Oak Ridge Cemetery II - Springfield, IL

FIBA Women's World Basketball Championship

Associated Press

The USA Basketball Women's World Championship team defeated Spain 77-64 to win the gold medal Sunday at 2014 FIBA Women's World Basketball Championship in Istanbul, Turkey. The United States went 6-0 at the World Championships. With the win, the USA won its ninth World Championship and earned a spot in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

 Maya Moore led the US with 18 points and was named the tournament MVP. Moore led USA with 11 points in the first quarter. Moore's WNBA teammate, Lindsay Whalen had a good game and scored 12 points and Brittany Griner added 11. Diana Taurasi chipped in six points, but did have eight assists.

Bulldog Run 5K

I ran the Bulldog Run 5K on a chilly and windy Sunday morning. The temperature was hovering around 40° at the start of the race. I ran in compression socks, Oiselle shorts, O long sleeve shirt,  O singlet and a stocking hat.

Not very many of us signed up to run the 5K. Normally this race is run on Saturday morning. Which is the day of college homecoming football game. The race was moved to Sunday morning this year. The day after the football game. Part of the course was run in the football stadium parking lot. There was so much trash. It looked like someone tipped over a dumpster and all of the trash had rolled out of it.

When the starting gun went off, I was fourth. I was surprised that more people weren't up at the front. I did get passed by a tall guy heading down to the track to run a lap before running off college property. I was running steady by myself until the first mile. The volunteer called out "8:03" when  a man and woman and myself passed by. They ended up running away from me. I couldn't keep up with their fast pace. Soon after that, a college age girl ran beside me. At a point she started to pull away from me. I was able to catch back up and pass her. Once I passed her, I heard two college age males behind me talking to the girl I passed. They soon passed me.

The guys were running pretty fast. One of the two guys started slowing. I told myself to go after him. I was able to pull up behind him around the second mile mark. The volunteer said 17:03 when I ran by.  About half a block later, I was side by side with the second guy. I passed him and told myself to hurry up. On this stretch of street, the wind was blowing in our faces. I kept my head down and pushed through the wind. Turning a corner, the pair of volunteers encouraged me. A few seconds later, they were talking to the guy behind me. The guy asked, "How much farther?" He then asked the volunteer on the bike if he could have it. I knew that he was a few seconds behind me and that he probably wouldn't catch me.

Making the final right turn to the service drive that lead to the football stadium, I couldn't make my legs go any faster. Running onto the field, the soft, artificial surface slowed me down. It felt like I was running on a sponge. The clock read 25:xx as I was running on the football field. The finish line was at the 50 yard line  and I couldn't wait to get there. I finished in 26:55. I was 8th overall and the 3rd woman. It wasn't my fastest 5K on the year, but that is OK. Just running makes me happy.

Books read in 2014

Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab the Body Farm Where the Dead do Tell Tales, William Bass & Jon Jefferson
The Big Roads, Earl Swift
Never Suck A Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI, Dana Kollmann 
Confessions of a Surgeon, Paul A. Ruggieri M.D.
Lincoln's Grace Robbers, Steve Sheinkin
Why Your Prescription Takes So Damn Long to Fill,Drugmonkey
Beyond the Body Farm, Dr. Bill Bass & Jon Jefferson
The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession,Mark Obmascik
True Hollywood Noir: Filmland Mysteries and Murders, Dina Di Mambro
Island of Vice: Theodor Roosevelt's Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York, Richard Zacks   
Mortal Evidence: The Forensics Behind Nine Shocking Cases, Cyril H. Wecht
Amelia, Nancy Nahra
Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures, Robert K. Wittman & John Shiffman 
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
Hot Lights, Cold Steel, Michale J. Collins, M.D.
Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs, Michael J. Collins M.D. 
Dark Dreams: A Legendary FBI Profiler Examines Homicide and the Criminal Mind, Roy Hazelwood & Stephen G. Michaud 
Swim, Bike, Run: Our Triathlon Story, Alistair Brownlee & Jonathan Brownlee
The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule
Beauty, Disrupted: The Carre Otis Story, Carre Otis & Hugo Schwyzer
House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder and Survival, Deborah Ball
Trama: My Life as an Emergency Surgeon, Dr. James Cole
Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies, J.B. West
Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain
Back of the House: The Secret Life of a Restaurant, Scott Haas 
Shooting Stars: My Unexpected Life Photographing Hollywood's Most Famous, Jennifer Buhl
Trauma Junkie: Memoirs of an Emergency Flight Nurse, Janice Hudson
You'll Never Nanny in This Town Again: The True Adventures of a Hollywood Nanny, Suzanne Hansen
NYPD Confidential: Power and Corruption in the Country's Greatest Police Force, Leonard Levitt 
The Things That Matter, Nate Berkus
Chicago Cop: Tales from the Street, Star #14931
The Making of a Chef: Mastering Heat at the Culinary Institute of America, Michael Ruhlman
Monica's Story, Andrew Morton
All Too Human: A Political Education, George Stephanopoulos
Flowers in the Attic, V.C. Andrews
Petals on the Wind, V.C. Andrews
If There Be Thorns, V.C., Andrews 
How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder, Mike Gilbert  
Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan, Del Quentin Wilber
Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside The Secret Service, Joseph Petro & Jeffrey Robinson  
Intensive Care, Echo Heron
Condition Critical: The Story of a Nurse Continues, Echo Heron
Cabin Fever: The Sizzling Secrets of an Virgin Air Hostess..., Mandy Smith
Dancing with the Devil: The Windsors and Jimmy Donahue, Christopher Wilson
The Season: A Summer Whirl Through the English Social Season, Sophie Campbell
Joe and Marilyn: Legends in Love, C. David Heymann
Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies and the Making of a Medical Examiner, Judy Melinek, M.D.
Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents, Cormac O'Brien
Secret Lives of the First Ladies, Cormac O'Brien
The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren

