Tailgating thoughts

It's been an emotional week. A friend, Len Klein, father of ISU Cyclone great AJ Klein, passed away. Len had been battling a rare cancer for the past two years. He was 55 years old. We met Len and wife Jean, plus many other family members during AJ's years playing at ISU. They tailgated in section D2 with the McKim group and the Kevin and Kari Ehrecke. The Kleins are a fun-loving close-knit family. We are thinking of them during this time. Prayers to you all.



At the ISU spring football game, AJ was invited back to be an honorary captain. It was so fun that Jean and Len decided to attend, staying with Kevin and Kari in their Ames home. It was a gorgeous April day in Iowa. We ended up tailgating late into the afternoon with the group - McKims, Ehreckes, Kleins and AJ stopped by with some other former Cyclones. AJ told us a few things about life in the NFL. He plays linebacker for the Carolina Panthers. Len was feeling pretty good then and it was a grand time. We laughed until my ribs hurt!



This Saturday was another early game for the Cyclones. They played ranked Big 12 foe Baylor in a tough game. ISU lead until the 4th quarter but most fans recognized the Charlie Brown script where the victory (ball) is whipped away at the last second. My logical side knows that we are simply looking for improvement from this team and we certainly are seeing that. Young players are making plays all over the field. My fan side says "Just Win" dammit!



Once again we kicked butt in tailgating. ISU does have that down to an art. Yesterday was "Good Beer Bad Beer day" with our tailgating neighbors Bobbie and Bill. They brought a horse tank and everyone was to put in their beer. The tank was covered with a sheet and you had to pick your poison - caution to the wind and all that.

I stuck with my own good/back mix right from our own cooler (I know, snooty) PBR (thanks Dave Bullock for raising right) with tiny Miller High Life for the good stuff. We took breakfast pizza from Casey's for early and grilled after. Steve in the next camper served us marinated pork shanks that were awesome! Bobbie and Bill's little guys Max (3) and Hank (1.75) were about - providing entertainment. Max got dipped into the horse tank as he demanded.

We enjoyed seeing several Crestonites at our tailgate - former neighbors the Hartsocks. Sam is a sophomore at ISU, transferring from SWCC this year. His dad Tommy switched his usual Nebraska garb for ISU colors - nice to see. A Cyclone recruit, Trevor Downing (aka Farm Strong) was their with his folks and the Van Gelder family. It's always fun seeing the Conovers also former Creston neighbors. Jane and Susan (with husband Denny) Flack stopped by briefly, and some of Paul's work pals dropped by. It's like a neighborhood party in D2!



Near the end of the evening we had a special moment - lifting one to our friends Len and Jean. Len would have liked that. He spent a lot of time in this little section of the world. RIP Len.

 Iowa State University has been getting some bad press in the Des Moines Register of late - and rightfully so. The university president, Steven Leath, seems to be treating the university and the state as his own "good 'ol boys club". I don't like that. I think he has the wrong impression of what it's like to be the president at my school. He's not that special. We don't have kings in Iowa.



I'm afraid I got spoiled by our longtime President Geoffrey. He was humble and one of us. He was not looking for free stuff and figuring out how to work the system.



In my opinion Dr. Leath still just doesn't get it. Though he has apologized, I think he's mostly upset that this has come to light. He believes he can pay for the damage to the plane and quit flying it - and this issue will go away. Not true. Now we all know his true colors. I think he needs a "sniffer" - a person or group of people to be his conscience or ethics guidance. He is paid a large salary and other perks. He is not special or a rock star. Just ask Troy Davis - all time football great who Ames police arrested this weekend for public intox when he was in town to accept an award. This isn't a place where people look away. It's been a bad week for my beloved school - but it's about more than just a few people. Those tailgaters yesterday proved that. We are the university. Fellowship through good times and bad.

Joy and sadness

Life is a tightrope we all walk. Each day we go about our everyday lives, until something out of the ordinary pops in to remind us why we're all here. We wobble.

