Hello Everyone,
It has been a very exciting morning. The final bid on the Breeders’ Cup Experience and a VISIT WITH ME was $11,200. I’d like to THANK and CONGRATULATE J. D. SWEENEY from SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, for this generous bid. These funds will go a long way to support and assist the V FOUNDATION in their efforts on behalf of cancer research.
I can’t wait to meet the Sweeney Party and personally thank them for their wonderful outpouring of support for this worthwhile cause.
It was interesting to listen to all of the updates on “Mike and Mike in the Morning”. Dottie got up quite early CA TIME so she could do so. Then during part of the program…which was hosted by Brian Kenney and Bob Valvano (Jimmy V’s brother)…they replayed a portion of a very famous speech Jimmy gave 7 weeks before his passing. It was March 4, 1993. In this inspirational speech, he introduced his concept to create the V FOUNDATION along with the assistance of ESPN.
Jimmy offered his drive, devotion to this topic, his hope, and his vision. ESPN granted their support to this endeavor via their time, money, and various efforts to enable the V Foundation to get started.
There were several key words and phrases Jimmy used repeatedly in this moving speech which can truly touch so many of us…no matter what is else is going on in our lives:
1) Each day try to LAUGH, THINK, and HAVE SOME EMOTION.
2) Be enthusiastic about things going on in your life…KEEP YOUR DREAMS ALIVE by working hard to try and make your dreams a reality.
3) Don’t give up….DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
These are certainly wonderful thoughts to reflect upon…no matter what you are doing!
I must say, I know one thing for sure. Each of these POINTS holds a very special meaning TO ME…and is also very symbolic to the way I tried to view my life and all aspects of my athletic career.
Point # 1…I really wanted to have FUN each day! I tried to make things unique and entertaining and add my own personality to the tasks at hand. I learned to dance…and did so whenever I could! I enjoyed every moment while at Barn 55 whether I was in my stall, relaxing, training or enjoying some treats while outside grazing and ‘hanging out’ with my pals. Additionally, I truly LOVED EVERY MOMENT I spent visiting with and sharing my daily activities and career with ALL OF YOU!
Point #2…I worked very hard to keep MY DREAMS ALIVE and make them a REALITY. 19 victories in a ROW! I still find this so special and have to literally pinch myself when I think about it. I was the ONE WHO DID THIS! ME, ZENYATTA!
Point # 3…This one is very dear to my heart and it definitely applied to ME during my racing career. No matter what else was going on…I always gave each task MY ALL….and I NEVER, NEVER GAVE UP!
Here’s to wishing each of you a very special day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!!
You are to cute!! zeny! you will always be a superstar!! pray you and your baby are doing great!! oxoxoxoxoxo.FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
judy berube
To Terry Crow:
Love your joke, but way too close to home. Ha, ha. Sometimes we’re all “George” at the track. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Abigail in Montreal:
Thanks for sharing Jericho with us. What a special sweetie he is. Hugs, J.B.
J Smith
Not cute at all! Ugh, I didn’t go to bed til 3.30, set alarm for 8.20 to see TROTT on Today show. Where was it? Did anyone see it? Can’t find it on their website either. Now I’ll be tired and cranky all day. Oh, wait, I can’t, it’s Mrs Moss’s bday & I said I’d make 3 people smile. I hope I find 3 people in the same place!
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Please take care of yourself too. Hugs, J.B.
To the Kennedys in San Diego:
Thanks for the link on Blind Luck. I had never actually seen that from start to finish before. Hugs. J.B.
judy berube
Dear Barbara Wood:
I have a friend recovering from the same procedure. Keep doing your exercises and visit Z’s site often. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Barbara Wood:
PS: I thought Diana’s name was a Latin phrase too. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sunny Boyd:
Sorry for your losses. Love St. Francis and his love of animals. Hugs, J.B.
Barbara Grimaldi
Sunny, thank you for your kind words. Lots of good people on this string…
About Michelle Akers, she was mentioned today in the NY Times sports section as having moved her ranch from FL to GA, so the address I posted earlier is incorrect. If you’re a soccer fan and love Abby Wambach, you would love Michelle, who still speaks to Abby and inspires her.
I had a thought about another way to help Zenny raise some money for her charities–I myself would jump at the chance to win one of Zenny’s shoes. Heck, I’m not even that fussy–I would even take a replica of one of her shoes! But if a real one were raffled off, it would give all of us a chance to win something so meaningful. Wish I could have bid in the contest, but could not afford it. Best regards to all…I’m going to Monmouth tomorrow and cannot wait to see the horses again…
Kathryn Cogswell
Sounding ‘Gee Whiz’ here, but . ..! “Gee Whiz.” ‘Zenipedia’ launched overnight, everybody`s in on it, and who knew it could be fun caught up, or not! ~ Thank you, All, for the answers: a shot of mirth, 2 shots warm Guinness, 2 [or three??] ice cubes in your mix, with a minimum of 4 links new or old wisdom, and a dash delight — the marathon slumber party! .. . you leave & you miss something; you don`t leave, and nothing gets done; plus, you`re pooped. So . .. ~ ‘Success is 90% just showing up.’ [W. Allen], with ‘Z-Dust’ the fountain of youth. And a rain check.
