More to life than hockey, a tribute to my wife

If my wife had told me that I would have read seven books of hers, I would have called her crazy. Not because they are bad books, but simply because I am not a reader. Truth be told, it is a testament to the books.

A while ago, I decided to enrich my life, to include more than just hockey. I wanted a better existence. I started reading her books and could not put them down. Now I have read seven of them.

I thought I would give you my thoughts on my favorite top three. I may do a review of the other four. But as this blog ended up being longer than I thought because of how much I love these three books.

1. Looking Over Your Shoulder

A brain-teasing thriller that addresses the very important issue of mental illness. You are sitting there wondering if Abe actually is being watched. This book will keep you on your edge of you seat until the end. It will get you heavily invested into Abe, and it will have you cheering for him from cover to cover.

As you watch Abe, you wonder if he is going to crack and how far. Can he handle the pressure? Will he do something that he will regret? Can he keep his family safe? Can he convince them that he is not going crazy?

What will his wife do? Can she trust him? What can she do when it comes to protecting the family? Can she keep her family from imploding? Can she allow her children to see their father?

Looking Over Your Shoulder emphasizes the importance of family. It reminds us of how grateful we should be for what we take for granted in our lives. It really puts the issue out there: How far would we go to keep our children safe? What would we do when we lose our trust for our spouse? A genuine thriller that will keep you guessing until the end.

2. Cynthia Has a Secret

This book is so good because it could be real. It shows what could really happen to families if they continue to ignore the real issues. Carmina Knight has everything taken away from her. She has to reevaluate her life and her ideals as she loses her family and her possessions.

You learn how she was raised and it makes you realize what kind of influence you have on your own children. You may not think they listen, but they do. Carmina was raised to believe her parents' ideals. You learn how Julius Knight's ideals led his child down the wrong path. It is a chilling reminder that unrighteous dominion is real and how it can affect the family unit.

With every battle she has, you find yourself hoping Carmina can win. It gives you a true understanding of self-worth. As Carmina gets to know and love herself, you are proud of her for what she accomplishes against the odds.

We read of a wonderful mother, Esther Knight, and what mental illness stole from her as she was forced into the shadows of the domineering male in the home. You hope that somehow her influence can shine on Carmina and somehow help her in the end.

You hope as Carmina is forced to live on the streets that she finds a friend to rely on and help guide her through the homeless life. You find yourself wondering if you can trust her friend Toto, or if he will he just use her.

Cynthia Has a Secret is an enticing story that keeps you wanting more, at the same time reminding you how important your role as a father can be. It gives you true insight into what a domineering enforcer can do to a youth's life.

3. Questing for a Dream

A truly inspiring look into aboriginal life in Canada. Questing for a Dream shows you the prejudice that we as nation have against the Native peoples. As I was reading about Nadie Laplante's life, I began to learn more about myself.

I recognized the judgments she was facing. I was so upset at the other characters; but at the same time, I remembered the times I saw Natives on the road hitchhiking and how I judged them because of their appearances.

Nadie was a good girl who was raised in a rough life without a mom. She was raised by her grandfather. You watch them struggling together with what the world gives them. You watch Grandfather battle with his demons, and Nadie’s fight against those demons as well.

The only way Nadie could win her battle was by facing them. In order to become whole, you have to remember you are not whole.

Questing for a Dream taught me some of the traditions of Native heritage. I truly had no idea of their beliefs. It gives you a true insight into the Native life. It gave me more respect and taught me to be more careful about judging people on first impressions. Never judge anyone until you have worn their shoes.

For those do not know, I am writing this on my anniversary to my wonderful sweetheart. With fondest regards, I give tribute to her and her writing. She is a wonderful wife and mother with a real gift for writing. I look forward to reading more and more of her books. With each book, I learn to love her talent more.

You can find her at http://pdworkman.com and you can find her books on any of the major online bookstores such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks. The links in this blog will take you to Amazon.

Randy

Leafs Choices... What to do...?

I have been going over this again and again. And I suspect I am not the only blogger. This issue is what to do with JVR? He is probably playing the best hockey in his career. The price would go through the roof right now. The question is, do we dare trade our best asset for the future?

The business side of me says absolutely; it would speed up the rebuild. The Leafs need to do this the right way, building up the assets as much as we can. The more picks and prospects, the better our chances are that they will pan out. As we know, predicting whether a prospect is ‘can't miss’ is a crap shoot. The more crap shots we get, the more future players we get.

So the next question about the Leafs is the Bernier play. What do they do with him? Bernier has one more year left on his contract, and Reimer is a UFA. So… what to do, what to do… Does Reimer deserve a contract offer? Which one do the Leafs keep? Or do they sign both? My pick is to trade Bernier; again, simply because we can get more assets for him.