Tuesday I received the joyous news that my friend and co-worker Becky Jolly had given birth to a baby boy - the fourth Jolly child born to Becky and her husband Jeremy. I thought perhaps we were going to have to have a naming contest, but then we heard Tyson James would join Trent, Kylie and Maya. I was so happy for the family.

Then word came that a relative had gotten bad news about her pregnancy. The baby had passed away in utero. My relative had been due this winter with her second child - to join a young son. I was sad for the couple - and their son. A miscarriage is the loss of a potential life that you have planned on for several months, yet there are no real formal ways society has to acknowledge that loss.

As one who has suffered a miscarriage, the news immediately brought back the feelings I had way back in 1984 when I suffered the loss of our first pregnancy. Watching other pregnant women successfully carry their babies. Wondering if I would ever had a child - feeling like a failure somehow, even though there was no way to know what had gone wrong, and I certainly wasn't anyone's fault.

Also, that was the first time life "had done me wrong". Before that miscarriage, I didn't really think about it. I just thought I was one of those people that followed the rules and did things the right way. So things like that wouldn't happen to me. I was wrong. Bad things happen all the time to good (and in my case pretty good) people. I had to get my mind around that fact. The whole "why us?" Little did I know there was more to come later...but first we had a couple of great healthy babies, Amy and Jud. Life went on. But there was grieving and angst first.

On Tuesday this week, I was torn - filled with joy for the Jolly family, but so sad for my family because of the loss. The great roller coaster of life. It gives, it takes. Any spare prayers or thoughts would be appreciated for those who have lost pregnancies.

post rain walk on Capitol grounds

It was a good week otherwise - early flooding rains gave away to perfect Iowa summer weather. I had a couple work road trips - to Franklin County and to Iowa City. It was nice to get out of the office. I walked in the East Village one lunchtime - for the first time since I broke my shoulder. I had been leaving the office at lunchtime to work at home, but the shoulder is feeling good enough now to work full time at the office. Physical therapy is ongoing. Odie will miss me at home!

I received a text message from daughter Amy Friday night that she had arrived in Atlanta, Georgia. That city is where she'll be making her new home with after seven years in Colorado. We look forward to visiting Atlanta in October as it's a place I've never really spent time. I can't wait to see what's next in this chapter of Amy's life.

DMS's one skyscraper in the background

Saturday, Paul headed south to check his deer trail cameras, so I decided to venture down to Gray's Lake near downtown DSM for my morning walk. It was gorgeous out. Afterwards, I stopped for a breakfast sandwich at Gateway Market, which I brought home to eat on the deck while I listened to a book. My idea of a perfect morning!

When Paul arrived home and we went to Windsor Vacuum to make a big local purchase - a new vacuum sweeper. Yep - Pablo gets a new saw (fun) and I get a vacuum (not). Life ain't fair McGee. I enjoyed the family operating this business. I had stopped there for bags for our present awful vacuum, and their 15 year-old son started in on the pitch, with dad taking over. We had been looking at the big box stores, but local sold me! Sales AND service. So guess what I did Saturday afternoon? You're right. I vacuumed.

That night, our friends the McKims met us at a new joint, Draught House 50 for a brew and a meal. We saw a few Crestonites (and former) there Mary Hilger and Mark and Tracy Evans were also at this restaurant on Mills Civic Parkway. It was fun to catch up with the McMs.

This week Paul heads to Washington D.C. for work, so I'll be flying solo with my sidekick the wonderdog. Then we head to Wisconsin for the Goldsmith fam golf tourney reunion. I'm looking forward to seeing Paul's brothers/sisters and spouses. It's been a while.

Creston kids grow up

Iris at the Farmer's Market Saturday - Mom grew them at our home in Atlantic

The Mostek Family - Natalie (signing) Jeff, Kit, and Maria (Photo courtesy Kendall on Twitter)

We made the trek southwest to Creston Saturday night to a party to honor our neighbor kids who graduate from high school Sunday. They were young girls in 1998 when we moved to our home on Park road - across the street from their house.

We mostly watched them grow up from afar as Kit and Jeff set them up with sidewalk chalk, little sports toys, and loaded them up in the car for dance lessons and sporting events. Amy babysat for the twins, sweet girls with very different personalities, she said. Amy liked to bump the volleyball with them.

