Red Wolves A-Howlin'

Fall always signals football season. Some get more excited about the sport than others. As long as our children were in high school, we went to all home games for two different reasons. First, because I teach school at Jonesboro, I was always interested in the activities and in watching the kids perform that I teach. Perhaps more importantly, both my children played in the band and I didn't want to miss any half time shows.

Now that Bryan has moved on to ASU and marches in the band, college football has taken on new meaning for our family and has altered our Saturday social calendar greatly. We now take in about five home games a year on crisp, cool Saturdays. This would not be complete without the added festivities of tailgating and (you guessed it), watching the band.

This has been a big year of change. ASU has been the "Indians" for more than 50 years, but this year, debuted a new mascot, the Red Wolves. From the young to the old, you can't help but catch the spirit. Everywhere you turn, you will see red and black. Everyone has on a Wolves t-shirt or sweatshirt. Colorful tents dot the hillside protecting the food tables and flags are flying signaling to passers-by that the pack is on the prowl.

We load our truck with grills, chairs, food, and drinks and head out early on game days to enjoy fellowship with our friends from church at Walnut Street. Collin has done quite a bit of the grilling this year which he really enjoys. Although we arrive early, families begin to drift in throughout the afternoon bringing in potluck dishes and sitting up their lawnchairs to get in in on the conversation and good times. About 4:00 or so, everyone falls into line and then finds a place to savor the goodies on the menu.

Then, it's on to the stadium for the main event. Excitement generates as thousands of people are making their way to their seats, stopping off at the sports memorbilia vendors to purchase shirts and caps, securing game foods from concessions, visiting with friends, and off in the distance, hearing the band warm up and the beat of the drums. Before you know it, Howl, zooms in on his motorcycle, leading the way for the wolf pack through the tunnel as they gear up for kickoff.




I've actually learned a great deal about football in the last two years even though I've been watching for 28 years at high school. I've discovered that a passing game is so much more exciting and I can actually keep up with the location of the ball. But my favorite thing that I wait for in anticipation is still the band. What mother doesn't enjoy watching her child do the thing he loves most. Bryan plays snare drum and I never take my eyes off of him. If you check out my pictures, he will be the second snare drum from the left.

After the game, we go back to our tailgate area to meet up with our friends once again and have a snack on whatever is left over before we break down the tents, load up, and head home. It's been a fun-filled day, but everyone is tired now and ready to go home. And guess what happens; by the next day, we start planning for the next game.

If this sounds like fun, come and join us. It's a standing invitation and everybody is welcome. You'll get hooked, no doubt. Come on now--let me hear you HOWL!

Marcia

On the Road Again

Last weekend, Collin and I loaded the truck, piled in, and headed out again; this time south on I-55 destined for New Orleans. Although we can usually drive it in seven hours, the trip really gets long when you've worked all day, don't leave until 5 in the afternoon, and don't arrive until midnight.

I think just about every time we go to visit Rhyne and Micah, we look like gypsies. On this venture, we carried down a washer and dryer. After living for three years in an apartment of approximately 525 sq. feet, they have moved into a much nicer and larger facility across the campus with washer/dryer hookup, and thus, the reason that we moved the appliances. Their apartment is really nice and they actually have cabinets and closets.

We had a great time and a great visit even though our time spent is short. We always travel on Friday nights, play on Saturday, and drive home on Sunday. Regardless, a little visit is better than none, and it helps alleviate some of the "we miss you so much" syndrome. How fortunate we are to have cell phones and e-mail.

On this visit, we obviously moved in the appliances and hooked them up, toured the apartment, went to see Micah's school and her room, shopped just a little, and ate out at the dinner hour. It was a full day, and all too soon, it was time to head to Arkansas.

As many times as Collin and I have made the trip, one thing or another kept us from coming home across the Causeway, the 20 mile bridge spanning Lake Ponchatrain. This time we crossed it and on this beautiful sun-shiny morning, it was gorgeous. If your ever down that way and haven't had the experience before, I highly encourage you to include it in your travel plans.

Marcia