The Granny Globetrotters

So, halftime was a hoot. The entertainment was an exhibition game by the Granny Globetrotters. These ladies can move - they ranged in age from late 50's to early 90's. And, they were surely having fun.

They lined up on the sidelines to be announced.

This lady really enjoyed her moment.

This lady right here - she's 93.

After announcements, they warmed up all together in the middle of the court.

Then they showed off some of their tricks.

Here's the youngin' again - watch the action:

OK, so then they were on to the game. They played at each end of the court, man-on-man defense. Or, um - granny on granny.

They could really play!

Look at that defense!

I also loved that, along with the very authentic uniforms, most of them also wore their jewelry and make-up.
This IS Texas - don't forget.

They were great fun to watch - and quite an inspiration - if you're not moving and grooving, no matter what your age, you better get to it! Way to go, ladies. Best wishes for continued success.

SMU Basketball

Last week, S, my mom visiting from Indiana, and I went to an SMU Men's Basketball game. It was against Memphis, ranked #14 this week in the NCAA polls, and, well, SMU is not ranked. It's a "building" year. Ahem. We have lots of building years at SMU. Unless, of course, you're talking about a sport no one unfortunately goes to watch - like soccer, swimming, golf or tennis. Now, in THOSE sports, SMU kicks ass. But, the game was basketball for this night.

The game was televised on CBS Sports.

Some proof that at some time...

...the basketball team won games.

The band was there - in red.
Fans were asked to wear red for a "red out".

Traditional Mustang Band drum head - and really interested band director.

Proof my mom was there...
(she didn't bring any red.)

...and I was there...

...as was S.

The referees were suspect.
First, they weren't wearing red. ;)

And they gave SMU a technical foul when fans threw shirts onto the floor.

There were local celebrities in attendance - look, there's our friend Jon, and his brother-in-law Scot.

And, another local celebrity, our friend Jennifer was also there.

Of course, Peruna was there!

There he is again.

The cheer squad was there, looking not as cheerful as that photographer.

The team looked good.

And they supported one another with spirit.

Wait - what's this...oh, another one of Peruna...

The coaching staff appeared to know what they were doing.


Even if the head coach looks like a big dork.

There were some good plays...

...and fast action.

Foul shots...

...and defense.

But in the end, the Memphis team was too advanced for these Ponies. The Mustangs were defeated. Hey, we're pretty good at taking defeat, so no big deal.

Win or lose, it was fun to sit at a basketball game again - I mean, growing up in Indiana, it was the "thing" and I miss watching good live basketball every weekend. So, it was fun to get to go.

Tomorrow - the halftime entertainment.

Happy Birthday Bob!

On Sunday the 8th, my oldest brother Bob will celebrate another birthday.

So, today's post is all about him.

We just saw some of these yesterday...

...but...

...they work here too. Nice jacket, Robert.

Bob and Dad, a couple of years ago.

Bob is notoriously good at anything he tries. This can be frustrating for a younger sibling. He also drove notoriously nutty as a younger man, and not really much better now.

All of us siblings on Steve's 30th birthday.

Bob, Steve and Dad at Bob's house.

Amber and Bob.

When I was very small, he and Rick used to get me to say strange things they thought were funny - like, "green one" or "poperotion". They would laugh and laugh. Until recently - I mean, well into my adulthood, I still called him Bobby, which drove him crazy. And, he used to tease me by telling me I did things "like a girl" which I eventually figured out was OK, you know, since I am one.

Terri, Bob and Deacon - I know that face - that's the face of mischievousness - a well known look for Bob.
Terri's doing a great job of ignoring him.
A helpful tactic.


Deacon, Bob and Austin

Of course, we've covered before that Bob and Sherri have two children, my niece and nephew Amber and Austin. And, next weekend they'll celebrate another wedding anniversary. So, Happy Anniversary, in advance, you two.

Cora and Uncle Bob - he's a great Uncle.

When I was in grade school, Bob went away to join the Air Force - he was stationed in Germany for 2 years, and then Arizona, where he met my sister-in-law Sherri. I wrote him lots of letters, and he wrote us too. I can only imagine how "good" my grade school letters were! It was so great to get mail from him. I thought he was so cool. I told all my friends at school about my cool older brother who was in the Air Force.

Bob and Rick around a campfire in Steve's backyard.

When I was little, I thought Bobby Pins were named after him and wanted to know where all the "Ricky Pins" were, for my other older brother, Rick.

Cora and Uncle Bob again.

He's a grandpa now, to Rolen, and of course, since he's SO much older than me, I can always kid him about his age. And, well, you HAVE to think about stuff to kid him about, because he's always ready to kid.

