The War That Saved My Life

Ada doesn’t know her age, doesn’t know how to spell, or read, or write. her mother is so embarrassed of Ada’s twisted “clubfoot” that she locks Ada in their apartment until she is roughly 10 years old. When her mother sends her 6-year-old brother, Jamie away during World  War II, she ignores the pain, learns to walk, and sneaks off with her brother. They are cared for by a young woman named Susan. At first, Susan isn’t to thrilled with the idea of taking care of two children but before long, she cares for Jamie and Ada as if they were her own children. In her new home, Ada learns to ride a horse, cook, and finds her first friend, Margret.

I highly recommend this book for anyone over the age of 9. I also love the sequel, The War I Finally Won. Both of these books are on the top of my list, along with all of the Rick Riordan books.

AFC North Review

AFC North Recap

Ravens

Record- 10-6

Coaching- John Harbaugh is a slightly above average coach. He has good play everywhere except quarterbacks. If I were the Ravens I would have kept LaMar Jackson in the game instead of putting in Flacco. People are forgetting how good he looked before the playoff game. He just had a bad game and he needs the experience, plus he is the future of the franchise.

Offense- Your offense has a great running game. You need better weapons to throw to, like a wide receiver that Jackson can throw to. So when he gets a lot of pressure off the edge in his face he can throw a 50/50 ball up to that guy. If this happens then your offense could be really good. You can play action off of your run and throw deep balls to that guy.

Defense- Your defense is so good. Your defensive line has been put over the top with the speed rusher; Brandon Williams. The secondary could use one more defensive back in the third or fourth round. And a younger, faster linebacker. And you guys will be the best defense in the league.

Overall Grade- B

Steelers

Record- 9-6-1

Coaching- They coaching is okay. Mike Tomlin has his ups and downs. Randy Fichtner ran a top five offense. Keith Butler ran a top ten defense. Mike Tomlin can’t challenge or clock manage to save his life. However, it isn’t Mike Tomlin’s fault that Le’veon Bell and Antonio Brown are toxic to the team. It’s the front office’s fault. Mike Tomlin coaches the football team.

Offense- The offense was great. Some people say it wasn’t very good, but when the offense has to go 80+ yards almost every drive the offense was really good. The real reason the Steelers lost was because of special teams. Constantly having bad punt returns and kick-off return. This isn’t Ryan Switzer’s fault, it’s the blockings fault. Big Ben had one of his best years yet.

Defense- The defense was so much better. In overall defense the Steelers were 6th in the league. It’s hard for them too when the special teams gives up returns to the 40 yard line. All the defense needs is more big, splash plays. LIke interceptions and fumbles with big returns.

Overall Grade- C-

Browns

Record- 7-8-1

Coaching- Hue Jackson is trash. MIke McCarthy is okay. If I were you guys I would keep Freddy Kitchens and Greg Williams should stay because of how well they did with a 5-3 record. I think they should give them both one year contracts and see how the work. If it pans out the Browns will look like geniuses and will do well. And if it doesn’t everyone will give them a free pass because they are the Browns.

Offense- Baker Mayfield looked great. Nick Chubb looked great. I think that you guys should draft Hollywood Brown. You need better weapons. Other than that Baker Mayfield is so great and I think that he can be an all time great. I am rooting for you guys. Make the playoffs! You can do it!

Defense- Your defense is okay. Myles Garrett hasn’t developed as well as he was supposed to. Jabrill Peppers has been developing okay and looks pretty good, but has had some clutch plays. Your pass defense is top ten for sure, but the run defense is average.

Overall Grade- A-

Bengals

Record- 6-10

Coaching- Marvin Lewis is finally gone. Now what? Mike Brown has no direction, all they have done is interviewed Hue Jackson, Bill Lazor, and Darrin Simmons. I feel bad for the city of Cincinnati and Bengals fans. This team has bad contracts, no offense, no defense, and no future. This is by far the least attractive job by a landslide.

Offense- AJ Green is a god. Joe Mixon is a god. But Andy Dalton is not the answer at the quarterback position. The offensive line needs work. Tyler Eifert can’t stay healthy You guys definitely need to tank and get some draft capital to get a QB and a #2 wide receiver.

