Tag Archives: Disney World

My Name is Karen and I am A…

McFarland.

Ha! You thought I was going to say an Alcoholic. Not!

And I’m not really a McFarland either. I only married into the name.

Yet, even though I wasn’t born a McFarland, the name I have to say is kind of special.

Why do I say that?

To begin with, the McFarland’s come from Scottish descent. They not only have they’re own tartan, a family crest and coat of arms, they own the island that’s in the middle of notorious Loch Ness.

That’s special, isn’t it?

Turns out, not so much.

According to Wikipedia, the clan McFarlane, which is the original form of the McFarland name, was denounced for committing theft, robbery, murder and tyranny. Several members of the clan were tried and convicted, some pardoned, some executed. Many dispersed throughout Scotland while others fled to Ireland, and with the potato famine, emigrated further to America where the surname would then evolve to McFarland.

Ah, the McFarland’s. The clan it seems were a rowdy bunch of rebel rousers. So much so, they got their “A” kicked out of the country. Without the “A”, the Mac turned into a “Mc”.

Kick that “A” out and no one will know the difference, right?

Right.

So then, what’s the story with McFarland in the USA?

About a month ago, I received this text and picture.

“Seriously?”
 

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“You have your own “world” at Disney?”

My cousin Craig. He thinks he’s funny.

My response?

“What can I say? When you have it…”

I really had no idea what he was talking about. But I wasn’t about to tell him that.

Oh, hi Craig. *Waves*

But this little prankster got me going. I had to find out what he was talking about?

I have my own “world” at Disney?

What does a small Hispanic town in central California, USA, have to do with McFarland?

Well, here’s what I found out.

McFarland is where two world record Olympic medalists attended high school and the place that inspired the 1987 true story into a movie.

“McFarland, USA.”

It’s about a group of novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White, played by Kevin Costner, a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. Coach White and the McFarland students have a lot to learn about each other but when White starts to realize the boys’ exceptional running ability, things begin to change.

Soon something beyond their physical gifts becomes apparent—the power of family relationships, their unwavering commitment to one another and their incredible work ethic. With grit and determination, the unlikely band of runners eventually overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well. Along the way, Coach White realizes that his family finally found a place to call home and both he and his team achieve their own kind of American dream.” (Disney.com)

Well, what do you know. I do have my own “world” at Disney!

Yet, this is no small world. For a number of years, hubby and I lived near the town of McFarland. In fact, we were constantly asked if we were related to the McFarland’s of “McFarland”.

Considering their founder J.B. McFarland was Scottish, for all we know, he could be a long lost relative. Stranger things have happened!

And that my friends is what makes the name McFarland so special.

At least in central California.

Here’s the preview. I hear it’s pretty inspiring. Take a peek!
 

So what do you think? From what country does your family’s ancestry hail? Has your family ever had a town named after them? Had you ever heard of McFarland, California or the movie that bears its name? Are you a fan of Kevin Costner? If so, feel free share your favorite Costner or Disney film with all of us!
 

Cheers everyone! I hope that life is treating you well. And as always, thank you so much for all your support and wonderful comments!
Karen

 

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Runnin’ Down a Dream!

Today I thought that I would let you in on a secret fetish of mine. Well, one of them anyway. And for those of you who do not know me, this is way beyond my comfort zone. I do not make a practice of talking about myself. But there is a certain event coming up that stirs my soul with restless excitement.
 

Now before I let you in on this, you have to know that I’ve always been thought of as somewhat of a prissy girl. I love all things primping—the hair, the face, picking out the right clothes and the accessories; the jewelry, the shoes, the handbag, well just about everything that has to do with being a girl. And I did marry the right guy because he has always loved taking me shopping and buying me new clothes. Well, that is when the budget can afford it of course.
 

Yet, it shocks people after they get to know me, especially since at first glance your impression of me might be a bit proper, or prissy. People are always taken back after I tell them this little tidbit of information. Let’s just say that I love to drink Champagne with the girls, but enjoy having a beer with the guys.
 
 

How to explain? I guess the best way to describe it could be taken from a line from a Tom Cruise movie…
 
 

I feel the need—the need for speed!”
 