Nathon, Ryon, Bob, Veda and Deacon - ALL inside the playhouse.

Uncle Bob the pinata - oh, I mean pinata holder.

This is Bob too - those are his legs and his hands, holding his brand new grandson last August.

Today, two days early, I wish him the Happiest of Birthdays, a wonderful year, and many many more years of sibling torment. Love ya, Bob. Have a great day!

Old Photos

I was going through my desk drawers the other day and came across a few old photos. I posted them to my Facebook page, but also thought I'd share them here today.

Bob, Rick and Me

This photo was taken when I was 2.5 months, according to the back of the photo, and I don't know for sure, but I bet it was for use as a Christmas card or present. I also think I remember my mom saying that my Nana made those robes for Bob and Rick. Probably the fact that they were made by her elevated them to "photo wardrobe" status. That, and they sort of look like Santa suits if you use your imagination. Sort of how a Snuggie is a good idea, if you use your imagination.

The fam, before or after the family photo.

This photo was taken in my Nana and PawPaw's living room. And, it had to be taken just before or after we had a family photo taken, because we're all in the same clothes. Nice to know my legs haven't really improved over when I was 2. I'm not posting the actual family photo here, since it was in the post for my mom's 60th birthday back in October, which you can revisit here. I really dig Bob's jacket in these photos. So nice.

My friend Erin from HS always asks - why is it all photos from the 70's have this same yellowed hue? It's distinctively 70's. Must have been the photo processing during that period in time. Or the paper.

A very attractive photo of me in some styling pants with my older brother in some colorful shirts.

It's about this time in my life when 1) I had two imaginary friends - Draggle and Fe Fe and 2) my brothers started a life-long tradition of tormenting me.

First, the imaginary friends. Draggle sort of looks like - and I say "looks like" because I can still see them vividly in my mind - the Muppet "Animal". But he didn't play the drums. He did, however, get into trouble a lot and try to stir up trouble. He was my alter ego, I guess, because I was always the kid who did the right thing. Draggle and Fe Fe were always together.

Fe Fe (pronounced Fee-Fee, but spelled the way it's stated) was pink and tall. He was very feminine, but definitely a boy. I'm pretty sure in today's world, if he were real, he'd be gay. What that says about me, I don't know, but I'm telling you the truth when I say I had a pink tall male who liked to drink tea and giggle and do frilly, girly things as a small child. Fe Fe also had a good friend, the very masculine and always-in-trouble Draggle. And they were real to me for a period in my life.

My PawPaw and me. Here I'm about 4.

PawPaw always had yard work to do - he was retired and lived on a heavily treed acre lot, and enjoyed keeping up the yard himself. He walked the yard every day and collected the nuts, sticks and acorns from the grass. I did this with him when I was there. My Nana also gardened and I'd help her with that. Then, on occasion, he'd let me ride with him on the lawnmower. Great fun.

Here's another thing I notice about the photo - a mystery to me until recently was why some people - older people - would wear slacks to do yard work. Now that I've lived long enough, I have realized it IS possible to own a pair of pants long enough that they are only acceptable to wear for yard work. I get it. These were his OLD pants.

And, in that photo up there, I look SO MUCH like my mother.

What a cheeser.

This photo has to be from around first grade, I think. I've got the Dorothy Hamill haircut going on, with my mother's styling. And, I'm obviously posed next to the wing back with the blueish flora and fauna print. I am pretty sure one exists of my younger brother in the same pose. Darn it I don't have that one.

2nd grade school photo

There are so many questions to ask here. As school photos go, this was one of my favorites - I remember the photographer actually was funny and made me actually smile. Who knows what he was saying to my 7-year-old self that I found so amusing. What a shirt, though - and what a collar! And, what a setting - was anyone to believe I was really out of doors? The Dorothy Hamill lives on - it was a favorite of mine.

There is one photo that would go here, chronologically, that I posted on Facebook. It's from the church directory, around 3rd grade. But, it was also part of my mom's birthday post, so I'm not got to post it here.

Grandma Irene, Dad, Me

Fast forward about 12 years. It was a random collection of photos from a drawer, remember - this was taken at my Uncle Ray's house in Florida. My dad and I drove my Grandma Irene down there to see him one year when I was in college. It was a fun trip and I'm so glad we did it and that I got to go. I like this photo, though, because with all three generations sitting in a row, I look like my dad's family and not just like my mother. Not that looking like my mother is a bad thing, but it's just what people see - that I look like her. This is proof I am actually half her, half dad in oh-so many ways. Genetics are a funny thing! And, if you know my dad, this is also proof that as he ages he just looks more and more like his mother.

So, there's today's walk down memory lane. Thanks for walking with me.