Congratulations To Peyton's Basketball Team

Peyton's (American Christian Academy) 8th grade basketball team finished 3rd in the very competitive City-County Tournament. Way to go Peyton!!!

Peyton is in the center on the front row.

Good Job Heather!

Heather's "Support Your Zoo" Bunch

My daughter-in-law, Heather (Chloe's mom), has reason to celebrate. She and her co-workers at the Los Angeles Zoo just won a major battle against extremely powerful anti-zoo activists who have been waging a strong campaign to "Free Billy". The project has a cute and catchy name, but their agenda is utterly disingenuous.

"Billy" is a 24-year-old Asian elephant who has resided at the Los Angeles Zoo since 1989. For the past few years he's been the unwitting star of a battle between the Los Angeles Zoo and animal rights activists(?) over the construction of the zoo's new elephant habitat. The Pachyderm Forest project is 30% complete, but work had been temporarily halted while both sides fought it out in L.A. City Council chambers.

The celebrity led zealots (Cher, Bob Barker, Lily Tomlin and others) whostomped into City Hall wearing "Free Billy" T-shirts didn't propose returning him to the wild. They demanded that he be sent to an animal sanctuary. DUH! Sanctuaries, like zoos, are captive environments that have fewer resources and less rigorous scrutiny and standards than zoos. Animals living in them are anything but free. Sanctuary animals do not breed; therefore, no species survival programs. Zoo supporters Betty White and Jack Hanna spoke out in favor of keeping Billy at the zoo where he is loved and cared for.

Billy's keepers and protectors would have been the first to endorse sending Billy to a sanctuary if facts said it was best for him. They didn't need him for job security. The zoo has an abundance of animals that need their love and attention.

After Heather passionately addressed the Los Angeles City Council, they voted 11-2 to continue the Elephant Habitat Program. YEA!!!!!!!!

Random Thoughts

I just returned home from Huntsville. My sister Laurie is still hurting mightily from her double knee replacement. There were several reasons for doing both knees at once. The one I heard most was, "after the pain and trauma of the first one, you will never have it done again no matter how badly it is needed." Evidently, it is not like giving birth where you sooner or later forget it. After spending four days with her, I don't think I will have it done, I'll just contact those scooter people you see on TV. If they pre-qualify me and Medicare doesn't pay...well, they will give me my scooter free. She was transferred from Huntsville Hospital to Healthsouth Rehab Hospital this morning. She will be there for 12 more days. I tried to talk them into letting me stay with her, but they let me know that everyone there was in great pain and they couldn't have the place full of family 24 hours a day. Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 pm only. Laurie is tough as nails and will be up and taking care of everyone very soon.

Heather resent the darling picture of Chloe, "Helping Mom run errands." Isn't she just something with that purse on her arm?

I'm gonna cut this blog short and shut down my computer so I can spend time with Dick and Rascal Bubba. I missed them so much. Just ain't no sunshine when they're not around.

Today's A Big Day

We have two events coming up day. One happy, one painful and stressful, yet full of promise.

My nephew Bo will turn 47 today. Where has the time gone, Walter Carl Doss? HAPPY BIRTHDAY BO......

And, his mama, (my sister Laurie) will have double knee replacement surgery. I am leaving later on in the morning to help her out for a few days. I was always envious of Laurie's athletic ability....tennis...golf.....you name it. Now, I'm not so much, it sure has taken it's toll on her knees. Please remember to say a little prayer for her. She is so very special. Not only to me,
but to so many others.

Chloe, Our Little Star

I just received new pictures of Chloe and had to share. Is she getting more beautiful everyday or is it just me? Nah....she's getting more beautiful everyday... In one picture she has a purse over her arm and is going shopping with Mommy. I could not copy that picture to the blog. Darn it..it was so cute. I'll ask Heather to resend it.

Now that's tired

"You're gonna do what to my hair"


"Check ya later, I got stuff to do"

Peyton's Big Win

Thursday the 15th we went to Tuscaloosa to see Peyton's last basketball game. It was a doozy! Peyton played his heart out. He played so hard and fast. He is really good at pressure defense. They won by about 30 points. Big blow out......

Before the game we visited with our good friends, Sam and Leslie Faucett. Sam's birthday was Friday the 16th and Leslie's is February 7th. We celebrated both and enjoyed our time together. There is nothing quite like relaxing with good friends.

Rich, Kim, Lucy Clare and Frank Visit

The Atlanta Wilsons drove over for a fun-filled day! We ate way too much! But, it sure was good!













We tossed the football around!










It's obvious that Kim taught Frank everything he knows about football

We napped and watched the NFL playoffs!










Rich is just a natural!










Tailgatin'



Rascal loves to be cuddled by Lucy!