Just My Opinion - By Mary Kilen
The Picks Are In
Like many others in Stanley, at our office we are part of a football pick at Bravera. Each week they bring us sheets with the week’s games listed. We are then tasked with “picking” the winner of each game and the tie breaker comes on the Monday night game. You’re supposed to pick a score as well just in case.
Week one was a disaster around our office. I came in at about a 50-50 which considering it was the first week wasn’t so bad. I mean, it’s hard to know what teams will win when you’re basing it on teams that didn’t play their starters through the preseason. It might not be as hard if you spent time researching, but not me. I picked teams I was pretty sure would win based on last year’s results. The rest were just circle one.
Week two, I went 11-4 and I was feeling pretty good about myself. I could even point out that a couple of the ones I got wrong were because I was picking for sentimental reasons or because I just can’t root for certain teams.
As I write my column, I have no idea how I did. If I really thought about it, I would take a picture of my picks so I could track them on Sunday. I do that maybe once every three or four weeks. While I don’t know for sure how I did, I’m hoping for at least close to a 50-50 mix. I can’t help it, I pick the Vikings every week with the hope I’ll be right.
I also pick the Cowboys. I’ve been a Cowboys fan since I was in my early teens. Before you hate on me, understand I came by it honestly. My dad was a Broncos fan. Being at that age, I had to cheer for the other team in the Super Bowl and it just kind of stuck. I’ve followed them even after marrying Dale, who refers to them as “rotten cheaters”. He just can’t get over something that happened so long ago, even after they have beat up on the ‘boys several times while I had to sit and watch it.
It’s all in good fun, these weekly picks. I’ve gotten lucky a couple of times in the past and won for the week. Winning gets you a cool prize from Bravera. Each week you get an email with the results for the week. I can see that some of you guys put way more thought into it than me.
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll spend more time researching teams and their records. For now, though, this early in the season, I’ll likely be still going with my “I don’t know, I guess I’ll pick this team” method.
It Seems To Be Healing
For the first time I feel like my foot is really healing. I mean, there have been indications like that nasty itch inside the cast and it felt like it was getting better.
This week, though, I really feel better. It doesn’t seem to hurt much or throb. It had gotten to be such a regular part of my life that it took me a couple of days to realize just how much better it felt.
I’m starting to feel hopeful that when I go back to the doctor in a couple of weeks that I might get the good news that I can get rid of the cast and start physical therapy.
I’m really tired of not being able to do what I want. I’m sure Dale is ready for me to be able to take myself places. He’s been a trooper, but I can only imagine how tired he is of having to drive me to work and home, to all the events I want to take pictures at, and even just a simple run to the grocery store.
I’ve also been a little pouty about Hostfest. I was excited to see the line up for this year’s entertainment. I hadn’t bought tickets before I broke my foot, which is probably good. While I get around pretty well with my scooter and wheelchair, I’m just not sure I’m up for trying to get around the crowds.
Losing Myself In A Good Book
I am an avid reader as are both Christina and Jada. I have lots of books on my ereader and sometimes I just need to pick up a book to hold in my hands. I have favorite authors and can’t wait for their next book to come out.
Again, I will take you on a trip down memory lane. I’ve been a Stephen King fan since I was in my teens. I’ve read most of the books he’s written. I know he’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but I can’t wait for each new book to come out.
That was true waiting for his latest, “Holly”. It was available for download, but I was in the middle of another book. I couldn’t wait to finish that book to dive into Holly. Christina and I were reading it at about the same time. We would compare notes on what page we were on and maybe what we thought would happen next.
We both also finished the book and had that sense of now what when we were done. While not a “typical” King book, I got pulled into the story and couldn’t wait to see how it ended. Then I was done and I didn’t want it to end.
Whatever you like to read, I hope you have that feeling with a good book. With Fall here and cooler weather, it’s the perfect time to pick up a new book and curl up under a blanket for a good read.