Only in the South . . .

do we lay on white sandy beaches during the heat of summer and dream of  . . .

~ FOOTBALL ~

Friday Night Lights and SEC Football!

Yes, once it's in your blood, it's always in your blood!

My baby boy starting his dream in the backyard at an early age. . .

Here in 1992 as QB of our high school football team and, of course, there was little league and "junior high" along with broken arms and skinned knees.

 Then, it was on to bigger things . . .

Starting QB for the Eagles!!

 And now . . .

My boy is back on the football field under the Friday night lights; but this time he's on the sidelines.  Yep, he's traded his cleats for a whistle and sun visor ~ he's a COACH! A Quarterback Coach, no less. And it's only his part-time job; he still has his insurance shingle hung out on his office but from what I hear, he's talking alot of football on the phone during hours!

He loves his quarterback!!

It's a brand new school so there is only a freshman team and they also coach the middle school team. So technically it's really Monday Night Lights and Thursday Night Lights for us . . . but it's FOOTBALL and we LOVE it!! (And a little side note so I don't forget . . . the team colors are the same as his junior high team and they were the only team to go undefeated for both years of junior high ~ maybe it's an omen!)

And look how cute the wives of these wonderful coaches look all in their green shirts that match their husbands and their white shorts!  Oh yes!! They're even watching the game!!!!! You've taught them well men!

This mama is not sure which is easier . . . being the mother of the quarterback or the mother of the quarterback coach.  It's still a little nerve racking sitting in the stands watching and trying to hear if anyone says anything bad about my baby. But so far, so good.  All I really know is that it's great being back in the stands on cool nights under bright lights watching my boy!!

Good Luck to the Cougars!!

And . . .

back home we'll be sitting in the stands under the Friday Night Lights watching this young man begin his junior year of football ~ well, I guess his junior year of high school but let's put first things first (LOL!)

Again wearing his daddy's number and looking quite good in it if your Auntie does say so!  You are a remarkable young man and we wish you the very best.  Hope that hand doesn't give you any trouble throwing or receiving!! You make us so proud on and off the field!!  Love you, Pate Pate!!

Then . . .

there's the youngest of the bunch in his #11 jersey!  Starting his future on the field and who knows . . .

one day he might just end up with his whistle and sun visor!

Good Luck, K!!

And, if you're from the south, along with those Friday Night Lights comes SEC Saturdays!!

And . . .

This good looking guy is starting his 4th year tooting his horn for the DAWGS!  My goodness!! Where has the time gone?  We can't wait to watch you between the hedges again ~ seems like only yesterday we watched your very first performance Between the Hedges!  If you scan the stadium, Aunt Sissy will be the crazy woman waving her arms and yelling for you.

Friday Night Lights ~ The 2012 Version

Although schools have not started in our little town, the band and football teams have been practicing for weeks.  When I'm in the garden in the early mornings or late afternoons, the sound of trumpets and drums fill the air . . . and I know while they're marching on one field, the Boys of Fall are sweating it out on another and among them is my #1 Boy of Fall.

Here's my favorite Boy during an earlier fall scrimmage . . .

and behind center during the 2012 spring game 

With temps still in the 90's, it's hard to believe the high school season kicks off in full force this Friday night!  But it does, and its beginning represents the end of lazy summer days filled with fishing, hiking and early morning workouts.  In their place comes afternoon practice, late dinners, homework and sore muscles.

But won't this Sophomore year be a blast!!

Good Luck, Bubba

from your #1 fan!!

Aunt Sissy is praying for a season filled with lots of touchdowns and injury-free games.

We're so proud of you and the wonderful young man you are becoming!!

Friday Night Lights

are shining down on our newest member of the "Boys of Fall"

and are we ever proud!!



