Hmmmm..................

This past weekend DKW and I made what has become our annual pilgrimage to Natchez to celebrate our anniversary (2nd this year) though we did go a couple of weeks early this time to partake of the annual hot air balloon festival. While it was an enjoyable time with us having great fun at the Natchez Little Theater production of the "Mississippi Medicine Show" - a salute to the riverboat shows of days of yore - with a tip of the hat to vaudeville thrown in.
While I was celebrating over the weekend - my football teams did this: Starkville High defeated Canton 38-7 and are in first in Region 2-5A. MSU lost a heartbreaker to South Carolina 12-14 and have a bye-week on the 22nd. The Raiders defeated the Cleveland Browns 24-17 to go 4-2 on the year (their best start since they went to the Superbowl in 2002). In the process QB Jason Campbell broke his collarbone and is out indefinitely - so they signed Carson Palmer away from the Cincinnati Bengals. Even with this - the Raiders are favored this weekend against Kansas City.
Read this morning that Kent Hull had passed away. Kent played for MSU and was on 4 Superbowl teams with the Buffalo Bills. One of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys you would ever want to meet. Also read this morning about Delta State (Cleveland, Miss.) overcoming a 10 point deficit in the final 5 minutes oftheir game against #1 (in Division 2) North Alabama to become the new NUMBER 1 team. And by coincidence - their game this weekend is against #10 Valdosta State. VSU is where my sweetie got her Master's Degree from. Ought to be a pretty good game.
MSU has announced special "gold-trimmed" uniform for the "Egg Bowl" game against Ole Miss on Nov. 26th. I think it looks pretty cool. Their are a lot of info links in this entry. Take a look if you have time.
Everyone have a great day!

The Weekend That Wuz.....

While I will share all the fun & exciting things that went on this past weekend - I would be remiss if I didn't first comment on the passing of a football icon - Al Davis. (Seen Here shaking hads with close,personal friend - Darth Raider). Al was the youngest head coach in the AFL (at 33) before he became AFL Commissioner, then owner of the Raiders. Definitely unique, Love him or hate him - AL you will be missed.
Friday night started a weekend of nail-biting games for me. SHS scored with less than 2 minutes to go in the game and hung on to beat Ridgeland High 26-23. The Yellowjackets are now 5-2 on the season and 3-0 in their region (currently tied with Neshoba Central for first place.) By coincidence, SHS plays at Neshoba Central in the final regular season game (Nov.4th) for both. This game could be for the Region 2-5A title.
Saturday I was at Legion Field in Birmingham to was MSU defeat UAB 21-3. To be blunt, MSU looked horrible offensively in the first half and trailed 3-0 to start the 3rd quarter. Coach Mullen started Tyler Russell in the second half and it was like the offense finally showed up and won it going away. I have no doubt (even though he's denying it) that Coach Mullen will start Russell when MSU hosts South Carolina this coming weekend. GO Dogs!
To get away from football briefly - While I was at the MSU game DKW was visiting with her friend, Ferah, (who was having a "Funky, Fabulous, Forty" birthday party that evening) and helping her as much as she could. The party was great. We were happy for Ferah and had a good time. But I'd be lying if I didn't say we were glad to get back home that night/morning. (We arrived around 1 AM Sunday).
With the death of Al Davis, Sunday was an emotional day for the Raiders as they played the Houston Texans. It was a very tight game - with several lead changes - and at the end -with Houston at the 5 yard line - the Raiders intercepted the ball in the end zone to preserve the 25-20 victory. WHEW!
Everyone Have A Great Day!

Flick Yer Bics & Raise 'Em High - - -

On this date in 1970 one of my all time favorite singers died at the age of 27. She was, is, and always shall be Janis Joplin! Often imitated - but never duplicated. I'm not going to try and write about her life - there is plenty of info about her online - Wikipedia for example. But every since I discovered her music (at the age of 12 in 1967) it has been part of my collection. Even now, I have her greatest hits in my car! So - Flick your Bics, raise 'em high and get "dem ole Kozmic Blues again!"
Today is also our Sophie's 1st birthday. (or 7th - if ya want to go with the common thinking.) She has so much become a part of DKW's and my life in the past year that its hard to imagine not having her around. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!
Yesterday my grandson had his next to last (7th grade) game of the year. They played the Koscuisko (MS) Whippets and (unfortunately) lost by the score of 18-0. So they are 4-1-1 on the year with one game left on Oct.13th at West Point.
Speaking of football, the SHS varsity won their 2nd region game in Region 2-5A and are undefeated, so far, in region games. Take a look yourself at the standings.
This Friday though we play at Ridgeland High in Jackson. If we win this one, I think we will end up with the number 1 seed for our region come playoff time and will have a real shot at the state title. Go Jackets!
Everyone have a great day!

Happy Weekend plus....

