TO HAVE & TO HAVE NOT

**** The income gap in America is growing larger & larger . The rich get richer & the poor get poorer.

The middle class is vanishing, smaller every year. You are either a Have or a Have Not. Maybe we should say Have More or Have Less.

The lowest median household income in one area of Shelby County including Memphis was 8,000 a year . The highest was 172,000 a year. These two areas are less than 15 miles apart.

You can ride down Poplar Avenue from Collierville to the river & see the social & economic classes change outside your window.

You can't deny that people seem better off than years ago . Do you live in a bigger ,better house than you grew up in ? Many ,many of the houses that are commonplace today would have been regarded as castles twenty years ago .

I believe a country is as strong as it,s middle class. America's grows smaller every year .

History says when that gap starts to widen you end up with a few Haves & a whole lot of Have Nots.

I don't know the answer to this problem. I think we need a complete new tax system . Term Limits, & get rid of all the Washington insiders .

I think we need to bring our jobs & our soldiers home . Why should we pay to police the world ?

We need to become a creditor nation again rather than a debtor nation .It is foolish to give billions away when you can't pay what you owe.

Presidents should be elected for one 6 year term . That way he wouldn't spend his term trying to get re-elected .

In my reading I came across this Question . Is it possible to chase the American Dream & follow Jesus ? Think about that .

THANK YOU FOR READING!!!

IT'S NOT A GAME

**** We need to face the facts . College Football is not a game ,it is a business. Big Business.

Five Ohio State players are suspended for a few games . But the suspension doesn't begin until next season.

TV,& big money won't allow the players to miss The Sugar Bowl . That would be bad for TV ratings & sponsorship dollars.


There is no way Cam Newton was going to be penalized before the National Championship game . Too many dollars at stake to let a few silly rules get in the way.

**** Back in August I predicted the 12 NFL playoff teams. It looks like I will hit 6 or 7 . Not bad for a crazy year in the NFL.

The Chargers, Cowboys, Vikings, 49ers ,& Texans were my letdowns. The Cowboys, Vikings, & Niners have fired their coaches .

There will be more firings to come . Chargers , Texans ,& Panthers are my guess. Giants - maybe

I knew the Falcons would be really good but the Chiefs & Bucs were a complete surprise.

**** Freshman can't beat Seniors. My main man Dr. Wine says that is why Calipari will not win a championship

THANKS FOR READING - UNTIL NEXT TIME

REASON FOR THE SEASON

Christmas Day - It is easy for me to be depressed during the Christmas season .If I lose my focus

I begin to think of loved ones gone or far away . I just have a deep sense of loss


It is easy
to get caught up in the pressure of shopping . What to get for who & so on.

But if I focus on the reason for the season - JESUS , then I make it fine .

Christmas celebrates the birth of our Savior . Keep that as your focus & your Christmas will be truly peaceful .

CHRISTMAS GIFTS I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE

Josh Pastner - a take charge floor leader

Larry Porter - a whole new program players & all

Memphis & Shelby County - a healing for race & class division

Memphis Grizzles - a better record & caring fans

SCATTERSHOOTING

Surprise hires in college football

Will Muschamp to the Gators was a real shock . Most of all to Dan Mullen . The people most happy are the Mississippi State fans.

Al Golden to Miami . Al was supposed to be waiting on the Penn State job. Will he run away if Joe Pa quits ? Tommy Tuberville really wanted this job . Jimmy Sexton could not deliver so Tub remains in exile in Lubbock .

Gus Malzahn turned down a big money offer from Vandy . This was a smart move .You can not win at Vandy, you can't get the same players as everyone else.

Cam Newton had one of the most dominating seasons I have seen in more than 50 years of watching college football. Just outstanding !

But there is no doubt the Newtons broke the rules . You could call Cam Paladin.--Have Gun -Will Travel.

Why is Cam still allowed to play ? The BCS & TV big money are protecting their investment . Look for some penalties after the season .

However much Auburn paid the Newtons ,it was a bargain.

So long till next time !

A LONG LONG TIME

It has been a long time since I posted . I hope my readers are still with me .
After a 68 day stay in the hospital, 19 in ICU , I was so thankful to be home .

Jesus lead me thru the Valley of the shadow of Death when it appeared I wouldn't make it .

Thank you for all the visits , cards , & prayers . You don't know how much they meant . I learned the value of visiting the sick & hope to start when ever I am able .

I should do a post on things I learned during my 68 days in the hospital . Jesus had several things He wanted me to see .

There was no sign of cancer when I left the hospital but i still have to take more chemo when I get stronger. I am in a wheelchair now but can use a walker some .

I have a long way to go but I sure have come a long way . I am confident that Jesus will bring me the rest of the way .

I am looking forward to talking sports & telling stories with you again . How about Will Muscamp to Florida? What is the truth about Cam Newton ? The Colts & Cowboys collapse !

Hope to post again soon .

DING...DING...DING!!

IT'S BEEN ALMOST 40 YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN INA A BOXING MATCH. 1972 OR 1973 WAS THE LAST TIME I STOOD IN A CORNER IN THOSE SATIN BRITCHES.

YOU KNOW THE FIGHTS WORK LIKE THIS: MOST OF THE AMATEUR FIGHTS WERE
3- 3 MINUTE ROUNDS. IT USUALLY HAPPENED LIKE THIS:
ROUND 1- FULL OF ACTION... BOTH FIGHTERS WOULD COME OUT THROWING EVERYTHING THEY HAD. "HIGH HO FROM THE GET GO"!. LOTS OF FIGHTS ENDED IN THE FIRST ROUND. THE DUDE WOULD JUST OVER WHELM YOU! SO THERE WERE A LOT OF 1ST ROUND KNOCK OUTS.
ROUND 2 WAS DIFFERENT. IF BOTH COMBATANTS MADE IT THRU THE 1ST ROUND THINGS SLOWED CONSIDERABLY IN ROUND 2. THIS IS THE ROUND FOR TRYING TO ADJUST STRATEGIES, MAKE CHANGES AND TRY TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKED. EVERY NOW & THEN YOU COULD FIND SOMETHING SO EFFECTIVE THAT YOU COULD END THE FIGHT IN THE 2ND ROUND. BUT MOST OF THE TIME THE 2ND ROUND WAS THE ROUND OF ADJUSTMENT. THEN COMES THE 3RD ROUND, BUBBA!
ROUND 3- THE PACE OF ACTION PICKED UP JUST LIKE THE 1ST ROUND. BOTH OPPONENTS HAD DECIDED ON THEIR BEST CHANCE TO WIN AND WERE BLOWING FULL SPEED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. THE INTENSITY OF 3RD ROUNDS WAS ENORMOUS. THE FIGHT EITHER ENDED OR YOU WENT TO A JUDGES DECISION. THAT 3RD ROUND WAS SOMETHING ELSE!!

YOU KNOW LEUKEMIA AND KEMO ARE A LOT LIKE THOSE 3 ROUND FIGHTS.
ROUND 1- LEUKEMIA, CANCER, OR WHATEVER DISEASE YOU HAVE TRIES TO TAKE YOU OUT. IT TRIES TO OVER WHELM YOU AND KNOCK YOU OUT.... AND LIKE THE AMATEUR BOUTS A LOT OF THEM END IN THE 1ST ROUND. I JUST FINISHED THE 1ST ROUND OF THIS BATTLE AND I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT. IN MY CASE LEUKEMIA ALMOST GOT THE 1ST KNOCK OUT. BUT NOW WE ARE IN ROUND 2.
ROUND 2- JUST LIKE THE OLD AMATEUR FIGHTS. IN ROUND 2 YOUR DOCTOR WORKS OUT HOW TO BEST TREAT YOU... YOUR MEDICINES AND YOUR BEST PROGRAM. THE DISEASE IS DOING THE SAME THING. MAKING MUTATIONS AND CHANGES OF IT'S OWN. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME NOW. SOMETIMES THE FIGHT ENDS IN ROUND 2 BUT NOT VERY OFTEN. BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME THERE IS THAT 3RD ROUND, BUDDY!
ROUND 3- BOTH SIDES GO WITH A FURRY! AGAIN THE INTENSITY IS UNBELIEVABLE. ONE IS EITHER KNOCKED OUT OR THERE IS A JUDGES DECISION...NOT MANY DRAWS IN THIS WORLD. BOUT YOUR ONLY HELP IS YOUR CORNER MAN. IN MY OLD AMATEUR BOUTS RAYFORD COLLINS BROUGHT ME HOME TO VICTORY ALL BUT 3 TIMES. IN THESE OTHER FIGHTS IN LIFE THERE IS A BETTER CORNER MAN. HIS NAME IS JESUS AND HE HAS NEVER FAILED TO DELIVER!

..........as dictated to Chili Pepper from the bed side of BIG ROCK.

Hang in there Big Rock. It gives me peace to know that you have put your trust in Jesus Christ to see you through... Soli Deo Gloria!!..... Chili Pepper

FROM THE SON OF THE MEDINA MYSTIC

One of the worst butt-whoopin's I got was at a football game when I was 11 years old. My dad was coaching offense from the pressbox and his team was outmatched that day. On this particular offensive possession, they'd had two rough downs deep in their own territory and found themselves in a 3rd-and-17 situation. Dad figures it's best to get what he can on 3rd down, punt, and let Leland and the defense try to stop them; so he calls for the draw play (a run up the middle). They get crushed for a loss on the play. 4th down. So I stand up, turn around and yell toward the press box "Dad, on third and long you're supposed to THROW the ball!!!" The crowd goes nuts...as does Chili Pepper, who promptly takes me behind the stands and wears my tail out. Sometimes I wonder if she did that out of embarassment or on account of my public disrespect of Dad's playcalling? Either way, I deserved it.

