Gainfully Employed - Again!

If you've read my blog before, you are aware that I am very proud of the fact that I retired from the U.S. Coast Guard (in 1992).  You may also be aware that as of May 1st, of this year, I retired from Mississippi.  I've enjoyed the glut of free time I've had by spending time with my wife and taking care of tasks around the homestead.  However,  I have worked, at least part time since I was in school, since I was 10 years old.   I just turned 60 in April want found myself wanting a part time position that would not be too taxing and still allow me the lion's share of the week to myself.
Well, I found such a position 5 to 6 weeks ago and applied for it.  The job is a shuttle driver of Oktibbeha County Hospital.  It entails cruising the parking lot (2 days a week, when the other driver is off) and taking patrons that desire transport to and from the hospital entrance.  As it is a very public position, they were required to accept applications for a couple of weeks, go through said applications, and then check references and do background checks on the half dozen or so that would be interviewed.  After I was interviewed, I had to give a sample and be fingerprinted.  This being the last hurdle before being officially offered the position. 
Well, about 15 minutes OCH called me and said my samples and prints came back with the official "okie dokie", and I was hired.  The last thing is to go in Monday, fill out the paperwork, and get photographed for my employee badge.  There is an orientation I have to go to on the 30th, but I will be an employee then and it is required of all new hires.
Anyway, just wanted to share the news.  SHS playoff game tonight at Clinton.  Go Jackets! !
Everyone have a great day!  I will!

Friday the 13th and High School Football

Last night the Mississippi 6A playoffs began.  My Starkville High Yellowjackets hosting the Olive Branch Conquistadors.  SHS pretty much dominated the game though OB did score a few TDs in the 2nd half (on our subs) to make the final 46-24.  So SHS moves on the the second round and will play Clinton (for the 2nd time in 3 weeks), who they beat 2 weeks ago 45-7.  Don't let that score fool you though.  They are a much better team than that and their coach rested a lot of starters in that game so that they would be healthy going into the playoffs (link provided).  I think SHS will prevail, but I would be lying if I said they didn't worry me.
The big news of the night was that Number 1 ranked and undefeated (since 2013) South Panola, was upset at home by Region 2, #4 seed Madison Central 14-8!  WOW!!!  Let me repeat that! WOWWWWW!!!  Region 2 (in which MC and SHS reside) swept all 4 playoff games against Region 1.  Friday the 13th was really unlucky for Region 1!  When the MaxPreps Rankings are updates tomorrow SHS should be the new #1 in the state of Mississippi.  I hope this is the year we bring home another state title.  Even if we do have to go to Oxford to get it!
MSU plays a heavily favored Alabama Crimson Tide today.  I will be watching and keeping my fingers crossed.  According to USA Today if Dak gets protection from his O line and doesn't make any critical mistakes, they could pull the upset at home.  The odds are long, but as they say, hope springs eternal and miracles do happen (just ask Madison Central).
Eveyone have a great day!  (and GOOO DAWGS!!!)

Mississippi High School Football Playoff Time

Some classifications (2A, 3A, & 4A) started this week.  My Starkville High Yellowjackets (#1 in 6A, Region 2) start the playoffs at home next week when they host the Olive Branch Conquistadors (#4 in 6A, Region 1).  After Friday night's game with Clinton High, Starkville is 9-1. This game actually was for playoff seeding as both teams are playoff bound.  It was a miserable night, weather-wise, as it rained nearly the entire game.  Plus, I was a little conflicted because I am a proud graduate (Class of '72) and supporter of SHS but my grandson was playing for Clinton High.  So I was little happy and a little sad at the game's end.  Oh well, if things work out we could be playing again, but for higher stakes.  Playoff time - Everyone starts new.  So - NO ONE should get too cocky!  Upsets happen!

Speaking of upsets.  A tip of the hat to the Arkansas Razorbacks for their 53-52 overtime win over That School Up North in Oxford.   I hope my Bulldogs were paying attention as they have to face the Hogs in Arkansas in two weeks. (After getting Alabama at home next week.)  Its never easy in the SEC.

BIRD is the word!

I've always been the type of person that hates to be late, or even cut it close.  I much prefer to get where I need to be early.  At least 15 to 30 minutes early, depending on the type of appointment/meeting/function I am there for.  Being late or cutting it close, stresses me severely.  I think it's because I joined the Coast Guard at 17, and when you are late in the military, it carries consequences.  Maybe if you know this you can understand the following.