Pate is now a FRESHMAN in high school.  How in the world did that happen?  Guess it only makes sense if Taylor is a sophomore at UGA.  As a freshman, he's actually 3rd string QB on Friday nights.  That's okay cause he's there, he's learning and "he's paying his dues."  B.U.T.  he's the JV starting Quarterback on Thursday nights ~ following in the footsteps of his daddy and his cousin Matt-Matt.

Pate, don't be mad . . . Aunt Sissy couldn't resist because I've seen this face soooo many times when I've brought out the camera!

Guess you were in a hurry to see this little cutie beside you.  Now I know she's not a girlfriend because you're just not old enough to have one of those yet!!  You hear??

Like that smile much better!

Hope this makes up for Aunt Sissy missing your birthday post!!

 Middle School QB ~ love that number!

 Yes, . . . a 3-season athlete!

And where can you be found in the summer when you're not at summer league baseball or basketball or football camp?

Fishing, of course!!  Quite a good one, too, from the looks of the catch!!

Paw started you early and taught you well!

Wow, just look at the difference between the 2005 picture and this year's vacation pics?

The Athlete and The Musician

Best Buddies ~ Aunt Sissy's Boys!!

Don't know about ya'll but I sure would like to still be fixing those after-school pancakes that you loved so much, going on little after-school excursions like to your favorite Indian house, or swimming with you in the pool, or any number of those wonderful things we did those years I picked you both up from school.  I wouldn't trade those memories for anything ~ I'm so glad I retired in time to enjoy you before you grew up on me!!!!

Aunt Sissy loves you both to the moon and back!!!!

Can You Feel It?

Fall's a comin'!! Hot days, cool nights . . . the sound of trumpets echoing through the trees in our backyard . . . colored leaves beginning to trickle down . . . but, most of all, the excitement . . . because with Fall comes FOOTBALL!!

Friday Night Lights and the Boys of Fall

This morning I got a call that said, "Check your email, I've sent you something you're going to love!" Love it, YES I did!! If you love Fall & Football like I do or you've ever had a Boy of Fall of your own, check it out. But be sure and come back, though, for the rest of the post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlXDo5WhQXI

On this Kick-Off Friday for our little area, I want to pay tribute to my BOY OF FALL. Thanks, Matthew Todd, for all the wonderful memories!

Pop, 1st coach and biggest fan ~~ punting practice in the back yard ~~ Christmas 1979

5th Grade ~ 6th Grade ~ (top) 9th Grade ~ Jr. High where you led the team to 2 undefeated seasons (1st ever)

Senior Year 1991-1992

Quarterback ~ Punter ~ Defensive End

Don't ask me why we weren't smiling like the families in the video ~ after all, he had a wonderful high school career, was selected to play in the North-South game, received a scholarship to play at the next level ~~ so why so sad--my guess now is that none of us were ready for that season of our lives to end.

But it did and then we became football gypsies ~ weekends meant travel--lots of miles by car and even some plane rides, hard seats in many stadiums, lots of phone calls home to check on the little sister, sweaty hugs, and lots of yelling!

Go Eagles!!

The hardest part of these 5 seasons was having to put on ORANGE!

You even got a little muddy from time to time: The Mud Bowl

Nothing like a play-off game in the MUD

You ended your football career just as you started it ~~ with your greatest supporter~~your POP!
What would I change about all those years if I could . . . well, here's just a few things.

Your only broken arm (6th grade Rec ball) ~ the camp injury that made you lose your junior year of high school ~ the 1st knee injury at Gardner Webb ~ the final knee injury that cost you your last chance at a National Championship which made receiving your college diploma on the sidelines in Alabama a much sadder time than we anticipated when you seniors decided to "not walk."

But it was a great ride with memories that we will all cherish for the rest of our lives. You made friends along the way that have enriched your life and ours; and, thankfully, came out of it with only a few permanent scars.

So tonight, go watch a little football, cheer for your favorite team, and remember your days as a Boy of Fall!

As for me, I'll be heading "across the river" to watch our newest Georgette perform at half-time all the while enjoying being under those LIGHTS again and smelling that fresh-stomped ground!