This was one of those (unfortunately) rare weekends where my football teams won on all levels. SHS defeated Lanier (of Jackson, MS)on Friday 53-13 - and it wasn't that close. On Saturday MSU squeaked by LA. Tech (in overtime) 26-20. Then on Sunday (9/25)the Oakland Raiders got by the N.Y. Jets 34-24. It would be nice if they could all keep this up.
With the (kinda) cooler weather I'm not having to mow every other weekend but I do plan on mowing this weekend (Oct. 1st). Hard to believe that October is almost here and my sweetie and I will be clebrating our 2nd anniversary at the end of it. And yes, we have plans. Plans we made months ago.
On Oct. 8th, DKW's friend Ferah is having a Funky Fabulous 40th Birthday Celebration and since the party is in the late afternoon in Birmingham (AL) and MSU is playing UAB there the same day -(11AM kickoff) - DKW is going to drop me at the stadium for the game and go visit and show off the stuff we got her - then come pick me up for the party after the game (I hope) :-)
Yesterday I had one of those moments that made me feel old. The radio show I was listening to said that it was Donna Douglas's 78th birthday. Now in case you don't remember (or know) Donna Douglas was Elly May Clampett on "The Beverly Hillbillies". It turns out that the show premiered on her 27th birthday (9/26/1962). I was 7 at the time but in later seasons of the show - had such a pre-teen crush (plus she liked critters and so did I). Hard to believe its been so long ago. Oh well - Everyone have a great day!

Went to my grandson's 4th (7th Grade) football game of the season yesterday and they defeated the New Hope (MS) 7th grade team 21-0. So they are still undefeated at 3-0-1 (since 7th & 8th grade do play tiebreakers). He has 3 games left. On the road (to Louisville, MS) next on Sep. 29. Then two home games to end the season. I'll let you know more about those games later.
DKW's mom is packing up today and heading back home to Arkansas today. She did a fantastic job painting the master bedroom and accompanying bath while she was here. It looks fabulous. This is still part of what she said that she was going to do for us as a wedding gift - and it is greatly appreciated. It makes the place look very nice and I really like the "Peppermint Tea" (a pale green) paint. Makes it very easy to relax at home after work.
SHS (2-2 after pre-divisional play) opens their division competition this Friday night at home against the Lanier High Bulldogs(from Jackson, MS). Lanier is 0-4 on the season so far - so I feel pretty good about our chances. Kind of odd though, there will be a bunch of Bulldogs in town this weekend as the MSU (Bulldogs) play host to Louisiana Tech - and LA Tech is also the bulldogs. Odd. Just saying - ya know.
Everyone have a great weekend!

Catching up

Its been almost 2 weeks since my last entry just because I haven't felt like it. Not a good excuse I know - but I'll try and catch up. Tuesday (9/6) my grandson played in his 2nd game of the year and they tied the Columbus (MS)7th grade team 28-28. So they are 1-0-1 on the year and go to Tupelo tomorrow. This past weekend was kind of disappointing as SHS got whipped by West Point 33-12 and MSU lost to Auburn 41-34. What a heartbreaker. My favorite pro-team (Oakland Raiders) play tonight against divisional rival Denver. The best pro game of the weekend was the Jets' amazing comeback against the Dallas Cowboys. Starting the 4th quarter down by 14 points their defense turned the tide and they won 27-24. J*E*T*S* - Jets!Jets!Jets! Sorry - I'm a Cowboy hater and anytime they lose is cause for celebration in my book. My mudder-in-law is visiting and I'm really having to toe the line. Just kidding! She' a really nice lady and has done a bunch for DKW and I. She's welcome to visit any time!
The weather has started to turn just a tad cooler and its welcome. Beginning later this week the highs will only reach around 85 and lows in the upper 50s. Feels like football weather to me. Yesterday I cooked my beefy-vegetable soup, but changed up my recipe a little and instead of using two cans of Veg-All I used two one pound bags of gumbo veggies. Man it turned out good. Glad there's enought left for tonight. Yum! Yum! Eat it Up!
Everyone have a great day!

Football Tonight! (tomorrow, Saturday)

Football! Football!! FOOTBALL!!! This weekend (which in my book starts tonight) is a football junkie's dream. It starts this afternoon at 4:30 when my grandson starts for the Armstrong Junior High (7th grade) Yellow Jackets. Normally I would stay afterwards for the 8th & 9th grade games, but with the MSU on TV at 7 PM and a 45 minute to an hour drive home (They are playing Noxubee County in Macon, MS)depending on traffic - I'm headed home. 7th and 8th grade games consist of two 20 minute halves so that the boys don't get overheated. So I should be on the road back home by 5:30.
Tomorrow SHS (1-1)plays at home against Tupelo (1-1) and should be favored for the first time this season.
Then Saturday is the first full day of college ball. I've checked my DirecTV schedule and on just the channels I get - there are kickoffs for 5 games @ 11AM, 7 games @ 2:30, 3 games @ 6 PM, 2 games @ 7PM and 4 games @ 9PM. DANG!! Now I do have yard work & stuff I want to do, but with Monday being a holiday - I can quit whenever I'm ready and still be able to get stuff done before I come back to work. BRING THE BALL GAMES ON! Now - having said everything above - I've got to give a tip of my hat to my sweetie who indulges me and my football addiction. Most guys aren't as lucky as I am in that respect.
Everyone have a great day! (I know I will.)