Yesterday, I purchased my Thanksgiving (18 lb.) turkey, and all the stuff I will need for the fixin's.  My Christmas shopping is all done and I will be getting everything wrapped within the next couple of weeks.  Way early, I know, but that's just the way I am.  Just ask DKW.

I  tend to do this with most things.  Get it done early and not worry about it.  The problem is, my memory is not the greatest following a bad motorcycle accident in June 2010.  SOOOO, in an effort to stay ahead I make notes, lists, etc.  But, sometimes, I still forget.  So sometimes I end up with extras of things.  But with food stuff, its things that don't spoil, or I can freeze it.  For example, I have 2 unopened jars of dill relish, 3 packs of weiners, 3 containers of garlic salt, etc.  I will use it, but now I'm making myself double-check my grocery list before making purchases.  Only got so much storage - ya know.

Okay, I'm kind of wandering.  The Starkville High Yellow Jackets won at Warren Central (in Vicksburg, MS) on Friday by a 28-10 score to go 9-1 on the year (6-0 in their region).  Next Friday, is the final regular season game (at home) against Clinton High.  Clinton High (7-3, 5-1) is the team my grandson plays for.  The winner gets first place in the region for the playoffs.  If the loser is Starkville, they will be the #2 seed, If its Clinton - they get the #3 seed and Warren Central the #2 seed.  Whatever happens, Madison Central is the #4 seed.  Got that?  Don't worry - It's okay.  You can print out the playoff brackets this time next week.
Miss. State had a BYE this weekend, but will play Thursday night (11/5) at Missouri on the SEC Network.
Everyone have a great week. 

Who Let the Dogs Out!

Coach Mullen at Post-game interview!

Okay.  I haven't caught everyone up here on my football teams for a while, so I guess I'd better do that.
First, Starkville (MS) High.  The Yellowjackets won last night (10/23/2015) to 8-1 on the year and 4-0 in Region 2-6A.  They go to Vicksburg next Friday for their toughest road test of the year with Warren Central High (also 8-1, 4-0).  This is the next to last regular season game for both teams and both have already clinched a play-off spot.   So this game is for positioning.  If SHS wins, we clinch first in the division with one game left.   A loss, and we much defeat Clinton High in our last game for the second seed.  If the unthinkable happens, and we lose the last two games, we will be the third or fourth seed - depending on what other teams do - and will be on the road for the first week of the playoffs.  (The one & two seeds in each region are at home the first week.)  Sooooo - Go Jackets.  Lets finish the regular season with a ten game win streak as we head into the playoffs.
Mississippi State leads currently 28-13 (at the half) over the UK Wildcats.  If we keep it up (and according to ESPN, Coach Dan Mullen is 46-1 at MSU when leading at the half - so the odds are good) MSU will be 6-2 and bowl eligible with four games left.  So - Keep winning Bulldogs.  The more wins we have  - the better the bowl game we get to play in.
Everyone have a great day! 
ADDENDUM:  Game ended short time ago, final MSU-42  UK-16.

A Blast from the Past

Approximately 16 or 17 years ago (late 1998-ish) one of my children (I think my oldest son- but not sure as my memory sucks) gave me a music CD starring and produced by some local high school grads.  The group was 4 guys fronted by Wyatt Funderburk (who along with Steven Fazio) wrote all the songs except one (Fox on the Run - by Sweet).  The name of the group was "The Pendletones" and the album was not great (even Wyatt says -in the link provided - that the album was rushed, and it shows a bit).  All that said, I liked the CD and when it disappeared around 10 years ago, I thought I'd never hear it again.  Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, I was going into a local thrift store to look for something and saw the CD among those on their sale rack.  I didn't hesitate to pick it up and it is now in the rotation in my car.  I listen to it and once again my mind floats back to that last year that all (of my 5) children lived at home.  I know it wasn't a perfect time, but music tends to color the mind with good memories - and that's what I prefer to remember - who doesn't?  So if any of the Pendletones are still out there - leave a comment, if you read this.  It was an imperfect musical effort, and it will never sell a million - but - at least for me - it produces some million dollar memories.
Everyone have a great day!

Flip That Scarf! THE Doctor is Back.

In Case there are Doctor who fans that don't know -  BBC America has started running episodes from Tom Baker's Doctor Who years (1974-81) under the promo "Breakfast with Baker" (since the episodes are running (mostly) in the early morning).  As an aside to my kids (who would watch with me when you could only catch the Doctor on PBS in the US) - "Time to dust off the dancin' shoes for the Doctor Who Dance." 
If you don't get it - you're probably  not a parent.