Dad's had a pretty rough go of things since his last post. First off, he suffered one and maybe two heart attacks. That put him in the hospital where they found out that he has Acute Myloid Leukemia. Turns out that the heart attack was a good thing. Without it, the doctors probably wouldn't have caught the leukemia in time. Since he had both a heart attack and leukemia, he's in ICU receiving the best care the hospital can provide. We're told that if you're going to have leukemia, the kind Dad has is the best one since it's the most responsive to treatment.

In a way, it's third-and-long again. So, Dad, are you going to run or throw? Whatever you do, just don't take a kneel-down. Now's not the time to run out the clock. It's never too late to put a few more points on the internal scoreboard. Providence has dictated the outcome, so give it your best shot and, run or throw, I'm proud of you.

Thanks for reading. The Mystic appreciates your prayers!

"What is fate? Fate is this—Whatever is, must be. But there is a difference between that and Providence. Providence says, Whatever God ordains must be; but the wisdom of God never ordains any thing without a purpose. Every thing in this world is working for some one great end." - C.H. Spurgeon

TURBULENT AIR

**** Long ago my Son & I took a plane trip . This was back in the day when the airlines gave away Cokes & peanuts .

Well , my Son was as excited as a ten year old can be over the prospect of free Cokes & peanuts . He began to put them away as fast as they could bring them .

I warned him about the danger of consuming large amounts of watery Cokes & peanuts but he chose not to heed the advice .

We were sailing along at 30,000 feet when he said " Dad , Dad ".
The distress was clear in his voice as well as in his expression .

Then I heard four faint rumblings that sounded like air being released from a balloon . A toxic vapor seemed to fill the air .

Then things began to happen quickly . The passenger in front of us yelled for the stewardess. He hollered, " We have an electrical fire '.

The Lady across the aisle said ," I smell it too . Oh Lord We are on fire " . The stewardess called for all hands on deck as they franticly searched the over- head compartments for the fire .

The stewardess could not find the fire but did calm the alarmed passengers that the danger was past . The toxic smell was fading & most passengers were able to put away the oxygen masks .

The pilot announced that they could find no evidence of a fire but would have the plane checked out when we landed .

My Son did not have anymore Cokes or peanuts for the remainder of the trip .

**** Picking Games

LSU over Tennessee

Ole Miss over Kentucky

Bama over Florida

Memphis over Tulsa

NFL - Pick 4

Ravens over Steelers

Packers over Lions

Colts over Jags

Eagles over Redskins

Last Week 7 - 2 Season 18 - 9

Thank you for reading !!!!

IN YOUR FACE THINKING

**** Political parties are no different or better than street gangs . Democrats , Republicans , Bloods , & Crips, they are about the same .

Gangs & Parties exist for the same reason . Both want to get as much loot for their members as they can . And they don't care how they do it .

If you think the Democrats are going to save you or the Republicans are any better you are dead wrong . Those folks are only interested in putting as much money as possible in the pockets of the Big Dogs .

Political Parties will be the death of this nation . Nothing gets done because the Democrats & Republicans are fighting over who is going to steal the money .

When someone will spend millions to get a job that pays thousands , you know something is very wrong .

**** Politicians have just about wiped out the middle class . You are either a Have or a Have - Not . The gap gets wider every day .

The Smart - Boys said send that work overseas . You can buy the product much cheaper due to low labor costs . So there went the jobs .

Did they ever think , If I don't have a job I can't buy the product no matter what the cost ? It is not Democrats vs Republicans or Black vs White , It is Have vs Have - Not .

The Big Dogs send those jobs `overseas because low labor costs improves the profit margin . The Little Dogs are left to fight over a smaller food dish while the Big Dogs get fatter .

Jefferson said " Revolutions are as necessary to a political climate as thunderstorms are to a physical climate ."

****
Not in the clamor of the crowded streets
Nor in the shouts or plaudits of the throng
But within ourselves
Are Victory & Defeat

Inside of each of us ,there is an internal scoreboard . At the end of the day this scoreboard tells us our score . Did we do our best ?

The World's scoreboard is not valid . It does not take into account where you started from , or the amount of trouble you overcame .

An award from the world really doesn't mean much , not compared with an award that comes from the inner scoreboard .

That inner board takes into account all we have done good or bad . How many have hoisted the trophy knowing they lied or cheated to get it ?. The inner scoreboard records all this .

The peace of mind that comes from knowing you did your best the right way is a greater award than the world can offer .

**** The Mystic asks " Would our lives be changed if we really lived our faith one week ?"

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!!

THIRD & LONG

*** I can't believe I missed on 3 of 4 NFL picks last week . I thought those were sure things .

You just can't predict those games . What I am trying to do with my NFL picks is to pick 4 game winners .

This is harder than it sounds . If the game was a 50/50 bet I would have 0.0625 % chance of getting 4 correct .

My actual odds are a little better because the games are not exactly 50/50 more like 60/40 . This means I should have about 0.1296 % chance of hitting 4 .

You should try this at home . Just take 4 NFL games that interest you & pick the winner .

*** I am disgusted with the Mississippi State offense . Yes, Dan Mullen I know you helped Urban Meyer develop the spread offense .

But you can not build a car with bicycle parts . Danny Boy , You do not have an outstanding spread QB . A spread offense is as good as the QB ,no more ,no less .

Dan's ego is over - riding his good sense . He is trying to piece together two QB's to run his beloved spread . Give the defense some credit Dan , They see which QB you have in the game & then they know your modus operandi .

How are the Gators doing in the spread this year ? It seems Brantley is under center more & more .

*** Economics - - Tiger Style

Little demand plus unlimited supply equals price increase .

*** This weeks picks ;

College

Florida over Kentucky
Carolina over Auburn
State over Georgia
Bama over Arkansas
UTEP over Memphis

NFL PICK 4

Packers over Bears
Steelers over Bucs
Colts over Broncos
Cowboys over Texans

Last Week 4 - 5 Season 11 - 7

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

THE SAMURAI FADED AWAY

**** A Samurai is a warrior who lives by a personal code . The Samurai follows his Bushido . Bushido means the way of the warrior .

Leland Smith was a football Samurai . He lived true to his Bushido . Smith left the football battlefield 17 years ago this week . He is still strong in the memory of many .

Leland was a mass of contradictions . He was intelligent , inspirational , & loved his players beyond all .

Smith was also moody , temperamental , & prone to depression . Most really smart people walk the dark halls of depression .

For a man who was super attractive to women , Leland sure had a lot of woman trouble . 3 marriages prove that .

Sometimes Leland let anger over - ride his intelligence . He would get mad & decide to walk to home or work . This was a distance of 5 to 10 miles depending on where we were coaching at the time . We all tried to give him a ride but he insisted on walking . I guess it gave him time to think .

Leland learned hard nose intensity from Elmer Ray & defensive concepts from Ken Netherland . Charlie White & Jim Elgin really poured gas on Leland's fire when they coached with him on defense .

I coached with Leland for 7 years . He worked on defense ,while I worked on offense . Every day was a learning experience .

One of us left mad every day . Our practices were lab experiments gone berserk . We worked hard to stay ahead of the other . And learned a lot of football in the process .

I learned how to deal with 4 - man pressure from the weak side , over shift fronts , & coverages that seemed to rotate the wrong way .

Leland got a dose of wide line splits , unbalanced lines , & pass routes that changed according to coverage .

The lessons we learned in practice sure helped us out in a lot of games .

The Rhodes guys asked me once " How can you & Coach Smith yell & scream at each other all practice & then go eat together , tell stories , laugh & high five ?" I said that is just us .

Before the game Leland would say to me " You score once & we will stop them once " I always laughed & said okay .

I wish I could have one more round with the old Samurai warrior . After all , the old Mystic has a lot of new ideals to throw on him at practice .

Sun Tzu had a lot of the answers ,Leland, but Houseman had them all in "IS MY TEAM STILL PLOWING ?"

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

PICKING FIGHTS & PICKING GAMES

**** Picking Fights

#1. Thank you Ines What ever your name is for proving my point . Ines is a former Miss Spain who works in Mexican TV .

Ines thinks she should be allowed in a locker room full of naked guys . Ines must think cause she is darn near naked herself that makes it okay .

There should be NO reporters allowed in locker rooms . Male or Female .

How would you like to answer questions while you are naked ? Could you give an intelligent answer when all your stuff is on display ? I think not .

Is is okay for male newsmen to be in a WNBA locker room ? How would Sue ,Swin , & Lauren like talking to a group of boys & girls while naked ?

You can't tell me those reporters have their eyes only on their note pads .

This is a no brainer . NO REPORTERS IN LOCKER ROOMS

**** Picking Games

#1 Florida @ Tennessee

Florida sputtering with out Tebow still has too much for a weak Tennessee . WINNER - FLORIDA

# 2 Arkansas @ Georgia

Everything yells pick the HAWGS who are untested . But I am swimming against the tide . WINNER - GEORGIA

# 3 Mississippi State @ LSU

I would love to pick State but their history in Baton Rouge will not let me WINNER - LSU

# 4 Vandy @ Ole Miss

This is the kind of game that Nutt seems to blow but surely not . Just because of Masoli . WINNER - OLE MISS

# 5 MTSU @ Memphis

Surely the Tigers can beat a Sun Belt team who is down to their # 3 QB . If the Tigers don't win this one they need to PEE on the fire & call the dogs . WINNER - MEMPHIS

**** Some NFL picks

Titans over Steelers

Pats over Jets

Cowboys over Bears

Colts over Giants

Last Week 5 - 0 Season 7 - 1

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

HOT SLANTS & SMASH ROUTES

**** I hate to say I told you so . Really I don't . In fact I love it .

Just call me Paul Revere for telling you the Cowboys were heading for a train wreck . You can't play as bad as the Cowboys did in the pre - season & then play great when it counts .

