Monday Bacon: Family Time

Posted on May 20, 2013 by tosabarbell

Growing up, family time with the Peterson’s meant a couple of things. At 5pm, if I weren’t at swimming, I’d watch Hogan’s Hero’s with my dad. He loved Sgt. Shultz and those who know my Dad’s laugh can imagine it. We had a cabin up north so family time usually meant a stressful packing of the car (my Dad was, and probably still is, the master packer. I’ve inherited the crazy on that one, thanks Dad;) and then hanging out on one of the best lakes in Minnesota. (Everyone says that about the lake they grew up on.) Some family time was fun, lots wasn’t but hey, it’s family.

Fast forward to now and my new love for Highland Games. My Oz man is usually in attendance and even got put to work shagging weights this weekend in Springfield.

Shagger of the day

Which was fun for him until he got pretty hot and tired. Heh.

After we parked our chairs in the morning, the Sciscoe family waltzed in. I first met Anita (the Ma) at the Shammies in March. She immediately started giving me Sheaf lessons and was full of fun energy all day long. I saw her youngest, Noah, walking around that day going back and forth alternating watching her throw and then going over to the Men’s group where Glenn (the Pa) and Andy (big brother) were competing together. Now THAT’s family time!

This past weekend in Springfield, Anita talked A.D. Merl Lawless into hosting a Junior’s division so Noah could go ahead and compete. Another junior competitor signed up and the two of them spent the day with us ladies. They were amazing. Hard working and having fun, with Noah giving his Ma a run for her money on the Sheaf. The two of them were the last two standing and I asked him, “How bad to you want to beat your Ma.” His reply, ‘Very bad!’ Heh. Good boy.

It was very special to watch Anita’s interaction with Noah. She was teacher; coach; cheerleader; mom; competitor; and fun through it all. Both she and Noah placed first in their groups and Glenn and Andy placed in their groups setting the stage for what better be this year’s Christmas card…

I’ve seen a lot of pics of youngsters trying to mimic proud folks with various lifting equipment. But the Sciscoe’s? Their kids mimic them right into the trig. That’s awesome. I like it. Spending time with them all day was a treat. Thanks Sciscoe’s!

Women’s natural role is to be a pillar of the family.

Grace Kelly

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Friday Jams

Posted on May 17, 2013 by tosabarbell

My Pipes playing; stone throwing friend, Clay, had this on his training log one day. I like it. It’s a bit of a dreary day and I’ve got lots to do before we head down to Springfield for this weekends Highland Games so I need a push to get me going. Push It from Static-X and their album Wisconsin Death Trip.

Enjoy the weekend.

It would seem that the Watergate story from beginning to end could be used as a primer on the American political system.

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To Reiterate…

Posted on May 15, 2013 by tosabarbell

Over a year ago, I wrote on how food and diet beliefs are as ingrained in many of us as religion. Tell someone that Soy is a highly processed piece of yuck and you risk a friendship. Telling someone else that you don’t want a lot of sugar snacks or chips kept around the house and the minute you leave the room, the shit talk starts. It’s very curious to me.

Why do unhealthy people have such strong opinions on MY not wanting to eat like them…on a daily basis? Do I eat dessert? Hellz ya! If it’s tasty, I love it! Do I eat breaded and deep fried cheese? Hellz ya! I live in Wisconsin, to not to is a sin against cheese. Do I eat those two things at one sitting? Uhhh, no. Yuck. Do I eat them every week, or even month? Uhhh, no. Yuck.

Do I eat a snackable? Hellz ya, that’s processed food fun in a box. With a cookie! Do I eat a delicious Highlander burger after three straight days of training and throwing? Oh ya, that is one earned Highlander. But we don’t eat like that at home, day after day. See how that works? It’s quite possible to live in the world without being a complete food nazi. It’s also quite possible to live in the world and not eat as a complete fat arse. Yes?

Meat, vegetables, fruit, dairy, and bacon. How hard is that? The combinations are endless. A little cupcake thrown in? Sure, once in a great while. A pizza? Yup, not nearly enough. Heh. A whole meal of processed carbs and crap. Yup. WHAT?! 

Yup. Enjoy it while you eat it, you’ll feel like garbage in about an hour and remember why you don’t eat like this all the time. If you feel normal the next day, your daily diet sucks. Stop it.

But bag on ME because I lift, throw, and choose not to keep crappy food in the house? Uhhhh, okay. And for those of you who can say with a straight face, “We have to keep this sugary food in the house for the kids.” SRSLY. Who runs this show? Those of you who have had years of weight trouble due to using shitty food as a reward NOW want to pass this down to your kids? Uhhhh, okay. Awesome.

But ya, come at me bro with your shitty diet and talk about how sad we are that we don’t eat like you.

Number one, like yourself. Number two, you have to eat healthy. And number three, you’ve got to squeeze your buns. That’s my formula.

Richard Simmons

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Cuz They Said So

Posted on May 14, 2013 by tosabarbell

I believe I first met Cowboy Gene on the Facebook. He was training with Phil Stevens, a friend of mine, down in Arizona and kicking arse all over the place. I met him face to face while living down in Texas when Gene and Phil moseyed over for a Roundtable event that included Rippetoe; Wendler; and Suggs. It really was one of my favorite (non-Bigg) weekend’s down there.

Of course, when they hit town, I immediately had to bring them down to the Bar-L for Red Draws they serve you in your car. Yup, drinks drive-in. Texas isn’t all bad.

Gene and Phil at Bar L

After spending about 15 minutes with Gene, you get a clear message of who he is. A gentlemen; a patriot; a lifter; and a charmer. Seriously, he really should think about doing weekend seminars to the males of today on how to be a mixture of Clint Eastwood, Sam Elliot, Ed Coan, Sam Houston, and many other great men I’m not thinking of at the moment.

At 70 years young, Gene continues to go for records on the platform. He recently competed at a USPF regional meet, here are his bench and deadlift: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdTeA35y4JE. There is some dissension in the ranks as to whether or not he locked out his final pull. Of course I believe he did and I also believe the head judge snoozed. But I wasn’t there, so I don’t know. That’s not the point. The point? Gene’s response:

Most agree it was not a good call, but you can’t argue with the judges call.

Sooooo, basically…judges said so.  End of story. No drama here folks, move along. See, that’s how adults behave. No bitching and moaning; not complete agreement but willing to concede to the judges. Because at the end of the day, the judges have the final say. Those of us who have been competing for a while understand this. No whining; no pouting; no foot stomp or lashing out. We show respect and let the cards fall where they may. Gene is a good teacher.

Suggs and cowboy Gene

Here’s Tommy and Gene talking story. Two amazing men who could teach the low testosterone males of today how to roll.

Congratulations to Gene for another great meet, thanks for the lessons. You are the model.

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’ 

Erma Bombeck

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