Do the Leafs want to win this year? Obviously, they are not going to go public and admit they aren’t aiming to win. But let's face facts. No one wants to win this year. For the rebuild to be successful, it has to be painful. We have to keep the bare bones and sell off the rest to the highest bidder. It will get far uglier before it gets better.

Randy

Originally posted on Flames Jambalaya

What has been going in Calgary? The Flames have seemed to have changed their ways. So why the change of fortune? The Flames have been upping their play and suddenly seem to remember how to play.

What exactly has changed in the Flames’ play? I especially noticed a couple of things. The first is that the Defense has started to pitch in. They jump in the play at a moment’s notice. They look like the old Defense of last year. Gio is beginning to show his true colors. He is playing smart, picking the right times to pitch in.

Brodie is the best D-man on the team right now, bar none. By far he is playing the best hockey he has ever played his best hockey as a Flame. He is getting help with Hamilton’s arrival. His obvious problem was adjusting to the system; he has seemed to have adjusted.

Russell and Wideman are still having issues, but they have improved of late. Seems Russell is getting better as his positional play. He is back to blocking his shots.

So what is still needed? Simply put, more supportive scoring from the forwards. Right now it lacks mostly because of the Frolik. The Flames right now have a terrific top line, but they need more scoring from their second line. Which they were having before the Frolik injury. They need Mr. Hudler to be more visible. For some time, we have not even heard his name, he has to be the Hudler from last year.

Plain and simple, we have to somehow get more results from Backlund. He has all the talent. He has to learn to use the skill that he has. He needs to think with the puck and get smarter.

Sam Bennett is one of the best young players in the game. He must get back to where he was when Frolik was healthy. The Flames have to do a trade, or, better yet, find a linemate who can think like Bennett. He is not quite there to run the line; he needs a smart player to go with him.

That means Ferland has to step up his game to add some offence. Right now, he is one of the best pests in the game. He has to start capitalizing on scoring chances. The problem is, he has to get more scoring chances. That means Bennett has to realize he does not have to do everything himself and start trusting Ferland to give him a chance to score.

I have enjoyed watching the defensive coverage is getting better and getting smarter. The forwards are beginning to take responsibility in their zone. They are hitting and playing physical within the limits. Forwards are helping defense. They are finding ways to win and not to lose. I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

The Flames may not look like they’re trying to improve the team. But I cannot express this enough, they are one of the busiest teams in the League. The problem is, there are not enough sellers and too many buyers. That means the sellers are asking for the moon and the buyers are only offering the stairs. It's a game of chicken; the question is: Will the Flames be the first to cluck?

What are the Leafs to do?

There are a few questions Mr. Babcock has which will pretty much determine how long of a rebuild the Leafs are in for.

The biggest player that he has to make up his mind what do with right now is:

Jonathan Bernier

Is Bernier's career over as a Leaf? Now this is a loaded question, and you won't get the same answer from anyone.

Let's face facts. Bernier has been a huge disappointment. He has been awful; he is not controlling his rebounds, giving them away like candy. He is giving up at least one bad goal per game. His inconsistent play has been a huge problem for the young defense.

There is no easy solution here. The Leafs have to patient with him, simply because they will never get what he is worth. They cannot play him because he has not earned that right. Obviously, the Leafs really have no choice. They have to see what they can get for him. There is no way he is going get a fair shake with the Leafs. They need to get what they can and run.

The next question is: Who do the Leafs want to keep and build this team around? Babcock has said again and again that he has no interest in trading Dion or Kadri. So who else is staying?

If I were the GM—and of course I am not—I would say: No one! But I would like to list the biggest names I would shop:

Tyler Bozak

I am sure some team would be willing to take a huge gamble on Bozak. The biggest problem is the cap hit. The Leafs will have to take some of the cap. Hopefully, the Leafs can get a pick and a prospect in return.

Joffery Lupul

I still believe that Lupul has some value. Joffery can still be a solid third liner. Again, the main problem is the nasty cap hit. His cap says he is a 2nd line forward. The Leafs will have lower their demands to get this done. I still think it can be done.

The third and last asset:

Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau

Parenteau is a good, cheap forward with some speed I would sell him hard at the deadline. He has played well this season and has been one of the bright spots this season. Pierre has been a special teams superstar, He has been used in both the powerplay and penalty kill. He is a very useful player that every contender could use in their final push.

How about you? Who do you sell at the deadline?

Randy

Sorting the Facts from Fantasy; and, of course, a Rant

Originally posted on Flames Jamalaya

Bottom line: The Flames are really trying to improve the team. The problem is this is real life, not fantasy. What I mean by that is that Flames trades are easier said than done.

Why is nothing getting done? There is one main reason: No one is willing to trade a player for prospects and picks. Simply put, too many teams feel they have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs.