DJ
To Khc: Another ‘Golly!’ to add to the ‘Gee Whiz!’ “Showed up” with my sleeping bag and am ready for the marathon slumber party! Pillow unzipped for feather fights filled with fun and forgiveness. Fabulous food for thought and a feast of friends fit for a forever Dumpling! ‘Adding 5% to get started, 1% to follow directions, 3% finishing and will leave the 1% for mystery’ (J.Detweiler). And thank His Goodness, always a rain check!
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. Congrats to the Sweeney Family for winning the trip to the Breeders Cup and especially visiting you you! What a wonderful prize. Thank you and your teams for all that you do for so many charities. It was so inspiring reading the phrases you chose to share with us from Jimmy V’s speech. Yes, you truly lived each day having fun, setting goals and dreams and achieving those dreams and we are so glad that you let us share in those times with you and your teams. You are truly and Angel in Disguise.
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Thank-you for this very up-lifting Diary
Entry, today. Congratulations are in order
for the money you raised for the V-Foundation.
I love my V-Foundation T-shirt with you,
Zenny, on the front, from last year.
Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
Kathryn Cogswell
DJ: Then, always, the girl in school who said ‘Good Night’ at 9, woke up Nordic at 8, let the rest of us — gray-eyed & grinning — tell her anything she missed, and we never learned a thing. ~ Looking for more J. Detweiler and loved the recipe .. . “Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all.’ WSC.
DJ
Khc: Yes, while the majority said their hopeful ‘Good nights’ at 10, sincere at midnight, promises at 2, adamant by 3, whispers at 5, and praying for sleep by the time the waffle iron was hot and breakfast was served! As our Nordic arose bright eyed and crisp, we may have learned a thing-or-two about beauty sleep?! Or lack thereof :)
Deborah
There will never be a Breeder’s Cup as exciting as the last three because there is no star like you. YOU were the reason so many people, who never watched horse racing before, watched….only because of You.
PCRMfan
There are a hundred cancer charities listed on PCRM. Over 30 of them get the humane seal of approval.St. Francis of Assisi was against cruelty to animals. The V Foundation has been guilty of cruelty and that is why they are not approved of. American Breast Cancer,A P John Institute for Cancer Research,Avon Breast Cancer Crusade,Cancer Fund Of America,Children’s Cancer Association,Lung Cancer Alliance,Quest Cancer Resarch,United Cancer Research,etc are approved of. Almost 138 thousand US horses died in slaughterhouses last year while 100 or more cancer charities did 60 studies showing that exercise reduces your cancer risk. There is a study that followed over 60 thousand people for 12 years and those eating a vegetarian diet had 45% less of some types of cancer. Suzanne Somers and others have survived cancer without medical treatment. In Canada there are people saying they have found a cure(DCR) but no drug company is interested because they cannot patent it and charge a fortune. I will never give up being against cruelty to animals. The V Foundation is not a worthy cause. God hates cruelty and so do I. As ye sew so shall ye reap aka karma. Those who knowingly fund cruelty are against God.
PCRMfan
Made a mistake. Cancer cure is DCA short for dichloroacetate.
Melanie
Hey Z girl, you don’t win 19 in a row by ever giving up…and you never did..love ya sweetheart
Poca Hontas
EVERYONE wants to be near you!! You should be paraded one fall Ky day like was dome when you went to Arkansas. Then more of us can see you!!! Maybe we who find a charity worth contributing to that is meaningful, write a postcard (like before )30 words max explaining why and Team Z selects 250 people to visit each time: a new ONGOING contest!!!
Theres a wide world of noble causes
Those of us who never want to GIVE UP our dreams of meeting you (ALL) would love a chance thats more inclusive for the less than wealthy
Those with the least who give their little bit are giving gifts that are spiritually MUCH bigger anyway
(No offense meant to anyone)
Maybe someone has a better idea? An essay about how that invincible attitude has afFected you?? and how you used itto help another
Z we NEED you! 3 million smiles to you birthday girl Ann Moss
Poca Hontas
PCRMfan If youve been alive long enough and paid attention its obvious TOO LITTLE has been done to cure cancer PREVENTION is a huge part of many peoples defense Were conventionally focused on the symptoms not the cause Many survivors RADICALLY change their lifestyles after disease TX Is there a clue in that? Perhaps people have to chose what they want to support by RESEARCHING the facts first and then give from their loving and EDUCATED heart. Giving however is not wrong when the intention is to help How can that be unGodly?
Poca Hontas
What does Z think??