Gulfstream 2025-26: Week 11

 Tampa Bay Festival Preview Weekend 

February 5-8

Well, the week did not start out the way I'd hoped, but Saturday MORE than made up for it.  And in what has seemingly become a pattern over the winter, the BEST day of the week's racing came when I was at the races.  The Thursday card was - as seems to be the case most weeks - very weak with not much to choose from.  So it was not a surprise that I went winless with the three horses I felt good enough about to bet.  What was somewhat surprising was that I ran 5th and 2nd with runners that left the gate at miniscule 3/5 odds.  Ran second with the other at 5/2.  So it goes.  I had high hopes for racing on Friday.  The big winter blast that had hit the country last week had wiped out Oaklawn's Southwest Stakes Day card and Aqueduct's Withers Day card.  Both were rescheduled for today.  So I had three tracks on my sheet for Friday.  No one was more surprised than me when in a short field of three, prohibitive 1/9 favorite Luciele Ball was last....yes, one-to-nine.  WOW.  Good for me for not cashing in my chips and abandoning racing for the rest of the weekend :)  Came back in the Toboggan Stakes with Todd Pletcher's Be You.  He was not stakes tested, but he'd been a best of the rest second behind Bill Mott's very talented Knightsbridge who exited that race to be a decisive winner of the Grade 3 Fred Hooper in his next start.  Be You tracked four front runners into the lane, slid into the clear on the outside and powered home to score at 5/2 odds for my first win (and first of many stakes wins) of the week.

Missed with two runners out of town, both at 9/5 before getting my second win in a $30K sprint at Oaklawn.  One of my horses through MyRacehorse was in the field but I didn't think he'd be in the hunt, but did think Eglise was clearly the one to beat.  He'd scored decisively at this level last summer first off the claim for Mike Maker and had been in allowance company since.  On the drop he looked best, but I wasn't overly confident so I only went in for the minimum.  Right to the front, clear into the lane.  Was watching with Keith, who's here for the winter, and he said "He's your winner" to which I replied, "Never say that at Oaklawn they have one of the world's longest stretches it seems."  The farther down the lane they went, the close the field came.....the wire came up JUST in time :)

In what became a pattern on the day, sadily, I had the prohibitive 2/5 favorite in the Ladies at Aqueduct and didn't hit the board when crossing the line fourth.  Just....WOW.  Got my third win of the day with my first bet at Gulfstream.  Sweet Rebecca was coming off an eight month layoff while moving to the Brendon Walsh barn for the first time in a conditioned allowance on the turf.  Because of the long break I only went in with a minimum play.  Tracked the leaders while saving all the ground.  Got through on the inside at the sixteenth pole and cleared off late.

At this point on the Friday afternoon I'd won three of seven through the first three hours of playing the ponies.  I'm doing fine I thought.  The key word there, THOUGHT.  Went on a EIGHT race skid where one and only one even hit the board.  YIKES.  I will say that as one after the other failed to live up to my expectations it did occur to me that maybe this was a "sign" that Saturday would be a good day.  Still, much less entertaining to watch racing for several hours without even being in the hunt.  I finished the long afternoon with two last bets at Oaklawn.  I noted in the 9th, an entry level allowance that at least half a dozen of the entrants would be no surprise.  But at that class level I have found the most likely winner is a lightly raced, recent maiden winner who's run competitively once or twice against winners.  The only one that fit the profile was Vital Mind.  A sharp debut was followed by a win off the bench.  Then tracked the leaders and was a best of the rest second at this level last time out.  Third off the layoff added to the appeal.  Was mid-pack through the turn along the inside.  Came off the rail and utilized the long Hot Springs stretch to blow by the field and win convincingly with my triple investment on board to snap the string of losses.  Gave it a good college try when 2nd at 3/1 to the favorite in the final play of the day, the Bugler Stakes.  Wasn't the kind of day I had envisioned, but you have to put in the work and endure the losses to earn the right to post a string of winners.  And unbeknownst to me, that was about to happen.

The plan for Saturday was to head out to the track and initially the weather forecast looked like it might be chilly and or have showers.  So Keith and I talked about getting seats both inside and outside.  But two things changed my mind.  First, Keith had told me there was a possibility his niece would be in town from So California and she'd expressed a desire to go to the races, and second the weather forecast cleared up considerably....the temps supposed to hit mid to upper 70's was the call Friday morning.  So I got three seats in the grandstand for the three of us and told him if he wanted seats inside that would be up to him, but I was spending the day outside.