The Cowboys just don't have their Shinola together . When they get their Shinola together , I am not sure they can lift it .

Wade is not an NFL head coach . He is a very good defensive coordinator . Phillips is in a tough position . He has no say so over OC Jason Garrett . Garrett makes as much money as Wade & has complete control of the offense .

So Wade Phillips is not really the Cowboys head coach . No one is . This is another Jerry Jones mess . I am beginning to think JJ could screw up a two car funeral .

The Bears come to the Palace that is not in Dallas Sunday . If the Cowboys are going to rebound they must start Sunday .

How would you like to depend on a 15 year old who thinks it is funny that he farts when you pull his finger . That's Romo .

About 3 more like this one & Wade will be history .

**** Larry Porter could have received his first big break as Tiger coach . If Cannon Smith is unable to play then Coach Porter can start Ryan Williams with out whizzing off Cannon's Dad BIG DOLLAR FRED.

A face saving injury would allow everyone a graceful exit . It is sad that sometimes the best thing you can do for the team is to get hurt . Been there myself a few times .

Fred Smith is no different than any other father . Any father is going to be more excited if his son is starting as opposed to just being on the team . I sure would .

Ryan Williams has been a bright spot for the Tigers thus far . He could be the MAN .

**** My Niners were another big flop to start the season . I had hoped for better .

I think it is time to pull the plug on Alex Smith . Alex is not going to make it . The 49ers need to start looking for a new QB .

**** What did I say about Brett Favre ? I think he will be 3 & 4 after 7 . 4 & 3 at the very best . Could be a long year for the old dude .

I heard 3 - Dog Night was teaching Favre the words to Mama told me
not to come !

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!!

FIRST DOWNS & PUNTS

**** First down Mississippi State The Dogs did not win but they had a good showing vs Auburn .

State is so close to turning the corner & having a good football program .
The schedule & some major flaws are going to be hard to overcome .

The Dog - Bone formation looks like it could be a great plus for State .Relf is a load running the option .

Tyler Russell looked bad against the Tigers . Hope Big Tyler can improve & become a factor at QB .

**** Punt Shirley Rains - The Memphis President sure did not come across well in the CA interview this week .

Shirley didn't appear to know or care much about the state of University of Memphis athletics .

If Shirley really thinks R.C. is doing a great job , she is as clueless as she was back in Bells years ago .

**** First Down Cam Newton - If you are going to run the spread Big Newt is what you need .

Cam can run or throw . I counted 8 times in the State game where Newton turned a negative into a positive play . Those reversals will win you a lot of games .

**** Punt The Clements Mess - Why is Congress going to spend a lot of hours & dollars trying to prove a baseball player used PEDs & lied about it ?

Doesn't Congress have more important things to do ? Everyone knows the Rocket was juiced . Big Deal .

You can't unscramble eggs . Move on MLB .

**** Picks that beat picking your nose

Carolina over Georgia

LSU over Vandy

Bama over Penn State

Oregon over Tennessee

ECU over Memphis

Last Week 2-1 Season 2 - 1

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

WHAT A START

**** The college football season kicked off this past weekend . Now ,don't wet your britches just yet . For the most part these games were Varsity vs Junior Varsity scrimmages . There were some exceptions .

**** Ole Miss was the talk of the nation losing to Jacksonville State . This was a total embarrassment to the haughty Oxford group . I don't know how that game got away from the Rebels . JSU made plays they couldn't make again in a hundred games but the Gamecocks made the plays Saturday .

This is a major blow to Ole Miss , no use to pretend otherwise . Some say Karma bit the Rebels for playing fast & loose with Masoli . Let the Nutt - Cracking begin !

**** Bulldog Nation ; Don't get too high over the blow out of sad Memphis . The Dawgs have a tough schedule & a Quarterback puzzle . Relf is a runner , Russell is a passer , neither is great at both .

State may need Rodney King to coach so they can all get along . The Dawgs have a great opportunity with Auburn Thursday night .

State's history says when they go out with shiny new shoes they step right in DOO - DOO . Step carefully Thursday night Bulldogs !

**** Now we know why Larry Porter closed practice . The Tigers have a new marketing program ;
" When you want to watch football real bad , We have some real bad football ".

The Tiger Quarterback position is a real snafu . There is so much emotion involving Cannon Smith that a logical decision is difficult .

Smith was an average high school QB , was not a blue chip recruit , & has not had much success on the college level . Cannon will be 23 next month , is small for a college player & tends to throw high under pressure . His Dad gives millions of dollars to the school . Those are facts .

The emotion rolls in with the fact his Dad is Fred Smith . Is being Fred's son a positive or a negative ? Does Cannon get opportunities he shouldn't or is young Smith held to a higher standard because of Dad ? These are emotional factors .

Based on facts Ryan Williams has more upside than Cannon Smith . Williams is bigger ,younger , &
more accurate .

This is Porter's first career impacting decision as the Memphis coach .

**** The SEC was 10 - 2 in non - conference openers .

Tennessee will not win 6 games this year .

Bama will not go unbeaten this season .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

FOURTH & ONE

***** WARNING WARNING - The Cowboys do not appear close to being the NFL's best team . They don't even look like a play - off team

The Cowboys should not struggle like they have . I don't know what is wrong & I don't think JJ & Wade do either .

I look for the Cowboys to muddle through & win their division . They need to have the engines running smooth come play - off time .

***** Brett Favre will not have a year as good as last year . 33 TDs vs 7 INTs is hard to repeat . The early schedule is brutal .

The Vikes may struggle to be above water eight games deep .

Favre will never retire . They will have to make him quit . Brett has no life after football . He is not a rocket scientist & there is nothing after football but cutting grass & shooting armadillos .

***** Yankee executives face a hard decision . Derek Jeter wants to be paid like the Yankee legend that he was . 25 M a year for 5 years sounds good to Jeter .

Problem is Jeter is no longer producing the numbers to justify that kind of money . Right now Jeter is a 35 year old singles hitter batting around .270 .

Do the Yanks pay Jeter for days gone bye or do they cut him loose ? The Yankees can get any SS in the league , will they opt for a younger model ?

***** Will the Chairman change ? David Pickler almost lost his seat on the school board . I hope this brings David back to the real world .

Why would anybody spend over 40,000 & buy TV ads to win a school board seat ?

I bet Pickler is re - elected Chairman because no one else wants the job . Truth is David does a fantastic job as chairman . No one would spend more time & work harder than Pickler.

Just do the same excellent job but stay off Fantasy Island Dave . It 's not a bad day if your name isn't in the paper .

***** Don't look for Joe Cooper's Deli to last long . The Deli located at Main & Adams opened Monday . I have been by all four mornings & have yet to see a customer .

This morning the place was not open at 8 : 30 . I would think the best time for courthouse business would be between 7 AM & noon .

I bet they belly up within a month . Say it ain't so Joe .

***** Picks slightly better than picking your nose .

Mississippi State over Memphis

Ole Miss over JSU .

South Panola over MUS

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

WHEELING & DEALING AT THE CAR LOT

**** I bought a car last Friday . I didn't want to buy a car , I had too . My Mazda crapped out on me at 173000 miles .

My car developed the Yankee disease . A - Rod was a knocking .

I don't really like car dealing . My Dad was a master at it . I am not . Daddy could keep all emotion out of the deal . I can't.

I was dealing on a used car which is more difficult than dealing on a new one .

Dealing on a new car , you just go on - line , find the model with the options you want . You can find the invoice price for most new cars .

Now you can play dealer against dealer , for that exact model car . It is the identical product ,you just pick the best price .

You can't do that with a used car . No two sellers have the exact same car . Never the same model or mileage . You are comparing apples & oranges .

The best you can do with a used car is to play against the Number . The Number is what the Kelly Blue Book or the Black Book says the car is worth . So I was playing against the number .

As I was passing by a big car lot , I decided to whip in . I had been looking at some of these models at other lots .

They were just putting the price on the weekend special when I came in . I thought it was a good price . I asked a few questions & said I might be back .

I checked the price vs the numbers in the books & the price seemed like a good deal . So back to the lot I went .

For the next 3 hours we offered ,counter-offered , discussed ,& cussed but were a few hundred dollars apart . I told them I was going to go buy a car & if they changed their mind to call me before I did .

Then I went home & waited for them to call . They did not . I began to think , this car is a good buy at this price . Would it be smart to lose this deal trying to get a slightly better deal ?

Here is where Dad would have held firm but I buckled . I picked up Chili Pepper & headed back to the car lot .

I told them I was certain they were trying to call, so I just came on back . They laughed .

I had dickered a couple of hundred off that sale price But there was a new price on the car . Those turkeys had jacked up the sale price a thousand dollars . They said after they talked to me they realized they had their car priced too low .

I said Whoa Dude . They said they would honor the price we hammered out earlier . So I pulled the trigger .

Maybe I got a good deal , certainly a fair deal but it was not fun .

I have two pieces of advice in car dealing .

1. Wait until the end of the month - the salesmen have quotas to make

2. Never look at a better model than the one you want to buy . - you will not be satisfied with the lower model once you have seen the better model .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!!