Defense- The secondary is declining. Vontaze Burfict sucks now. The defensive line is declining. You need defensive stars in the draft. The defense is giving up a ton of points. The Bengals need a makeover on defense.

Overall Grade- D

Overall Grade- D-

Why Do These Teams Suck?

Today I will be telling you why these teams suck or why they had a big fall off midseason this year.

Eagles- Why did you guys suck? The real reason is because of injuries. The secondary was so banged up this year. And you guys also didn’t do well because of Jay Ajayi. This caused you to be completely reliant on the pass. That is why you guys aren’t living up to expectations.

Panthers- Why did you guys fall off midseason? The real reason is because of age. Your guys front seven is so old. Cam Newton’s shoulder has been hurt too causing him to overthrow his targets. Christian McCaffrey is really good, but you guys need to stop relying on him so much and trust Cam a little bit more.

Falcons- Why did you guys suck? This one kind of stumped me, but it’s injuries and just flat out underachieving. Your defense is banged up. Devonta Freeman hasn’t been producing this year. Julio Jones hasn’t been producing as well. Matt Ryan looks better than ever though!

Packers- Why do you guys suck? I think you suck because of though schedule and choking in big moments. Aaron Rodgers looks great on an off year. You guys fumble in big situations. And your defense has been as effective as wet cardboard.

Vikings- Why are you guys mediocre? Your new OC was bad. Your guys secondary fell off. Dalvin Cook and the O-line have been on and off. And Kirk is not good. He has thrown so many dumb interceptions. Keenum was better.

Venom Review *spoilers*

Summary of the Movie

             Venom starts with a spaceship crashing into earth, inside a forest, all of the people on the crash are dead, but the space company is in a panic to capture the symbyotes (you will find out what they are later) but they only capture three of the four. Then in San Francisco there is a man named Eddie who works fora news company, and he has to interview the head of the the space company Kenyan Drake (who runs expiriments on homeless people who don’t know what there getting themselves into) Drake covers up lots of stuff in the interview. Then Drake continues to run expiriments with the symbyotes. While one of the symbyotes (aka Venom) goes into Eddie and he can change into Venom whenever he sees a bad guy, but Venom can talk to Eddie in either form, and when Venom gets shot it doesn’t do anything. And Drake gets a symbyote, and tries to go up into space a get more symbyootes and Venom destroyes his spaceship and he died.

             I think that this is a very good movie, it is a Marvel movie so it was very funny and the story line made sense. However the first half of the movie was quiet boring and confusing, but it all makes sense in the end.

Our Vacation to the Beach

I recently went on a vacation to Sand Dollar Beach in Monteray, California. I went with my Aunt Sarah, my Aunt Mia, my Mom, my two brothers, my sister, and my cousins.

Day #1

On this day we went to the beach in the morning, my cousin and I went boogie boarding. Then we built a massive sand castle. Then we went inside and watched a movie. Later that night we had bonfire and roasted s’mores.

Day #2

On this day we went to the beach early and I went boogie boarding I also tried surfing for the first time, I am not very good. Then we went inside, later that night we had a retirment party for my aunt.

Day #3

On the final day we went to the beach again and we went boogie boarding a TON. Then, me and two of my cousins dug a big hole on the beach. Later that night we went to go have a bonfire, but it didn’t light for very long.

On this vacation we saw a dead whale lying on a beach it was exteremly sad and I would like to tell anyone who reads this to not kill any animals at all, thank you.

Make sure you like, follow, and comment where you went for vacation this summer! Bye!

Narcissus. Poem by Liv Dentoni.

 

I think about myself in an amazing way.

The thought comes to mind like a picture.

The north wind blowing like the strongest man,

making ripples in the water in front of me.

I look down into the shining ripples of the fish that jump near me.

I notice a beautiful reflection and I drop down on my knees,

to wonder, to find, to know.

And then, as I drop, the reflection becomes more clear, like a mirror, the water reflects me.

The green girl, staring,

Behind me.

She never speaks,

never utters a word,

Until the end of her story,

only,

 

Once.