Only "real track guys" will get the first part of the story on the day.  I took a photo of myslef to post on Facebook and then reached out to my all time favorite Kimmy, who's been freezing with her family in North Carolina and told her I was at the races.  She messaged me back minutes later and told me she was in London where it was raining, for work.  And then she said, "Good luck!"  And so at the end of what turned out to be an amazing day of racing and handicapping, she is now committed (in my mind) to being obligated to wish me good luck EVERY Saturday until the winning stops :)  I had handicapped four tracks to play today.  Obviously Tampa where it was their last big prep day before the Tampa Bay Derby, it's Sam Davis stakes day.  I also handicapped Oaklawn where the Grade 3 Bayakoa was the highlight event.  And of course Gulfstream.  I also handicapped at Santa Anita where they were running their big 3yo prep race as the first step towards the Santa Anita Derby.  Finally I added Delta Downs as it's the one day of the year that I play their night time program, Louisiana Premier Night with multiple state-bred stakes.  I was a bit "concerned" that after finishing all the handicapping I had multiple gaps of an hour or more between races.  And then it occurred to me that I could use the time to listen to the book I'd written I've enjoyed doing that when I've been revisiting the novel.  Three of the first four races on my sheet were from Oldsmar.  In the opener  Fidelightcayut was one of two top contenders, but what separated the two of them was the barn's hot 30% win rate.  Tracked the dueling leaders into the lane and spurted clear through the final 16th at a generous $6.60.  Ran fourth at Gulfstream before I watched R Delray run away in the Tampa 2nd.  She was a Saffie Joseph class dropper in a maiden claimer coming off a layoff and she was the easiest kind of winner at a short price.  Keith and Lauren arrived about then and they stood in the breezeway as the horses went into the gate for the first of the stakes events, this one the six furlong Minaret for fillies & mares.  Mystic Lake.  She'd been the 6/5 favorite in Gulfstream's Sugar Swirl only to get hooked in a speed duel before failing to last.  I thought that Flavian Prat would handle her better today.  Not sure how that would have worked out because the co-favorite missed the break leaving Mystic Lake all alone on the front end and she wired the field easily.  Three-for-four to start the day!  WHOOOO HOOOOOO.

The Minaret had just gone official when the three of us took our seats on the finish line, on the front row to watch the fourth at Gulfstream.  It was a 3yo nw1x allowance going a mile on the turf and my pick was Laigina who'd been a daylight winner in her maiden, after two dirt tries.  She'd come back in the Ginger Brew and faced probably the best 3yo turf filly, at least locally if not nationally in Sister Trioenne and ran second.  That one had come right back to dominate the Sweetest Chant last weekend on the Holy Bull undercard.  Figured to be a short priced favorite and she was hammered to 2/5 odds at post time.  Pressed the 10/1 front runner into the lane and drew off without taking a deep breath.  

I went downstairs to watch the fourth from Oaklawn and my pick was sent right to the front at 2/5.  Led all the way, was collared late and dueled through the final 16th.  It was a head bobbing finish but I was pretty sure I'd won.  Watched the slow motion replay and thought the same.  I was the #4 and I heard someone near me cheer, YES the 9!  And I thought, he's crazy.  Then the numbers came up 9-4.  I couldn't believe it.  Watched the replay and then a drone overhead replay and was certain I'd won.  The photo came up - of course with the red part of the rail not visible in the photo and somehow it was interpreted that I was second.  I was so focused on the replay that I completely missed Zany sitting off the pace and rolling home an impressive winner in Tampa's Suncoast Stakes for 3yo fillies.  I'd tripled the bet but didn't collect alot as everyone saw her as best and she was 1/5 at post time.  Still, I now stood at 5-for-7 on the day and a perfect 4-for-4 at Tampa :)

