Keef gets married tomorrow

Keith Peterson that is. He was Jud's best buddy early in life (Jud called him Keef and Keith called him Gud) and they were school and teammates all through school, until they graduated. Then, Keith went to the dark side. That's what we Cyclone fans call Iowa City. He came by it naturally - his daddy is a University of Iowa grad and the extended fam members are mostly Hawkeye fans. So he couldn't help it! Big bro Brett graduated from Iowa too.

Jud went to Ames of course and became a Cyclone as was his legacy. He took a lot of heat for it growing up. After all the Hawks won 15 football games in there, giving them bragging rights and garnering most of those Iowans without a legacy allegiance as fans. So both Amy and Jud (and Scotty and Ryan), in their little Cyclone gear were teased relentlessly. It was pretty hard on Jud - yes some of us have pretty thin skin.

Anyway, despite their differences in fandom - Keith also favored the White Sox and Raiders, while Jud liked the Giants and the Cowboys, Jud and Keith were friends. After all they were both first St. Malachy Knights and then Creston Panthers together. Keith was old for the class with a July birthday, and was a good athlete - maturing earlier than Jud. He lettered in many sports and was awarded the Boys All Around Sports award for high school. He was also a good student - honor roll.

Our son was talented too, but took a while to mature, both emotionally and physically. That held him back - but we are so proud at how he stuck with sports despite not starting. And he came through too graduating with honors, despite a rocky start in high school (Midterm Ds in English and Spanish...-parents freaking out). I think that spirit has served him well in life.

Maclaine, Keith, Connor, Jason, Jud

Jud and Keith had a talented group of classmates - nice kids too! I'm excited that several of them and their parents will be at tomorrow's big event in Altoona. You get to know people traveling with them to sporting events and watching games. Greg Irr, Michael Hyde, Ben Weis, Caleb Brus, Tyrell Miller, and probably a couple more I don't know about should be there. Even though we live in the same town (well most of the week) as their parents - we don't see them all that much. Life gets in the way.

Jud and Kara will be there - I'm looking forward to that. Dan Miller, the McKims, dancing. Who wouldn't love all those things? Along with a few cocktails. I can even do all my moves now that I can raise my right arm above my shoulder. It's painful, but hey after a couple drinks...

Keith has done well at college, studying finance. When he graduated he landed a job at The Woodman in the Quad Cities, and my friend Deb, his mommy reports he likes it there and is doing great. I'm not surprised.

Keith was always a charming little guy - and cute! Towhead blond, big blue eyes and a cute grin. He was kind of a lady's man - even as a youngster. He started dating Kelsey (she too attended Iowa) before his senior year of college, after playing the field for a while. From what Deb reported, I knew this one was serious! Jud and his girl Kara got to meet Kelsey (as did I) at brother Brett's wedding last summer. She's a cute girl and I wish them all the best. (Except when their team plays ISU...) We broke down and got them a Hawkeye Longaberger basket at as a wedding gift so how's that for an olive branch?

HS Football

Pablo and I went to Creston's first home football game last night. It's just not the same when you're kids have graduated. It was a close game - the other team scored with less than 30 seconds left to win. No heart pounding for me.

I was just thinking - "I'm getting chilly - please don't let it go into overtime". Yeah, big fan I am. And Paul and I decided the skill level just isn't what it used to be. Of course we didn't have any rose colored glasses on when Jud played. Ha! I bet parents through the years have said that same thing - it's just not as good as it used to be.

Now that Jud is a senior, there isn't anybody left that he was in school with. The only kids we know are siblings of kids we know, or children of friends. It's a whole new group. Very strange. Another sign that we're old!

Going to watch the Hawkeyes this a.m. on TV. Of course the big matchup of ISU/Iowa is next weekend. On paper (and in the mind of most sane people) the Cyclones don't have a chance in that game. Iowa is in the top 10. ISU wasn't exactly dominant in beating a MAC team Thursday night. But we're Clone fans - we can always hope! And if we lose - we're supposed to. Let Ferentz earn his $3+ million/year.

Hawk fans seem to be especially vocal this year - they had a great season last year, which brought all the closet fans out. Just hope they don't become unbearable. I don't mind the people who are fans through thick and thin. But the people who yell "How 'bout them Hawks?" in my face when it's a good year, but go quiet in bad years. Um, they suck.

I must remember my Hawkeye roots - and how much joy the school and the team gave my parents and grandparents before them. And I have to realize it's mostly some jerky fans (and a few players) who have stirred my emotions so. The people who say such hurtful things about my beloved school and wish for its demise in NCAA sports - wanting the Big 12 to fold. What's that about? Why would that benefit the state?

The holier than thou attitude many think is rightfully theirs - bringing to mind who?? Oh yeah, Nebraska fans. Will be fun watching those two fanbases feast on each other. Only problem? Who to cheer for/against!