I started commuting to work in DSM about the time Natalie and Maria hit junior high and didn't get the chance to follow their sports careers except in the paper. They've been spectacular! Both will continue their athletic careers in college. Natalie is seen in the photo above signing with Des Moines Area Community College to play softball. She's a fab catcher and hitter. Maria will run track at Northwestern Missouri State in Maryville. She's a long distance specialist.

The graduation party was such fun - reminiscent of one held 11 years just across the street. The girls appreciated fact that we'd made the trip down for the party and to deliver our gifts. (On the way there we'd also stopped at the Nielsen house around the corner - to drop off Alex's gift - his party is Sunday.) The garage was filled with tables of people, most of whom we knew - all asked about the Goldsmith cherubs. Dave Buck smoked turkey, pork and ribs prior to the event. Yum. Young people gathered there too of course - including Taylor Pettit, who earned the type of fame nobody wants at the State Wrestling tourney when his heart stopped. He's doing fine now.

During the trip to Creston, Paul and I talked about the fact that we're nearing the end of our invitations to such events in our former hometown. We're running out of kids we know. No worries though - wedding invites and baby showers will take their places.

Just prior to the party we stopped to see our friend Ryan's newly purchased home in town. He and his dad Don are working with a contractor to demolish some of the interior of the house to install the cabinets and doors Paul helped them load last weekend in Urbandale. Donnie found that stuff on Craig's List. Reuse!

Ryan ripped out this Lazy Susan cupboard - just like one we had in our first house. Our dog Moki loved to serve himself crackers from it...

Our first home! It's looking pretty good with new front steps.

Bobbie, Deb and me - I didn't get a photo of the guys

After the graduation party Saturday, we met up with friends at the watering hole to catch up. It's always such fun to see them. This is what I miss most about living in Creston - seeing friends and chatting with people we've known for many years.

Before the latest round of storms hit, we were off to the big city. A friendly face was there to greet us when we got home - it had a snout.

Sunday morning - I laughed, I cried

And no...that wasn't just watching yesterday's ISU Cyclone football game. Though that description could have described me, watching the game. It was ugly again. It's one of those years...we're Cyclone fans - we know the drill. Even before the season started I didn't like the home schedule - few early home games, and those were at night. One was on Thursday. Yuck. Add poor team play followed by injuries. I won't even mention the bad calls by referees - because that would make me sound petty. Yesterday's weather was very chilly and windy - it's too early to be that cold. Plus no RV to tailgate with. Sob...oh poor me. Yeah, I'll get over it. It's only football. I'm doing this for fun, right?

Life is good otherwise! Jud and Kara and friends stopped by our tailgate - always good to see them. I love getting hugs from the gang - Brad, Brady, Mitch, Pat - and I got to meet this girlfriend Lori. We had made a Crock Pot egg bake the night before - and it turned out quite tasty. You can't go wrong with eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage and onion. Diana made her signature sticky rolls with pecans. So despite the lack of an RV, we provided!

My pal - friends for over 20 years

Our waitress brought Deb this ice cream

How did we do it? It all started the night before. My BFF Deb was in town - shopping during her day off for birthday. We had made plans to go out for supper to celebrate. She arrived at my place about 4:30 p.m. So good to catch up - we hadn't seen each other since Labor Day! She, Paul and I headed to Cheesecake Factory for Happy Hour. McKims arrived about 6:45 p.m. for supper. We had a great time celebrating Deb's bday - which was Saturday. Deb took off for Creston when we got back to our place. So glad I got a chance to spend time with my bestie.

McKims stayed at our place for the night so we could get an early start for the ISU game in the a.m. We whipped up the egg casserole Friday night and got it started in the crockpot. About 9:30 p.m., Dee, Don and Paul decided to head to the Keg Stand bar to see Damon Dotson play. Phil Conover was there, and Katie McKim joined the group. Alas, I was pooped and stayed home. Saturday morning I was glad though...no hangover! We were up early Saturday and the rest is history. The beaten and bruised Cyclones and their fans are hopeful for next Saturday.