At this point it was 2pm and I only had six bets over the next three hours.  I set up my book and listened to a long chapter in my novel where the characters, ironically, went to the Florida Derby at Gulfstream.  Of the six races I missed three times at Tampa, once at Oaklawn, and with my first bet at Santa Anita. But ironically the two races I won were both at Gulfstream.  Keith and Lauren had long since left.  Though - side note, Lauren had such a good time that she said she wanted to come back some time and wear a fancy hat.  I told her I could probably get her a ticket to join the ten of us in our Florida Derby party and she promised she'd look at her schedule a book a flight the next day.  That happened and ironically there were ten seats left in the grandstand but two of them were in our box.  I got the other one for our good friends Melissa & Ben who's son is coming but he wanted to bring a plus one!  The sixth at Gulfstream was a 3yo MSW going seven furlongs.  Looked to me like High Camp was the obvious choice coming off a big effort on debut that had earned an 83 Beyer.  High Camp lagged near the back early, then made a bold move down the backstretch.  But on the turn he stalled noticeably.  Swung into the clear in the lane and accelerated.  Gaining with every stride he was JUST up in time!  In the featured Ladies Turf Sprint, Moon Spun looked like the ultimate legitimate favorite.  She won a stakes like this 13 months ago then came back as good as ever and was third off the bench today.  I noted you COULD go for value, but I was pretty sure Moon Spun was the winner.  Right to the front, cleared by open lengths and was a dominant winner.

Missed in the tenth at Tampa, a sprint stakes before I stood in front of the giant screen showing the horses loading into the gate for the Grade 3 Bayakoa at Oaklawn.  Last season Nitrogen was the best 3yo turf filly in the country, if not top turf female period.  When the Grade 3 Wonder Again got rained off and she ran away from her short field rivals the connections decided to try the main track.  She responded with a win in the Grade 1 Alabama and second place finishes in the Grade 1 Spinster and Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff.  I had not been convinced in any of those three races.  But today as she made her 4yo debut my only question was if she was fully cranked as I'm almost certain they are targeting the prestigious Grade 1 Apple Blossom in a month.  Pressed the leaders and collared them turning for home.  Dueled to just inside the furlong marker and drew off easily carrying my prime time investment.  I was about to head for home but quickly did a count.  Leaving the track with an 8-for-16 mark, so I texted Kimmy in London, "Hope this doesn't wake you but YOU wished me luck and I went 8-for-16.  It's a rule now, every Saturday you MUST wish me good luck.  Sweet dreams" :)

As I walked to the car I'd made five late bets and the tickets were in my pocket - the Ladies Turf Sprint with Moon Spun and the Grade 3 Bayakoa with Nitrogen.  I had three more - the Sam Davis Stakes at Tampa, the Grade 3 Thunder Road from Santa Anita and the Grade 2 D.Wayne Lucas from Santa Anita.  I'd also made my first bet at Delta Downs thru my xpressbet account.  When I got home I pulled up the replays.  First up the Sam Davis.  The first replay I watched was the Sam Davis from Tampa.  I picked Renegade who was a Todd Pletcher 3yo.  Had been 2nd in the Gr 2 Remsen to finish his 2yo campaign and could be a good one.  Settled near the back, circled the field on the turn and drew off.......that's three winning tickets in my pocket!

Both the Santa Anita races went my way.  El Potente went right to the front and never let his rivals have a chance as whe wired the Gr 3 Thunder Road.  And in the Grade 2 DW Lucas, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint champion made short work of the field dashing off to a convincing show through the lane.

Time to turn my attention to Delta Downs and the first bet had already run a Starter Stakes.  Opened the replay and Sweet Darlin was away quickly but wide.  Kept pace to the turn, fell back and then re-rallied to blow by as an easy winner.  In the fourth Prado Priority dueled thru the turn then found another gear and was long gone for my 2nd win in Louisiana.

I was catching up with replays during commercials and between shows as the evening wore on.  Sandwiched around the Prado Priority win I'd lost two at Santa Anita.  It was about 8pm and we decided to take a break for ten minutes.  I flipped the TV to FanDuel TV as they approached the gate for the Louisiana Premier Championship.  Touchuponastar was my "BET of the Weekend" even thought I knew I'd be lucky to get even ten cents on the dollar.  His running lines showed six La-bred stakes...all wins and by more than a combined fifty lengths.  YOWZA.  His four rivals had lifetime best figures in the low to mid-80's and 'Star's last three were 101-108-104, and the other two state-bred races earned figures of 101 and 104.  SHOULD win for fun.  Pressed the pace to the far turn and then inhaled the hard working front runner.  Through the lane he was jogging while widening the margin by more than a pole as the EASIEST of winners.  And that topped the day.  Check out the numbers below!

Saturday's Totals

26 / 14 – 3 – 4

54% WINS 

Sunday I just had the feeling that the racing gods were going to "even the score" and that they did as I had only one win from five picks...and ironically that win came at even money with a minimum bet on board.

Social Media this week......

It's become "a thing" on social media over the last week or so.  Ever since I was introduced to the AI program ChatGPT it seems everyone else is using it to create their own animated version of themselves.  Our girl friend Michelle posted hers and I thought it was just adorable.  Told her so and she replied back that she liked her cartoon version of herself.