WOMAN ON A MISSION

**** In the words of Richard Nixon , I want to make this perfectly clear .
At no time during our UTM years did I have a relationship with Sally Sparks .

I did take her to lunch at the T - Room several times ,& she did accompany me to a boxing card at the Oman Arena . But I was not on her radar screen .

Sally was not shy about saying the one & only reason she was at college was find to a rich husband . That put me out of her line of fire .

I thought UTM was a strange choice of hunting ground . After all there were not many millionaires at Martin . Sally seemed to have a lack of targets . But she pursued her goal with passion .

I guess if you think in relative terms, considering the little pissant place Sally was from ,then UTM had some high rollers .

Now you think taking Sally to lunch at the swanky T - Room was costing me a bundle . I have a confession to make . I sure hope the statue limitations has expired

The T - Room wrote your order & the cost of your meal on a page from a generic ticket book . Several of my buddies had been to the dime store and bought our own ticket book . Yes , We were switching tickets so Sweet Sally &I were eating darn near free .

When I took Sally to the boxing matches where I was the main event , We stopped for a coke at the drive - in . I almost drowned her . You know they put the tray with your stuff on the car window . Our cokes were a little too tall to get in the window . The solution is to roll the window down a little more . Instead I gave them a good yank , throwing both of the cokes all over Sally. She rode the 50 miles back to Martin with Coke dripping off her nose . She was not happy . I can say it was the only time I spent with Sally that wasn't lots of fun .

Well,springtime rolled around & Sally announced her engagement . The guy was a real DIPSTICK but he had money .

We had lunch at the T - Room & I asked her . " Sparks , are you really going to marry that DORK ?"

She answered " for a while, Champ, for a while "

I saw Sally Sparks on Facebook the other day . I don't know if she was married to the same Dude . My gamblers instinct say NO!

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

SCATTERSHOOTING

*** What about Brett Favre calling a players meeting while Coach Childress was at the hospital with Percy Harvin .

Supposedly Brett wanted to know who had problems with Chilly . Favre said Childress did not call the plays when he was OC in Philly & was not capable of doing so now .

Brett wants the plays called by himself or his buddy Darrell Bevel .This is not the start the Vikings need. Can Chilly & Favre make it for a season ?

Do you think Favre can hold up for 16 games ? Will he be forced to give it up during the season?

If that Double - A gap blitz the Niners put on him is any indication, look for Brett on the tractor by Thanksgiving .

*** I am concerned about the Cowboys . Yes , I know it is just the pre - season but the Boys don't look sharp . I think Roy Williams is a complete bust & Romo is Romo .

I wish Tony could play QB as well as he can pick up hot chicks .If Romo could pick up the blitz as well as he does girls Dallas would be Super Bowl bound .

*** How 'Bout those Niners ! SF looked really improved against the Vikings . Anthony Dixon looks like a real plus . I am picking the 49ers to win their division .

*** Since our last time together I passed the Big 6 - 0 . The folks in Medina didn't think I would make 25 . Neither did I .

You could say in my younger years I danced every dance . I didn't want the music to stop without me dancing .

I was just following the advice of John Keats to " drink life to the leeds "
I'd say I got my money's worth .

*** One last thing - I love your comments . I read them all . But you Morons who keep on putting comments in Chinese are starting to whiz me off .

You are wasting my time , your time , & everyones time . Come on , if you want to say something say it .

I can't take time to translate when Demi Moore is on call waiting .

THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!

QUICK OUTS

***** Public Schools are a dumpster fire . They have abandoned productivity in return for political correctness .

Here are three methods proven to work that are out of bounds according to the PC police . They are ;
A .smaller class size
B. Ability Grouping
C. Developing an Identify with school

These methods are not considered to be Politically Correct so they can't be used .

***** Private Schools have a decisive advantage over Public Schools . This advantage is the power to exclude .

If things are not working the Private school can tell JR. goodbye . The Public School has to keep him . They can't get rid of him .

Let me give you an example ; Your job is to keep the restrooms sparkling clean at the Medina Travel Center . If everything is working this is an easy job . Just Flush & Problem solved .

Now , the commode is clogged & you can not Flush . You keep dealing with the same mess over & over .

Private Schools can Flush , Public Schools deal with the same Turds day after day .

***** What is all the controversy over Rex Ryan cussing ? This is a stupid discussion . Most Coaches cuss however some do not .

Whether Coach cusses or not makes no difference in the win total . In fact how much you win can determine how much you can cuss .

There are four possible scenarios:
1. Coach Cusses - team wins
People say Coach gets their attention & fires the guys up . Get em Coach !

2. Coach cusses - team loses
People say No wonder , the guys are so beat down . Coach makes them feel worthless & that's how they respond.

3. Coach does not cuss - team wins
People say Coach is so professional . He treats them like adults & makes them feel good about themselves .

4. Coach does not cuss - team loses
People say He is too nice of a guy , he can't motivate , players take advantage , we need a coach with some fire .

Now I have been on both sides of the street myself . When I was a young coach , I was explosive & volatile & cussed a bunch . As an older coach ,I was more at peace with myself & rarely cussed .

I think I was a better coach at 56 than I was at 26. The winning % for the two times frames is almost exactly the same . But it is better not to cuss trust me .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

CROSSING THE BAR

SUNSET & EVENING STAR
AND ONE CLEAR CALL FOR ME
MAY THERE BE NO MOANING OF THE BAR
WHEN I PUT OUT TO SEA
ALFRED TENNYSON

Tommy Harrison was a coaching lifer . Coach Tommy coached somewhere in Shelby County for the last 50 years .

JFK was a rookie president when Tommy began at MCHS in 1961. Coach Harrison was so versatile . He was capable of a Championship job in multiple sports .

Tommy loved to study & talk football . He would research a concept until he mastered it . I really enjoyed talking football with Coach Harrison.

Tommy could have been the greatest recruiting coordinator in the history of college football . Coach knew everything about every player . The parents, the girlfriend , family history , & summer job .The amount of information Coach Harrison had was amazing .

Coach Harrison also found his calling in his talk show on Radio 56. He gave more insider info than any show on the air . Tommy knew the inside low down .

I will miss discussing the TRIPLE - I & Coach Harrison's theory of Inside Contain & Outside Contain . I believed he was on target with his Triple - I thinking but was full of it when it came to that IC & OC stuff .

Coach Tommy was a coach's coach . Any job he did was first class . He maintained that standard for 50 years .

Coach Harrison will be greatly missed but will live on in the lives he touched .

***** I am thankful Eli Manning only has 12 stitches. When you lose your helmet in mid- play , bad bad things can occur .

Still no word from Favre . Surely within the week Brett will say .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

THROWIN ACROSS THE MIDDLE

**** I am going to save you a lot of time . You will not have to watch the NFL until the playoffs begin . I am going to tell you the 12 teams that will make the post season .

They are

NFC AFC

COWBOYS RAVENS

PACKERS CHARGERS

SAINTS COLTS

49ERS PATRIOTS

FALCONS JETS

VIKINGS TEXANS

Now, these are not ROCK"S LOCKS . If I hit 9 of 12 of these ,I 'll be as tickled as if I sat naked on a feather duster .

Take the Jets for example . They are coming in with a lot of bluster & the burden of great expectations. Last year everything fell the Jets way come playoff time . This year there is trouble already with holdouts & ect .

The Vikings pick depends totally on the return of Favre .

Cowboys , don't forget Tony Romo is driving the bus . Hard to trust a driver that can't get his cap on the right way .

If I nail 9 of 12 ,you owe me a burger & an ice cold cola. Fair Enough !


**** Some things to think about :

1. You are the owner of the Cowboys , you get to pick a QB . The choices are Tony Romo or Eli Manning . Tell me who you pick .

2. You own the Chargers . Who is your QB ? Phillip Rivers or Drew Brees ?

3. Alex Smith has the highest Wonderlic test score of any starting QB today . Smith scored 40 of 50 . Alex is a product of the Urban Meyer system . This is season # 6 for Smith who is still looking for a break - out year .

Tim Tebow scored 22 on the test . How long will the learning curve be for Tim ?

4. The Kansas City Chiefs are changing their name to West New England . The GM ,HC , OC , DC . & QB are all disciples of the Billy Bells system.


THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!

UNTIL THEN J - MACK

**** Saturday evening I attended the Visitation of Joe McLemore of Medina, Tennessee . Joe was one of my oldest & closest friends . We had been buds since first grade in 1956 .

For three years after high school ,Joe & I and another first grade buddy called Rip were as tight as Dolly Parten's sweater. From age 18 to 21 we did everything together . Rip was my roommate at UTM until he married . Then Rip said he didn't think we could continue to room together .

Joe & Rip made their life at Medina & I hit the road . Joe made a great life ,married ,had 3 fine sons , grandchildren , & his church could not have made it without him . I think he was a deacon & chairman of every committee assembled .

Joe was the glue that held our group together . If you needed to know about someone , Joe was the man . He kept up with all of our bunch . I can't count the number of times he checked on me through the years .

When I arrived at Friendship Church ,the line was out the door into the parking lot . I stayed over 90 minutes & the line was just as long as when I left .

When you invest your life in a small town & are a remarkable person ,a massive turnout is not surprising .

Joe was wearing a tie . He always liked to style & profile . The tie had baseballs on it . That was not a shock because Joe loved baseball & all sports .

Joe's satin Yankees jacket was folded in the casket . Joe loved Jesus & the Yankees .

Rip was there . I visited with other members of our group , Becky Vickie, Stephen & Jesse . We all would really miss Joe .

As for me , one of the strongest connections to my early life is gone . I will drift farther away from what used to be home without Joe as one of my anchors .