Written by Liv Dentoni 2015 (edited 2018)

Copyright © 2018, Liv Dentoni

This poem is about Narcissus and (Echo, who is only present in some tellings of the myth).  Narcissus is a greek man, so absorbed in himself, he saw his reflection in a lake, planted himself there for the rest of his life, entranced by the reflection. Echo is the nymph, who I reference as the ‘green girl’, who in the myth can only repeat what others say and loves him, and at one point in time, Narcissus says “I love you” (to himself), and echo repeats it until they both die, Narcissus leaving a flower, and Echo only leaving her voice.

Narcissus is the root of the word narcism, and how the narcissus flower got it’s name. In the myth, after he died, he became a flower.

Read a few versions of they myth at: https://www.ancient.eu/Narcissus/

There are many version of all greek myths, and this is how I heard it.

My workout plan

This summer I put toegether a workout plan, I have each day dedacated to a part of the body:

Monday/Friday-All around day

1.5 mile run, 30 push-ups, 30 sit-ups, 30 pull-ups, 30 squats, agility ladder, sprints, and hitting in my backyard.

Tuesday-Core

1 mile run, 50 sit-ups, 30 cherry-bombs, 50 supermans, and Hitting

Wednesday-Arms

1 1/4 mile run, 3:00 Wall sits, 50 push-ups, 50 pull-ups, sprints, and hitting

Thursday-Legs

2 mile run, agility ladder, sprints, 50 squats, 100 mt. climbers, 5:00 wall sits, and hitting.

Hello Universe Chapters 1-5 Review *spoiler alert*

         In the first five Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly. In the first chapter Eleven year old Virgil is thinking about how her family will be spending their summer playing, watching, and coaching soccer and how he will be spending his summer with nature and writing it in his notebook. Virgil seems depressed because he seems to think everyone is just better and happier than him. “Virgil had long suspected that his brothers were crafted out of a factory that made perfect, athletic, perpetually happy children, and he was made from all the leftover parts…” I think that this shows she is depressed because he has given up on being better than other people. Which I never do. Overall these chapters are meh because they are just kinda Introducing everything.

 

NFL Blog

 

Browns- They stank. They need to draft a QB 1st overall you should either pick Rosen, Darnold, or Jackson. I am not 100% on who to pick for #4, I might pick Saquon Barkley.

Bengals- You guys are the ultimate underachievers, you have a decent QB in Andy Dalton, an amazing three running backs in Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, and Joe Mixon, AJ Green, and a stout defense. Why can’t you win? It is Marvin Lewis, so you guys sign him to an extension.

Ravens- What disappointment in that season. That last game was back and forth, for the first half you guys returned to that funk you were in for the first half of the season. For the second half the Bengals were desperately trying to choke away the game, but you out did them and choked away the game. Congratulations.

Steelers- I will make separate blog for this.

Texans- You guys got your season ruined by the injury bug and you traded away your first round pick. You guys are loaded for the future and you guys are all set for a long time

Colts- This was a disaster of a season and you need new coach. Andrew Luck may never play another down for you, Frank Gore is old, and you guys have a terrible defense. Jacoby Brissett looks promising with a little polishing.

Titans- You guys need more defensive leaders, you guys don’t have a clear defensive star. You also need a lot more offensive weapons. Marcus Mariota had a pretty good year, so you are set for the future.

Jaguars- You guys put together one of the the most surprising seasons. You guys need help at QB, I recommend Kirk Cousins, but not Eli Manning. Blake Bortles will reach Alex Smith level, at best.

Dolphins- You guys had Jay Cutler, so that is a free pass, but you decide to trade your star running back. You guys are in a deep hole. I would trade up to pick Saquon Barkley. So you can have a better running back.

Jets- This season was much better, you were the ones who were supposed to go 0-16. You guys can trust the process and need to wait out the rest of your rebuild. The future is bright in the big apple.

Bills- Tyrod Taylor looked good this year. LeSean McCoy was good. Defense was decent, they definitely need a little depth on defense, I feel like when the evil empire in the Patriots falls, the Bills will dominate the AFC east.

Patriots- You guys need to find the next Jimmy Garoppolo. Other than that, you’re good.