So - Sunday morning - the CBS Show. http://www.cbsnews.com/sunday-morning/

The pumpkin segment made me laugh out loud! Especially when they used a crane to hoist the giant spheres into the sky - and then let them plummet onto unsuspecting junker cars. Pumpkin races, a regatta - Priceless!

The other precious segment involved football. 
I don't see a heading for the story on the website. It was about a high school football team that took a dive on the 1 yard line to allow a learning disabled teammate to score a touchdown. It's not really a new idea. What touched me was the interview of a receiver. He admitted this was not his idea - he's been pretty self-centered up to this time. Then tears began to roll down his cheeks, and he professed how this one event has changed him.

If only we could arrange for every person to undergo such an event in his/her young life. Alas - each of our hearts are not open to such change. Just like some people pretend to be "Christians" but do not act in a Christian manner when it really counts. I was going to say I'm not pointing fingers...but that would be a lie. I have pointed fingers. And sometimes I can point the finger right at myself - I admit it. I can only keep plugging away! Stories like the one told today about a young man learning the value of giving remind me how important it is.

On the Pontoooon (in a singing manner)

We got a wee bit 'o work done Saturday morning. Al wanted his Sea-doo out of the water, and Jeff volunteered to ride it around to the nearest dock. What a nice man! Paul and Lucy cooked breakfast (see below). It held us until supper - rib sticking good!

I think she's singing along with her CD...

Bobbie made us each a CD of floating on the boat tunes! We sat on Don and Dee's new (for them) pontoon Saturday listening to it on a quiet cove (not a crazy party cove - yep we're growing up!) on Lake of the Ozarks. It was finally warmer - no sweats and jackets required. The water was chilly though. Ten plus inches of rain the week before dropped the water temp nearly ten degrees!

Jeff acts as first mate

Buddies huddle together for warmth on Thursday

While maybe not as sexy as other types of boats, the pontoon is a great party boat. Especially for old folks! It was quite comfy to get in and out of - no crawling over the side. Two thumbs up from this freeloader. We'll miss the McKim RV tailgating this fall - but the pontoon is a pretty good tradeoff. Donnie was a good captain too - we only got a bit wet from passing cruisers waves. No wall of water!

great pic of our farmer friend

After floating a while (and when we all needed to use the facilities) - we headed to Fish and Company. Dale Blue was the entertainment - and we tried to help! Diana manned the tambourine and I was called "camera girl" by Dale himself. The girls had fun dancing - some Kansas State friends helped too. Fellow Crestonites the Hueys were there with their son - kind of a Brad Pitt look alike. Cute!

Who knew the tambourine had a handle?

Young Mr. Huey talks to Jeff and Paul

The girls drank something blue...they said it was delish

Later we dropped Paul and Lucy off. Then we had another burst of energy. We stopped one more place and Diana sang karaoke! We ate pizza too. It was nearly dark by the time we pulled into the McKim place. 

breakfast at Eckhoffs Saturday a.m. - Paul E. made biscuits and gravy AND with hollandaise - had some great melon with it, so it wasn't all heart attack material

Of course McKims had the flag flying!

It was a long drive home to Iowa yesterday. But we were lucky, and got to hitch a ride down with McKims and a home with McFees. We left our car at WalMart in Osceola and it was still there when we got back. So that was a bonus. Laundry and a wiener dog awaited when we got home. Our dog/house sitter Kimmy McFee is heading back to pick up a second major at ISU. We'll miss you Kim. Odie was always alive when we got home! haha. If anyone knows a dog sitter in the WDM area - let me know.

I got through Monday and I'm still feeling the good vibes from the trip - grateful for our friends. I hope they know they can count on us too - if they need a fab vacation spot in Dez Moinezz. Or any other kind of support. And stuff.

Another week past...

The countdown is on. Two more weeks until the movers are here. We'll be putting the "stuff" of our lives into a big truck. That's weird.

Hope he's not a back seat driver!

