my wife's hospital bed, going through all the Lamaze stuff and nearly dying with anticipation at the coming of our first child. The Doctor came in and smiled, time to check again. Suddenly the smile was gone and he begin giving orders that ended in "stat". I kept asking and he kept ignoring me. Finally a nurse told me the baby was breech."You just checked her yesterday, you said it was normal, what you don't know a head from a butt!" My Irish had risen. Still ignoring me he told the nurse to remove me. OK now I'm good and pissed and told the nurse to get several large orderlies, they would be needed if I was going anywhere. In all this confusion my suddenly very young and small wife said calmly "Please go", I left. I made a solemn vow to myself, win. lose, or draw I was going to kick that Doctor's butt. I've been afraid many times, but never so helplessly afraid.The nurse came out to say my wife still wanted to try a normal birth, but everything was ready if they needed a C section.Fourteen lifetimes later the nurse reappeared and asked if I wanted to see my daughter. The old granddaughter of a Kentucky tobacco farmer had done it the hard way. And I hugged and thanked the Doctor, I had a lot of growing up to do myself. This was about the only drama she caused us. A wonderful child , a successful adult and a loving daughter. Plus she gave us Ethan, charter member of the Little Rat Pack. Happy Birthday Bird I love ya.