Broncos- You guys are a team that needs major QB help. Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler are back-up quarterbacks. You guys need to go for Kirk Cousins or draft somebody, because LaMar Jackson should be available.

Raiders- You guys had high super bowl hopes this year and you guys fell flat on your face. You guys have to find a coach and Gruden is not the answer.  

Chargers- It is hard to win when you guys have 16 road games. You guys have a bright future with keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon, but you guys could use some work in that secondary.

Chiefs- What a surprise, the Chiefs disappointed their fans at arrowhead…again. They need defense, it is the reason you guys had that big fall in the middle of the season, you need more help.

Packers- Your guys weaknesses were exposed this year when you weren’t bailed out by Aaron Rodgers high end talent. Pick some defensive star in the draft.

Bears- Defense is great. Wonderful running back tandem. And Mitch Trubisky showed flashes, with a bit of grooming he could be a pro bowl QB. You guys just need some more wide receivers.

Lions- Words to describe your season: disappointment, underachieving, and mediocrity. You guys are now stuck in the pool mediocrity and you guys are going to take a while to be a super bowl contender soon.

Vikings- What a season. You guys have some QB controversy, Keenum or Bridgewater? My personal opinion is to go with Bridgewater, Teddy Bridgewater has proven to be a valid QB. Who knows if Case Keenum will return to that disgusting Rams form.

Buccaneers- I thought you guys were supposed to make the playoffs. And you returned to normal buccaneer form. Jameis Winston was Jameis Winston and you guys fell apart. Your in a tough division, good luck!

Falcons- You guys choked. You need more defense and offensive line. Get help. Stop choking. Other than that I don’t know that much about your team.

Saints- Good season. You guys had a great season. Defense is your new need. You guys will be a perennial contender until Drew Brees retires.  

Panthers- You guys need defense, and a couple more weapons on offense. You guys seem promising for the future.

Redskins- You guys are messed up for the future, Kirk Cousins is gone, Pryor was a disappointment, and your defense is not good. You guys now need to rebuild. Trust the process.

Giants- You guys, like the Texans, caught the injury bug. You guys need to trade Odell Beckham JR. He is a distraction. You can get a lot if you trade him though. I would draft more offensive line. And you need a new coaching staff.

Cowboys- Dak Prescott average. Zeke was okay. You are now back in the pool of mediocrity. It is hard to get out of there. You guys need to perform better. It will be hard to win in that powerhouse division though.

Eagles- YOU GUYS WERE AMAZING!!! Honestly you guys are set for the future.

49ers- You guys might be the brightest team in the NFL. Jimmy G. looked great. You guys are set for the future. You guys also have a top ten draft pick. Have fun in the playoffs!

Cardinals- Time for a rebuild! Need a QB. Fitzgerald isn’t resigning. Defensive core aging. Need a new coaching staff. Looks like multiple losing seasons to come for you.

Seahawks- You guys were supposed to make a deep playoff run, and you couldn’t do a thing. Your O-line was terrible, your receivers were average, and running back play was terrible. How did you guys beat the Eagles?

Steeler Blog V

Overall

Meh. That was a boring game, JuJu played amazing, but other than that it was boring. It was Landry Jones and Steven Ridely vs. the Browns. Since there is not a lot to talk about so I am going to making another blog on the state of all the 32 NFL teams.

Injuries

Antonio Brown will be back. Ryan Shazier might not ever play again. Tyler Matakevich will need surgery on that shoulder at the end of the season.

Wild card round predictions

Chiefs 31 Titans 27- This will be a shootout I think that the Chiefs will win because last year the Titans won, but I feel like the Titans will lose because Marcus has regressed a lot this year.

Bills 24 Jaguars 23- I think the Jaguars are going to get cocky in this game and lay a big egg, I think that the Bills can beat the Jags if they can Ride LeSean McCoy.

Rams 45 Falcons 17- The Rams are too good to lose to the Falcons awful defense, Todd Gurley will run all over them. And that great defense of the Rams will play will against a struggling Matt Ryan and offense.

Saints 24 Panthers 13- The Panthers got creamed twice by that deadly running attack of the Saints. Cam Newton struggled against the Saints, The Saints will win.