Shackles Removed

Last night, I went to a local sports bar with my favorite curmudgeon, Al, to watch the Vanderbilt-Kentucky football game. A Vandy win would make them bowl eligible for the first time since 1982. For historical perspective, 1982 was Ronald Reagan's second year in office, Loverboy was hot and my acne was known to flare on occasion.

While Al talked about firing VU Coach Bobby Johnson if we lost (Al is a great guy who says crazy things), I locked in on the team's impressive effort and will. VU dominated the first half on the way to a 24-7 halftime lead. Of course, Vandy always likes to make things interesting. With two minutes left, the score was 31-24 Dores with UK driving to tie. On fourth down from VU's 23, Vandy's star cornerback, D.J. Moore, picked off a pass, sealing the win.

When I arrived home at 10:30, Dori and the kids were wide awake. Dori was surfing the message boards, perhaps seeking confirmation she wasn't dreaming. Will looked like he wanted to go throw the football. I watched the game again, and then drifted in to a place I've been wanting to go for a very long time - the Land of Late Fall Contentment.

Vandy's win locks them in to a bowl and 3rd place finish in the grueling SEC East. One more win assures the team of a winning season and two more would put them in a very good bowl where the weather is warm (Outback in Tampa) or environment is controlled (Chick-Fil-A in Atlanta's Georgia Dome). No matter the destination, book this: The Family Von Trapp will be there.

And Dori was here to see it all.