As a result, if you want the million dollar prize, you are going to have to give a million in a half back. This is what is causing the end of any deals. The Flames have pretty much told anyone and every team in the League they are in the market for a top-six forward. Unfortunately, every team has told the Flames they want a top three dman. And the Flames are telling them they do not want one that badly.

Yes, I know they are trying, or else I would not be doing this blog. The Flames are in no hurry to trade Brodie; he is about as close to untouchable you can get. And you can pretty much say that for Hamilton. Although, I could see him gone before Brodie. Okay, now before you go nuts, I am not saying they are trading Dougie. What I am saying is, Brodie is ahead of him on the depth chart.

There is a reason I have not mentioned Gio. He is not drawing much interest with the way he plays. That is not inside info, just an observation. If he starts picking up his play, the Flames may have an asset they can deal. Again, no inside info, just an opinion from a no-name blogger.

As for the other two the Flames defensemen; the Flames would love to trade Wideman. The problem is that teams are seeing him as a one-year wonder. The way he is playing, can we really blame them? As for Russell, the Flames have to make up their minds what they're doing with him.

Amongst the forwards, the main asset is Hudler. Nothing is getting done because Flames cannot get anything close to making it worth their time. As for anyone else; you're kidding, right? The Flames are either not going to get a thing for them, or the player is us untouchable.

There is no way the Flames are giving up Johnny Hockey or Mr. Monahan. Oh, I am sure they could get a stud for Bennett, but I would harm them if they did. The answer could be Backlund, but he is really struggling and won't get the Flames a million dollar prize.

So there is the problem in a nutshell. Right now, it is a game of chicken. So, Brad Treliving, are you feeling a little fowl?

Randy.

The Flames Three-Headed Monster

Originally posted on Flames Jambalaya

You would think the Flames would have gotten a more clear goalie picture by now. Instead, they have a messy, cluttered situation. Why, you ask? Well, it could be for two reasons. The first is obvious. They are equally bad to start off the season. Whether it's the goaltending or the defence, Houston, we have a problem and big one at that. The other is that the Flames muddied the water when they re-signed Ramo. They should have traded Hiller. Instead, we have a three-headed monster on our hands.

The three goalie system does not work. In fact, it often causes a distraction in the dressing room. When any given night you have one or two mistakes in your own end, it becomes almost comical. The goaltending is not picking up that great save when we need it. Which is rather troublesome. Either Hiller or Ramo has to start playing like they want the job. Or do I dare say, bringing in Ortio to give him a shot?

Talking about Ortio, let's face facts. Sitting in the press box is not doing him any good.  Either play him or trade him. The third choice is not a choice. What I mean by that is I do not feel he would clear waivers. I also feel he has nothing to prove in the AHL. You know what happens when you stop moving forward, you regress instead of progressing. That is why I feel they are at a crossroads with him. Play him or find a home for him. As long as he sits in the press box, you are not going to get much for him. He might not even be in the future for the Flames, with Jon Gillies on the farm.

The defense issue concerns me a bit. I know it's early, but the defense seems to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Most nights our second pairing has been the best pairing. Hamilton and Gio have struggled at times this season. They are really missing Brodie. His playmaking skills are what the doctor ordered for this team right now.

Yes, it's early, but the Flames have to squash this before it becomes a norm. The forwards deserve some blame for not finishing their hits and taking silly penalties because they are lazy. The players started believing all the hype and no team is going to take them for granted now. There is no sneaking up on teams; they are well aware of the Flames and more prepared to pounce on them.

Again, it's early, but I see nasty habits rearing their ugly heads. This cannot be tolerated. 'Never give up' has to be back in their game. Right now they are not even trying.

Randy

Calgary Flames Decisions

First posted on Flames Jambalaya

Going into the season, the Flames have some major choices to make. The biggest being in goal, crowded with three incumbents: Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo, and of course Joni Ortio. Ortio having a one-way contract makes it that more interesting. This is the one choice I want to discuss tonight.

Karri Ramo

The ability of Karri to make the big save came in handy in the playoffs. But at the same time, his unfortunate ability to give up a bad goal was almost predictable. He was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Flames need a more consistent goalie this season. Whether Karri can deliver is anyone guess.

Jonas Hiller

Jonas would be the first to tell you he can be better this season. I love his ability to cover his net. He has quick reflexes for rebounds for the second start. He is usually in position for the next opportunity. But he has the tendency to lose focus and let in bad goals. If he can return to his days in Disneyland, he is capable of being a consistent number one goalie.

Joni Ortio

Here is the wild card. Joni has been outstanding at AHL level. He really had no more to prove. He is a big, lanky goalie who covers the net. He is a very good positional goalie who needs to work to continue his progress. The negative is that I am not sure he will get enough action to do that.