Lauren Pastrana and I had several exchanges - as per usual on this her birthday week.  During the week we had half a dozen exchanges....always good to be noticed :)

Karli Barnett posted her ChatGPT image and I thought it so SO caught her smile and eyes and told her so.  She replied back how kind I was.  That's my girl Karli, she's very thoughtful.

Teri Hornstein also posted her image and she was at work with coffee.  I remarked how sorry I was that it wasn't Wawa which I know she loves and misses.  We chatted briefly, loved it.

I got several reactions to my ChatGPT image which I doctored a little to show me in a Mickey shirt and put "Mickonomics" on the chalkboard.  Figured any of my former kids would enjoy that.  One of the first to comment was my former Jen, who also went to Miami of Ohio.  Loved her comment saying that was her in the front row in the bottom right of the picture :)

Of course the highlight on the social media front came from my exchanges with my all time favorite former, and super good friend Kimmy.  When she reached out to me and sent just a "Hiiii!" it just felt so warm and sincere - I miss seeing that girl and being able to talk to her about what's going on in my life.  When I sent her a pic from the track Saturday she told me she was in London and made me want to go back there....Kim and I had a wonderful time in London with our friends Pam & Bob.  Kimmy also enjoyed my ChatGPT image :)  And my favorite exchange came when she replied to a message I'd sent a couple days before about looking forward to visiting with her and her family and she assured me we would find dates to make it happen :)

Gulfstream 2025-26: Week 10

 Holy Bull Week

For many different reasons it was a very good week.  From a racing perspective I had an outstanding day at the track on Saturday.  And during the week I had a lot of interaction with my social media pals which always makes for a good week.  And the highlight, from my social life, was getting together with my long time most favorite former Western High student, Amanda.  The big news, all week long was the weather.  The country had been absolutely blasted last week by a gigantic snow storm and cold front which brought cooler temps here.  But Saturday another arctic blast rolled through and this one got all the way to us dropping the ACTUAL temperatures into the mid-30's and the feels-like into the mid-20's.  And before you ask, YES I did jump in the pool on that arctic Sunday morning.....mostly just because I wanted to be able to say I did.  Nearly the moment I dropped beneath the water level the thought ran through my head "this probably is NOT a good idea!"  Quickly one more drop down and out I went.  But I DID the "arctic plunge."  The racing began on Thursday where temperatures were in the mid-70's during the afternoon and from the ten races on the Thursday card I had three selections.  In the first four races I did mention a horse in three of them, but none offered any kind of betting angle I was happy with.  Finally in R5, a $12.5K claiming sprint I found a horse I liked.  Proud American was stepping up in class, but what drew my attention is that he had been claimed from his last by trainer Carlos David who's scored with a third of his nearly 50 claims in their first start.  Sent off as the 4/5 choice he pressed the 5/1 front runner into the turn, then took over willingly and drew off.

I ran third at 4/1 in the eighth before scoring with my last bet in the finale.  R9 was a starter optional claimer going a mile and a sixteenth over the synthetic.  Ashmia was the BEST of the Day for the DRF analyst and looked like an odds on winner to me on paper.  Of the 79 running lines in the Form, NONE of them would beat her last SIX numbers.  Oh.  Sporting a 7-for-11 record on the Tapeta and with Irad on board she looked awfully formidable.  Tracked the longshot leader to the lane, took over and drew off as the 2/5 favorite.  And for the day I closed out 2-for-3 with a $5 profit :)

Friday I did find four selections, three of them minimum plays.  Ran 2nd with one and didn't hit the board with the others.  I'd been texting with my "Disney Girl" Amanda for weeks now as we tried to find a day and time to get together.  On Wednesday I reached out to her and told her on my FB memories it showed that it had been this very week, Holy Bull Week, last year that we'd last been together to catch up.  She texted me back that she thought she'd be free and later that evening she let me know she was.  So we met for lunch the next day and spent two hours catching each other up on what had been going on.  Amanda has been such a good gal-pal since getting out of college and we enjoy chatting, never running out of things to talk about.  Here's a look back at me & Amanda thru the years.

