If you are looking for a fun place to visit in Upper Marlboro, MD, then Watkins Regional Park may be just the place.  The park is located near the beltway in Upper Marlboro, MD. 

Our kids had a ball!  There was a carousel and a train.  Costs to ride each were $1.25 for residents of Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties.  There is also a minature golf course.  The train rides through a small farm where there are cows, donkeys, ducks, and llamas.  There is a trail that leads to this farm as well so that you can spend more time observing the animals.

The other side of the park features a huge playground.  There is well maintained equipment that is suitable for ages 2-12.

There are also tennis courts, baseball fields, and picnic areas.

The park is very centrally located and is easily accessible to people who live in the communties of Oak Creek and Perrywood, as well as any one in the Upper Marlboro, Mitchellville, Largo, and South Bowie areas.

I have been watching the news today with horror as they describe the projected path and intensity of Hurricane Gustav.  I hope and pray that all the people in its path will be safe and will only suffer minimal damage and inconvenience.

As someone who grew up in Jamaica and who survived a direct hit from hurricane Gilbert in 1988 I know how frightening an experience one of these hurricanes can be.  At that time, my family lived 3 months without electricity or a generator (yes, 3 months!!!).  Jamaica was devastated.  It takes a lot to rebuild and I know it can be disheartening to see another storm appear to threaten everything you've worked hard to re-build.

Gustav has already been unpredictible.  It took a sharp turn over night and hit Jamaica dead on with no warning, then took on Grand Cayman and Cuba.  There have already been many people killed in these locations as well as in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  Lets hope that there is no further loss of life at the "hands" of this monster storm.

Once again, I pray that all the people in the Hurricane Gustav's path are safe and that all the people who have already been impacted are able to recover quickly.

I can't believe the football season is getting ready to start.  Living here in Maryland I have the pleasure of watching and cheering for two teams.  I was a school psychologist in Baltimore city the year the Ravens won the superbowl.  It was definitely an exciting time in the city.

9/7, 1pm Cincinnati

9/14, 4:15pm @Houston

9/21, 4:15pm Cleveland

9/29, 8:30pm @Pittsburgh

10/5, 1pm Tennessee

10/12, 1pm @Indianapolis

10/19, 1pm @Miami

10/26, 1pm Oakland

11/2, 1pm @Cleveland

11/16, 1pm @New York Giants

11/23, 1pm Philadelphia

11/30, 1pm @Cincinnati

12/7, 1pm Washington

12/14, 1pm Pittsburgh

12/20, 8:15pm @Dallas

12/28, 1pm Jacksonville

Its football time again!!!  I have officially moved into Redskins territory now that the stadium is only a few miles away.  I am looking forward to an exciting and successful season.

9/4, 7pm  @New York Giants

9/14, 1pm  New Orleans

9/21, 1pm  Arizona

9/28, 4:15pm @Dallas

10/12, 1pm  St. Louis

10/19, 4:15pm Cleveland

10/26, 1pm @Detroit

11/3, 8:30pm Pittsburgh

11/16, 8:15pm Dallas

11/23, 4:15pm @Seattle

11/30, 1pm New York Giants

12/7, 1pm @Baltimore

12/14, 1pm @Cincinnati

12/21, 1pm Philadelphia

12/28, 4:15pm @San Francisco

Its that time of year again.  Parents love it, kids dread it.  We are rapidly approaching the first day of school.  In Prince George's County that day is Monday, August 25 and in Montgomery County its Tuesday, August 26.  This is just a reminder to be extra careful on the streets in the mornings because there are going to be more kids around than you have been used to in the past months. 

Its rough to get back into the school mode.  We have to get my daughter to the bus at 7:09am.  All of a sudden those luxurious sleeping in mornings are gone.  Good luck to all the other parents who are going to struggle through this first week until we get back into a nice routine.  I'll be sleep deprived with you.