Currently Reading: Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II's Most Audacious General, Bill O'Reilly & Martin Dugard

Oak Ridge Cemetery I - Springfield, IL

FIBA Women's Basketball World Championship

Getty Images/Ned Dishman

The USA Basketball women's basketball team opened play Saturday against China at the FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.

The USA had a seven point lead over China at halftime, 39-32, but were able to pull away in the second half to win 87-56. Leading scorers for Team USA was Brittney Griner and Maya Moore with 15 points. Seimone Augustus and Angel McCoughtry were also in double figures with 11 and 10 points respectively. All 12 USA players scored points.

The USA played their second game Sunday against Serbia. The USA won 94-74. The game was close until the fourth quarter. The USA outscored Serbia 24-10 in the final quarter to win the game. Diana Taurasi led the way for the Stars and Stripes with 20 points. Maya Moore chipped in with 17 points and 12 rebounds and Brittney Griner had a double-double as well with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

The USA will end preliminary pool play against Angola at 2:30 p.m. ET today on NBA TV and ESPN3. With the win over Serbia, the USA is the No. 1 seed from Group D and earned a berth into the medal-round quarterfinals.

Cross Country

mgoblue.com

The #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines women's cross country team won the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown Friday, September 26. The 5K was held at Franklin Park in Boston, MA.

The overall winner of the race was Boston College's Liv Westphal in 16:30. Leading the way for the Wolverines was Erin Finn in second in 16:51, Shannon Osika placed third in 17:03, Brook Handler was 8th in 17:14, Megan Weschler (15th - 17:25) and Taylor Pogue (27th - 17:41).

With Michigan's top five runners in the top 30, that gave them the win with 55 points over second place Georgetown.

The Wolverines will race next on October 18 at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Team Standings

 1. MICHIGAN             55
 2. Georgetown           77
 3. Syracuse            134
 4. Boston College      192
 5. Dartmouth           207
 6. Providence          211
 7. New Hampshire       244
 8. Harvard             250
 9. Cornell             254
10. Duke                259
11. Eastern Michigan    267
12. Lipscomb            285
13. Columbia            286
14. Connecticut         306
15. Stony Brook         308
16. Johns Hopkins       389
17. Northeastern        435
18. Rhode Island        527

Top 10 Finishers

 1. Liv Westphal, Boston College         16:30
 2. ERIN FINN, U-M                       16:51
 3. SHANNON OSIKA, U-M                   17:03
 4. Katrina Coogan, Georgetown           17:07
 5. Taylor Spillane, Cornell             17:09
 6. Dana Giordano, Dartmouth             17:11
 7. Victoria Voronko, Eastern Michigan   17:14
 8. BROOK HANDLER, U-M                   17:14
 9. Lauren Sara, Connecticut             17:15
10. Jessie Petersen, Syracuse            17:17