Joe was the character J - Mack in all those stories I write .

I visited Joe on the fourth of July . We had a great time . We both knew it would be the last time .

I guess Bob Seger was singing about Joe , Rip,& I when he sang

THE SECRETS THAT WE SHARED

THE MOUNTAINS THAT WE MOVED

WE WERE RUNNING

RUNNING AGAINST THE WIND

UNTIL THEN J - MACK

BANGING ON BRETT

**** I am going to bang on Brett Favre . Why ? Two reasons .
#1 Brett is a drama queen
#2 Brett is a gunslinger

Drama Queen - Favre is almost 41 years old but he is only 6 or 7 mentally .Brett really enjoys the attention he gets by playing the retirement game .

Brett gets a big kick by teasing everyone about his plans . The Vikings have to put up with this stuff because Favre is the only winning option at Quarterback .

How does this play in the locker room ? These guys are trying to win a Super Bowl & their QB is playing Hide & Seek . While the Vikings are preparing for the season, Brett is coaching a high school team .

Tony Dungy said " Give Favre a date , If he is there he is on the team , if not we move on without him . " The Coach might go for that but not the Owner .

Come on Brett , Quit throwing Buffalo Chips & play ball or set on the porch !

Gunslinger - Favre's role with the Vikings is to prevent teams from ganging up on Peterson . He is not there to win games with dazzling passing displays .

If a team gangs up to stop Peterson , Brett can throw against one on one coverage . When Favre does this the defense adjusts & the running lanes open up for Peterson .

Brett can't or won't understand this . Because he is a Gunslinger Favre is going to throw into double coverage & forget all about Peterson & the running game . Once Brett starts Gunning there is no controlling him . No more than controlling Tiger Woods in the Playboy Mansion . It is either TD or Interception .

Favre has played with 4 NFL teams ; Falcons - Packers - Jets - Vikings . His last pass with all of them was an interception .

Brett's DNA says Gunslinger . He is not changing .

**** If Favre doesn't return 42 year old Jeff George wants the job . Few people on earth can throw a football like Jeff George .

I don't know of anyone who can throw it better . George must be a Super Turd because no team has kept him for long .

If I didn't have a QB ,I would give Ole Jeff a shot . You don't know what you might get out of him before he hits the fan .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

HAPPY HAPPY YEARS

***** Tomorrow Chili Pepper & I will have been married 17 happy years . 17 out of 38 is a 447 batting average . No Major Leaguer has ever had that high an average .

NO ! Really every day I have spent with Chili Pepper has been wonderful . As the song goes " In spite of all the hard times , I've live 'em all again ". And I would.

Deborah deserves heaven's brightest crown for putting up with me for all these years . Maybe it wasn't so hard . After all ,I have four different personalities . She should have been able to get along with one of them .

For 15 years we lived the Gypsy Coach lifestyle . We made 7 major moves & lived in 11 different houses in those years . In coaching if you win you get a better job , if you lose you get another job . Not much stability.

A Coach's wife gets to make all the decisions & do everything cause Coach is never there . She plays the role of both parents & is running a partnership solo .

On Game day she sits in the stands & listens to people talk about how stupid her husband is . Of course , she already knows this .

One Saturday we were having one of those games where everything goes wrong . On first & second down we had lost yardage . We decided to run a draw to get room to punt . They blitzed & we lost more yards . My son who was 9 at the time stood up ,turned to the press box, shook his fist & yelled " Come on Dad on third and long you gotta throw the ball ". The crowd gave him a resounding cheer .

Chili Pepper did a great job raising our son & managing our home while I was on the field . She bought & sold houses , cars & trucks all on her own .

One year we we going undefeated , Chili Pepper bought a new house . I had never seen the place until she told me we were moving there .

Moving Day was the day of a playoff game . She wrote the directions to the new house , put them in my pocket & said " come to this address after the game . Don't go to the old house there is no one there ".

Chili Pepper is one of the most talented people living . She can make anything , decorate. cook & sing . She can & will do most anything .

When you come home you never know if there will be a new room or automobile , or project .

Chili Pepper is addicted to HG - TV & the DIY channel . Her creative mind never stops . From fish ponds to fences the girl never stops .

We are preparing to move into house number 12 . We will move as soon as She finishes her total reconstruction project at the house .

Her partners in crime are her equally talented sister & our multi - gifted nephew . They have performed a wonder . Just Amazing what they have done .

After going through this experience I told Chili Pepper , " You know I don't expect to live much longer but if you say resale ,investment or move you won't live as long as i do . "

Chili Pepper thank you for 38 wonderful years & I hope we have more to go . There is no better companion of life's journey than you dear .

THANK YOU FOR READING

TALK AROUND TOWN

**** Lorenzen Wright - The Memphis Sports community is shocked by the death of Lorenzen Wright . Ren was a good guy & a favorite of Memphis fans .

To solve a case like this, a good rule is Follow the Money . Rumor has it that Wright carried large amounts of cash . Most likely Ren knew his killer . No one leaves home at 2 am with a stranger .

There will be some shocking developments as the Police unravel the case .

**** Jeremiah Masoli - Once again college football reveals its true face . And it is ugly . Exposed as hypocrites one more time .

There is no doubt that Masoli is much better than any QB Ole Miss has .He could add 3 to 5 wins to what appears to be a down year for the Rebels .

Masoli also comes with some issues . He likes to smoke weed & steal things . But Ole Miss is willing to overlook these shortcomings if they can win a few more games .

Masoli will only be there for the length of the football season . I guess Oxford can keep a close watch on their things for that short spell .

How can you call him a student - athlete ? Masoli looks like a hired gun to me . Oh and Masoli will be a non scholarship player . If you believe that then you believe Buster Nutt was calling Donna Bragg to chat about the weather .

Sad thing is , almost all the other SEC schools would have taken Masoli .
**** Lane Kiffin - Insane Lane has stepped in it this time . He has ticked off Titans Coach Jeff Fisher . Lane was stealing a coach from Jeff .

Fisher happens to be a major BIG DOG at USC where Lane is employed . Ole Jeff could cause Lane major pain down the road .

I think Lane did a great on the field coaching job at Tennessee . I understand why he bolted to USC .

But Kiffin has got to stop being Eddie Haskell . Football coaches tend to have long memories & you know what they say about Payback .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

DEMYSTIFYING THE SPREAD

***** College & High School teams all over the nation are playing the Spread offense . They think they can win with less players . Not so fast .

The Spread is football's latest trend or fad . All trends are successful at first but then defenses catch up . The Spread is the latest fad .

A Spread offense has a QB taking the snap from 5 yards behind the center . The QB will have from Zero to three backs in the backfield with him . The Spread will have from 2 to 5 wide receivers . A Spread formation with all 4 backs in the backfield is called the Power Gun .

Most Spread offenses will have one back & 3 wide outs plus the QB lined up shotgun . This is not new . I have a book called Spread Formation Football written in 1950 which is what today's teams are doing .

To win in the Spread you must have
1. Receivers that can beat single coverage
2. A dual threat Quarterback .

If your wide- outs cannot beat one on one coverage the Spread is dead . The defense will just play you man - up & out number you on the run .

If your QB is not a threat to run & pass the Spread will not work . NFL teams don't run the Spread because they don't want those high priced QBs running & taking hits .

Now. You are not required to have a powerful O - line to be successful in the Spread . You can isolate small fast players in space . Stretch the area the defense must cover .

To put it in the most simple terms , you can be as good as your QB in the Spread . If you do not have an outstanding trigger-man you will not have a great team .

As the QB goes so goes the Spread . Texas with Vince Young & Florida with Tim Tebow are examples of great Qb = great Spread team .

If your QB is average you will be an average Spread team . The Spread is a most intensive QB offense . The Wing - T or the Double Wing are the least QB intensive offenses .

***** Another way to classify offenses is to count the number of players in the core { players lined up tight }.

10 - 11 are tight heavy run power offenses . Wing -T , Power I , Wishbone & Double Wing are examples of this .

8 - 9 are more balanced offenses . The Pro - I , the Veer , & the Georgia Tech Flexbone are some of these.

6 - 7 are more wide open passing & option offenses . The Spread , the Run & Shoot & the Miami offense are some of these .

If you have less than 6 in the core you are dealing with a gimmick offense like the Polecat .

***** Don't know why this kept changing fonts & size but forgive me .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

TRICKY TRICKY

**** In the course of her business dealings Chilli Pepper ended up with a new stove, dishwasher, & micro - wave . Chilli Pepper had no need of these but they came in the deal .So she decided to sell them .

This wasn't Chilli Pepper 's first rodeo in the sales market . She has sold lots of things during our partnership . Like our house twice & my car once . You never know what she is bringing home or where we might be moving .

Since these things were still in the box new , CP listed them on one of the sales bulletin boards . I thought they would go quick since Chilli Pepper listed them at about a 20 % discount . Within the hour a sweet girl named Amanda e - mailed to buy the appliances .

Amanda said she would pay full price & wanted them shipped . We said it was pick-up only . Amanda said she would say for the shipping . We thought this was odd ,as well as the fact that Amanda would never give us an address or phone number . On & on we went. Back & Forth .

Finally Amanda said she would sent us a check for the appliances ,shipping costs & a 250 dollar bonus for our trouble . Amanda said cash the check , take out our part , & wire the rest to the shipping company .

Now Chilli Pepper & I have a very balanced relationship . She thinks the very best of everyone while I think the very worst . Both of us thought this failed the smell test .

Two weeks later Amanda sends a check for $3,500 dollars . I am supposed to keep a thousand & wire 2,500 to the shipping company .

