This One Was For Larry

78 to 63. Unfortunately for Larry Finch, when he played UCLA in the 1973 title game for the NCAA basketball championship, his 29 points could not overcome the 40+ points of Bill Walton and his "dunks". Dunking was illegal back then, and Walton's 6 inch shots sure resembled dunks. The second half was really painful to watch and the team which carried a city on its shoulders could not overcome the tough Bruins.

It's taken 35 years. Thirty-five LONG years. During that time, there have been some great players who have played for the Tigers. I even went to high school with one of them who played with Finch. But finally a team from this university (now know at the University of Memphis) has beaten UCLA in the NCAA tournament. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Joey Dorsey, Derrick Rose, Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and the rest of the team finally lifted that burden off the back of the city. Thank you Tigers for finally beating a Bruin team in the tournament. However, remember you still have one more game to go. Let's win it ALL for Larry, as well as for all of the others who have worn the blue and orange so proudly, as well as for the city. With many of the city remembering, at this time, the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the blight this was on the city, my hope is that this team can bring back a crown that will give the city truly something to shout about - together!

Meet My Cousin

His name is Alex and he is 20 months old. And yes, he is really this cute. Fortunately, he doesn't take after his Uncle Charles. I had only seen pictures of him in the past but this past weekend I got to see him in person. I also saw Kathryn and Homer - his grandparents, and then we met Frank, Carolyn (his parents) and Alex for lunch. He was really good all during lunch, and was particularly taken by a girl his age at the next table, as they went to the same pre-school. After lunch, I visited his house (another first for me) and was impressed with their Alabama Room, which was full of pictures, artifacts autographs, etc. of the rich history of the University of Alabama, particularly in football. Though I didn't get back to Arkansas until nearly midnight, it was worth the effort.

Visit to Cullman for Singing

During the last weekend of march, I went to visit my old stomping ground of Cullman, Alabama. Cullman is located in the center of the norther part of Alabama. I worked there at Childhaven for 8 1/2 years, and also attended graduate school at the University of Alabama. On March 28, the church in Cullman sponsored its 25th annual acappella singing. About 500 or so gathered and sang for 2 1/2 hours. I was in the process of recovering from a cold so my range was not very good, nor was my volume. But I enjoyed meeting several of the members who I had not seen in many, many years. Following the singing, they invited the singers to stay for food. They had more than enough food, and what I tried was delicious. I'm going to try and put the last Friday in March on my calendar each year to attend. It gives me an excuse to visit old friends (as if I needed an excuse).

I spend most of my non-singing time renewing my acquaintance with the Phillip and Donna. Phillip and I worked on the bus program at church, and played a lot of golf together too, as well as some basketball, softball and volleyball. My chin still has a scar from when it met his hard head. Donna has sure served my some wonderful meals in the past too. Both were not feeling up-to-par (Phillip with a bad cold and Donna had fallen recently), but it was sure good to seem them after so many years. The last time I saw their youngest son Russ, he was single. But he's been married to Corinne for 3 years now. He looked like he picked a good one - I know she did.

[From left to right: Miss Kitty, Doc, Chester and Lil]. As the name and the quilt would indicate, the Arkycats are fans of the Arkansas Razorbacks. They purred loud and long relishing the Hog's win over the Indiana Hoosiers. But alas, Arkansas ran into the North Carolina buzzsaw, and returned to Arkansas.

You might say, the Arkycats do not look liked avid fans in the picture above. And right you would be, as they are shown resting up for the next Hog game.

Since the Razorbacks have been sent home, and the final four has almost been set, the Arkycats are determine to pull for "the family". So let's look at who is in. There is North Carolina. Hmmm, a Tarheel. Doesn't sound like a cat family there. What about UCLA. That's a bruin, (bear family), and cats don't have any look for bears. Then there is Memphis. Hmmmm - TIGERS. Now they are part of the family. Go Tigers. At this writing, the fourth representative will either be a Kansas Jayhawk (dumb bird) or a Davidson Wildcat. CAT again. So the Arkycats are pulling for Memphis and Davidson, with a final game of the Wildcats and the Tigers, and the crown being taken by a Tiger!