Books read in 2014

Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab the Body Farm Where the Dead do Tell Tales, William Bass & Jon Jefferson
The Big Roads, Earl Swift
Never Suck A Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI, Dana Kollmann 
Confessions of a Surgeon, Paul A. Ruggieri M.D.
Lincoln's Grace Robbers, Steve Sheinkin
Why Your Prescription Takes So Damn Long to Fill,Drugmonkey
Beyond the Body Farm, Dr. Bill Bass & Jon Jefferson
The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession,Mark Obmascik
True Hollywood Noir: Filmland Mysteries and Murders, Dina Di Mambro
Island of Vice: Theodor Roosevelt's Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York, Richard Zacks   
Mortal Evidence: The Forensics Behind Nine Shocking Cases, Cyril H. Wecht
Amelia, Nancy Nahra
Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures, Robert K. Wittman & John Shiffman 
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
Hot Lights, Cold Steel, Michale J. Collins, M.D.
Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs, Michael J. Collins M.D. 
Dark Dreams: A Legendary FBI Profiler Examines Homicide and the Criminal Mind, Roy Hazelwood & Stephen G. Michaud 
Swim, Bike, Run: Our Triathlon Story, Alistair Brownlee & Jonathan Brownlee
The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule
Beauty, Disrupted: The Carre Otis Story, Carre Otis & Hugo Schwyzer
House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder and Survival, Deborah Ball
Trama: My Life as an Emergency Surgeon, Dr. James Cole
Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies, J.B. West
Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain
Back of the House: The Secret Life of a Restaurant, Scott Haas 
Shooting Stars: My Unexpected Life Photographing Hollywood's Most Famous, Jennifer Buhl
Trauma Junkie: Memoirs of an Emergency Flight Nurse, Janice Hudson
You'll Never Nanny in This Town Again: The True Adventures of a Hollywood Nanny, Suzanne Hansen
NYPD Confidential: Power and Corruption in the Country's Greatest Police Force, Leonard Levitt 
The Things That Matter, Nate Berkus
Chicago Cop: Tales from the Street, Star #14931
The Making of a Chef: Mastering Heat at the Culinary Institute of America, Michael Ruhlman
Monica's Story, Andrew Morton
All Too Human: A Political Education, George Stephanopoulos
Flowers in the Attic, V.C. Andrews
Petals on the Wind, V.C. Andrews
If There Be Thorns, V.C., Andrews 
How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder, Mike Gilbert  
Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan, Del Quentin Wilber
Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside The Secret Service, Joseph Petro & Jeffrey Robinson  
Intensive Care, Echo Heron
Condition Critical: The Story of a Nurse Continues, Echo Heron
Cabin Fever: The Sizzling Secrets of an Virgin Air Hostess..., Mandy Smith
Dancing with the Devil: The Windsors and Jimmy Donahue, Christopher Wilson
The Season: A Summer Whirl Through the English Social Season, Sophie Campbell
Joe and Marilyn: Legends in Love, C. David Heymann
Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies and the Making of a Medical Examiner, Judy Melinek, M.D.
Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents, Cormac O'Brien
Secret Lives of the First Ladies, Cormac O'Brien

Currently Reading: The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren

Exhibitions

I will be viewing two gallery exhibitions inside the Studio Angelico building at my alma mater later this afternoon. Both of these shows are for faculty members that passed away within the last year or so. Both of them were art professors while I attended Siena Heights University. Wittersheim taught metalsmithing and Demots taught watercolor. I didn't have them as professors, but I did interact with both of them. Both were wonderful people and artists.


John D. Wittersheim: A Retrospective
August 26 - October 2, 2014
Klemm Gallery

Lois Demots, In Remembrance: A Memorial Exhibition
September 22 - October 3, 2014
Gallery Ten

Siena Heights University
1247 East Siena Heights Drive
Adrian, MI  49221

Painting

I finished my first painting on canvas yesterday. It is of a cardinal.

I haven't painted since high school. I now regret not taking any painting classes during college. As an art major, I should have at least taken one semester outside of my concentration. I opted for graphics and printmaking instead.

At least I can paint on my own and take classes through the internet. It's not the best painting, but I think it looks good for a beginner.

Drawing

I bought all new art supplies a few weeks ago. I finally picked up my drawing pencils two Sundays ago.

I found a few bird photos on the internet. I really loved a Blue Jay photo, so I decided to draw that one.

Within a half hour, I had finished my drawing. Looking at it after I completed it, I saw a few flaws. The body of the Blue Jay is a little too long. I should have made the body shorter just above the wings. The beak also looks a little weird to me. It just doesn't seem right.

