go...Go...GO Spartys!...and Other Monday Musings

#7 seed Michigan State Spartans celebrate their victory over Louisville, and their trip to the Final Four!

Oh, yeah!  Sparty's in the Final Four!  The only seed left that is not a Number One!  Coach Izzo sure knows how to get his team to peak at the right time!

It's true I'm a Wolverine, born and bred, an alumni yes indeed.  But I when it comes to Spartan basketball, I can't help but be a fan.  And it's not just because it's another home state team.

It's my Dad.

It's the one sport and team he kept watching.  He watched them faithfully, whenever he could, even more than he did the Detroit Tigers those last few years.  When I think of the Spartans I think of my Dad, and our phone conversations where we discussed the team and how it had been doing.  I kept up with them, with great joy in my heart, loving to share their exploits with him.

 I wish I could call him about this.  I wish I could share it with him.  I know that he would love it.

------------------------------------

We took a short road trip to Douglas Saturday.  It was nice to get out of town for a few hours.  I don't get out of town much this time of year. 

It was not so nice to get a speeding ticket on my way there.  I just wasn't paying attention, not looking at my speed at all.  I wasn't passing cars or gaining on cars, and was not looking at the speedometer.  Apparently, though, there was a policeman who was.  I get a ticket about once every ten to twelve years, and I guess it was time.

They have an excellent bakery there, called Holt's, and I overindulged there...twice...and brought even more home.  Consequently, this weekend was a weight loss disaster.  Oh, well.  Back to the drawing board.

--------------------------------------------

Recent health wellness tests showed that both Alison and myself are deficient in what they call "good cholesterol" .  They recommended we eat more fish.

Fish.  Neither Alison and I are fish eaters.  But once in a while, as about as often as I get a speeding ticket, we give fish a valiant try.

So we got some wild caught cod from Kroger.  Alison cooked it last night, using a light breading and some Chesapeake Bay Seasoning.  This was about the most mild fish you could get.

Eating it at the time, the major impression I got was that the seasoning was too hot and spicy.  About an hour later came the horrible after taste, heartburn, nausea, and awful burps.  These have persisted through this morning.  I just want to wash the taste the away with a giant sausage and cheese biscuit.  

Alison feels the same way.  Sigh.  We are just not fish eaters, no matter how hard we try.  Benjamin, on the other hand, thought it tasted great and went for seconds and thirds.  Poor Benjamin.  Not many fish eating opportunities in our family.

----------------------------------------------

I attended our first Writer's Workshop for an hour or so.  It was sponsored by our Writer's Guild.  I had to leave early, but what I saw was interesting.  I used caution  because I have very thin skin and direct criticism can sting, but I know I have to do what I can to be open.

I think it's one of the reasons, even though I have a completed novel, that I just sit on it.  I know what I'm in for if I try to shop it.  The conceit is that tax season is interfering with polishing and promotion, but I guess we'll see if that's true in another two and a half weeks.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait