Thanksgiving

Wow, can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving already! For some people, its their favorite holiday of the year. I can well remember most of my recent Thanksgivings. My wife puts the turkey into the oven the night before and when I awake on Thanksgiving morning, the smell is incredible. I never try to eat much prior to the big meal and I always leave the table stuffed! I also enjoy all the leftovers for days to come.

Thanksgiving though is truly a time to count our blessings. Give thanks to God for all we have and ask that he blesses us all for years to come; afterall, being with family at Thanksgiving is a very important time. There is nowhere I'd rather be than with my family. What are your thoughts about Thanksgiving? What makes it special to you? Do you have a special memory of the holiday?

Veterans Day

Of all the special programs we have at school, the Veterans Day Program is -by far- my favorite. Our program yesterday was highlighted by special speakers, an introduction of some Pike County War survivors and music sung by the PCHS Swing Choir. It also included the presentation of the colors and T.A.P.S. for those who died defending our freedom. Overall, I think students were well behaved during the program, but I also often think that many of them have no clue as to why we actually observe this special day. I'm very thankful for all the freedom we have in this country, despite all our recent economic problems. We have the freedom to vote for the candidate of our choice, the freedom to attend school wherever we want; to come and go as we choose. Many countries don't have that and few high school students really know this or even care. Last Sunday at church we concluded our service with an inspiring version of "America the Beautiful". When I think of Veterans Day, I truly realize that God shed his grace on our nation and I simply say.....thank you Veterans and God Bless America!!

Thoughts Behind the Name

Many maybe wondering about the thoughts behind my blog title. True, I do love cats of all kinds (Tigers) and as you've probably noticed by viewing my blog that I have the prettiest cat in the world!! However if you've been to my room you also know I love the Kentucky Wildcats. I have many pictures hanging on my walls at school/home portraying my beloved Wildcats. I travel to Lexington, Kentucky often to watch them play football (I have season tickets) and of course the tradition-rich basketball. At times it's difficult being a UK fan, especially surrounded by so many Hoosiers, but most of the time it doesn't bother me. So if you don't like my Wildcats......keep it to yourself and I won't bug you about your favorite college team, OK?

I've loved and been around sports all my life, but up to a couple of years ago, I knew nothing about NASCAR. I have to admit that my son Kyle got me interested in the sport a few years back. He always loved Jeff Gordon and rarely cheered for anyone but him. However with my new interest in the sport, I have always admired Gordon for his achievements, but it's his partner, Jimmie Johnson, who I really like. Johnson won the Sprint Cup Championship again this year, making him only the second person in the history of NASCAR to win the title three years in a row! My sons and I attend the Brickyard 400 in Indy every year and Johnson has won the race two of the last three years!! Nevertheless, Hendricks Motor Sports in the best in Stock Car Racing and Jimmie Johnson is the man!

Remember the Time.......

I just celebrated my 56th birthday in October and I know most people think that's old. How often do you think of the days-gone-by?? Here's what I remember: eating pie that were made with REAL crust, hot summer's day eating watermelon outside to cool off, riding my bike to everything, having a faithful dog at my side (I miss King, my German-Shepherd), sleeping in a house w/o air conditioning, Christmas with the family (Great!), hunting with my dad or playing ball with him, gas wars....17 cents a gallon!! going to movies for a dollar, 10 cents for a soft drink or an ice cream bar, Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon (I voted for him!!), Vietnam, Neil Armstrong, Mercury missions to space and watching them on TV at breakfast or at school, the Tate-LiBianca murders, Marilyn Monroe, watching the first Super Bowl-Go Packers! Blizzards (not the kind you eat either), watching TV with no cable or satellite and TV and there being no TV on after midnight!! I remember going to high school football/basketball games when almost the entire student body cheered.....home or away!! I remember when Ford Mustangs came out and the fact that most new cars only cost $3-6,ooo. Wow, I'll probably think of more later, but if you view this blog, I'd appreciate it if you'd add to the list.