Saturday arrived and Keith and I were pretty convinced by the morning that we'd be best served to play the races from the Sunrise Simulcast Center.  When the Gulfstream analysts on site noted early on that a light rain had started and fans were scrambling for cover we knew we'd made the right choice.  And even though the rain didn't last long, the air temperature and the breeze would have made for a most uncomfortable day in the stands I'm convinced.  That was validated to me - not that I need to be validated you understand :) - when the winner of the Holy Bull walked into the winner's circle and the drone shot overhead showed the width of the grandstand with less than a dozen brave souls sitting in the seats.  Wise choice Mr. Mark!  I'd planned on playing multiple tracks today but waited before handicapping.  The Fair Grounds came on line mid-week and not only were there no stakes events, it was a nine race card with pretty average races, a no.  Aqueduct and Laurel had entries but with the weather I was pretty sure neither would be running.  I looked at Santa Anita and again, was not impressed.  So I thought I'd play just Gulfstream.  But Friday morning I remembered there were stakes at Tampa so I added that card.  In the end I had fifteen selections on my sheet.  Lost both the first two races at Gulfstream, finishing off the board in both at 5/2 odds.  Race 4 was a maiden optional claimer for 3yo's and I thought Wall Street was a likely winner, though believed he would be short odds.  He was favored on debut at Churchill but broke poorly and appeared to have just jogged around the track.  Trainer Brad Cox is 27% second time out and Irad Ortiz took the call.  Right to the front and was clear into turn.  But turning for home was headed at the furlong pole.  That's nearly always the kiss of death for front runners, but Wall Street was resurgent and edged back in front and crossed the line first!

Missed on the next two, including at 3/5 at Tampa with the DRF Best Bet - I wasn't convinced he was that likely and only went for a double investment.  But at Gulfstream If Not For Luck got me back into the winner's circle.  My original pick was scratched from this synthetic claiming sprint, but I'd noted in my analysis that 'Luck was clearly the one to fear.  Was away at the back of the field and with the way the synthetic almost always favors speed, I had little hope.  Especially when the field hit the far turn and he wasn't even on the screen.  But like a shot out of a cannon he came flying down the middle of the track and blew by at the 16th pole!

Minutes later they were in the gate at Tampa for their sixth, a MSW 3yo sprint.  I told Keith he would NOT like my pick, Current Yield.  When asked to explain I told him that it was a Chad Brown horse and I knew from last week he shared by disdain for Brown's runners at GP who appear, again this year, to be prepping for Keeneland and not well meant.  But I pointed out to him that at Tampa - for what ever reason, Brown seems to be "LIVE."  Wasn't a fan of the rail draw but thought he was more than good enough to get the job done in an average field.  Broke slowly - of course, which horses of mine don't?  WOW - quickly recovered and joined three longshots on the front.  Dueled as a foursome into the lane and then cut the corner and spurted to a clear lead.  Opened up in the final furlong and drew away.  The best part - went off at 2/1 and with my double investment I cashed for $30.

Ran 2nd and 3rd in the next two....the first at 3/5 and the second in the first stakes of the day, the Tampa Bay on the turf in Oldsmar.  The stakes action began at Gulfstream in the eighth with the Swale Stakes.  Many years ago this seven furlong event served as a first step to the Kentucky Derby for runners looking to stretch out in the late spring, but now it's just another 3yo listed event.  Todd Pletcher was sending out a very talented 3yo, Class President.  While his debut Beyer was impressive, he was facing winners for the first time AND drew the rail.  That led me to Saffie Joseph's Solitude Dude.  He had drawn the open air outside box and not only had an impressive debut win but had rolled in Tampa's Inaugural Stakes as the prohibitive 1/9 favorite.  Irad landed here.  Right to the front, confidently handled to the stretch.  Asked and responded as he ran away to draw clear by nearly a pole with my triple investment on board.  I'm 4-for-10 on the day and within range of getting even with my bankroll.

I only had five races left on the day, but two of them were my BEST Bets - one each at Tampa and Gulfstream.  And much to my delight, I scored in four of the final five races.  The eighth at Tampa was an entry level allowance and most of the time these races are too difficult to predict.  But here, Todd Pletcher's Disruptor appeared to be a standout to me....IF the long layoff wasn't an issue.  After a sharp third in his debut, the $1.1 Million sales grad had ran away to a daylight score earning a huge 92 Beyer.  Pletcher sent him out for his first try against winners in the Grade 1 Florida Derby!  Sent off at 3/1 he lost all chance at the start.  Now off the long layoff he faced far easier.  And I thought, if Pletcher was shipping here and not running in his own backyard, they had to be serious.  Was away slowly (again, seriously?) but advanced five wide into third as they hit the turn.  Glided past and drew off as much MUCH the best and I cashed for nearly $40.  Next on my sheet was the Grade 3 Endeavour from Tampa on the grass.  I did not like the favorite and thought that maybe Aussie Girl could get loose on the lead.  Right to the front, backed the pace down and exploded away in the lane at a generous 4/1 price.  WHOOOOOO HOOOOOO!

