Hi, Twister buffs. Here is one for September. I hope you enjoy it. I have a great new picture of Robert as a gift to the winner. Good luck.
Robert’s Mom

1…What sport was featured in the 1992 motion picture The mighty Ducks

2…What sport was featured in the 1940 motion picture Knute Rockne All American starring pat O’brien?

3… What state was the 1989 baseball Field Of Dreams filmed in?

4…What was the title of the 1942 motion picture which Gary Cooper played the legendary baseball player Lou “Iron Horse” Gehrig?

5… What was the song the baseball team warmed up to in the 1951 motion picture Harlem Globetrotter?

6…What ballpark provided backdrop to  the 1942 Lou Gehrig film Biography The Pride of the Yankees?

THE 1990 WORLD EQUESTRIAM GAMES

Stockholm, Sweden

Here is one of many pictures of beautiful Stockholm.

Since the 2010 World Equestrian Games are upon us I thought it would be fun to write about the few that I & Herb attended.

One of the most exciting parts of being Robert’s parents is that we got to see countries we would never have had a chance to visit. As with every Olympics, we were thrilled to be going to Stockholm, Sweden for the 1990 World Equestrian Games. Robert would be riding Waltzertakt owned by Walter and Mary Anne McPhail. The rest of the team was made up of Betsy Steiner on Unanimous, Marie Meyers on Demitrius, and Carol Lavel on Gifted.

When we reached our hotel we had to wait for our room to be ready. We sat down in the lobby and began chatting with a lovely young lady. She said her name was Mary Phelps. She told us she was a sports photographer. Mary became a life long friend, and saw me through many tense moments when Robert rode. Herb invited us into the dining room and we had our first taste of truly great smoked salmon. The difference between what we eat here and what they serve there is amazing. She is still a famous photographer of sporting events. Now we are praying for her speedy recovery from a terrible accident.

Stockholm is a lovely city with its antiquity, fountains, beautiful seaport, with ships in docks.

Here is a picture of an old side street still in cobblestone.

One day we had time to visit the Vasamuseet Nautical Museum. It was very impressive. There was a authentic old sailing ship. The crew you see are carved out of wood.

One more thing Stockholm is noted for is its handsome men and beautiful women. The people are very friendly and they didn’t mind answering questions like “how to get somewhere” or “what does that sign mean?”.

Stockholm, being on the water, fresh fish was abundant. One night Herb & I were strolling from our hotel and we saw a sailing ship that was converted to a restaurant. It was called Eriks Fixk Restaurant & Ostronbar. We went in. It was very nautical and lovely inside. We were seated where we could see the water. Portions aren’t large as they are all over America. I liked that, and our fish was delicious. I don’t drink, but Herb had a Scotch. Our bill was $200 American money!

The most unusual restaurant I have ever been in was called The Shrimp Boat. We walked in to see rows of tables. Between each row and going around the end was a waterway flowing around like the real thing. The waitress came up to take our order and she explained that it would be delivered via sailboat on the water. I thought, wouldn’t it be fun and profitable to have a restaurant like that in Florida. After all, every parent and especially grandparents, would definitely want to take their darlings to eat there. Well it never happened back home. Building a restaurant and running it are very different from visiting one. I am so sorry I didn’t have my camera with me that night.

Here is a picture of Herb buying a hot dog for 20 American dollars. Notice no plate or French fries. I had a 30 dollar hamburger on a bun. During the show I became very thirsty and went to a nearby stand to get a glass of water. I got a funny look, but was handed small cup with warm water in it. 8.00 please! I said “do you have any ice?” She answered “No, it is too warm for ice!)

Robert’s memories of the ride are as follow:

“I believe we placed 6th as a team. I was unable to work my horse for a week before the jog because he had strained a tendon. He was very difficult to get into the arena at all, no less have a good test. But he was good enough to make it to the 2nd round of the Special as I recall. I was after a break and the band was playing and they were watering the green fiber-sand arena with huge fire hoses when I arrived to enter the oval and I could not get him to go in. So I turned him around and backed him in and then swung him around and began cantering forward so he couldn’t stop. I think he had somewhere around 65%.”

Here is a picture of the dressage arena at the games. We were very impressed when Queen Beatrice and her Consort drove by in their carriage.

I always make an album of each event but unfortunately I didn’t write what each building and area was.

Hope you enjoyed my memories of Stockholm. Next will be the 1994 World Equestrian Games in The Hague in Holland.

The games of the XXVIII Olympiad were to be held in Athens Greece, August 13th to

the 24th. After all Greece is where the first Olympiad was held in 1896.

