Mary Cartledgehayes

It's Derby weekend here in Louisville, and things are popping. The Oaks will be run a little later than expected; a storm came through and postponed a couple of the races. The weather is supposed to be perfect for the Derby tomorrow.

I'm betting (or would be if I were a bettor) Eight Belles. Why? Because she's the first filly to run in the Derby since 1999. Because she's a gray, and I love grays. And because my mother, Joanna Belle, is known as Belle. Seems perfect to me.

My column last month offered very fine suggestions for enjoying Derby. You can read it here:

http://iamtodayswoman.com/2008/April/Apr08DoingDerby.html

Also, I've signed up for a flickr account and have been busily adding photos for a month or so -- including spring flowers, bald eagles at a Kentucky state park, and the cast and characters of my book Grace: A Memoir. You can see all of the photos here:

http://flickr.com/photos/imnorockstar/


And now back to the races.

xo Mary Jo