Do kids go barefooted when they go outside during the summer anymore? Come to think of it, do kids play outside anymore, anytime, or are they permanently glued to the computer, video games, or TV?
I got to wondering about that the other day when I was using the leaf blower on my driveway. I was barefooted and by the time I was through, the soles of my footsies were hurting. It was obvious they were not "in shape."
I remember the joys of going barefooted in the summer while growing up in south Georgia - wading in a cool stream, looking for tadpoles, while the muddy bottom squished up through your toes; riding barefoot in the car, feeling the heat coming through the floorboard as I rode with mother from Tifton to Chula to a relative's farm to buy milk and eggs; walking through the grass especially after a summer shower, etc. What I try to forget about going barefooted in the summer is stepping on sand spurs while retrieving a baseball or football that had sailed into a pasture. But, even more than than that, stepping in a freshly deposited cow pattie!
And, while we're on the subject, a co-worker must really be into barefootin'. She reports leaving home recently to go to dinner with her Mom and Dad only to discover when they got there that she was barefooted! A pair of shoes she found in her car saved a trip to a nearby store. I wonder if they went with her outfit? The shoes. Not the bare feet.
NASCAR, THE NCAA
I took NASCAR to task a couple of years ago in a column because of the numerous races that were finishing under caution and that were postponed or halted because of rain. Apparently they were listening. Thanks, guys, for the green/white/checkered lap system now in place for the end of races where a caution flag comes out right at the end. I still wish they could find a way to run in the rain.
The NCAA, however, apparently wasn't listening. After lamenting the fact that there were 28 bowl games last year, what did they do? Add three more.
And, isn't it time for football coaches at all levels to ban showboating after Mikey Henderson's stunt at the end of a punt return Saturday in Athens took six points off the board for UGA? That would include diving into the end zone, sometimes somersaulting in, when its not necessary. A star player is going to get hurt one of these days because of such such ego-inflating antics which have nothing to do with pride of accomplishment but are strictly for the TV cameras and the highlight shows. At the same time, NASCAR should ban burnouts, climbing the grandstand fence, and back flips by the winners at the end of its races before someone gets hurt. Or as I saw at a Lanier Speedway last fall, a driver crashes into a wall during a victory burnout - damaging his car so badly it had to be towed away.
ETC.
The most catchy line of political campaigns so far this year: Why would we ever go back?
The most overused word of political campaigns so far this year: conservative.
Guess if this reformed New York Yankee fan is to see the "real" Yankee Stadium, it'll have to be this year or next. They will be tearing the House that Ruth Built down and building a "new" Yankee Stadium in time for the 2009 season. Can Fenway Park and Wrigley Field be far behind?
September is here. That can only mean the first Christmas decorations will soon be on sale at a store near you. Or maybe they already are. I saw mail order ads in Sunday newspaper magazines before July 4! (For the record, however, I've already got about half my Christmas shopping done. Way ahead of last year, let me tell you.)
Just when you thought "today's" country music couldn't or wouldn't match "traditional" country for unique lyrics and/or song titles comes "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" and what have to be the most memorable lyrics of the summer: "Shut my mouth, slap your grandma. There oughta' be a law. Get the Sheriff on the phone. Lord have mercy, how's she even get them britches on...We hate to see her go, but love to watch her leave."
If you want to know the meaning of badonkadonk --- you're going to have to look it up yourself. After all, I have to draw the line somewhere on what's suitable for a column and what is not.
Merry Christmas!
(Ken Stanford is Newsroom Manager for radio stations WDUN NEWS TALK 550, MAJIC 1029, and SPORTS RADIO 1240 THE TICKET and AccessNorthGa.com.)
Friday
October 25th, 2024
11:22AM