What a wonderful way for Robert to end his career, and on his 6thth horse, the

magnificent Kennedy owned by lovely Jane Clark. To make our trip even better, Margo

was coming along. Between us I believe our children decided someone had to take charge

of us. No matter what we loved having her along.

The young man who picked us up at the Airport became our mode of transportation for

our entire stay. Here is a picture of us with him in a great down town restaurant. The food

was delicious. He enjoyed being with us so much his mother gave me a beautiful silver

charm.

I am sure you have all read about the Greek attitude to having their government broke.

They ignore it, and are very happy to live as they do. Robert reminded me that Greece is

satisfied to be a third world country. During the first three years construction on the

venues was moving pretty slowly but when there was no more time to waste everything

was speeded up and was ready for the world to view the splendid results. It is sad to

report that almost all of the Olympic venues have fallen into varying states of disrepair.

21 Of the 22 facilities built for the games have been left abandoned, or are in a state of

dereliction, with squatters camps, vandalism, and graffiti, or strewn with rubbish. But

let’s forget all that and return to our arrival in Athens.

As I remember it, Robert Ross rented a house out in the sticks near the equestrian events

for us and their friends, David and Josh. Even our trusted cab driver had trouble finding

the house. There were no street signs, just a reflector lighted by our cab lights. We had to

stop on the side road and walk carefully to the entrance. My first words when we entered

were “please turn on the air conditioning.” There was one little air conditioner in the

kitchen dining area. As the driver brought in our luggage he said, “don’t worry Madame,

I will go to town and get it turned on.” Good as his word, on came the air-conditioning.

Just as quickly, it blew out all the fuses down the hill right into town! The bedrooms were

so small you had to walk sideways to get in and out.

By the next day all was peaceful and HOT. The patio was quite large and had several

decorative jars. The Greeks don’t neuter dogs or cats so there were many strays around.

We had our own family of new kittens. Margo used to be the rescue lady in Austin, Texas,

and immediately adopted the family, fed and played with them. It was our fervent hope

that when the owners moved back in they would continue with her tender care.

There is a beautiful harbor in Porto Rafti. We went there for a typical Greek lunch.

There were no flowered paths into the arena, just barren ground as you see with Margo

and Herb waving.

There was a handsome metal archway you entered after being searched.

We passed the Olympic Village. It resembled a prison. No wonder our equestrians chose

to live in a house on their own.

Robert and the equestrians lived in a 10 bedroom house with only 2 bathrooms! A huge

sign said, “Do not put paper into toilet, not even when used. There is a bag in the wall for

paper.” Every day the team was transported in a van. The day of his team ride, his hand

got caught in the van door. I asked how he could ride. He said he was concentrating so

hard he didn’t feel any pain.

The Arena itself was very pretty with flowers and comfortable seating. We only ventured

out of the hospitality suite to watch our team ride. Other than that we watched the riders

on a large TV provided by the host country.

In the picture you see the teams being given their medals. The Americans received the

bronze.

In the last Olympic picture you see Robert getting ready to ride. Looking back, I believe

he was performing his musical Kur. He finished a strong 6th.

The equestrians, family and friends were invited by the United States Equestrian Team

Foundation, and Tiffany & Company for cocktails and a traditional Greek cuisine at the

home of Robert & Sophia Simpson, 16 Skiathou Street, Ano Lagonisi, Kalvia.

It was the only house for miles around and was enclosed by a very high wall. Getting

there was another thing. I can laugh at it now. I never thought we would arrive because

the instructions were to pass the gas station, and then turn left… you get the idea. It was a

magical night with the sky full of stars. The dinner was very good as promised. Robert

got up and made a very nice thank you speech. He is very eloquent, as anyone who ever

heard him speak will testify. His adoring parents were very proud.

After the Olympics were officially over Herb and I set out to see the amazing ruins.

I bought a huge hat with all the pins on it. The brim covered my shoulders. I still have it.

It was sad to say goodbye to Athens, we had such a wonderful time.

Jean

These are some of Margos memories:

Wish I could remember the name of the cab driver but that’s just out of my head all

together. Maybe Josh, our youngest could remember. I think I remember that we got

lost a lot trying to find our way up to our house.

I remember that it was terribly hot and incredibly dusty and everywhere you looked there

were half finished buildings. I remember that due to security, the entry points where you

went through, were a long distance away from the venues and it was tough going

sometimes. I remember delicious restaurants with high prices, one in particular where

they had pictures of the glitterati dating back from the 1960s, Kennedys and all eating

there. I remember Greek people being very nice.

