From:    Linda King
To:      Fredric Rice
Subject: hmph!

FR>  It's disgusting to see a well-trained competition runner
FR>  who's up at 5 am every morning running 20 miles before a
FR>  day of school and exercise win a race that he or she worked
FR>  hard to win thank his or her gods for the win -- as if the
FR>  hard work is pointless.

        A married couple in their 50's were telling Oprah the story of
        how they narrowly escaped death, calling it "a miracle."  The
        man did all the talking while his wife sat quietly at his side,
        her mouth frozen into a wide smile.

        They were hiking one day in a fairly remote area and happened
        upon a bear.  This bear proceeded to attack the man.  Instead of
        running away, his brave and loving wife picked up a large stick
        and beat the bear about the head and shoulders until it left.
        Her husband was badly bitten in one side and bruised all
        over his torso but she somehow managed to get him the help he
        needed to survive.

        "That's an incredible story," Oprah said.

        The man grinned, his eyes sparkling.  "I thank God.  Without his
        help, I wouldn't have made it.  He was watching over me that
        day."

        I nearly puked.  If I had been his brave and loving wife, I'd
        have picked up the nearest large stick and beat him over the
        head with it.