Pat and I Visit the 2008 Alumni Tournament

......on our way in we run into Kevin "HoHo" Montgomery.....

..........the class of 87 prepare for combat.........with Wes Miller at the helm.

.......spouse and daughter of one of the class of "87"

...........the class of "75" and earlier........all of whom I'd coached in days gone by.......the two in the middle in the 8th grade!

Water, Water Everywhere....

.......on Sleepy Hollow Road........

.......along the Licking River........

..........along Staddens Bridge........

.........................Up to the door of the Basket........(OK...maybe not to the door!)

.......BUT NOT A DROP IN OUR BASEMENT THANKS TO THE HARD WORK OF MY SON WES AND MY YOUTH LEADER DAY FRIENDS......who helped me install perforated drain and gravel at the base of the North foundation of the house. THANKS GUYS!!

"The Big Hunt"

Saturday I helped conduct a community Egg Hunt at Real Life church in East Newark. So many kids......so many smiles.....so much activity..........SO MANY EGGS!

Two "egg hunters" I was especially happy to see on the scene were Avery, daughter of Casey and Autumn Williams.......

.........and Audrey, daughter of Shane and Beth (Anders) Adkins........ I share these particular shots so my own "kids" in far away places can see the kids of their friends!

................some eggs were just not that easy to find!!

A Boy And His Dad...(in-law) Watch Newark Win

.......the boy (Newark Class of 63).....

........and his Father-in-law (Newark Class of 38) spent our time together this evening in front of Dad's TV watching the Newark Wildcats trying to win their first State Championship in 65 years! Instead of going to Columbus as I have for the last three tournament games I pulled up a seat with Pat's dad in his living room. The game was HUGE and totally exciteing. We clapped and talked and phoned friends at the Shott where the game was being played................ AND THE RESULTS.........

............Greg Avery scored a career high 33 points and the cats went on to win 65 to 52! But I got so much more than the satisfaction of watching an amazing performance. I found out that Dad was present at the 1936 and 1938 State Championship games played at the Columbus Fairground Coliseum and won by Newark......HE PLAYED TRUMPET IN THE NEWARK BAND!! He described the star player, Jabbo Giles, who's ability to jump coupled with the fact that in those days you had a jump ball after every made basket....... accounted for the Cat's rise to win the State Championship. How the game has changed! He missed the 1943 State Championship because he was undergoing pilot training during WWII.

SO WHAT STUFF REALLY MATTERS IN THIS LIFE??? I realized tonight afresh how important family is.....and being together is.....and enjoying life is........ and enjoying life together with family is!!

Go Wildcats....GO!

Bird Shots I Have To Share

I've been waiting for one of my favorite winter birds the Cardinal to land in one of my favorite trees, our Nootka Pine. Finally I got my opportunity.

......we got this shot of another bird we love because of its unique slate, brown and white coloration....a Eastern Towhee.

.....and then to see them together........ Hope you enjoy their beauty as we do.

With This Exclamation Point Newark Moves On To The State Final Four

As a former Newark Wildcat class of 63 it's been fun watching the basketball team win the last three games by last second heroics. Having trailed Westerville South the whole first half last night, the cats came down to the last opportunityof the game. Taking a long lob inbound pass on the dead run, Greg Avery sealed the victory with this STUFF shot at the buzzer! Needless to say it set the fans (myself included) into a frenzy as the Cats move on to play in the State Semifinals this coming Friday.

GO WILDCATS GO!

The "Blizzard of 08" Descended Upon Us Over Friday and Saturday.....

As Storm Team Meteorologist Ben Gelber said Central Ohio was in the "Sweet Spot" of this winter storm.........

............and of course Bill and Pat had to adventure out to enjoy the 14 inches of white stuff.......

Although We Enclose The Back Porch In Plastic....

...........the "Blizzard" penetrates the screen door.......

........covers decorations waiting for spring redeployment......

................even manages to cover my hiking boots......

...............and leave a foot of snow blown against the door......

The Things You Notice Walking Together In the Snow...

.......and the "Lil Pine" lives on through the winter.....

Sights Along The Way....