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!!

Fall Saturdays in the South . . .

. . . are for FOOTBALL and dove hunting.  Not just any football ~ SEC FOOTBALL ~ football at its best!!  Not just any SEC team ~ the Red and Black of the GEORGIA BULLDAWGS ~ SEC at its best!!

Can you feel the excitement in the air?  The colors; the tailgate party; the best mascot of the bunch, UGA; the fight song; the boys of fall; and, for us on the acre, the MARCHING REDCOAT BAND!!

It's so hard for Aunt Sissy to believe that my favorite Redcoats are sophmores this year ~ oh my, before long they'll join the ranks of the other cousins who have gotten educated and moved on . . . away from the acre . . . away from Saturday night dinners.  But for now, they're learning and having fun . . . spending every Saturday doing what they love . . .

Best looking red and black I've seen in a long time!

WE'RE SO PROUD OF THE BOTH OF YOU AND LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY KNOW!!

SIC 'EM, DAWGS!!!!!!!

Aunt Sissy and Uncle Man will be watching for ya'll tonight!

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!