Excerpts

Every time we went on vacation, Mom had to add to her rock collection. Whether we were in Minnesota, Colorado, or South Dakota, for her it was a full-on rock hunting expedition. Whenever Mom found a stone that was “just right” – and just right for what I couldn’t begin to tell you – no matter how big or small it was, she’d yell at one of us boys to come get it and put it in the trunk of the car so she could continue looking without losing her place along whatever rocky hillside she was scouring.  

I’m not kidding, by the time we were headed back home the rear bumper of the car was dragging on the highway shooting sparks.  It had to be a hilarious sight to see.  Cars would pass us and point at the back of our car like we didn’t know about the free light show we were creating.

Never considered “starter” material for high school football, I was placed on the “practice squad”.  This meant my assignment was to hold a dummy so the first string, three-hundred pound linemen could practice their blocking by running full speed and hitting the dummy. I soon began to feel that there was a dummy holding a dummy. After scrimmage was over, I’d find myself flat on the ground while still holding on to it, and a 300 lb. lineman on top of me. Lucky him: he’d get two dummies with one shot.

When I think of Cary, a zany story always comes to mind. I went over to his house to hang out one day and after I knocked on the door, his mom, who was a large woman, greeted me, saying, “Cary has to stay in his room because he’s not feeling well.” 

“I have to tell him something,” I said. “Is it okay if I go to his room for just a minute?”

“Okay,” she replied, “but I want to warn you about his sore throat.”

I’m sure Cary was hoping and praying he wouldn’t have any company that day. I opened his door and there sat Cary on his bed with one of his mom’s extra-large Kotex, smothered in Vicks Vaporub, wrapped around his throat. I laughed so hard then, and even now, as I can still recall his embarrassment. 

I have never let him forget that day because that is what friends are for.