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| Sawyer, sporting the big winner's grin |
Jimmy Valvano, who coached North Carolina State to the NCAA basketball title in the eighties, and who died young as a victim of cancer, said in a famous speech he gave at the ESPYS, "To have a full day a person must think, laugh, and cry." Today we enjoyed a full day. It began with our grandson knocking on the door of the trailer earlier than a normal middle schooler gets up just so he could enjoy breakfast and a game of cribbage with his mimi and pop pops That made us think how lucky we were. Then he proceeded to trounce us (Me especially). That made us laugh. We then dropped him off at school, which made us weep a few joyful tears. Waiting for the Grandparent's program to start, we spent an hour at a funky little coffee shop called 'Either/Or' a few blocks from Sawyer's school. The Wily Cager extended her lead over me, stretching her winnings to $23 dollars. We then did the Grandparent thing, which included some music, a brief talk by the principal, and Sawyer proudly showing us around his school. He seems to be enjoying the experience so far, and my impression of the place was favorable. The staff is seasoned, vibrant, and the standards seem high. After a thirty-one year career, it was deja vu all over again for me. Kids are kids, and middle school kids are the same all over. It was fun watching them. The school itself is celebrating its Centennial this year. There is obvious school pride and obvious community involvement. I left feeling that Sawyer has landed in a good place. It was lunch time when we left the school, so we decided on soup and a sandwich at a place called 'Something Different'. The food was excellent, but it was the cribbage that took the blue ribbon. I skunked the Cager, causing her to whimper like a lost school girl and best of all, reversing my money fortunes to the tune of a $62 dollar lead. WhooHoo! After a few hours of needed rest, we picked Sawyer after school, beat feet to "Otto's Sausage House" ( A must stop in Portland) where we bought dinner to go. We had just enough time to get to the Portland Timbers soccer game where we joined thousands of other rabid soccerraniacs to cheer the team to a scintillating 0-0 tie. There was action galore, but still we kissed our sister in the end. Give me hoops any day, but in the interest of true love, it warmed my heart to see Sawyer positively riveted by the action. Home by ten-thirty, we knew that life was good on this very special day.
The first game of the morning, which I won.
Sawyer, posing graciously as a second place finisher.
The Wily Cager pulling some sort of shenanigans under Sawyer's watchful eye.
Teen kids, the same everywhere, milling about before the first bell.
An excellent latte served at the Either/Or, and a perfect image for the day.
Advanced band: excellent. Sawyer will spend three years under the director's tutelage.
The Marimba band. Sawyer has joined as a first year, and hopes to progress to this group.
Mimi Barb, Chad's mom, was in attendance with Emory, Sawyer's cousin: Adorable
Murals cover every available space in Sellwood Middle School
Sawyer showing Emory how to open a locker.
The scene of my biggest cribbage victory in some time.
Home made lentil/spinach soup.
Grilled tuna with bacon.
Don't pass this place up if you ever get to Portland (42nd & Woodstock SE).
Sausage, cured meats, wine, and local beers on tap. In business since 1912.
Rabid Timber fans, rain or shine.
Not bad for a one night fan.
The action: 93 minutes-no score.
Just think, just laugh, and just cry because life is good.
Sawyer is Angela's boy, yes?
ReplyDeleteHow'd she end up with such a blondie? Such a cutie!