NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

First - Wow!  Have I been slacking off!  Its been a month since my last entry.  In my defense though, I have been very busy with projects at work and at home.

The BIG news item is that I am gonna be a Grandpa again.  My youngest son and his lovely wife announced that they are expecting their first sometime in September.  (Can you say - Road Trip?)  This will be my 8th grandchild, but I am as excited as if it was my first.  My lovely bride is also excited and after a discussion (that has been going off and on for a while) as to what my grands should call her - I came up with "Madre Mia" and she said she likes that.  So I think (at least tentatively) that is what we'll ask them to call her.

Mississippi State's baseball team is off to a rousing start.  They won yesterday to run their record to 16-0 and are currently ranked #3 in the nation!  WOW! Friday they start a 3 game series with the team currently in first place in the Southland Conference, University of Central Arkansas.  They are currently 11-1, so this might be State's biggest test thus far.

Now, I'm a public school guy, but I would feel a bit remiss if I didn't at least give a tip of the old chapeau to the local private school's fantastic accomplishment.  Starkville Academy's Girls Basketball team just finished an undefeated season.  They not only went undefeated in their class and won the Mississippi state title.  They went on to win the tournament which featured 6 state champions (regardless of class) and finished the year 43-0.  Wow!  Thats an accomplishment at any level - high school, college or pro!  Congratulations!

I will make every effort to get back to being more regular on my entries. 
Everyone have a great day!

HOW LONG AGO???????!!!

It may be 2013 on the calendar, but yesterday it was 1974.  I was at my desk working and listerning to the oldies station (online) from Portland, Oregon.  (By coincidence, I found and was listening to this station for a couple of weeks before I realised it was in the same city as my middle daughter.  HI DONNA!) 
Anyway, "Black Water" by the Doobie Brothers came on and as my mind wandered, it was 1975 and I was in the midst of being transferred from the Coast Guard Cutter Salvia (in Mobile, AL) to the USCG Search and Rescue Station in Pascagoula, Mississippi.   My lime green 1972 Gremlin was loaded with all my belongings (obviously I didn't have a lot at the time) as I pulled into the parking lot of the Pizza Hut on Highway 90 for my first meal in my new duty-station town.  I had just placed my order and sat down when this song started on the juke box - and played six times in a row.  Now, I really like the song but even I thought it was a bit escessive at the time.  But because of it the memory stayed with me.  As I sat and ate I could see the Singing River Hospital on the land side and off in the distance I could just make out the Gulf on the water side.  I finished eating and got up to go report for duty at the station, but couldn't resist as I headed out, dropping a quarter in the juke box and punching in "Black Water".  There was an audible groan from inside as I got in my car.  I couldn't help chucking as I headed off.  May all your memories be happy.
Everyone Have A Great DAY!

One Month into 2013...............



Disgusting-Yes.  But You laughed!

 Well, almost anyway.    This past weekend I watched the "Senior Bowl" on Saturday and some of the Pro Bowl on Sunday - but not a lot of that one - since the NFC blew out the AFC.  This coming weekend (Feb. 3rd) ends the 2012  NFL season with Baltimore and San Francisco meeting in the Superbowl.  Not sure who I'll pull for, but I'm leaning towards the Ravens.  Both teams have former MSU players, but S.F. has never lost in the Super Bowl (and they are favored).  So, I'm thinking I'll go with the dog.
MSU's Baseball (?!) season starts on Friday, February 15th at 4 PM with the first of a 4 game series with the University of Portland (OR.) Pilots. Depending on which of the 4 collegiate baseball polls you read, MSU is ranked as low as #16 or as high as #5 (in Baseball America.)  I've already put in to take off work at 3 on the 15th so that I can see the opening game of what promises to be a good season.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Ginger (our chihuahua-Italian Greyhound mix) continues to have a few chewing issues, but seems to be getting better.  I'm hoping that as she continues to mature she will outgrow them.  She's much better on the house-training point.  She seems to be in the habit of using the "pet-potty" training pad when we don't get her outside in time.  But I'm cool with that - 'cause that's what its for.  .....ya know?
Temps are still fluctuating.  With a high a couple of days this week at 70.  But it won't last.  February is usually a fairly gnarly month weather-wise.  Our February temps average highs in the 50's and lows in the 30's.  But depending on what happens we could be anywhere from the teens to the high 70's.  We'll see.  I wouldn't mind it getting a bit warmer (& drier) there are things I would like to get out and do around the place - but right now the ground is too wet, soft and mushy.  (And more rain is predicted this week.)
Oh well - I have plenty to keep me busy.
Everyone have a great day!

Blasting into the New Year.........



2013-Dr. Who Turns 50!

 And as always - "Hope springs eternal"!   MSU ended the 2012 football season on a sour note - losing in the Gator Bowl.  But - (see first sentence).  This year's schedule is a bit tougher, opponent-wise, but we have seven home games.  While the Gator Bowl didn't end the way I would have liked, I did enjoy visiting with my son and daughter-in-law while in Jacksonville. 
I'm back to work and  will still be playing catch-up for a bit.  Work still was generated even though the University was on holiday vacation for 2 weeks.  Oh well - job security, ya know.  While I enjoyed the time off, in some ways its kind of a relief to get back into my routine.  For better or worse, I'm pretty much a creature of habit.
I'll try and have more next week.
Everyone have a great day!

The End is Near..............