We did a little checking & found the check was on a computer company that did not exist in that location . The address for the bank was also incorrect . As we suspected little Amanda was dirty dealing .

About a week later Amanda sends another check for $3,800 . Same company ,same bank . If I am honest I wire the shipping company $6,300 .

The scam works like this . I cash the check & wire the difference to the shipper . My money is gone , the check bounces to Montana & back , I'm stuck in this case for $ 6,300 .

We e - mailed Amanda , told her the appliances had sold . We needed her address to return the checks or we would turn the checks over to the authorities for their safe return .

Almost instantly we received a message from a government official overseas informing us that Amanda had passed away .

But she had willed us 2.8 million dollars in her estate . All we had to do to get the money was BLAH BLAH on & on .

We stopped laughing & e - mailed 'em back . Told em they were unbelievable . Show up with the cash & we'll drink a cold Pepsi in memory of Amanda .

I hope Chilli Pepper doesn't have anything else to sell .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

QUICK OUTS & HOT SLANTS

**** Harry Coleman Trial - The jury returned the correct verdict in the Coleman trial . No way was the shooting self - defense .

The Colemans had multiple chances to walk away but they chose to escalate the conflict . Really sad that three 50+ year - olds have that poor judgment .

Stupidity cost one man his life , the other his freedom . Goes to show that Fools , Alcohol, & Guns are a bad mix .

**** Lou Who - Way to go Louis Oosthuizen . Who is that ? The guy that won the British Open Dude .

A complete unknown ,like a rollin stone , Bobby Dylan would say . Will we ever hear of Lou again ? Or will he be a one time comet flashing across the sky ?

**** Don't Worry Tiger Fans - Tiger Woods will play well again someday . I just don't know when .

Tiger is still distracted at the moment . Woods will never be as great as he was but he will return to really good .

Woods will break Big Jack's record . He only needs five more Majors . The Tiger - man will have about 30 chances to get five . Smart Money says he does .

**** John Daly - Don't you just love Big John ? He wears the most awful pants . If he makes the cut he might play the rest of the way ,might not .
If he doesn't make the cut he sells t - shirts & trinkets out of the trunk of his car . Gotta love him !

**** Just following orders - Did you hear about the man in Medina that showed up for work naked ?

His co - workers asked "What are you doing Dude ?"

He replied " Just following orders "

They said " What ?"

He said " Mr. Charles said he wanted to see my butt in the office at 8 this morning "

THANK YOU FOR READING !!

AN R.C.& A MOONPIE

$$$ Just some quick takes on events

*** Cohen vs Herendon - I am shocked at the number of black leaders endorsing Steve Cohen . Harold Ford , Maxine Smith ,& Barak Obama to name a few .

It appears that Sick Willie is toast . I will not believe it until it happens . Willie always finds a way . The more the voters in the 9th are told not to vote for Willie the more they vote for Willie .

I agree this is the highest hill Willie has faced . But the 9th district voters have always produced for Herendon . We will see August 5th .

*** Bobby Johnson - I think Bobby Johnson did as well as one can at Vandy . Coaching Vandy in the SEC is like riding the family farm mule in the Kentucky Derby .

The only question is " whose the bigger Jackass ? You or your ride ".

Some of the boosters wanted Johnson to change his offense & his staff . Bobby figured it was already too hard to climb Shinola Hill , so BJ just took a hike.

Vandy can now turn to a has - been with bagage or an up & comer with no scalpes on his belt .

*** George Steinbrenner - The Boss is dead .

Shakespear said " The good that men do lives after them
the evil is oft interred with their bones
so let it be with Ceasar ".

The same must be true for Steinbrenner . Since his death all you have heard is how wonderful George was .

He was a great owner who just wanted to win so badly . That's all Adolf Hitler wanted , just to win .

Not a word about the lives George ruined or the people he made miserabal . Nothing about the stress he caused by being a bully .

In his first 16 years Steinbrenner fired 16 managers . Ask Billy
Martin , Joe Torre , or Don Zimmer about life with George .

Truth is Steinbrenner did a great job of getting players & building a dynasty but harmed a lot of people by being a narcissist bully .

*** Did you hear Tiger Woods was working on the grounds crew at the British Open ? They said Tiger was spotted with a hoe at # 16 .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

THEY AIN'T COMING

**** Some fans think you can sign some free agents & then get ready for the parade . It is not quite that easy .

Some teams can sign free agents & some teams cannot . The money is not the only issue . The cash is just a part of it . With max money contracts several teams can offer the same money . What makes the difference ?

Free Agents have questions in three areas :
1. Climate
2. State & Local Taxes
3. Championship Possibility

Climate - Where am I going to be living? Is this someplace I want to live. Warm weather locals like Florida & California have a big advantage in the free agent market .

No one wants to freeze the fruit crop living in Buffalo or Cleveland. Cold bad weather cities are behind from the start .

A good test is to ask " Is this somewhere people go on vacation?" People don't go to Detroit when they have a week off . They don't come to Memphis either unless they are Elvis Nuts.

Location - Location is a big factor in the Free Agent Market.

State & Local Taxes - States with no state income taxes have a huge edge . Texas , Florida , & Tennessee have no state income tax . This is the only attraction Memphis has . Most NBA players don't appear to be in the Elvis fan base .

If you play in New York , you are making 40 cents on the dollar . California is about the same . These guys aren't math majors but they understand " Hey Dude you're taking 60 cents out of my dollar ."

Your tax structure can determine who you can sign .

Championship Possibility - " Can I win it all playing here ?" "Who am I going to be playing with ?" LeBron left Cleveland because they couldn't get any other players to come play with LBJ ." Who wants to live in Cleveland ?"

Great players want as much help as they can get . Too many stars have no rings because they spent a career with no help .

Now you see , only a few teams are players for the Big Fish in the Free Agent Pond !

**** ONE MORE THING - People say "Whose team is it ? LeBron or Wade ? "Some say LBJ should have proved he could win it by himself .

Those are stupid statements . To the best of my knowledge no one has won a championship by himself .

They all had teammates . You can debate who had the better teammates but they all had some .

Micheal , Magic , Larry ,Kobe , or Shaq , none of them played alone . Come on Y'all even the Lone Ranger had Tonto .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!

QUICK SHOTS

$$$$ Cleveland fans made a mistake .They fell in love with a sports hero . The fans forgot that the NBA & all sports are a business ,not a love affair .

All players & coaches are mercenaries . They go where they can make money or win championships .

A player or coach has a small window of opportunity . You have to get it when you can . Your time of opportunity is very limited .

LeBron James just made a business decision . LBJ thought he could win a championship in Miami , maybe not in Cleveland .

Would you change jobs if you felt you could get a better job elsewhere ? That is all LBJ did . Just made a career move .

That Tall Guys can make millions running around in public in their underwear is disturbing .

$$$$ Dan Gilbert showed what happens when very rich boys don't get their way . He pitched a hissy fit .

Owner Dan said LBJ was disloyal , a bum ,& a quitter . Dan sounded like a 15 year old boy who lost his 14 year old girlfriend to a 17 year old guy with a car . Pitiful !

How loyal was Owner Dan when he fired Mike Brown who won more games the last two years than any NBA coach ? How about GM Danny Ferry ? Why was not loyalty important then ?

Put on your big boy drawers & deal with it Dan !

$$$$ Have you ever thought how unfair baseball is ?

First , all of the parks are different . Some places a 400 foot fly ball is a long out ,in others a 300 foot pop up is a dinger .

Some places have tall walls some small . The infields are different .

Second, the rules are different . The Al has the DH rule while the NL does not . The AL pitchers have to get 27 outs versus real hitters ,while the NL pitchers only face 24 real deal outs .

Also each umpire has a slightly different strike zone .

Third , There is no salary cap . Rich teams [ Yankees } can buy all the players they need to win pennants .

The Yanks pay A - Rod more than the Pirates pay their whole team . It is hard for the small market teams to beat the rich boys .

The baseball field is most unleveled of all

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!!

ONE MORE YESTERDAY

***** I have not been Joe David Graves in more than 40 years . In 1969 Joe David morphed into Rocky Graves & has been ever since . Check my April post, A STRANGE THING HAPPENED for the details on the transformation .

So if you hear me referred to as Joe David , you know you are dealing with old time Medina folks . Most of my childhood friends have not made the jump to Rocky .

I have greatly enjoyed my controversial & tumultuous years as Rocky Graves . About 20 of those years were a real blast , could not have been any better . And the other 20 were pretty good too .

That being said , I would like to go back to being Joe David Graves for one night . Why ? I would like to have a get together of my first grade class .A 55 year 1st Grade Reunion if you will .

What would be so special about that ? The fact that our teacher could attend would. How many 55 year reunions have teachers present ? Not many I bet .

Our class in 1956 was not Miss Virgie's first rodeo . She was almost 50 & had been teaching about 25 years when we arrived .

Miss Virgie is 102 years old , still lives in Medina , & until just a few years ago was a substitute teacher .

One of the most fascinating parts of life is watching it unfold . We started out life's journey with around 25 travelers filled with hopes & dreams . Now that our little bunch has entered life's final turn it is interesting to see .

I guess our class was bland & average . There is no one famous & one one in prison that I know of . No one who cured cancer or became a Hollywood star.

There was not a single doctor or lawyer in our class & only one teacher . We did have two pharmacists & some businessmen . A few owned their own business . One was a high school & college coach .

About 2/3 of the class live within 25 miles of Medina . Three are in the Nashville Metro area , another three in the Memphis Metro area. There is one in Indiana & one in Oklahoma .