I remember that we got to join the team and their families and had wonderful meals and

shared stories and laughter and enjoyed the camaraderie outside the ring which felt

special. Suddenly in the stands you had a whole family around you sharing the nerves

and the anticipation and the hope and more nerves! I remember feeling the sheer force of

the energy coming off Jane Forbes Clark when we sat together while Robert rode. It was

quite a feeling.

I remember kittens that were living in the outdoor barbecue area on the large terrace that

surrounded the house and I remember meeting Josh and David for the first time and

falling in love.

What fun the 5 of us had in that house, eating figs and fresh bread and cheese and lots

of laughing and having the owner drop in, Idon’t remember why. Just a nice Greek man.

And then there was the time, around 5:30 one afternoon, after we’d all rested a bit and

were just hanging out, that I went outside and the kittens were out in full force so Icalled

you and dad to come see them. You in a bath robe, me in pj pants and tee and dad …..

well, I’m sure he was dressed perfectly, all coming out to see the babies. Last thing I said

was, “dad, don’t close the door all the way or we’ll be locked out” - but he didn’t hear the

words “locked out” because he was too busy closing the door. There we were, three

Dovers on a terrace and no way in! The Roberts were with the team, the boys had gone

to do some exploring in the city and would be out late 888..the Dovers were going to

spend the night sitting on the terrace. There was a table and chairs and it was well

enclosed with a lovely iron gate - there was no way in. So we decided that I’d go to a

neighbors and see if we could borrow something like a knife or credit card and try to get

in. I began walking door to door and it wasn’t pretty - no one home, scary dog, no one

answers and then I saw a man and Iyelled “help me please” and he walked over, carrying

a lovely bottle of red wine he was taking to an important dinner party and said, “I’ll try and

help”. His wife came along a moment later. She spoke no English. He spoke a little. He

began trying to open the door and with his wife standing behind him for about 25 minutes

saying they had to go. You didn’t need to understand Greek to understand she was

unhappy. He kept at it until the door swung open and we all shouted with glee and you

went inside and came back out with a bottle of wine and gave it to them in thanks.We

were out there about 2 hours before we got help. We laughed a lot for the first hour or

so.

I mostly remember being together with you and Dad and the boys and loving that

feeling of being part of something so magical, just writing about it makes me feel the

love.

Margo

Dear Friends of Robert’s Mom,
I thought I knew most everything about well, everything, but today I found out I don’t!
I went to a lovely Lady Podiatrist I had seen 4 years ago. She is too pretty to be dealing with feet, but that she does very well. I have been seeing white fungus under my big toenails, and one started to hurt so I made an appointment and went.. She cleaned to fungus out and I said, aren’t you going to give me a pedicure? She said no, the white is just about the perfect length. When ever I get a pedicure I say cut all the white off. Well my friends the white protects the toe nail from fungus and guards the toe so let it grow an 1/8th of am inch, (my guess). She also said I need a longer narrower shoes then the 8/1/2 medium I am wearing. My Dear Mother would turn over in her grave if she heard that, but I will bite the bullet and venture to Foot Locker, or Sports Authority. They carry widths like narrow which I need instead of heavier socks. She said my toe hurt because it kept hitting the end. My Gosh, I may need a 9!. Please keep this to yourself.
Love,
Robert’s Mom

Which U.S. gangster described himself as a used furniture dealer on his business card?

What was Al Capone’s nickname?

Which U>S> robbers had the surnames Parker& Barrow?

What date in 1929 saw the shooting of seven members of Bugs Moran’ gang in Chicago?

What was the name of Clyde barrow’s brother who joined Bonnie & Clyde in some of their Heists?

What was Al Capone’s alibi for the St. Valentine’s Day massacre?

Its spring, flowers are blooming, temperature is rising, and the earth is awakening from its winter slumber. The power of spring, which brings along a breath of new life, is enough to bring joy to anyone. Recreational gardeners can enjoy the bountiful colors of their flowers, home-improvers can work on those projects that the tedious weather prevented them from, and fisherman can go back to fishing; but spring is probably the best time of the year for all of us sports enthusiasts. It’s the season for runners to go finally get in their shoes and shorts, for the horseback rider spring means being able to take a ride without first bundling up, and to watch sports whenever we are not being active!

Sports are everywhere during spring, as it’s the start of baseball season, the time to fill out March Madness NCAA Brackets (mine’s totally busted), the time for us equestrian fans to make some Kentucky Derby Betting, and in 2010 only, the time to start getting hyped for the FIFA WORLD CUP .

The topic for today will be my World Cup predictions. I will talk about another sport on my next post.

As an avid soccer fan, I enjoy arguing and discussing anything related to soccer (so please leave some comments for us to debate).

