Triple L stayed a few days with me and Peanut. I cooked big meals every night and we tried to be Five Star hosts. Even put a chocolate mint on her pillow the first night after turning back the sheets, just to make her feel more at home. She said today the most lasting memory of the whole stay--well, that we had Irish Spring soap for her scrubbin'-up. Seems her granny liked Irish Spring, too, and seeing the minty-fresh soap at our house and using it for her shower--well, it brought back a lot of happy, pleasant memories for Triple L and that is a nice thing. She even told Peanut that she went out and brought some for her own home up in the hills so I'm glad she got reacquainted with Irish Spring. I started using IS soap several years ago after trying unsuccessfully to find Lifebuoy. Found out it's pretty close to what I was searching for and I really do like it now. I'm like Triple L--I don't like showering unless I have my Irish Spring with me. I pack it in my suitcase when I travel soast I can feel at home when I'm away. I also like to carry along some Tums and a photo of Peanut.
Speaking of home and being away...I got back today after a few fishing days at the cabin down south, down in the big swamp. Pretty wild country, the big refuge, stuck between the White and Mis-si-sip. Me and buddy John had another fine trip, fishing and looking at wildlife. I didn't catch any 8 and a half pounders this time, like I did a couple weeks back, but we hauled in plenty and we saw some pretty gobblers in the big woods. Got our fever up about turkey hunting, which is just around the corner.
I won't be discussing my new commissioner duties on this here blog, but a funny thing did happen at my meeting last week. An inmate showed up to testify and when asked to state the reason for his appearance, he told us, "I'm here on behalf of my shoes." It was all I could do to keep a straight face, but I managed somehow. Seems the fella was down on his luck and wanted money because two other inmates had stolen his sneakers in prison. I guess technically he was right when he said he was at the hearing "on behalf of my shoes" because the shoes, which were presented as evidence, were unable to say a word.
I'm looking out my south bedroom window as I write and I see the big redbud tree north of the old family home is in full bloom. Pap would like knowing this, seein as how he pulled up that tree years ago down in the Saline River bottoms and brought it home for a new home. It's big and tall now, bout 30 feet tall, and it is an early harbinger of spring, which I think officially arrives tomorrow.
I'll close on a sad note--my old buddy Kern, who was a running mate of mine at the Capitol for years, passed away two days ago. He was a great guy. Kern had polio when he was young and he had a bad arm, but the handicap didn't prevent him from living a full life. He loved to hunt and fish and he "served" our state as a legislative lawyer for 46 years. He was the top dawg at the legal arm of the legislature at the time I retired a spell back and he was always so much fun to be around, to sip Joe with, to talk over the fall rut, to catch big bass at Hampton's. Man, he did a lot for Arkansas and he had a ton of friends who sure will miss him, but thank the Good Lord for him and the days we got to be with him and watch him joke and smile. Friends are such treasures. I have a ton of 'em and I'm a lucky feller.
Oh yes, the daugther is fine up in Fayettenam and her twin daughters arrive early July. As John Wayne said in the big movie, "That'll be the day."
That's all for this time, til next time, thanks for your time.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Hog memories
We watched the Hog cagers Sunday afternoon and they whuped up on the Ga. Bulldogs. The Bulldogs must be pretty bad for us to win as easily as we did, but we did look a whole lot better than in previous outings.
We watched because it was the "reunion" game, a time set aside to honor the 1994 champs. Nolan was there, his white head shining, and Big Nasty and Scotty and Big Dog and so many of the young men we loved so much.
It brought back a lot of personal memories. I was one of the fortunate Arkies to be in Charlotte NC that afternoon long ago in 94. I was seated only a few feet from Scotty when he took the pass from big Dwight and lofted the shot with 51 seconds left in the game. Yep, right there, watching it all. The shot, like being in a car wreck--it seemed to float in the air forever, but it did go in and I started hugging my three buddies there with me, knowing we had them Devils right where we wanted them.
It's a sweet memory for me, to know I was there when our university accomplished something it will probably never see again...at least while I'm still around. I followed the Hogs a many a mile, from Dallas to Atlanta to Birmingham to Rupp...and it was a very fun time in my life. I talked with Corliss the other night, at our Hall of Fame reception, and thanked him for giving us those good times. He's such a fine young man and I think, one day, may be the Hogs head coach. I can't think of a better one, or one more deserving.
