The Homecomings

What a wonderful weekend we've celebrated--two homecomings.

ASU celebrated it's 100th anniversary homecoming weekend playing Florida International and winning. It's especially nice to win the homecoming game. With all the festivities and hubbub, another wonderful homecoming occurred. It brought Micah home from NOLA to enjoy the alumni festivities and visit with the family. We haven't seen her since June.

I took off Friday and we played; we enjoyed a leisure morning, got dressed and headed to the city for a serious day of shopping. Friday evening, we went to the Elder's in Brookland to visit with the grandparents and have dinner at TaMolly's. Even Bryan was able to break away from his schedule and join us. We had a great visit. Micah left a little later to join college friends for a celebration.

Saturday morning, she was off for brunch and then a 2:00 gathering at the BCM. She and I went out for a short portion of the game and enjoyed the halftime show watching Bryan march with the band.

Sunday we were all off to church and then to my folk's house for lunch and a visit. Sunday night, Micah went to dinner after church and visited with the Putman's senior. All to soon it was Monday and she was headed home and we were headed to work.

It isn't quite as hard to say goodbye this time of year. We're looking forward to a brief 3 or 4 weeks and then it's holiday time again as we all gather for Thanksgiving. There will be more shopping and plenty of eating. I can hardly wait.

Marcia

Alabama Football

Last weekend brought yet more football and another weekend of travel. Our threesome headed southeast to Tuscaloosa, Alabama where the Crimson Tide hosted South Carolina for homecoming weekend. We visited Jeri, my cousin, and Misha in an annual trip and enjoyed great company and football excitement.

Bryan was fortunate once again, to walk in with the band, but this year he stayed on the sideline throughout the entire game with Jeri. If you look at the picture to the right of the TV headline you see a man in a red jacket, Jeri in the red and white jacket, and thirdly, Bryan wearing a red sweatshirt with a cap. The game was broadcast on ESPN and this is a picture we made off the TV catching them on the sideline. He had a great time.

Even better, he met Erin Andrews, newscaster for ESPN. Jeri snapped their picture quickly on the cell phone. Even though it's a bit grainy, its a fantastic memory. She was very nice and talked with him quite a bit.

Lastly, meet Jeri, our cousin, head athletic trainer for the Tide which makes all this happen one time a year. Oh by the way, Alabama won and this stadium was jammed packed by game time.

Roll Tide,

Marcia

Hog Wild

Last weekend we took to the highways once again. We headed northwest to the beautiful mountains of Fayetteville where you will find yourself in "Hog Heaven" or the campus of University of Arkansas. This was Bryan's weekend and a chance for all of the family to be together, relax, and have a much needed break from our routines of work and school.

We got up early Friday morning about 3:00 a.m. and backed out of our garage about 4:00 a.m. to sprinkles of rain. Before long, the precip was pelting down and we drove in downpours of rain and thunderstorms for nearly five hours. We had a 10:30 meeting and tour of the campus at 11:30. Bryan had always wanted to check out the U of A campus and that is just what we did. After the tour (stomping through the puddles and taking shelter under our open umbrellas) we met with an agriculture professor to get more information about the Dale Bumpers College of Agriculture. We really enjoyed the trip, but boy was it wet and cold.

Saturday was much better. The rain disapated and the sun began to shine. We managed to get football tickets to the Arkansas/Auburn game. We had fantastics seats and thoroughly enjoyed the game. The stadium was packed out with 72,000 fans. We knew for a fact that we were not in Jonesboro any more. And here is a fun fact for you. Did you know that the razorback is the only mascot of its kind in the US? No other school or professional team lays claim to the razorback outside of the University of Arkansas. We left about 3:30 and headed home arriving about 8:30. You'll see photos of the family taking in the game and enjoying the sights. The scenery was beautiful as the leaves were beginning to change although I don't think Collin and Bryan enjoyed this phase of the trip as much as I.

Well, there is more football adventure to come and more travel. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.

Marcia

Another First

You'll remember that I've done a few things this summer on the "wilder" side that have been out of character for me such as barrel rolling in an open cockpit plane. Well, this past weekend, I've done another.

Collin and I went on what is probably our last camping trip for the year. We camped out at Denton's Ferry in Cotter, once again, with Dennis and Regina. On Saturday, we went on a guided fishing tour on the White River. I don't guess I've ever fished, but we were in a boat for most of the day, casting for trout, outside of lunch time when they brought us back to the resort for grilled hamburgers. I think it is probably the only way I would care to fish. Our guide put my bait on the hook and took my fish off. All I had to do was cast, hook 'em, and reel 'em in. He did the rest. He knew the river and took us to all the hot spots. We caught fish all day long; many got lucky and were thrown back.

I enjoyed this new adventure. I don't think it was actually the fishing so much although that was ok, but I loved the tranquility, the scenery, and the water. It was nice to lay down the pole and just ride in the boat. The leaves were beginning to change color and there were many birds that were beautiful. We even saw a bald eagle. You'll note in the photograph how beautiful the scenery is in this area.
Well, here I am bringing in my first trout of the day. There is no evidence; you'll just have to trust me that I actually caught a large number of fish. Collin made this picture of me, but alas, he cut off the net and the fish, the main focal point (which would explain why I am the photographer in this family). You must believe me when I say there was a fish on the end of the line.
We packed up Sunday and drove home in the rain after having spent a beautiful Saturday. It was a little chilly and we had put on layered clothing taking off one piece at at time as the day progressed. The drive home seemed to close down the official summer season and herald in the beginning of fall with cool temperatures, drizzle, and changing leaves.

Now I don't believe I'm going to become an avid fisherwoman. This was fun, but I don't think that Bass Pro should get all excited that I'll be coming in any time soon to buy waders, poles, tackle box, and lures.

Marcia

Family Reunion

I'm an only child, but my mom and dad come from rather large families. My mom is one of seven siblings and my dad is as well. I've always thought this was the most amazing thing to have numerous brothers and sisters. When the brothers, sisters, and their spouses gather, there is always much gaiety, conversation, and laughter. It can really get loud sometimes and can also be quite funny and humorous if you sit back and listen. I can only imagine how it was when they were younger and living together at home. It was always rather quiet at my house when I growing up. When either side of the family had a reunion it was quite an affair always with a big meal involved.

Last weekend, we had one of such gatherings. My mom's sister from Illinois, along with her niece and husband came by for a visit while enroute to visit their granddaughter and daughter, respectively. My mom invited their other two brothers and a spouse along with Collin, Bryan, and me to come for the dinner meal as well. We had a great time.

At my mom and dad's age, I think it is incredible that my mom still has three of her siblings, and my dad has four of his. This is a picture of my mom (who by the way is the youngest) along with her sister and two brothers. Perhaps one of these days, I'll catch dad with his brother and three sisters. My dad by the way, was the youngest boy in the family. Until then, enjoy a picture of the Wood clan.

Marcia