Seeing as how only 7 countries have ever won the World Cup, it is not likely for a “dark-horse” to be crowned champion. With that in mind I quickly selected my favorites (Brazil, Spain, England, Argentina, and France). The strongest team, statistically, is Spain, closely followed by Brazil. England, Argentina, and France have amazing star-studded squads.

Argentina, as deep as they are, has one major defect…Maradona. The international star turned coach, simply does not have the temperament and hasn’t shown any mastery of the coaching position, and that will be Argentina’s downfall. Similarly France’s coach Raymond Domenech, seems to be too caught up playing favorites and not making the right calls for France to shine. England, a big favorite, is largely helped by Rooney’s stellar moment…which means that if Rooney underperforms one match, it may mean the end of England’s run in the World Cup.

This leaves Spain and Brazil. My money is on Brazil. While Spain is clearly in better form than Brazil, they have a huge target on their back. This means that every team will be playing their best against Spain, and this will leave Spain very fatigued if and when they reach the Final. Brazil will play this to their advantage and with their Joga Bonito and star power, I believe that Brazil will, for the sixth time, be World Champion.

Here is a bracket of my predictions….(just click the image to enlarge it)

Enjoy and please fill free to discuss and argue

Sydney Olympics

2000

After five wonderful days in L.A. with Ethelann we arrived at LAX to await a ten o’clock flight on New Zealand Air Lines. Aaron Ross, Robert’s father was also going to the Olympics. He took pictures of us and our boys, and later downloaded them to us.

After 18 hrs of travel & air time we arrived in beautiful Sydney. Naturally my suitcase was the one marked “heavy… Bend your knees to pick up!” New Zealand Airline’s seats are roomy & have movable parts that come around your head so you can sleep. They also have movable foot rests … How come USA airlines don’t? The service was exceptional as was the food. We knew we were back in the states when Delta served cold drinks & peanuts! Sydney is very beautiful & reminiscent of Miami with it’s magnificent harbors.

The AT&T hospitality center was located directly across from the opera house ( by water). If you look at the pictures it is the three story yellow building next to the lavender one. Robert had called us in L.A. to tell us to buy Monday’s U.S.A. Today, as he and three other Olympians were featured on the cover. No one could find any paper with such a picture … It was only shown in Sydney! Pic 4

Our first stop was an overnight stay at the “Kirketon Hotel”. We had arrived at 7:30 in the morning. It was Monday there …. What had happened to Sunday? We were assured we would get it back going home! To our surprise the young man who greeted our arrival was the same fellow we had seen on TV. In L.A. he is the chef “Katie Couric” was interviewing on “Good Morning America”. He couldn’t have been nicer. He brought us coffee & later helped bring our bags to our super modern ($500.00 a night) room.

Al came over with his duffel bag on his back. He had slept in a hostel for his first night, and was to room with us when we moved into our assigned hotel the next day. On his ride in from the airport he met a young artist who, along with his wife, took all but Herb on a walking trip of the Sydney harbor etc … His wife came along. They even had us up to see their apartment & his paintings. That evening Al, Herb & I dined at “Salt”, which is a restaurant in our hotel. Dinner for three had been 235.50 …. I felt a little better when we found out we were paying Australian prices … American was half! Al said he would rather sleep on an innertube then pay $500.00 a night, so he stayed in a hostel for $300, with a bathroom down the hall.

On the 26th. We started our ritual 2 hour & 20 minute ride to ” Hemsley Park Equestrian Center”… and it was pouring! As you can see we had on our AT&T hats & ponchos … Unfortunately they only reached to our knees, so from there down & underneath to the skin we were soaked. It stopped raining for the six minutes Robert rode. We were beaming when we waited for the award ceremony. His team received a bronze medal. Al ran around to the other side to take a picture of the presentation. A guard came up & said only press was allowed down near the arena. Al said.” o.k. you can arrest me after I take a picture of my brother. He just won a medal”.

Poor Al had to wear my back pack in front & his on his back! It was heavy for me empty! AT&T gave us identifying picture badges to wear around our neck. They got us free public transportation everywhere, & free lunch & dinner at the entertainment center. They also provided free use of their computers & web site, & last but not least free tickets to some other events. Al went to wrestling. I went to boxing with him. It was fun to see Cuba against Russia or the U.S.A. Al paid 12.00 dollars for the three of us to take the train, and I said “I think it is free with our badges ~ . ‘~Thanks for telling me now, mom”! He didn’t repeat that mistake.

The next Olympics, Al said, should have an event called “Taking Care of Your Parents”. I thought someone had cut my purse off! After alerting security & making everyone wild a sweet volunteer asked if I had looked in my seat … Of course there it was .. A nice man said he wondered why I had left it! It must have been the heat.