Only two have passed away but six or seven have serious medical concerns .

There have been some divorces & some drinking problems scattered through the group . Many are very involved in church , some surprises there .

Most have raised their kids & are grandparents now . There is a lot those kids & grandkids don't need to know .

I guess our band was just another drop in the river of life flowing into eternity. But I wish I could be Joe David Graves one more time . I would love to see them all .

I would laugh , hug their necks ,& tell them Goodbye !

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ABILITY - EFFORT - OPPORTUNITY

**** It was Tuesday morning I saw him . He was crossing the street at Tillman & Hale . He was heading across the street to the Lester Community Center .

He was about 9 or 10 . He was wearing a tee shirt & basketball shoes . I figured he was going to the center to spend the day shooting hoops. Also to take advantage of the free lunch & drinks provided .

He could spend the day inside shooting hoops or on the street shooting up or shooting at . I thought he pulled a bad ticket in Life's Lottery . It is hard to overcome starting in Binghamton .

Now , some of you will say he has the same opportunity as anyone else . 24 hours in a day & all that .

And I say to you Buffalo Chips . I think your starting point in Life makes a big difference . It is hard to win the race when you start way behind & run uphill,against the wind .

Malcom Gladwell says as much in all those books he writes . Gladwell says your success is determined by factors mostly beyond your control . OOO! we don't like to hear that . We would like to think it was all us .Afraid Not !

Let's ,look at three factors ;

$$$ ABILITY - Now I could work 24 hours a day & have opportunity galore & I still could not play in the NBA . I am not tall enough .

You can only be successful in the areas where you have the required amount of ability . You can't overcome lack of ability with work or anything else . That fact ended my hopes of a singing career . First Question - Do I have enough ability for what I am Trying ?

$$$ EFFORT - Am I willing to work hard enough? There are many with talent & ability but they are not willing to work .

Gladwell estimates it takes at least ten thousand hours of intense practice to be good .For example , the Beatles playing nonstop at those clubs in Hamburg . Alabama did the same thing playing in the Myrtle Beach club .

Whatever your field , you have to prepare for when the opportunity arrives .

$$$ OPPORTUNITY - It makes no difference how talented you are or how hard you work unless you get an opportunity .

Go to Nashville & wander around the nightclubs . You will marvel at how good the performers are . They are talented & hard working but have had no opportunity .

The most cruel thing you can do to a person is to deny them opportunity .

Opportunity is hard to come by so make the most of each one you have .
So there you have the three factors of success & we are in control of only one . It seems Gladwell is right .

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BANG BANG !!

**** Years ago at Medina , We were playing games behind the Ag shop . Games like two guys put their forearms together ,then place a lit cigarette between them . The one who moves first is the loser . Do not play this game with a Dude who has scars on his arms .
I didn't say these boys were smart . I just said they were players .

That day we were playing with those tiny Black Cat firecrackers . The object was to see who would hold the firecracker the longest before flicking it away .

Hold it too long ,and you had a burning ,stinging , & tingling hand . We had a lot of guys shaking their hands as we played .

Then a boy named Ben said " you boys ain't Shinola ,let me show you something "

Ben was a year or so older than us & was a fat nerd .

Well Ol Ben stuck one of those firecrackers between his teeth . He would shut his eyes & wait as long as possible before he spit . He did this about 3 times , getting rid of the firecracker just a few moments before it exploded .

We had to admit ,this was super cool . Eyes were closed for protection but there was a chance of facial burn .

On firecracker number four, the clock in Ben's head must have malfunctioned . Ben had not begun to spit when that firecracker exploded .

Ben grabbed his head with both hands ,staggered two steps to the left ,one to the right & then went down in a heap .

We ran to him to check his condition . If Ben had not been groaning we would have pronounced him dead . But since he was still alive quick action was needed .

Being great in a crisis even then, I sent J-Mack to the shop for a wheelbarrow . We put Ben in the wheelbarrow & rolled him down the hill to DR. Hunt .

Ben had busted lips , burns inside the mouth , & facial burns . He didn't come back to school for a long time . We awarded him the Best Dare trophy . We didn't think Ben's trick could ever be topped .

I saw Ben on the street in Medina about five years ago . We talked a few minutes & then I asked him about that day . Ben said " Big Rock ,that has been more than 40 years ago & my head hasn't quit ringing yet "

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

AT THE RACES

**** Summertime Friday nights were Race nights in Gibson County . The venue was the Milan Speedway . The track was built in the mid 60's by Haywood Western .


Some said Mr. Western built the track so his boy J.D. would have a place to race . J.D. Western was the hometown favorite in his car F - 90 .

Cars & drivers came from all over the area to run for prize money . Tough Guy Leonard Mann driving car# 007 was from McKenzie .

Taze Lofton drove car # 62 . You either loved or hated Taze . They said he was a college boy who only ran well out in front . The word was Taze would not fight his way through the pack . Fact was when Taze started in front he most often finished there . Lofton rarely made a mistake .

Another masterful driver was George Merriweather who had several rides #22 & # 308 among them .

These four were the best of the local boys . There were many other locals but almost all of the money was won by the big four .

There were twins from Camden who weren't good drivers but excellent daredevils . They had an airplane which they often flew under the Tennessee River bridge . This scared the Snot out of cars on the bridge & boats on the water .

The event would not have been complete without the Big Name Memphis boys . Hoyt & Eddie Ray Alexander , Sam Swindell , Black Jack Al McDaniel , & the crazy Gatlin Brothers were regulars .

About 3 times a year the legend Hooker Hood would show up . I don't recall Hooker winning much at Milan . J.D. was hard to beat on his home track & if Taze timed well enough to start on the pole he finished first .

There were some exciting crashes , cars flying everywhere . Sometimes the cars jumped the fences & ended up in the grandstands or the cotton patch . I don't recall any fatal injuries .

After bumping on the track , tempers could get out of control . Fights between drivers , pit crews , & fans were commonplace . These were really good fights , usually pretty bloody .

If you thought someone was cheating you could protest . You put 50 dollars down on the hood of their car & they had to tear the engine down right there .

If they were okay they kept your fifty bucks . If they were cheating they had to return all their winnings . Some of the best fights were at protests .

I spent many a Summer Friday night at the races . Sometimes I went to Riverside In West Memphis on Saturday night . It was a lot of fun .

J.D. Western died in a wreck on the highway in 1966 or 67 . Mr. Haywood kept the Speedway going for a few years but it wasn't the same .

I wish I could hear them start their engines one more time.

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

QUESTIONS ON MY MIND

**** I have a lot of questions that run through my mind . I would like for you to answer them . Just answer yes or no . You can e-mail me with your reasons if you like . Yes or no . Ready ?

1. Will Fred Smith buy Memphis a BCS membership ?

2. Will Fed - X stockholders challenge the purchase ?

3 . Is Cannon Smith a lock to start at QB for the Tigers ?

4. Did Daddy's money & influence buy the position ?

5. Did Bush have plans to invade Iraq before 9/11 ?

6. Did the Bush crew have advance knowledge of the attack ?

7. Were the interceptor Jets ordered to stand down as the airplanes approached the World Trade Center ?

8. Did FDR have advance knowledge about the attack on Pearl Harbor ?

9. Did the Shelby County Attorney General close the Fox & Hound because they didn't pay protection money ?

10. Are all Memphis & Shelby County politicians crooks ?

11. Are race relations today better than 10 years ago ?

12. Is Memphis the most racially polarized city in America?

13. Will Obama be re-elected ?

14. Will Hillary challenge him for the nomination ?

15. Can the Republicans find a real candidate ?

16. Does your church make a real impact in your community ?

17. Is the gift of tongues in existence today ?

18 . Does Hebrews 6: 4 - 6 apply to believers today ?

19. Will a world wide financial train wreck occur in the next 5 years ?

20. Will the USA throw Israel under the bus ?

These are a few of the questions that cross my mind . E - mail me at rockyjoegraves@ yahhoo.com .

Let me know what you think . Oh a bonus question. Will Tennesse win 5 games this year ?

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

MONEY TALKS REAL LOUD

**** Conference expansion is over . For now . For a few moments we saw the true face of college sport . It is all about the money .

You can forget all that Shinola about student - athletes, tradition. & love of the school . Those things are dumped when it comes to making a dollar .

The conferences want more teams to increase TV market which translates into more TV money .The fact that these conferences make no geographic sense is meaningless

I think they need to contract rather than expand . Forget those conference championship games . The SEC is the only one that makes big money . And how many teams are there that have national TV appeal ? 7 or 8 at the most .

Also no conference championship game is one less hurdle to jump on the path to the National Title .

**** I don't see the Celtics winning tonight . The Laker Bigs should be too much for Boston to deal with without Perkins .

Phil Jackson is the most successful coach in professional sports . Yes ; He always had great players . News Flash ; everyone who wins has great players . You can't win without them .

Doc Rivers must have some mightly bad Karma . To have to depend on Rasheed Wallace in a championship game is tough. Just think if Phil had to trust in Ron Artest .

**** Did LBJ diss Tom Izzo ? Yes , he did . Was Izzo correct in saying no to Cleveland ? Yes , he was .

Izzo learned that in the college world the coaches are the movers & shakers . In the NBA the coach is just a guy who is going to get fired . Most likely two seasons after being Coach of the Year.

Would Byron Scott be a better choice ? Yes ! Scott played in the NBA . He has coached two NBA teams , & been to the finals as a coach .Scott has more Street Cred.

Izzy ; When your star player won't take your call it really tees you off . When You call those Michigan State boys they come running . Stay in college Izzy .