At this moment 2 deer heads are in my car to take to my former roomie Joan's place (shhh - she doesn't know she'll have a couple little friends staring at her for a while yet). The movers wanted $1,000 each to move them - crating and uncrating. No thanks! There are 2 more in the basement awaiting transport later. Paul parted with one - it's at the Holy Spirit ReRun Shop if you have a burning desire for a deer head.

This week Paul is pheasant hunting in South Dakota with college buddies, Mike Huston and Tom Sullivan. He's done this hunt the past few years and he always has a great time hanging with his buddies, and they get a few birds too. I plan to get together with Joan while he's gone - we need to catch up!

Great ISU game day yesterday with a victory over Baylor! McFees rode up with us and we drove by our new home on the way to the game. Bobbie and Jeff said they think they can find their way back - we'll have a room for them on Cody Drive! This week we purchased the dining table, a love seat and some art from the sellers. On a similar note, we sold our table/chairs and some other stuff to our home buyers. That worked out great! Our realtors have been swell on this regard. Shout out to Roger Saxton and Marg Hull.

Check out radiant heater - ahhhh

Paul chats with Jud's buddy Mitch

 

It was a chilly day, but Don's niece brought a radiant heater. It was great! It was soup day - 4 kinds of soups were perfect! Plus pumpkin and apple bars - and bevvies of your choice. Jud wasn't there (he and Kara were at her cousin's wedding in Tampa) but his buddies showed up in force and we still love them - and they helped us eat soup! Donnie's college roomie Jim and wife Patty were there - they just moved to Denver from St. Louis, because their 2 children live there. Paul and I attended the Spirit Walk to High 5 the players entering the stadium for the game.

The team runs to the students and sings the fight song

And then our beloved Cyclones came through with a glorious Homecoming victory. It was college football at its finest. The 54K crowd was lovin' it! We did The Wave 3 ways - regular, slow and on crack (really fast). It was really fun. The alumni band played with the Iowa State University VARSITY (Not the JV dammit) Marching Band played. The sound system played all the good tunes that old ladies like to dance to. Diana and I stood on one leg to help the defense stop Baylor on third down situations. (We do what we can).

CPR - on left

After the game we had passes (because McKim's son Ryan is on the coaching staff) to go in the "Jake" building where the team locker room is. Former Cyclone great Seneca Wallace was there. Coach Rhoads came out. Everyone was joyful!

The drive home was late, but Jeff has imbibed enough liquor to entertain us most of the way. His head started bobbing about ten minutes from home. We are happy and blessed people!

Brother-In-Law Bolder Report: Bolder was not able to have his first full chemo due to low platelets. He did have a partial one. They'll try again soon. Please keep Bold and my sister Cindy and their son Colby in your prayers. They will need all our strength and good thoughts during this time.  

Hail, Hail

Some of the gang was all here - in Ames for the ISU vs. Kansas State game. While our beloved Cyclones weren't victorious over #5 KSU (despite some great opportunities), a good time was had, as usual when we get together with these oldie but goodie friends.

First of all, a real Cyclone was forecast weather-wise, at least earlier in the week. I think those weather forecasters are just bored and were excited to get Iowans jacked up about rain and wind. It did end up raining, but the weather gods smiled down as it only misted a bit at the beginning of the game and the sun even tried to pop out a couple times. The wind they forecast didn't really even amount to much.

Pablo and I got up early - to much-needed rain in Crestonia. We headed north, arriving just before 8 a.m. Diana and I jumped into cooked eggs and heating up sausage for breakfast burritos. Moose and Kay arrived first - they came in from Chicago, but drove over to Cedar Rapids the night before. Mike and Paula Huston arrived from the LaCrosse area next, with Behrs arriving from Northfield (Kelli and Toby from Mpls) right before game time - 11 a.m.

McKims were nice enough to give us their two tickets so Mike and Paula could attend the game - the others had tickets to sit on the grass (which despite the rain, was not soaking wet). So we got to catch up with the Hustons during the first half. Mike was the Best Man at our wedding and he and Paul will go pheasant hunting in SoDak soon.