Dad had his day also. He left his backpack on the floor of a cab we had taken so he wouldn’t have to walk from the train to our hotel. Al made a mad dash after it, but it got away!. A Chinese man asked if I’d had the license number. I said no, so he gave it to us, but all the calls did not get it back.

Al & Lynne treated us to “New Zealand”, but that’s another story I promise to tell you.

Can you guess what they are???

We are talking screw-ups that actually helped humankind! Let’s see if you now any???

This man, halfway through an experiment with bacteria went on vacation. Slob that he was he left a dirty Petri dish in the lab sink. When he got back, he had found the bacteria had grown all over the plate, except where an area where mold had formed. That discovery let to two things? What were they and who was he?

In 1943, the war years, a General Electric engineer combined silicone oil and boric acid in an attempt to find a cheap alternative to rubber for tank treads boots ext, What was his name, and big discovery???

In 1870 this man was experimenting with the sap from a South American tree, as a substitute for rubber, After mounting failures, The dejected inventor popped a piece into his mouth . He liked it. He discovered what?

At the end of world war two, this engineer was looking for forms of magnetron, which generated the microwave for radar systems. While he was standing next to the device one day, a chocolate bar in his pocket melted. This magnetron worked better on what? Who became very rich from this?

In 1856 : this man was interested in finding a cure for one of the deadliest diseases, Malaria by replicate Quinine in his laboratory he inadvertently discovered the color mauve instead. As a result he forgot about malaria and made another product establishing what?

In 1987 This couple were using small does of a deadly toxin to treat “ aspasams and other eye spasms when they noticed another interesting side effect, wrinkles magically disappeared What did they discover & who were they?”

Atlanta 1996
The Games of the XXV1 Olympiad

Imagine that you are sitting among thousands of people watching Mohamed Ali sprint to the top of the stairs to light the Olympic flame, opening the 1996 Olympics. What a thrill. Mohamed Ali was presented a replacement gold metal for his boxing victory in the 1990 Olympics.

Dressage was located at the Georgia International Horse Place in Conyers, Georgia.
Herb & I were lucky to be staying at our brother & sister-in-law’s house in Roswell.
We were very anxious to see the marble wall honoring the athletes. It said ” Through their talents, dedication, and spirit, they have brought glory to the University of Georgia, their country & themselves”. Many people were admiring the honorary panel. We were very thrilled to see Robert’s name up there twice, never dreaming it would be there 6 times one day! Herb was beaming. I was crying, of course! .

One evening the 4 of us decided to take a walk through Olympic Park. All of a sudden we heard an uproar. I remember seeing a bag thrown out in front of us. Later we learned it was some kind of a bomb, and a woman was taken away in an ambulance. We read that a white supremist by the name of Eric R. Rudaly was the Olympic bomber. He had committed a series of bombings across the USA. He killed two people and injured at least 150 others.

The team ride was very good. Ed & Marilyn drove us to the huge parking area. When we all went to find the car it was a riot. None of us could see it. Herb walked so far I had to call a lady with a cart to find him. The next day we took a bus, then a train to the stadium. I was so nervous, I was afraid we would never get on the bus because it was so crowded. A women shouted out, “What are you doing here Mrs. Dover? Didn’t Robert tell you all the parents were being picked up every day?” I had to admit Robert had forgotten to tell us about the rides. We arrived just as Metallic came into the ring. All of a sudden he reared up, and that took care of his chances.

A lovely lady came up to me and asked for my autograph. I laughingly said, “Why would you want my autograph?” She said “You are Robert’s Mom aren’t you?” I got a kick out of that.

All in all it was a great joy to be an American in Atlanta

WHAR GAME, iINVENTD BY CANADIAN DR.JAMESNASMITHIN 1891, WAS PLAYED WITH A FOOTBALL UNTIL THE LATE 1950?

2-HOW MANY POCKETS DOES A CHAMPION SNOOKER TABLE HAVE?

3-WHAT IS THE HIGHEST SNOOKER BREAK IN NORMAL PLAY WITHOUT THE
ADVANTAGE OF A FOUL?

4-WHAT WAS THE ONLY GRAND SLAM EVENT PLAYED ON GRASS AT THE START OF THE 21 CENTURY?

5-WHO, IN 2001, BECAME THE ONLY WILD CARD ENTRY TO THE WIMBLEDON MENS SINGLES TITLE?

6-WHAT FAMED SPRINTER WON LONG JUMP GOLD AT THE 1984 AND 1988 OLYMPICS?