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QUICK SHOTS

**** The conferences are playing musical chairs . I don't think we will know until tomorrow what will happen .

Right now , the PAC - 10 has added Colorado giving them 11 teams . The BIG - 10 has added Nebraska bring them to 12 teams . Boise State has moved to the MWC. Those are the facts at this moment .

Will four more BIG - 12 teams move to the PAC ? I don't know . I hope not . I wish the PAC would add Utah giving them a dozen . That would be a good geographic fit .

The BIG - 12 is short two teams as we speak . I would like to see them add two & stay together . They could add TCU & I don't know who . I hope they can save the league .

I hope the SEC does not add at this time . We will know tomorrow .

**** The Celtics - Lakers . Every time I think I have it figured they throw me a curve . Can Boston win one in LA before the Lakers win two ?

Maybe Bryant needs to involve some of the others . He does not have to win it by himself .

**** Did you see that dude blow the St. Jude Classic . I could have won that tournament .

3 strokes up with one to play . Come on now . He flat lost it . Not like someone else won it . If Robert had a bogey & another player an eagle you have a case . But a 7 on the 18th . Get out the choker chain for Robert .

**** I will not care . They can't make me care . About the stupid World Crap uh World Cup .

I won't watch even if Demi ,Cindy ,& Minka are the commentators . Those girls are like burgers on the grill : hot , sizzling , & bad for your heart .

Boy , if those guys across the pond had real football they would go bonkers .

**** when SEC expansion does come , I think Clemson would be perfect . They have great football , location , & will not let academics get in the way .

**** I must read my new Do It Yourself Manuel on by- pass surgery . Ordered it right off TV . Beat High Medical costs by doing it yourself .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!!!

LESSONS IN ADDICTION

**** I left Medina forty years ago but I learned all I needed to know about addiction before I split . I learned about alcohol & drug addiction . This is saying something because drug addiction was rare before 1970.

A lot of men around Medina enjoyed a drink from time to time & a few could be called problem drinkers . But the title of top drunk belonged to Gregory Hollister .

Most men over 21 carried the title of Mister but not Gregory . He had drank away all respect & esteem . I often wondered how a person could lose control like that . To be mastered by a bottle .

A wonderful family in town used to take Gregory in & get him dried out for a while . But they couldn't hold him , the call of the booze was too strong . I have seen Gregory drink after shave lotion & shoe polish when he couldn't get anything else . How can a man get that far ?

The story was that Gregory was a great guitar player . He even had a gig playing for Johnny Cash . Gregory would get drunk & miss dates ,so Cash had to let him go .

Gregory was drunk one cold night ,walking across a field on his way home . He fell ,went to sleep ,& froze to death during the night . They found him there the next day .

I learned that alcohol can wreck a life . A drink could have a powerful grip .

How did I learn about drug addiction in the mid-sixties ? We had a drug addict in town . They called addicts dope fiends back then .

Mr. David Perry was a member of a powerful prominent local family . Mr Perry had an accident & while recovering became addicted to morphine.

This was the beginning of a decades long horror show . The Perry family had enough resources to try every treatment center known at the time . Nothing worked . I knew then addiction was serious business .

Mr. Perry made the most profound statement about drugs that I have ever heard . In front of the barber shop , some men were asking Mr. Perry about his struggle & some of the treatments he had undergone .

Mr . Perry said " They can get it out of my body but they can't get it out of my mind ." WOW , that says it all .

All of us struggle with our personal demons & addictions . It could be drugs ,alcohol, money, fame ,power , or sex . No matter which , it is an awful place to be . In 32 years of working with addicts I have seen less than 10 beat the addiction .

Only through the power of Jesus can you overcome your demons . A 12 step program is fine but to be successful that first step has to be Jesus.

**** My prayers to an old friend Jane Mills Price in the loss of her husband Tommy . May Jesus give you comfort & peace, Jane .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!!

THE WIZARD'S LITTLE HELPER

****The Wizard of Westwood died at age 99. John Wooden was a fine basketball coach & a fine person .

Wooden won 10 National Championships at UCLA . The Wizard was also hailed for his clean program . He produced the Pyramid of Success & many other inspirational books . Wooden was known for his values & his example of a fine man .

Does this sound too good to be true ? I am sorry but all is not what it appears to be .

Wooden coached at UCLA for 15 years with a record of 285 - 126. That is right at winning 70 %. Wooden was doing a great job of teaching basketball .

Starting in 63 - 64 UCLA went of a 12 year rampage, winning 10 NCAA tournaments with a record of 335 - 22 . Whoa , that is winning 94% over a 12 year span .

What was the difference between the first 15 years & the next 12 years ? Sam Gilbert was . A rich man, Gilbert began to play a huge part in the program .

Known as Papa Sam , Gilbert became the go to guy for the UCLA players . He provided the cars ,cash, clothes & whatever else the players wanted .

To make it simple Sam Gilbert bought all those great players for UCLA .

Now , John Wooden hated Sam Gilbert & had no relationship with him . Wooden told the players to stay away from Gilbert but the players flocked to Papa Sam . That is where the Good Times were.

Wooden was the same master teacher & builder all his time at UCLA. Sam Gilbert just purchased & provided much better material the last 12 years.

**** Do you have trouble forgiving ? Is don't get mad ,get even your philosophy ? Yesterday's wrongs just keep stinging . Remember , Jesus has forgiven us more than we will ever have to forgive anyone .
When you total it up ,we are way ahead on the balance sheet . We have been forgiven more than we forgive .

THANK YOU FOR READING!!!!

TOJO & MR. ALVIN

**** In 1960 our neighbors to the north were Ms. Belle & Mr. Alvin. They were an older couple whose house was about two football fields from ours .

Ms. Belle was a sweet lady & still very pretty at around 70 . Mr. Alvin was a real deal WW1 hero . He had a cigar box full of medals to prove it . Stars , hearts & ribbons , all kinds of stuff.

Mr. Alvin told me about the battles he fought & how they won the war . All these stories were proved to be true .

Mr. Alvin told me about one battle where Mr. Alvin's group of 205 attacked & only 6 survived . For the longest time they thought Mr.Alvin had died . There was a funeral service for him over at the church . Months later Ms. Belle got a letter from Mr. Alvin saying he was coming home .

A lot of people said Mr. Alvin was so crazy because he was gassed in the war . I don't know but he had the most explosive temper of all time . Mr. Alvin would fly into a rage & go berserk .

Sometimes he would chase Ms.Belle , swinging his walking stick & cussing . Mr. Alvin could cuss better than anyone on earth.

This wasn't really as bad as it sounds . Ms. Belle was really fast for an old lady & Mr. Alvin had no chance to catch her . But you could hear him cussing from a quarter of a mile .

Anyway ,every Saturday morning for about 5 years I went to watch wrestling with Mr. Alvin. The Welsh boys , Jackie Fargo & Tojo were the stars .

Mr. Alvin hated Tojo Yamamoto . He would fly into a rage at the sight of Tojo . Mr. Alvin would throw his pipe across the room & whack the sides of the TV with his walking stick . And do some fine cussing .

Mr . Alvin would yell for Ms. Belle to bring him his gun . He said he was going to Memphis & deal with Tojo once & for all .

Mr. Alvin couldn't drive to Memphis . My parents took him to the Veterans Hospital when he needed to go . I would roll on the floor laughing while Mr. Alvin raged .

This was Saturday morning for a long time . Ms.Belle aways had us some cookies & cokes for the show . I made Mr. Alvin a big orange ashtray for his pipe . And he had the reddest pair of socks possible .

Around 1964 Dad & I stopped in to see Mr. Alvin before we went to Jackson . He had been feeling bad & we wanted to check on him before we left .

While we we visiting Mr . Alvin called for Ms . Belle to bring him his red socks We had a good time & I said" I'll see you Saturday" As we were leaving Mr. Alvin tossed me the red socks .

We made the trip to Jackson & back & had just rolled into the
driveway when Ms. Belle hollered for us . Mr Alvin was gone .

Well that has been 46 years ago & those red socks are still in my sock drawer .

THANK YOU FOR READING !!

ROLLING WITH ROCK

**** Today is Chilli Pepper 's birthday . She would be mad if I told you how many . I will let you figure it out .

Birthday candles come in a box of 24 . Chilli Pepper & I together need 5 boxes of candles . We will have two candles left over . I need 2 more candles than Chilli Pepper . How old are we ? Do the math .

Our deal has been rolling for 38 years . It is kind of one - sided . I got the greatest life partner ever & she got well not much . I love her lots & know she is the best ever.

Happy Birthday Chilli Pepper !!!

**** Goodbye to an old friend - The Pride of Puryear passed away this weekend . Paula Osbron Miller was one of the finest people I have ever known . Paula used to pray for me a lot in our younger days . I am glad she is my sister in the Lord . See you soon Paula .

**** I take great pride & pleasure in the lives of my old players . I am so proud of my boys & girls .

They are doctors , lawyers , teachers , coaches , business leaders ,& even an Indian Chief or two . They have been fine parents & citizens through the years .

I knew the sun was sinking low in my career when I had the children of my old players playing for me .

Players , I am thankful for the time we had together & hope it means as much to you as it does to me .

**** I was reading about some of the elite fighting forces in the world . They spoke of the Green Berets , the Rangers , the Republican Guard , & the Scottish Black Watch .

They did not mention the most fearsome fighting force of all . A pick - up truck load of Gibson County Rednecks .

I would put them up against the Mossad or anyone else . I have seen first hand the Havoc they bring . It is not a pretty sight .

**** Give your loved ones lots of love in case tomorrow never comes .
Thank you for reading !