Category Archives: Football

May 29, 2011 · 2:41 am

It was enough

From the Presbyterian News Service:

The Rev. Walter Soboleff, one of the first Alaska Natives ordained to ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) died May 22 in Juneau, Alaska of bone cancer and prostate cancer. He was 102.

We met once. It was a few years back, before Walter had turned 100. I had the privilege to attend the Native American Presbyterian Men’s gathering at Cook College in Tempe. It was humbling to be welcomed into the group.

I remember walking the dormitory hall on the Saturday afternoon. As I so often do, I was checking my BlackBerry.

“Don’t you ever quite working?” one of the men asked.

“He never does,” said another.

I smiled. And only now I confess that I was checking football scores. Why disillusion anyone was my thought at the time. Besides, we were in Arizona. I went with that old axiom: in the West, “when the legend becomes fact, print the legend.”

Turning the corner in the hallway was Walter. We greeted each other briefly. I took about two steps and then stopped in wonder. I stared at the BlackBerry – seeing the device, not the screen. I looked down the hall at Walter, walking away from me, then back at the BlackBerry, then back at Walter.

Amazing as the BlackBerry was, I could only imagine how much more amazing – how much more marvelous – how much more wonder-filled, Walter’s life must have been. What he had seen – and done – and experienced – during his years. I stood for a time in awe, watching as he made his way back to his room.

I stood in awe again that Sunday morning – as Walter preached – his faith, his grace, his courage, his commitment to justice shone through.

Walter lived over 36,500 days. I was blessed to be with him on parts of 3 of those days. I wish it had been more. It was enough.

For Walter’s life and love and witness, thanks be to God.

See you along the Trail.

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April 30, 2011 · 3:57 am

Not much in this one

Spent Tuesday afternoon through Thursday noon with the Middle East Coordinating Group at Stony Point Center. They were working on a study resource on the Kairos Palestine document.

Got back to the Shire on the Hudson around 1:00 Thursday. Plunged right back into things. Went to First Presbyterian Church of Whitestone where I was reminded what a blessing my calling is.

Friday brought meetings. It also brought my friend David Bowie. We are leading an antiracism event on Sunday in Plainfield, NJ. Over Fritos and Kashi Snack Crackers, we reminisced about the dogs that have touched our lives.

The NFL draft took place. Eric filled me in on what Cleveland did. I tracked the Steelers a bit. One (that would be me in this case) does wonder what will happen with the NFL season.

Tomorrow will be a day to prepare for Sunday and to try to catch up.

See you along the Trail.

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January 18, 2011 · 4:24 am

Glover, Steelers, oldies, taxes

As well as not taking care of myself, other things have been going on.

We have had a couple of seminars at the office that went well.

I have gone through a Danny Glover phase of movies: Honeydripper (Glover plays the owner of the Honeydripper Lounge in the 1950s who is struggling to keep his club going)and Gospel Hill (Glover plays the son of a martyred Civil Rights leader who is reborn and brought back to the struggle). Both are fairly interesting flicks – nothing outstanding, but solid.

Saturday saw the Steelers game – a rather amazing comeback in the second half. Several analysts suggest that the Ravens choked. I tend to go with the opinion that the Steelers came alive and took back the game – particularly on defense. They have some young wide receivers who are coming into their own. Should be an interesting match-up with the Jets on Sunday.

Started work on taxes – always a highlight of the year.

See you along the trail.

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January 11, 2011 · 4:34 am

Bowl Championship Series Championship Game

Not sure that makes a lot of sense, but it is the way things are done in Division I (or whatever they call it) football these days. It is actually proving to be a very good game. Different than what was expected, it is a defensive struggle.

Ricky’s present finally arrived, a great relief. Especially since it is such a good cause.

Watched a National Geographic special on Lewis and Clark while getting ready for work this morning.

Tomorrow is an early day as a group from Virginia Tech is coming in. After that it is a sprint to the end of the day.

Now have 4 days at the gym, over 10,000 steps, and eating well in a row.

See you along the Trail.

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January 10, 2011 · 4:10 am

Random Ws

Worshiped at Church of the Covenant. A small congregation. Good spirit. Reminded me of Shannon City United Methodist Church which in Iowa.

Watched part of Ravens-Chiefs game but really took a nap.

Went to the gym. Walked on the treadmill. Seven days in a row of eating right. Three days in a row – feet are starting to feel better. Blood sugar reading starting to be consistently normal.

Washed clothes. Dried them, too.

Watched Packers-Ravens game on the treadmill.

Watched Bordertown, a rather harrowing look at events in Juarez where women are being killed way too often.

Wondering about rematch between Steelers and Ravens.

See you along the Trail.

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January 3, 2011 · 4:52 am

Signifcant witness and not-so significant games

Went to Noble Road for worship today. Communion was celebrated – Eric helped serve – always cool to be present when that happens.

For a number of years, Noble Road has done “Epiphany Stars.” These are simple star shapes cut from paper. On the paper is written a word. People are invited to take a star and receive the word on that star as a gift from God – to reflect on it through the year – to see if and how the quality or meaning of that word plays out in the coming year.

Before people receive a star, there is an invitation to reflect on the stars of the previous year. Only a couple of people share reflections but they are usually profound. This year was no exception. One person received the gift of “courage” and had to find the courage to move – leaving behind a home of 56 years – and making a new start because of health reasons. Another person spoke through tears of receiving the star of “loyalty” – of having that star for two years – and of spending those two years saying a long good-bye to a partner who disappeared into the horror we know as Alzheimer’s.

Such witnesses – such experiences – make the rest of the day seem insignificant.