 

Yes, the NHRA Winter Nationals are coming!!!!
 
 
I know, I know, this sounds completely oxymoronic! Way out of character for the person that you’ve come to know. Well, all I can say is, there are times in our lives when we must bust the mold, and this is one of them. And in my dreams I see myself running down the quarter mile track in a Top Fuel Dragster.
 

Okay girls, I don’t want to lose you here. Hang in there—I promise it will get better!
 
I think I have some leftover Champagne from my interview with Diane Capri if you need some liquid fortification to get through this, although I think I’ve just peeked the attention of all the guys. LOL!!
 

But why the drags? Why not Six Flags, or Disney World/Disneyland, or some other form of coaster rides for whimsical speed and entertainment?
 

Well, why not? What else is there that compares to the speed and acceleration of an Extreme Motor Sport like Top Fuel?
 

Now I’m not talking about Comp, Pro Stock or Alcohol Dragsters or Funny Cars here—I’m talking Top Fuel. And here’s why…
 

They don’t compare in speed.
 

Let’s take the Dragster for instance. (My personal fav.)They are 25 feet long and weight in race ready at a little over a ton or just around 2250 pounds and can cover a quarter mile in 4.4 seconds at more than 330 mph. These computer-designed wonders have sleek profiles and wind-tunnel-tested rear wire foils that exert 5,000 pounds of down-force on the rear tires with minimal aerodynamic drag.
 

Now that’s what I’m taking about.
 

They’re powered by a 7,000 horsepower supercharged fuel-injected 500-cubic-inch adaptation of the famed Chrysler Hemi engine. (Remember the Cuda?) They can burn up to 15 gallons of nitromethane fuel during a single race and are constructed out of chromoly steel tubing and carbon-fiber composite.
 

Just one Top Fuel Dragster has more horsepower than the first 4 rows at the Daytona 500!
 

Uh oh, did I lose you girls? Hold on, we’ll be done here in roughly 4.4 seconds!
 

I love it when they race at night. The competition soars as two Top Fuel dragsters meet in front of the starting line burning their rubber to promote traction sending a cloud of thick gray smoke to loom over the crowds. Amongst the dark of night their engines roar sputters out through the exhaust raw burning nitrous gas that with each push of the throttle fires off white hot flames into the air like pyromania.
 

It’s time to cover our ears to protect them from the extreme whiny sound that can pierce our eardrums and there is a pounding sensation thuddering against our chest with each hit of the throttle.
 

VAROOOOMMM, VAROOOOMMM!
 

The dragsters crackle as they inch forward to the edge of the starting line. They rock with every vibration due to the power and force from their engines. We stand in anticipation of the green light on the Christmas tree—smoke and flames fill the sky at take-off, our necks turn to follow the rails as they fly down the track. Their Parachutes launch and in roughly four seconds the race is over.
 

Watch this.
 

 

See, pretty cool huh? Gotcha going didn’t I? Girls, are you still with us?
 

Hey this sport isn’t just for guys. There have been many women over the years that have made their presence known. Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney is considered the “First Lady of Drag Racing” and became the first and only woman to win a major racing championship and there have been others: Louise Smith, Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James and Danica Patrick.
 

So as a writer let your dreams run down the tracks of your imagination, let them soar like the undeniable force of the ever powerful Top Fuel Dragster. It may burn up a lot of fuel to come up with these inspiring stories that fill your minds with great suspense and thrilling excitement. But as you do be assured that I will be thinking about my next story as I sit on the sidelines in a crowded stand along the racetrack watching Top Fuel Dragsters run down the quarter mile of my own novel fantasies.
 
 

Yeah, runnin’ down a dream,

That never would come to me,

Workin’ on a mystery,

Goin’ wherever it leads,

Runnin’ Down a Dream.
 
 

So what do you think? What type of mystery are you working on? What things do you find thrilling and exciting? What kinds of ideas throttle your imagination? What lengths would you take to run down a dream?
 
 

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Thank you for your many thoughts and fine comments everyone!
Karen

 
 
 

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