For those of you familiar with my job, you know I spend a lot of time working with families to establish memorials at WSU. As part of my job, I read obituaries and attend funerals. Many find the job criteria quite depressing and it can be difficult. But what I love are the stories. Take … Continue reading Leave your mark
Many the days
I was lost in March and the beginnings of April. Caught up in events, friends, sports, and life. That's my excuse for my absence from Red Swan. And it seems every time I thought of something to write, mulled it over in the shower or the drive to work, by the time I found a few moments to … Continue reading Many the days
Not-so-friendly confines
I love going to Shocker baseball games. I especially love watching Shocker baseball games from "The Hill." And I especially, especially love watching Shocker baseball games from the hill, with my friends, and a cooler full of beer. What I don't like are over-zealous volunteer security guards. If a faded red "security" t-shirt goes to … Continue reading Not-so-friendly confines
Hello, old friends
It's been many years since I've felt the need to dust off the horns. Many years. I realize the Chicago Bulls have entered post-season play six out of the past seven years, but this is the first year I feel this team can bring a championship back to the Windy City. But I'm well aware … Continue reading Hello, old friends
Blame it on the Giants
I joined a fantasy baseball league. Okay, I was sort of egged into joining. Sort of. When the email went out asking for people to join, one of the recipients sent me an email about how he would dominate the league, insinuating he was the Jordon-Zeus-Jesus of fantasy baseball and making it known I would … Continue reading Blame it on the Giants
It’s April? Time to play catch-up.
March always gets the best of me. No matter how I try not to succumb to hours and days and weeks of college basketball, I usually fail. From St. Patrick's Day until the first full week of April, I get lost in the brackets, checking CBS Sportsline, flipping channels, and my mental calendar becomes a blur of … Continue reading It’s April? Time to play catch-up.
Making school history: 29-win season and NIT championship
I'm extremely superstitious. Since March 16, I've worn the same outfit for every Shocker NIT game, right down to my socks and shoes. And I swore I would not post one word about the tournament. Not one. After the awful loss in the MVC, I decided not writing about the tournament run would be best. Save … Continue reading Making school history: 29-win season and NIT championship
Basketball Jones (part I)
March is a month-long holiday in our family. It can't be helped. We grew up with basketball. Maybe I mentioned this before, but my parents took a train to Kansas City to attend a basketball tournament on their honeymoon, so it comes as no surprise their children can feel the pounding of that ball on the court in their … Continue reading Basketball Jones (part I)
A WSU holiday
This is the button I received last Thursday at the WSU Alumni Breakfast Series featuring Linwood Sexton. For those of you unfamiliar with this gentle man, he is a 1948 graduate of the University of Wichita, a standout Shocker football player who holds WSU's career rushing record, was named All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team three times, was … Continue reading A WSU holiday
Comes in three’s
I know this saying is usually regarding death or disaster, but for me it also means good things, sometimes great things. Since last Thursday I have been inspired, not once, not twice, but three times. Three inspirational people. Three inspirational moments. Beginning with this man: This is the button I received last Thursday at the … Continue reading Comes in three’s
Mermaid of the Plains 