Unless you a Mayan descendant/believer its just the end of the year.  Time for a little reflection, wrapping up any loose ends and a glimples ahead.

2012 has definitely been an eventful year. In April I turned 57, In October DKW & I celebrated our 3rd anniversary, and DKW had one of those birthday thingys in November.  Those are some annual events. 
During the summer my oldest son and family moved to Newark, NJ.  It will hopefully only be for a year.  His wife has been placed in a position with the Newark School District.  I don't know all the specifics but its some type of residency she has to work out before her doctorate is validated and she can hang her own shingle out. Nothing against Jersey - just hate having my grandson so far away.  My youngest son is in the Coast Guard and was promoted to Chief (E-7) on Dec. 1st and on Dec. 14th my oldest daughter graduated from East Miss. Community College. My youngest completed her ACT and hopefully will be starting college in the New Year.  My middle daughter just completed another college semester in Portland, Or.  (Her 3rd or 4th).  She continues to carry a 4.0 average. 
On a non-personal note (but things that do interest me) - Miss. State completed an 8-4 football season and will be playing in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day.  And yes, DKW and I will be attending.  Go DOGS!  Starkville High started the football season 1-3, but went on a tear and never lost again.  They finished the year 12-3 and are the 2012 Mississippi 5A State Football Champions.  Next year though, we move to 6A.  Things get tougher!  Go Jackets!   On the Division II College scene, Valdosta State (where my wife got her Masters Degree) won that level's National Championship this past Saturday (15th).  I follow them and Bloomsburg (where she got her undergrad degree).  I tell foks I'm an alumni by marriage. :-)
For the most part, the year has been positive and I try to keep that outlook.  I hope 2013 brings everyone much success and I will be back to blog in January.
Everyone have a great day!  Great week! Great Month! and Great Year!

WE are the CHAMPIONS, My Friend............

The Starkville High School Yellowjackets are the Mississippi 5A Football State Champions as of this past Saturday night. In a game dominated by defense and filled with trick plays and turnovers, the Jackets won 28-11.  The Championship Game can be viewed for the next couple of weeks on ESPN3.

My youngest son was also promoted to MKC (Chief, Machinery Technician) in the United States Coast Guard on December 1st.  DKW and I were able to be in Jacksonville (FL) for the promotion ceremony.  I will confess to getting a lump in my throat and a pounding in my chest - I was so proud.  That evening Christ and I enjoyed the championship game together in his livingroom - thanks to the internet and ESPN3.com.  I would have loved to have been on hand in Jackson for the game - but I would not have missed out on his promotion for the world.  Semper Paratus!

Just thought I'd throw this pic out.  Since I drive a Mini - thought it was funny

Miss. State (8-4) accepted a bid to meet Northwestern (9-3) in the (Jan. 1) 2013 Gator Bowl.  Once the announcement was made, the opening line has MSU favored by 2.  So it could be anyone's game.  I would like to point out though that for the 2011 Gator Bowl MSU was an early 4 point favorite against Michigan and won by 38 (52-14).  I'm just sayin'.... - ya know.  But using that (albeit - faulty) logic - MSU should win  by 19!.  GO DOGS!

Everyone have a great day!

Wow! WOw!! WOWWWWW!!!!

That pretty much says it all.  This past Friday night (Nov.23rd), I was privileged to see what was (to me anyway) one of the greatest games ever.  Starkville jumped out in front early with two nice touchdown drives to go up 14 - 0, but West Point mounted a drive of their own and scored with 7 seconds to go in the half and we were 14-7 at the half.  SHS kicked off to the Green Wave and starting a drive at their 20, they went the length of the field but missed the extra point.  SHS up 14-13.  After a couple of penalty-laden possessions each, West Point scored and made the two-point conversion to go up 21-14.  But our QB, Gabe Myles, put the team on his back and on 4th down threw a 15 yard touchdown pass and the extra point tied the game at 21.  Starkville stymied the next West Point possession and drove down to the 7 yard line and had time out with one second left.  Well, that ever tough Green Wave bowed up and blocked our field goal attempt.  So, overtime here we come!  SHS won the coin toss and went on Defense (such as it was) first.  West Point scored in one play and went up 28-21 - so the Yellowjackets knew what they had to do.  First down resulted in a two yard loss.  Second Down was incomplete.  Third down was another tackle for a loss.  So SHS was down to 4th and 15, a defensive error resulted in 2 defensive backs covering the same guy and Gabe was able to throw to a wide-open receiver for a touchdown.  As soon as the score was confirmed, there was NO hesitation by Coach Jamie Mitchell.  He held up two fingers and left the offense on the field.  He stated later that this had been decided when the 4th quarter ended.  He did not want to give West Point a second shot as they were impossible to stop from the ten yard line.  (In overtime in Miss. High School football you start at the 10 yard line.)  So Starkvillle lined up for a called pass play but the receivers were well covered and Gabe had to scramble.  No fewer than 6 defensive players had hands on him, but he scrambled free and the stadium erupted in Jubilation.  SHS-29, WPHS-28.    My friend, Ron, and I could only look at each other and go WoW!  What a finish it was!
So next week we head to Jackson and play Saturday, December 1st, at 7:00 PM against the Pascagoula Panthers for the Mississippi High School 5A Championship.

Oh - and we also had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving.  We had 8 folks in attendance. DKW, Myself, our Moms, My youngest and her roommate, and my friend Ron and his wife, Thelma.  We had a very pleasant time.  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday also!
Everyone have a great day!