It was so cute when we arrived later than usual at the game - the guy that sits right by us (I regret I don't know his name...) said, "where have you been? I've been worried about you!" Ahhh we're missed.

Vic - first buddy I met my frosh year!

At halftime, I headed down to sit with the gang. No, I couldn't see the game too well - but that was okay. It was fun chatting. It was Freddie B's Birthday! At one point, Kelli Behr (Vic's daughter, Amy's age who brought her fiance Toby - we finally got to meet him, and yes, he passed the test) said, "Just look at this - how great, how you all have stuck together - college friends." It's true! We are the lucky ones.

One thing that helped is that Mike Huston invited us to camp at his family's farm at Ridgeland, Wisconsin to go tubing on the Apple River. So we took him up on it...for 15 years. Through those years, we got married, became young parents, and bonded for life. Our kids grew up like cousins. So even though we eventually got busy with school activities and didn't see each other quite as often, Amy and Kelli have a "thing" like her mom and I. They can pick up right where they left off, whether it was a month since they talked, or six. And now Amy has the honor of being a bridesmaid in Kelli's wedding next June.

Kel and Amy

The Wilt girls, Jaime and Alyssa are like littler cousins to the Behr girls. They went on vacation together. Our kids don't know them quite as well...but Amy did stay at their place in Chicago once. And Jud...he's a guy so he didn't try as much to bond, you know how that goes.

After the game, Mary Morman and her husband Cary came up to hang out with us. She was Kay's roomie in college. I have hung out with her in DSM. I was sorry Vic and my roomie Jane (lives in Waukee) couldn't make it. And Sal - who lives in Oregon.

But I think it's pretty cool. Aren't friendships grand?

Shout out to my Baby Girl on her Day 'O Birth. Hard to believe it was 27 years ago that she popped out (was pulled out with forceps) but then again seems like she's always been with us. We couldn't ask for a finer daughter.

Love you Amy! And so glad to Jud and Kara were able to be with you on your day.

Spring Cyclone

The Cyclones super secret weapon - Bubba!

Quarterbacks go through drills

We had the rare privilege to attend a closed ISU football practice/scrimmage yesterday with McKims. Their son Ryan is on the coaching staff again - now as a Graduate Assistant (GA) with the offensive line. That's where he played back when he was in high school. Ryan has a mind and a passion for the game. Head Coach Paul Rhoads saw that when he worked on the staff in operations when Rhoads was hired at ISU. Ry took a year off to try a few months at "real" jobs - banking and then high school coaching in Creston - which he loved. But Coach Rhoads came calling, and somehow he got Ryan's attention.

Ryan looks official with a clipboard

The weather forecast Saturday was partly sunny and 70s. Fail! We dressed for that weather. Practice was in Jack Trice Stadium - in the wind and drizzle. Shivers! It was way cool though - seeing the players up close like that. We stood along the side of the field, first watching the guys go through some drills. Ryan was quite impressive (especially in the eyes of his parents) bossing those big boys around.

Scrimmage

It was easy to tell when the scrimmage started - the guys with the striped shirts (refs) were blowing whistles just like in real games. But it was more controlled  - in situations with the first stringers going against each other and second string D going against second string offense - like that, through third string. A few times the players got up close and personal with us - but we didn't get run over or anything.

AJ Klein #47

A student greeted us for the scrimmage...

There were some other outsiders in attendance - coaches from all over Iowa, including the staff from Creston, where Ryan coached last fall. Paul talked to Steve Shantz - who now coaches at Greenfield. He used to teach Spanish (not all that well, considering neither of my children can speak Spanish) and coach in Creston.

Paul talks (in English) to Steve Shantz

It was a really cool experience. But cold. And we got hungry! It had been a while since any of us had been to Hickory Park, Ames famous restaurant. So off we went. Even though it was mid-afternoon, there was a half hour wait. But it was worth it! I got my usual - smoked turkey on an onion bun (oh so fresh) with mashed potatoes. Paul and I split a sundae for desert - a concoction with hot fudge, almonds and coconut. Heavenly. 5 Moki heads. Sigh.





