A Tale of Two Cities,

WHOA...I've really been AWOL. I've been busy at work and at home and with lots of stuff for church. It was Laurie and Stephen's birthdays last week so needed to shop and get their packages out on time (and of course un-birthday presents for Kasey). They'll be here in only two months and already, I am getting the house ready - getting the heavy stuff done so that I won't have to blitz the house two days before they get here like I always do.

And of course, there has been playoff hockey. Hence my tale of two cities post title today.

Our Buffalo Sabres managed to get past the NY Islanders in the first round - it took only 5 games.

The second round was a little more difficult - it took one of those heart attack finishes on Friday night and then an excellent win today in NYC to beat the Rangers in 6 games. New York, New York and Buffalo...two cities, at different ends of Interstate 90 and with lots of differences. NYC is big and has many sides to it...and many claims to fame. The Empire State building, Statue of Liberty, Greenwich Village. Fifth Avenue, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. And, God bless them, 9/11/2001.

Buffalo - hmmm, well we don't have all of that but we have our own claims to fame. Wide right; No goal; Niagara Falls (well, that's almost in Buffalo); America's Fair (largest county fair in the US); we have beautiful state parks practically in our backyard, and we are a great place on a great lake. We had an October storm that put the power out for days and weeks and yet as always - as we did after the Blizzard of 77 - we bounced back.

We're a little smaller market than a lot of NHL or NFL teams, we believe (and so do the SABRES and the BILLS) that we have the greatest fans in the world. We're a blue collar city, with a big dream...and we believe.

Yup, many differences; but many things unite us as well. First and foremost, 9/11. Not to mention the many many people who came through the lines at Ellis Island, many of whom would eventually find their way to Buffalo. Our cities both have rich, ethnic histories which helped shape what our cities have become.

A tale of two cities? I guess you could say that. But later this week, when our Conference final series with the Ottawa Senators begins, I have a feeling this other city I've been talking about will be routing for us.

I think it's a philosophy called: "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

We'll see.

God bless your week my friends (and if I may add: Good luck to the blue and gold!).

Sue