The Endeavour closed the Tampa program.  I ran third at a big 6/1 price in Gulfstream's Grade 3 Forward Gal, the prep for the Gulfstream Park Oaks in two months.  But my BEST of the Day in Hallandale was next in the Sweetest Chant on the turf for 3yo fillies.  The FanDuel analysts were not convinced that Sister Troienne could continue winning.  But for me, she'd lost in a dirt sprint debut, but had since gone four-for-four in her route races.  That included two stakes - one on synthetic and the last over this turf course.  I thought she looked as formidable as a 3yo filly could at this point in the year.  Tracked the longshot leader while clear of the rest of the field to the turn.  Exploded with a devastating turn of foot to clear quickly and drew off by as many as she pleased.  

The final race on the card, and for me was the national feature, the Grade 3 Holy Bull.  Again, much like the previous race, the on-air handicappers were nearly unanimous in NOT picking my top choice, Todd Pletcher's 3yo colt, Nearly.  He'd been very impressive beating state-bred MSW, but his effort when drawing off against entry level foes going 7f here earlier looked like a real glimpse at a rising star.  Loved the bullet work for today and long time partner Johnny Velazquez was in the irons.  Right out of the gate Velazquez sat on the hip of the front running favorite.  To me as I watched the race I thought he was sitting on a powder keg of horse while the front runner looked to be running with a lot of effort.  On the turn Nearly swept to the front and drew off impressively.  BINGO!  Finished the day a remarkable 8-for-15 with a tidy profit!

Sunday I only hit on one of the four picks, but the one I hit, Paris Surprise, was an ironic winner since in a little over six weeks we depart on our next tip to...........yes, Paris!

For the week
26 /11 - 3 - 5   42% WINS  ROI $2.08

With the end of the month it was time to total the numbers for the first half of the winter season.  Improved the winning percentage from last year at this point by some five plus points while playing about the same number of races (four less).  Compared to two years ago before the noticeable downgrade in quality of runners, I played nearly 150 less races this season compared to 2023-24.

Social Media this week.....

Our good friend Shelly lives in North Carolina which was completely buried by snow this weekend, and she posted a few pics.  She's such a cute girl, always has been so I messaged her via FB and got an instant recognition.

My former student Jen - best known for going to the Univ of Colorado....getting very homesick, I visited her and was instrumental in getting her to stay...where she lives today - commented on my picture with Amanda and I messaged her saying I wished we could have one.  That led to a long conversation via text.  She expressed a desire to read my book and we made tentative plans for us to meet in May and I finally can meet her husband Davis.

Teri Hornstein and I exchanged messages.  First, when Wawa unveiled a new flavor of coffee Teri wished she had Wawa's in Washington where she now lives.  And the next day I had the AI program make a fictional Mark & Teri as I offered her Wawa coffee and she thought that was cool :)  Finally I shared with her my coloring book my son Brad gave me and she thought that was a great gift :)

Lauren Pastrana and I exchanged several messages.  Of note she thanked me for donating to her fund raising cause again this year and I shared with her my eye injection experience for the week.  She wrote back that her father-in-law has a similar condition.

Far and away the "best" exchange came with my best gal-pal and most favorite former, Kimmy.  She replied to my update on my eye.  But I really enjoyed our exchange on Sunday morning about the weather.  In particular when I told her I'd been brave (or foolish I guess you could say!) to jump into the pool when the feels like temps were in the 20's and almost immediately I got back a "Nooooooo"  :)  Loved the snow-covered pics from her - note I used one for the banner for this week!

This past week I also finished my book, "Who Would Have Thought" that is a fictionalized telling of the love story I have lived with my wife, inspired by an AI image I asked for of Kimmy and I meeting to catch up.  I "published" it online for anyone who would be interested in reading the story and I had about half a dozen people say they would be interested.  We'll see who does.  But I must add that after initially wanting to share the story, by book's end I came to the realization that I most wanted to write it for me.  I enjoyed the reimagining of my life's significant events with Kim, but I enjoyed as much telling it through, as my partner Mr. ChatGPT said, through a fictional lens.  Click the title photo below to visit the online story: