Rockettes X-mas Show

Last night, I took Bobbins to

We had a terrific time.  It was neat to see it in person.  The look on their faces is of ease, like it's no problem to do ten high leg kicks in a row.  Our favorite number was the toy soldier routine.  They lockstepped and moved as tightly as the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, but about twenty of them.  Amazing.  I thought a lot about my dearly departed grandmother, who would've loved the show.

       

      

We were both pleasantly surprised that the show has not shed its Christian themes.  There was a small reading from the Bible to set up the nativity scene, which was fully included, to a stirring rendition of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing."

                      

It was all nice to sit next to and chat with my colleague Jimmy and his daughter Annah.

House Lights

Here's the finished product:

       

Friday Afternoon Lights

That afternoon Coach, Mike, Denise, and I, accompanied by Dale (friend/business partner of Bobbins' father) headed to Tempe for the ASU-UCLA game.  It was senior day for the Devils, and the only notable future Devil graduate was kicker Thomas Weber (who's had a terrible year).  Dale played for ASU in the early 1960s, under legendary coach Frank Kush, and had many stories of his college career to share.  Because of his access and knowledge of the team, he also has unique insights into what's happening on and off the field.  It's a down year for both teams, particularly UCLA.  Tempe-bred Rick Neuheisel has not done well coaching the Bruins.

The Devils came out sluggish and made several bad mistakes, giving UCLA a 17-0 lead in the first quarter.  ASU QB Steven Threet suffered his second concussion of the season toward the end of the quarter.  Second stringer Brock Osweiler quite ably stepped in, providing a much-needed spark, leading the team downfield and throwing 3 TD passes to go into halftime up 21-20.  UCLA kept it a little close after that, but a 99 yard Devil run-back after a UCLA touchdown put the game out of reach.  Osweiler was impressive, throwing 5 TD passes and rushing for one.  Vontaze Burfict was flagged for another 15 yard penalty, probably unfairly.  The officiating, on both sides, disappointed again.  It seems like the ref's have to be involved in every play.  I come to watch the players make plays, not the ref's intervene at every step.  At any rate, it was a nice way to end the season at home and send the seniors out.  To top it off, UofA got annihilated by Oregon Friday night.  I hope they lose their 4th straight this Thursday in the Territorial Cup.  Go Devils!

Dale makes his way up to our row and surveys the field pre-game.

              

Friday Morning Lights

Early Friday morning Coach and I put the lights on the house and yard.  Thanks to Grandpa for giving us some extra goods, especially a nice timer.

           

MM and her Nana T went shopping together in their boots.

T Day Bocce

After dinner some of us headed outside for some bocce.  It was Ernie and Bobbins (green) versus Paul and Mike (red).  It was Paul's first time playing, and he had some beginner's luck, winning two points on his last throw to win 11-9.

        

         

Olden is wise enough to know those heavy balls hurt, so he gnawed on his bone.  You can also see our garden is hanging in there.  We've actually gotten a number of peppers and that baisley is still going strong.

Ernie earned one point on this round.

        

T Day

Bobbins, assisted by Norma, Ernie, and Denise, prepared a wonderful meal for us.  The turkey was moist and the homemade stuffing (Bobbins' mom's special recipe) delicious.  I learned the professional chef's way of carving and slicing the meat.

            

L to R: Coach, Terri, Paul, MM, Bobbins, Bikes, Norma, Ernie, Denise, Mike









Post-dinner clean-up, Josie put-down, and stocking knitting

              

81 and kicking-the Ocod (original cool old dude)

The big Ern is, after my own grandparents, my favorite. He and his bride of 58 years bring so much joy to my life. They have stories, memories, and wisdom that is priceless. The importance of family and laughter are put first and foremost when in their company.

We celebrated his 81st birthday on the 24th.