But I was there, in beautiful Charlotte, in their new arena, with President Bill and Grant Hill's daddy and Digger and loads of celebs...watching that super talented team. I ran into Digger at halftime, the night before when we were beating Arizona, and he assured me the Hogs would win it all. His confidence helped me, too. He knew I was a Hog fan--the red rubber Hog nose on my face probably gave me away.
Yep, I wore the Hog nose back then...all over the south, and I cheered em til I had no voice left. I remember one painful night in Atlanta, just out of the hospital from my first knee surgery, when, after the game, we couldn't get a cab back to the hotel. .It was a very long three-mile walk, but I made it. I was so sore the next day, I could hardly get out of bed, but I had to be back courtside at 2 and I sure didn't wanna miss it. And I didn't...not ever...not even when my traveling buddies were reluctant to make the long trips, but I loved watching 'em...they were something in their prime...Lenzy Howell, Corliss, IBM. I watched 'em embarrass North Carolina to win the regionals at Dallas and I traveled from there to Denver for the 1990 Final Four. But nothing compared to Charlotte--I got to see the national champions and we celebrated with their great coach and the players and all the fans all night long, back at the hotel where we all stayed. Who could sleep? Who would ever forget it all. Man, I was lucky to see all of that. I'm a pretty lucky guy in a lot of other ways too and I thank the good lord ev-ah day.
The win over Georgia today got me to thinking...I wonder if we could get on one of those hot runs, like we did in Atlanta when Joe Johnson and Brandon Dean and the boys surprised everyone and won it all. Maybe...who knows? Oh well...
That's all for this time, til next time, thanks for your time.
We watched because it was the "reunion" game, a time set aside to honor the 1994 champs. Nolan was there, his white head shining, and Big Nasty and Scotty and Big Dog and so many of the young men we loved so much.
It brought back a lot of personal memories. I was one of the fortunate Arkies to be in Charlotte NC that afternoon long ago in 94. I was seated only a few feet from Scotty when he took the pass from big Dwight and lofted the shot with 51 seconds left in the game. Yep, right there, watching it all. The shot, like being in a car wreck--it seemed to float in the air forever, but it did go in and I started hugging my three buddies there with me, knowing we had them Devils right where we wanted them.
It's a sweet memory for me, to know I was there when our university accomplished something it will probably never see again...at least while I'm still around. I followed the Hogs a many a mile, from Dallas to Atlanta to Birmingham to Rupp...and it was a very fun time in my life. I talked with Corliss the other night, at our Hall of Fame reception, and thanked him for giving us those good times. He's such a fine young man and I think, one day, may be the Hogs head coach. I can't think of a better one, or one more deserving.
But I was there, in beautiful Charlotte, in their new arena, with President Bill and Grant Hill's daddy and Digger and loads of celebs...watching that super talented team. I ran into Digger at halftime, the night before when we were beating Arizona, and he assured me the Hogs would win it all. His confidence helped me, too. He knew I was a Hog fan--the red rubber Hog nose on my face probably gave me away.
Yep, I wore the Hog nose back then...all over the south, and I cheered em til I had no voice left. I remember one painful night in Atlanta, just out of the hospital from my first knee surgery, when, after the game, we couldn't get a cab back to the hotel. .It was a very long three-mile walk, but I made it. I was so sore the next day, I could hardly get out of bed, but I had to be back courtside at 2 and I sure didn't wanna miss it. And I didn't...not ever...not even when my traveling buddies were reluctant to make the long trips, but I loved watching 'em...they were something in their prime...Lenzy Howell, Corliss, IBM. I watched 'em embarrass North Carolina to win the regionals at Dallas and I traveled from there to Denver for the 1990 Final Four. But nothing compared to Charlotte--I got to see the national champions and we celebrated with their great coach and the players and all the fans all night long, back at the hotel where we all stayed. Who could sleep? Who would ever forget it all. Man, I was lucky to see all of that. I'm a pretty lucky guy in a lot of other ways too and I thank the good lord ev-ah day.
The win over Georgia today got me to thinking...I wonder if we could get on one of those hot runs, like we did in Atlanta when Joe Johnson and Brandon Dean and the boys surprised everyone and won it all. Maybe...who knows? Oh well...
That's all for this time, til next time, thanks for your time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)