Ryan and me, surrounded by guy's locker room smells...

Don and Diana had some stuff to deliver to Ryan - and he was done with his duties by then. So we went by the Jake - the Jacobson Building where the football offices and lockerrooms are. So we got a tour! There weren't any young men running around semi-nude, but it was still neat. The facility will be replaced by a new one in just a few months by a state-of-the-art facility. Nothing but the best for our Clones! We had a good time doing what we enjoy - being fans of our team.

ISU's new football facility

Partying with the (J)ocular crowd

Our friends the McKims are in town (DSM) for a professional eye association meeting. Dr. Don is on the board, so he's been at the Embassy Suites since Wednesday. Diana rolled in late yesterday afternoon. They had a reception yesterday evening - with all the eye folks, so Paul and I headed to our go-to place, The Standard. The supper special was a swell talapia sannie, and I had tomato soup with it. Their food is very, very good! (4+ Moki heads every meal so far) A band was setting up to play and the place was crowded.

Our buddy, Jeff the bartender has learned our names and fixed us up with drinks

The singer was good!

Donnie texted us to come on over to "socialize" at the Embassy.  They were on second floor where several vendors of eye products and services had set up hospitality suites. I knew we were in the right place when I saw someone with a cloth bag that read "ocular health is cool" or something to that effect.We actually knew a couple people (besides D&D) there - from tailgating at McKim's RV through the years. One vendor had a musician hired who was fun to listen to. We even sang along. In walked Phil Conover from Creston - our former neighbor's son who now works at DSM Golf and Country Club. Yes it was old home week.

Diana and I check out the photo of me riding Marilyn the bike on my cell phone

Don gives Phil advice...

Around 10 PM, Don, Dee, Paul and I decided to head up Locust Street to the Continental for a drink. On our way out the door, we ran into Joel Weis (son of Joan and Dr. Greg - a vet-Weis) from Creston. He's a 3rd year eye doc student at a school in Memphis, TN. He's in town for the convention as well! Jud played soccer with Joel and all sports with his bro, Ben. The Iowa association sponsors students like Joel, in hopes that they end up working back in Iowa with members - what a good deal.

At the Continental, just a short walk from the Embassy Suites, there was had a female singer, who wasn't the greatest really. Then it was on up the street a couple doors to experience Locust Tap - a dive, and a much younger crowd. After a little liquid courage there - it was onto the gay bar, Blazing Saddle.

Why, you ask? I've been walking past the place for 3+ years and frankly, I'm the curious sort. I wanted to know what was in there. Just like I needed to go into the other area bars - House of Bricks & Locust Tap. But a little riskier! It's really pretty much a normal bar - narrow, a few tables with a bar along the left. There were a couple women sitting with guys, but also clusters of guys. Our men ordered beer, and Dee and I switched to water. The guys stayed very near us, lest they be mistaken for...one of them.

Only took one fuzzy photo here - didn't want to look too obvious as a gawker

We sat at a table near a doorway into...what? It was mysteriously dark in the next room with music pulsing. I finally chanced a look - it WAS very dark, couples were dancing at the far end of the room. There was another bar along the left side with additional seating. Back at our table, we saw a nice looking cross-dresser go by. That was the extent of the visit. We slipped out the back door into the parking lot. It was after 1 a.m. by that time, and it was time for the oldsters to head home. Those eye folks do know how to party!

I don't suppose I'll talk Paul into going across the street to the after-hours dance club - the next frontier. Someone did get stabbed there recently, so I guess I'm not all that curious about that place...

Bustin' with "Proud"

Rock Star Coaches (from Texas game) Below - Rhoads, above - the Burnhams

It's a never-ending roller-coaster ride. Being a fan of the ISU Cyclones, I mean. I know - I've chosen to get on that ride. I could be a casual fan - enjoying the victories and ignoring the other stuff - but oh, not me. I'm the type that invests heavily (emotionally, and..in recent years $) in the Alma Mater sports teams. Mostly football. I spent only four years at Iowa State University, but those years have shaped my life forever somehow. I'm in the cult.

