The feats those daredevils must do

The tightrope walk across the Grand Canyon yesterday by Nik Wallenda, who wore a microphone, and from the famous funambulism family known as the " FlyingWallenda's", caused me to think of various other astonishing feats men a women perform requiring guts, unrelenting determination, nerves of solid steel with a gutsy desire to do some thing only a handful of people on Earth could even attempt to successfully do.  Then, to make the feat even more challenging and solidifying their name in history, add the element of possible death if there's a mistake or failure on their part in performing the feat.

Feats require great balance, precision, strength and training

Photo credit: rollingroscoe from morguefile.com

 
I'm sure the adrenaline rush is huge and one reason why some daredevils return to perform even
more challenging feats. It must be addictive. We won't mention the financial gain and notoriety-
those are a given to these daredevils.

Check out this impressive list of Niagara Falls daredevils.

These women she-daredevils were each quite astonishing with their feats of skill.

Is it possible to 'not sink' running over water?

Photo credit: kconnors from morguefile.com

 
My favorite is a guy running on water(I think it looks real). See for yourself along with other amazing physical feats-(click link for video)

 I have to include Harry Houdini's feats of escape so many people fell spellbound to. A daredevil, an entertainer, an escape artist and master illusionist.  He was quite an original.


In this vid, you see a man 'walking on mostly water '.  Kinda funny how he was able to.





And of course, remember the always fit-and-spry Jack LaLanne doing something more featful than the year before.  Maybe I should say, 'more feating, but his feats were not life-threateningly dangerous, but they still required great skill and physical strength which the majority of us regular folk could consider to be super-human,
so I consider them feats.


In this posting I've mentioned just a few daredevil feats. Each prove the potential of the mind and body can do much more than the limits we normally place upon our bodies is very possible.

BONUS:Nik Wallenda's 22 plus minute tighrope feat crossing a gorge spanning a quarter mile at the Grand Canyon was accompanied by continual prayer. See this photo of him.

(That's 22 minutes of death defying walking and balancing without a safety harness or net on a cable
across a gorge with wind blowing).

He's got my vote for having nerve to even attempt something
like that. I think I would like to read his memoir-I bet it would be interesting. Click to read the transcript of an interview he gave.



Daredevils have to be bold and have confidence in their abilities to perform their daredevil feats.
They keep us enthralled and mystified with their confidence to even attempt such challenges
that can bring fame, but also the possibility of losing their life should they fail. That's what I call
 do or die trying.

I applaud them for doing what they must do.

Barks and second chances behind bars

When someone incarcerated decides to make a positive change for him or herself and is a positive influence on another living creature, it makes for a happy ending for all involved.



This video shows inmates training greyhounds with love. Lots of good teaching advice.


Inmates train dogs to be rescue dogs, service dogs for the disabled, and prepare dogs for adoption.
In other words, people serving time behind bars who failed in society are training dogs to be of service in society.

These programs are very rewarding and good not only for the inmates but for all involved when the dog is later placed with a person in need of service or rescue dog.


I'm pleased to know there are many programs the incarcerated are training dogs.  This link will show many videos of such programs.


 In essence, inmates receive first-hand training themselves by training dogs to have acceptable social behavior greatly increases their own second chance success in society.

Every one deserves second changes for a better ending.

Congrats to all. Keep it up.

S P E L L I N G B E E

Have you wondered why it's called a 'spelling bee?' Why not 'spelling stand-off' or 'spelling derby'?  All in all, I think it's a grand thing that kids devote a huge part of their young lives studying words because what they gain will carry forward to everything they will do. Spend hours memorizing little nuances of different languages for the possibility of having to spell a word from a language different from their own will help them in every form of communication in every profession or field of study.

There's a lot of words to spell in the world

Photo credit: jdurham from morguefile.com

 
Here's info on the history of spelling bees.

Here is a list of past winning words. Make sure you check the 'Spellers' to read these kids are very intelligent and gifted in academics and music.


Contestants have to study world dictionaries to spell words I wouldn't even begin to use in a normal conversation. But they are amazing to even know how to dissect a word apart based upon it's origin, the put it all together.

Congratulations to this year's National Spelling Bee Champion.. This teen, Arvind Mahankli, has a sense of humor, and, a set goal for his future. His parents and sibling I'm sure are so proud of him.  I especially like that he's humble of spirit, taking his winning all in stride. He was a contestant in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Now that he's a winner and in more ways than one. What a role model for all of us to never give up until you succeed.


Video of the newest spelling bee champion and the German-derived word he nailed sealing his win.



 Congratulations to all who entered and spelled words I wouldn't even know how to begin spelling.