BJ Not BK

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all, second to the celebration of our Lord's birth, and there are several Thanksgiving day traditions that we always do that make this a special day with our family.

The day started early for me, my uncle-in law, and his son.  We rose at 6:30 and made our way downtown to the annual Autumnfest 8k road race (about 5 miles).  I started running this race back in 1997 and have made just about everyone since.  It is great to get in a good workout early in the morning.  I always feel relaxed and ready to eat after the run.  Each year about 600 people participate so there is always a large crowd.  Several people dress as Indians or pilgrims which adds to the atmosphere.  My goal this year?  1. To finish and 2. To run it as fast or faster than last year, 47 minutes.  What was my time?  42 minutes!  I was pleased to have improved.

Next stop, my great grandmother's house at 11:30.  We usually have a large crowd here, 25-35, and it give us all a chance to catch up with my mother's side of the family.  We ended up leaving there around 2:30.

The main event!  My wife's parent's house.  This is where it all happens.  First we start off with the food.  M's mom begins Tuesday and cooks until early morning on Thursday, turkey, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, mash potatoes, green beans, gravy, bread, corn, salad, pumpkin, and pecan pies...yummy!  This year we had about 35 people or so join us.  Some where family, extended family, and friends.  The living room was cleared and filled with tables.  At each setting there was a note card with scripture reminding each of us to give thanks and glory to God.

After lunch it's time for flag football.  That's right.  This is a time honored and cherished tradition that began about 11 years ago.  My father in-law has a large back yard.  He mows the playing area very low and then marks the field with field paint.  Years ago we purchased orange cones to mark off the end zones, the sidelines, and the 50 yard line.  We each wear flag belts and for those who can't or don't want to play we always ask them to be our line judge, calling fouls, marking the ball, etc. 

This year we had 9 on one team and 10 on the other so the field was very crowded.  The night before I had put together my own playbook with 15 specific plays.  I laminated the cards and put them on a ring for easy access.  My only problem was that I had designed each play for 6-7 people not 10!

The teams were evenly matched.  I was the captain of one team, Joe Napalm was the captain of the other team (you will have to check Son of Liberty's site to make sure both our stories jive with the other).

Our team took the kickoff but failed to score on the opening drive.  Joe's team took possession and drove the field to score 1-0.  Our rules are fairly simple.  Each score is 1 point.  On defense you can blitz once every four downs and to make a first down you have to make 2 completed forward passes.

We received the kickoff then drove down to score and tie the game up 1-1.  Both teams scored again with a 2-2 tie.  The sun began to go down and the air began to turn a little bit cooler and what ensued for the next hour was all defense as neither team was able to put together any offense.  We had the ball on our own 20 yard line then threw an interception.  We held Joe's team and recovered the ball only to throw another interception.  We intercepted a pass from Joe only to turn the ball over on downs.

Finally Joe put together a drive with a pass to N that placed them on the 10 yard line.  The last play of the game was a sweep to the left and a touchdown to win the game.

Joe won 3-2.  Today we will present the coveted Wal-mart trophy to Joe along with bragging rights for 2006-2007.

What a day it was!  Gotta run now as I have to begin putting my strategy together and designing my plays for next year.