School Soccer

 Here we are back at it with high-school soccer - all 43 boys. (It’s just slightly obnoxious that nobody got cut.) The first preseason game was an easy one. We were playing a team that rostered eighth graders; Evan scored a goal in the JV game playing attacking mid. I missed it, though, because the mudslide still has the interstate closed and you can’t drive any where quickly any more. The second preseason game was also a win - against the defending state champions. If it ever stops raining, we might get to play again. 

New Start

Keagan practiced this week with his new AAU team. We are back on the road driving an hour and some change just south of Nashville three times a week. Nobody cusses at the coach or has had to be restrained for violent tendencies. Nobody has recently been released from prison. Wednesday night I parked next to a parent driving a Lexus. The school gym we use is part of a private elementary school that charges upward $45K a year in tuition. Suffice it to say, compared to years past, this has been a very different experience for us. 

Wednesday night Keagan told me I wasn’t going to fit in with these moms. “These moms came prissin’ in the gym with their little boots, scarves, and blush wavin’ fans and complaining of how hot it was in the gym.” I wasn’t sure how to take this. I had on booties and wore make-up. So I asked, “Who do I fit in with then?” 

“Well certainly not with anyone too prissy. I can see you tellin’ them to get over the heat -it’s a gym. It’s going to be real fun watching you with them this year.”

I’m on a mission. I’m making friends with every prissy mama. 

All Star Game

It was Red vs Blue at today’s all Star Game, and Red came out on top 95-91. 

Introductions:

Keagan’s basket: 

https://youtu.be/_DSKbw1-JL0

Keagan’s blocked drive:

https://youtu.be/K9U4oS8derU

This picture was taken by the local newspaper. His cheering squad - his teacher, coach, and his parents - are all in the background. 

It wasn’t number 14’s best game. He only got to play the point in two possessions and he was lost playing shooting guard. He was ready to leave as soon as it was over, and he was ready to redeem himself at AAU practice. 

As part of the program, players invite an influential teacher to attend and the teachers are recognized at half time. Keagan chose Mrs. Robards, his seventh grade math teacher. She supported our losing and winning seasons and attended home and away games. She also happens to be our neighbor. She’s one of the best! 

All Star Media Day

Sunday was the KY TN All Star Media Day. It’s so exciting to see the best ballers on the same court at the same time. Saturday is the actual game, but tonight the boys met, scrimmaged, and participated in a media interview. 

https://youtu.be/mAXQJVdTAL0

Media Day Intros

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WKk-K9aCZ_s

Media Interview

Scrimmage Video Clip:

https://youtu.be/2uwdjrFymuY

Keagan started by running the point and he scored two buckets. He also had two assists. Then he played shooting guard and he didn’t do quite as well. I sure hope his AAU team has him playing the point because it really is so natural for him. The “neon” team came out on top in tonight’s scrimmage. 

Day Date

Today’s day trip took us to Lynchburg, TN where the Southern drawl is thick, the iced tea is sweet, and the whiskey is smooth. We had lunch at Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House and ate a family style dinner of fried chicken and all the sides. I gasped when the middle aged man from California asked what okra was, and I chuckled when his wife asked what the green beans were. I guess she’s only had DelMonte beans out of a can. The Vandy nurse who was clearly used to eating nothing but quinoa and broccoli passed on everything but the chicken and two green beans. She quietly tried to motion to her husband to keep her three year old from eating the fudge pie served for dessert, but that didn’t go so well. The kid ate it in three bites and then the mom whispered, “She’s only had pie three times in her life.” My 14 year old had a bag of Doritos and left over Valentine cookies for dinner last night. Clearly I saw nothing wrong with the girl eating pie, but I nodded in agreement with the sinful amount of sugar intake. 

We walked down the street to the general store and Wes played checkers with a local. 

We toured the distillery and quickly ascertained our local docent was speaking a language foreign to us - called Tennessee Drawl. I think I would have understood more in Spanish but did we chuckle listening to that accent. 

The tour was informative, the grounds were beautiful, and the smells were terrific. Wes got a bottle to bring home, but sadly the tasting room did nothing to persuade me to drink whiskey. I will stick to an occasional mimosa and my diet Dr Pepper. 

They’re Off

Today was the long awaited day. After 25 months, the braces came off! 

His first stop was the candy/gum bar at the ortho’s office. 

Next item on his menu is an apple. This weekend’s dinner is steak and corn-on-the-cob. 

After shark teeth in first grade and crooked teeth in fourth grade, this is the best spent money -EVER!

All Star

It’s official. Keagan received his invite to play in the TN/KY All-Star Game in March. He’s beyond excited. The director told us every coach in the district recommended Keagan. They all said that had to create a game plan to beat “the small white boy” or “Rossview’s PG” or “the Hawks #14.” Keagan posted his packet in Snapchat and high schoolers commented that they are looking forward to his playing with the team next year. He’s on cloud nine! I can’t wait to see him play next winter.