As a Cyclone fan I've seen and felt my share of heartache from athletic losses - especially in football. I've written about it in past blogs. It's like the Cyclones are Charlie Brown - believing somehow, again and again that Lucy will really leave that football out there for us to kick this time. But each time, she whips it away at the last second - laughing cruelly. We fall on our asses, embarrassed, defeated yet again.

We've had some memorable wins through the years. A few. In college I was there when ISU defeated Nebraska at our stadium. It was the fall of 1976 - Dexter Green, baby! Back then I was really more in it for the fun. They didn't care when we took glass bottles of liquor into the stadium. Sometimes the game became a backdrop to mixology! I remember another exciting game vs. Kansas (OT?) in the 90s where ISU prevailed by kicking a field goal. It was very cold and a streaker blessed the event. There wasn't much to see...

Vicki, me, Sal, and Jane - in our ISU Cowboy hats - Iowa game 1979

The ISU vs. Iowa has become a great rivalry game. This year's Triple OT win was one of the most exciting games I've ever seen in person. Our victory over the Hawks during the brief Chizek tenure was memorable too - Shaggy field goal winning, thanks to Diana and I using our special lucky finger clutch. I gave up my ticket to Jud, when he was still in high school, the year the Clones beat the Hawks when they were ranked #10.

Paul and I have season tickets you know, and haven't missed a home game for quite a while! It took all week to decide whether or not we were going. Arguments for not going to the game. Someone Paul worked with was retiring, and Paul was in charge of collecting the guy's laptop and other equipment - so he had to work late yesterday. Plus Paul has not gotten to hunt much this fall, due to our busy social/football schedule. He was concerned a late night might cut into hunting time.

Our tailgating mates were not available for this game. Why going to a game without them would be like making a lemondrop without lemons. Diana had major surgery, taking the backbone McKim family out of the mix. Higgins chose to head to their Lake of the Ozarks home, and McFees couldn't make it. . I also admit I wasn't overly enthusiastic about watching the Cyclones get their asses kicked by #2 Oklahoma State. In the past few years, the Cowboys have had our number. I couldn't see how could we possibly compete with #2.

But...on the plus side of attending the game, my friend Christine was going to be running on the field with the team! Her buddy from Texas successfully bid on some auction package and that was the prize, along with sideline passes. And our pal Hauser from Minnesota was going to be "in the house" for the first time all year.

Ultimately we decided not to go to the game.

Damn, Damn, Damn! What a dumb decision - in hindsight. Bobbie and Jeff came over for wings and a chicken casserole Bobbie made. I enjoyed one nice lemondrop martini before I managed to spill the leftovers from the shaker on the floor. (can you say sticky?). The game looked marvy on the TV and I thought we were hanging in there pretty well, despite not taking advantage of some early miscues by OSU. But that ending was one for the ages.

The early missed field goal - memories of ISU's bowl game miss vs. Alabama. Our boy AJ Klein was a complete stud! Leonard Johnson finally backed up all his trash talking. Our frosh QB made some mistakes, but had nerves of steel. Tip by Iowa boy Knott in OT and interception by Benton (another trash talker). Jeff Woody ran like a man on a mission for the end zone to score a touch down - Clones know better than to rely on a field goal. ISU 37- OSU 31. I love our coaches! The defensive plan was stellar. Paul and I jumped up and hugged - hopping up and down in unison!

scene from last night - crazy!

I wanted so much to be there to drink it in - just like after the Iowa win. The crowd rushed the field and players raised red helmets skyward! That atmosphere is addictive. It was wonderful that ESPN continued to carry the feed long after the game ended. Sweet Caroline played, then Celebrate Good Times, as they interviewed Coach Rhoads and talked about the game.

This morning on ESPN Gameday, they showed a replay of Coach Rhoad's post game lockeroom speech. Some say he's overused the "so proud" phrase. Check out the video: https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100342216168020
Not me. What else can you say? Others say OSU was flat. It may have been a perfect storm - but the Cyclones had the perfect boat to ride the storm out!

Far left - AJ Klein, our hero! (his parents tailgate near us)