Jen loves Clark!

 Sorry for being so incommunicado lately - just so much to do around the new place! But the roof is done (big job, although my part was largely restricted to writing the checks), I'm almost done with the computer room renos and the garden is ready for winter. We then have to redo the living room ceiling (because of water damage from the formerly leaky roof) and then tackle the bathroom. Getting there, slowly but surely.

I haven't written any Smallville reviews lately, in part from lack of energy but mostly because of how hard I find it to express my feelings. I'm enjoying the season a lot even though I feel they've wasted opportunities in practically every episode so far. And once I wait too long, I fear my review might be overly influenced by the many other great reviews I've seen out there, both good and bad, But I do plan on getting back on track after Friday's episode - it looks like a lot of fun.

Speaking of Friday, that's going to be Day 1 of the Breeders Cup, the so-called Ladies Day, even thought the two queens of the sport won't be racing until Saturday against the boys. Don't miss it ! The races look to be absolutely spectacular. My beloved Zenyatta looks to extend her unprecedented undefeated streak to 20 and sew up Horse of the Year honours in the Classic, while Goldikova seeks an equally unprecedented three-peat in the Mile. But both mares are facing very stiff competition and I fear to get my hopes up too high. Zenyatta in particular has a lot of question marks against her, since she's never raced on the east coast, has only run twice on dirt (since California switched to synthetic surfaces just as her career began), has only faced the boys once and has lower speed figures than are usually required to win the Classic. She'd also scared away the competition in California, so a lot of people are very dismissive towards her (If you think the Lois versus Chloe wars are bitter, you should see the Zenyatta versus Rachel wars!) On top of it all, she'll be facing a full field in the Classic and given her come from behind style, will need some racing luck to get a clear run. Is she good enough? Yes, but anything can happen in a horse race. Fingers crossed!

But first, the amazing Zenyatta going for a modern day record of 17 straight wins. Watch and marvel!



( and now for the World Cup )

Excuse me while I gush over the second or third best racehorse I've ever seen in person. Number one by open lengths was Secretariat in 1973 - yes I'm old enough to have seen him in his final start. The number two spot is a much more competitive race but Zenyatta's performance today in the Breeders Cup Classic cemented her place in my heart. First of all, she just dusted the boys, becoming the first mare to ever win the Classic. She did so with her electrifying turn of foot that just leaves race fans gasping for breath as she zooms from last to first. She also looks the champion - big and fierce and yet still very feminine. And she has the most amazing personality - she knows she's good. Her signature move looks like dancing - in fact, they did a little spoof on the show about featuring her on Dancing With the Stars.



( Here are some pictures I took of her last year. )