I'm happy to be drawing and creating art again. I have taken photographs for years. But it is nice to get my hands dirty again. I hope to never lose touch with my physical art background again. 

Miss America

Associated Press/Julio Cortez

Associated Press/Mel Evans

Associated Press/Julio Cortez

The 2015 Miss America Pageant took place Sunday, September 14 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Miss New York Kira Kazantsev was crowned Miss America by 2014 Miss America Nina Davuluri, who was also Miss New York.

Kazantsev sang 'Happy' by Pharrel Williams and used a red plastic cup while sitting on the stage floor. Kazantsev said she was inspired by 'Pitch Perfect', the 2012 movie starting Anna Kendrick.

For the on stage question, Miss New York was asked by Lee Meriwether about women leaders in the Senate and what they should be taking the lead on. Kazantsev said that sexual assault in the military is an issue that the women senators have to fight for.

4th runner up: Miss Massachusetts - Lauren Kuhn
3rd runner up: Miss Florida - Victoria Cowen
2nd runner up: Miss Arkansas - Ashton Jo Campbell
1st runner up: Miss Virginia -  Courtney Paige Garrett

Books read in 2014

Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab the Body Farm Where the Dead do Tell Tales, William Bass & Jon Jefferson
The Big Roads, Earl Swift
Never Suck A Dead Man's Hand: Curious Adventures of a CSI, Dana Kollmann 
Confessions of a Surgeon, Paul A. Ruggieri M.D.
Lincoln's Grace Robbers, Steve Sheinkin
Why Your Prescription Takes So Damn Long to Fill,Drugmonkey
Beyond the Body Farm, Dr. Bill Bass & Jon Jefferson
The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession,Mark Obmascik
True Hollywood Noir: Filmland Mysteries and Murders, Dina Di Mambro
Island of Vice: Theodor Roosevelt's Quest to Clean Up Sin-Loving New York, Richard Zacks   
Mortal Evidence: The Forensics Behind Nine Shocking Cases, Cyril H. Wecht
Amelia, Nancy Nahra
Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures, Robert K. Wittman & John Shiffman 
The Fault in Our Stars, John Green
Hot Lights, Cold Steel, Michale J. Collins, M.D.
Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs, Michael J. Collins M.D. 
Dark Dreams: A Legendary FBI Profiler Examines Homicide and the Criminal Mind, Roy Hazelwood & Stephen G. Michaud 
Swim, Bike, Run: Our Triathlon Story, Alistair Brownlee & Jonathan Brownlee
The Stranger Beside Me, Ann Rule
Beauty, Disrupted: The Carre Otis Story, Carre Otis & Hugo Schwyzer
House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder and Survival, Deborah Ball
Trama: My Life as an Emergency Surgeon, Dr. James Cole
Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies, J.B. West
Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain
Back of the House: The Secret Life of a Restaurant, Scott Haas 
Shooting Stars: My Unexpected Life Photographing Hollywood's Most Famous, Jennifer Buhl
Trauma Junkie: Memoirs of an Emergency Flight Nurse, Janice Hudson
You'll Never Nanny in This Town Again: The True Adventures of a Hollywood Nanny, Suzanne Hansen
NYPD Confidential: Power and Corruption in the Country's Greatest Police Force, Leonard Levitt 
The Things That Matter, Nate Berkus
Chicago Cop: Tales from the Street, Star #14931
The Making of a Chef: Mastering Heat at the Culinary Institute of America, Michael Ruhlman
Monica's Story, Andrew Morton
All Too Human: A Political Education, George Stephanopoulos
Flowers in the Attic, V.C. Andrews
Petals on the Wind, V.C. Andrews
If There Be Thorns, V.C., Andrews 
How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder, Mike Gilbert  
Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan, Del Quentin Wilber
Standing Next to History: An Agent's Life Inside The Secret Service, Joseph Petro & Jeffrey Robinson  
Intensive Care, Echo Heron
Condition Critical: The Story of a Nurse Continues, Echo Heron
Cabin Fever: The Sizzling Secrets of an Virgin Air Hostess..., Mandy Smith
Dancing with the Devil: The Windsors and Jimmy Donahue, Christopher Wilson
The Season: A Summer Whirl Through the English Social Season, Sophie Campbell
Joe and Marilyn: Legends in Love, C. David Heymann
Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies and the Making of a Medical Examiner, Judy Melinek, M.D.
Secret Lives of the U.S. Presidents, Cormac O'Brien

Currently Reading: Secret Lives of the First Ladies, Cormac O'Brien