Football has always been a top subject of discussion in this household for decades. Whether NFL, college, or high school, Don and I have missed very few opportunities to observe more than a couple of games every weekend.
High school football for Kevin, Greg, and Derrick was great family fun and worth the travel time. College football was a new hobby for me after meeting Don. Season tickets for the Oregon State Beavers were something to look forward to every football season for years. Sundays used to find us huddled up in front of the living room TV for a full day of football. Our only true day off from just about everything else. Sometimes getting showered and dressed was a rush event at one half-time or another. Those days are gone.
That same living room TV no longer interests Don for over 15 minutes and presents a vision and hearing nightmare for me. To eliminate volume that might be heard across the street, I stream everything and use a headset. Don is located in a recliner only 3 feet from the TV in his room. We compare notes occasionally, instead of the regular banter back and forth during several games or other sporting events. Today’s discussion about Ohio State vs. Penn State went like this:
Kristy: Well, it looks like the Oregon Ducks might not be the only team to have a chance to beat Ohio State Buckeyes.
Don: What I can’t figure out is what is a Nittany Lion?
Kristy: It’s an east coast mountain lion. Didn’t you hear it growl on TV during the game?
Don: Is that what that was?
Kristy: Did you suspect there was something else in the house that growls?
Don: I wasn’t sure.
Buckeyes vs. Nittany Lions and he wants to know about the Nittany Lions? A far more puzzling query is what the hell is a Buckeye?
Note to Self: I guess it’s all good as long as it’s football.