So, summer lasted about a week, right? I’m not complaining. The summer heat is fading, and since the first of July, my five-year-old was driving me crazy about going back to school to see his friends.
Here at the newspaper office, fall is busy with special projects like the Montgomery County Phone Book, our Crossroads Today magazine, and annual Carrollton Pilgrimage guide; tons of news from our local schools; budget preparations in our towns and counties; high school football games; and preparation for the Christmas season.
For me, summer is spent planning and fall is spent executing those plans.
At the Ferguson house, as we adjust to the new school year and big boy homework Dean brings home, we are preparing for another fun-filled season of Mississippi State and Ole Miss football. Yes, we are a house divided, and yes, a bunch of foolishness ensues – well, from my husband who can act like a crazy person.
Throughout the fall months, not just on Saturdays, football trumps any other activity with the exception of deer hunting. The television is constantly blaring some Southeastern Conference football game or news of SEC games or commentary of SEC games. The other day, I caught him re-watching Mississippi State games from 20 years ago. Bless him! He is having withdrawals.
And then there are Keith’s little rituals. He drinks out of the same MSU coffee cup every week, saved especially for that day. He will wear a lucky t-shirt or cap, and sometimes he designates a lucky charm. One year, it was a hand-painted stone paperweight featuring the MSU bulldog a church friend gave him. Another year, it was Dean’s stuffed “Bully” dog that accompanied a picture book.
And then there is the year he wore a bulldog snow cap that was made of a plush bulldog head with long ear warmers – and yes, he looked absolutely ridiculous. Thankfully, he didn’t wear the hat when he watched from the stadium.
“If it works, it’s not stupid,” Keith said.
As a lifelong Ole Miss fan, I have learned that no amount of superstition can prevent the near-heart attack my Rebels give me on a weekly basis. I love my Rebels, but whether they win or lose is not that which I chose to base my happiness.
As I watch my son get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger (he takes after his father and both his grandfathers on the height), I have a feeling high school football may be in my future. No, I have not gotten a grasp on this idea just yet, especially when I am still kissing boo boos to make them all better. You never know, right? But if I could just figure out how to institute bubble wrap in the uniform ensemble….
So as Friday night fever continues, enjoy the South’s favorite pastime. Cheer on the Rebels, Stars, Tigers, Jaguars, Ole Miss Rebels, and Bulldogs. These kids work hard all season to be their very best.
Just remember as you rub that rabbits foot, tug on that lucky cap or t-shirt, or grab your favorite good-luck charm, win or lose on the high school and college football field, those guys in the helmets are just kids. It’s all in good fun, folks.
I hope you all have a happy football season!