Football was watched – with the VanRoosDales and MillerBrandts coming to watch the Steelers-Browns on the new TV. In terms of support, the crowd leaned a little bit toward the Browns. As the game progressed and the Steelers dominated, some of the neutral folks shifted toward the Cleveland camp. Texting with Bridgett and Valerie helped to balance the odds and increased the fun.

The Packers-Bears were next with the Packers prevailing. Basketball then took the stage with the Cavaliers losing. Duke was playing tonight but was not broadcast in Cleveland and for some reason, the Winking Lizard was not showing it either. So Tricia followed it on her Android phone.

Scrabble was played again with Tricia winning one; Eric winning two; and Eric and I tying on the fourth game.

During all of this, I did laundry and some packing.

Tomorrow – travel to NYC and the Shire on the Hudson. Back to work on Tuesday.

And tomorrow marks the beginning (again – the previous times have been practice – can this be the real thing) of working for health goals.

See you along the Trail.

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January 2, 2011 · 4:14 am

Of the tube and goals

Managed to wake up earlier today – 9:30 or so. But spent most of the day vegetating in front of the TV. Started with a portion of The Alamo – the 2004 version with Billy Bob Thornton and Jason Patrick and some others. I prefer the John Wayne version.

Football followed – a disastrous day for the Big Ten. A great win for Texas Christian. SEC domination. Penn State started well against Florida but faded. I still wonder if it is not time for Jon Pa to retire; I have been wondering that for a few years.

The evening brought the Winter Classic hockey game – and the Penguins lost. That means both teams I care about lost. Connecticut appears a bit overmatched against Oklahoma – knew that going in.

Played Scrabble once again. Eric won two. I did pick up one. But Eric has won more than his share – or at least some of my share – over this vacation.

Another day of overeating with pizza ordered in and cookies sought out. My plan is to adjust my eating starting on Monday. We have folks coming in to watch the Steelers tomorrow – well later today.

Goals for new year – starting Monday
Daily – eating well
Daily – 10,000 steps
Weekly – 5 times of exercise
Monthly – 10 pounds weight loss
Monthly – 333,333 steps
Monthly – 90% normal blood sugar readings
Annual – 120 pounds weight loss
Annual – 4,000,000 steps

The daily steps don’t add up to the monthly or yearly steps – I will have to figure that out.

Not sure what the rewards will be – have to figure those out.

See you along the Trail.

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January 1, 2011 · 2:16 am

The Duke and the Dude

Slept in – again. I am truly liking that.

Eric and I went to see True Grit.

Hailee Steinfeld was outstanding. Jeff Bridges is a better actor than John Wayne. Matt Damon was quite good. It seemed like some of the supporting players were almost trying to channel those who appeared in the original – particularly in terms of their voices and speaking patterns. There was some amazing scenery. A good way to spend part of an afternoon.

Shopping followed. Eric and I went to Aldi to pick up supplies for Sunday’s football game: Steelers v. Browns. The VanRoosDales and Francis and family will be coming over.

Then to dinner at Battiste & Dupree Cajun Grill. Quite good. We consumed a lot of shrimp between the three of us. I can’t find a Web page to give them a shout out, but they are on Warrensville Center in South Euclid – 1992 Warrensville Center Rd.

Eric then headed to Solon to bring in 2011 with the cousins. Tricia and I are watching football. I am reading Fanny Kemble’s Civil Wars. Pretty good.

Tomorrow brings lots of football – and games that I actually care about as opposed to games for the sake of watching football.

All in all, a good day. No wild critters spotted in the back yard, but a good day.

See you along the Trail.

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December 27, 2010 · 12:31 am

Lazy day

Slept in today. I knew I would after last night’s marathon Scrabble playing with the family. Two games. Four players. Eric won one. I won one. But they were both close (my win was even closer) and they were tautly played – keeping us awake until about 2:00 a.m. It’s a Wonderful Life was on in the background as we played.

I had promised some folks that I would see them after church, but I simply knew there was no way I would get up. And I did not. I will try to call tomorrow and see about making it up to them.

I had a fairly significant (and nice) gift to return – because I had already purchased the item. Our conversation over the Scrabble board focused on what we should do with the return. The decision was made to purchase an HDTV for downstairs in Cleveland. Conspicuous consumption in anticipation of football watching. We would cobble together the return plus a couple of gift cards to come up with the needed funds.

Eric made it up for church at Noble Road. I got up about 11:15 or so. Sean was already up and we decided to visit Best Buy and get a TV, hoping to accomplish the task before the Browns game. Traffic proved surprisingly light and the crowd at the store quite manageable. The desired TV was sold out, but we found an alternative. It was purchased – some work needs to be done to activate one of the gift cards – the return trip was uneventful. Sean and I got the TV put up and attached to the cable in time for the second or third play of the Browns game. I rooted for the Browns as their winning would have been in the Steelers’ best interest. Their losing, which is what happened, was not.

Sean headed off for a party with friends; Tricia took a nap. Eric and I watched the Packers crush the Giants and the Cavaliers lose a tough one. Bummer.

The TV should get quite a workout this week with all the football. Then, probably not so much until Sean, Eric, or I return.

See you along the Trail.

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December 23, 2010 · 4:53 pm

Preparations

Along with the usual preparations to celebrate Christmas, today brings preparations for viewing theatrical movies.

A Harry Potter marathon will come to a close with HP 6 up for viewing shortly. At the moment, the original True Grit is on. I remember seeing it on a Boy Scout trip to Philmont – think it was on a military base. We drove from Grove City on a bus and stayed at a couple bases on the way. Interesting trip.

This afternoon – Harry Potter 7.1 or 7A or 6.5 or whatever the right numbering is.

Tonight – the Steelers at the Winking Lizard– several steps up in terms of food from Buffalo Wild Wings.

See you along the Trail.

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