Family, Friends and Football
Well, that was quick.
One minute it was Wednesday and a long, leisurely holiday weekend stretched ahead. The next, it was Sunday evening and I remembered I hadn’t written anything for the website.
We Thanksgivinged - I figure everyone else is making up words, so I will too - in Greensboro, N.C., at my brother’s house.
He has five kids, two grandchildren and a wide circle of in-laws and friends. We were seven driving down from Tidewater. My family, plus our friend Jeremy, a housemate of my daughter’s when they were students at Ole Miss. He lives in New Orleans now and we see him only a couple of times a year. Jeremy found himself amongst strangers when we arrived in North Carolina, yet a few hours later he was playing charades with a blow-up doll.
It was that kind of holiday.
There were 30 of us for dinner and we had to snake tables through two rooms to fit, but fit we did.
My brother, a Buddhist, gave a warm blessing before we sat down. His mother-in-law died last summer and it was an emotional holiday for his wife and her siblings. Tom mentioned the names of the departed loved ones with whom we’d all shared so many Thanksgivings. Sadly, a long list. A poignant, teary moment before the turkey and the stuffing and the laughter.
It was a weekend so splendid that it couldn’t be spoiled by the crushing loss of Ole Miss to Mississippi State before a home crowd in Oxford. On the plus side, this truly terrible performance will surely cause a shake up in the coaching staff. Dear God, we need a new offensive coordinator. So much talent. So few decent plays.
On a happier note, there was Saturday night’s epic shootout between Texas A&M and LSU. Best game of the season. I didn’t have a favorite - Ole Miss lost to both teams this year - so the matchup was pure SEC pleasure. Seven overtimes, brilliant plays followed by questionable calls and ultimately a heart-stopping Aggie win on a two-point conversion. Smash-mouth football. I never wanted that game to end.
Kyle Field was rocking.
College Station is on my football bucket list. So is Norman, Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge.
There is nothing in the world better than college football. Do not argue with me.
Except this: poodles with antlers.
Apparently they’re a thing this year. I spied these on a trip to Target. No, I didn’t buy them.
Who thought this was a good idea?
Hard to believe these haven’t sold out.