Usain Bolt has to be one of the most electrifying athletes that we have seen from the Olympics in many years.  His performances are both exciting and awe-inspiring.  Triple gold and triple world-records are un-heard of.  His talent as well as the talent of the other successful Jamaican athletes have brought the focus of the world onto the excellent track program that Jamaica has had for many years.

I know many people have criticized Usain for show-boating.  I think that shows his immaturity.  I can only imagine what he will be like when he has matured into his talent.  Today it was announced that he has donated $50,000 to the earthquake victims in China.  I think he is basically a good guy with an extr-ordinary talent.  I hope that people do not mistake his youthful enthusiasm for anything sinister.

All of Jamaica couldn't be any prouder of Bolt, Powell, Fraser, Campbell, Stewart, and all the other athletes that have done us proud this year.

This has been an exciting time for all Jamaicans.  As a nation, we take tremendous pride in our strong athletic program.  Many of the best sprinters (including many on the US, Canada, & British teams) are products of this program.  Despite this, the title of World's Fastest Man has eluded us - until yesterday.  For the first time in the nation's history the 100m Olympic GOld Medal was won by a Jamaican - Usain Bolt.  Not only was it is a victory but it was done in World Record time. 

Today the excitement continued when the Jamaican women swept the medals in the 100m finals.  We are not able to see the races because NBC will not show the finals live, instead we have to wait for re-runs in primetime.  However, my phone has been ringing off the hook with family members from Jamaica calling to share the new (they see it live because they have BBC coverage).

My sense of pride is so immense.  For a country as small as Jamaica to hold the titles of "World's Fastest Man" and 'World's Fastest Woman" in the same Olympics is phenomenal.  I just wanted to congratulate the Jamaican sprinters who have brought so much honor, glory, and pride to their nation.

I am once again disappointed by the NBC coverage of the Olympic games.  Each time I hope that the coverage will get better.  This year once again, they are choosing to show delayed broadcasts of track & field and other events.  The men's 100 m finals will be run at 10:00 am East Coast time on Saturday, however, it will not be shown until Saturday night in prime-time.  I am a big fan of track and field and it takes the fun out of the events if you already know the results.  It will be difficult to avoid finding out the results all day on Saturday.  As we speak, there are qualifying events going on in track & field that are not being covered.  However, we never seem to miss any of the beach volleyball action.  Many swimming finals that are being seen live on the East Coast are being shown taped on the West Coast in primetime. 

I honestly believe that NBC's desire to have a ratings bonanza takes away from the viewing pleasure of those of us who truly love to watch Olympic competition.  In my opinion, during these 2 weeks, every minute of the day should include Olympic coverage on several channels so that all sports get a chance to be viewed and so we are able to see more of the competition, not just sports or events in which US athletes are participating.  I think when we focus so much on just the US team we lose some of the spirit of the games which is to celebrate the best in the world, regardless of nationality. 

I was blown away by the opening ceremony for Bejing's Olympic games.  Wherever the bar had been set, these ceremonies cleary surpassed it.  I was awed by the precision that it took to orchestrate so many participants.  I hope that this is just a sign of the wonderful games that will follow. 

As always the parade of nations was my favorite part.  However, I was impressed by the ending fireworks, the torch lighting, the inspirational story of the little boy walking with the China team.  I'm curious, how other people felt about the show.

I am stunned at how disappointed I am with this whole John Edwards thing.  I have been an ardent supporter of his since the 2004 election.  I would have been really happy to see him on this year's ticket.  A big part of my respect for him was the apparent core family values he possessed.  I am very liberal and usually think that the politician's sex life is really none of my businiess.  However, that does not help me feel any less let down at the fact that he was not who he portrayed himself to be, and that his family is not what I envisioned. 

I have read Elizabeth Edwards' book and I have tremendous respect for the many things that they have weathered together as a family.  I sincerely hope that all of this does not cause her so much stress that it impacts her ability to continue fighting her cancer.  I wish her and the rest of the Edwards family all the best as they wade through this very public transgression.