It's the most wonderful time of the year....until March

The dreaded time of frosted windows and numbed toes has once again happened upon my little Virginian haven. My lungs tend to vocalize my body's detest of cold weather each time I go outside. My skin lightens to its colder weather translucent hue allowing the blue blood to easily be seen working its way through the miles of veins; willing my body to keep it's 97.6 temperature. Yes, it is only November, and I may be a bit melodramatic, but this girl does not do cold. I should live in Florida or Texas. But then I would have to deal with more bugs. Bugs. Bugs are a whole different subject.

So you may ask why my favorite season isn't spring or summer--when the warmer weather comes to play. I will tell you why--it all has to do with 94 feet of polished maple floor, a 28.5 inch orange ball, and a 10 foot hoop.

This past Sunday I had a revelation as I left my first collegiate game of the season to drive to AAU practice-basketball season is HERE. For the next 4 months my life will be just a little bit happier and a whole lot busier. Between traveling 18+ hours on weekends for games, coaching 6th graders, and actually getting my monies worth from my t.v. I won't have time to get cold. Basketball is ingrained in my genes. From NBA, NCAA All-Americans, DI, DIII, highschool, and recreational players my family has seen it all. It helps that we are abnormally large, but hey I'm gonna throw it out there that there may be some skill involved too. Es posible!

 I miss the days of goofing around the outdoor hoop, spending time with my brothers, trick shots off the porch with Josh, and even chasing the ball into the poison ivy invested mountain woods.And now I share with you a poem--written a very long time ago about a boy who played a daily game in his head.

The kid walks in,

5 foot 5 with eyes a shiny blue,

Everyone looks and stares,

At his size 9 shoes.

He’s come to play,

A game of his,

Which he calls Joshie’s ball.

Then the 11 year old,

Takes on those twice as old,

Shooting threes and jumpers,

Swoosh swoosh swoosh.

Finally, he turns around,

Puts the ball beside the hoop,

Walks into his house for supper,

Smiling as always at the score,

In his mind,

55-0.

Disclaimer: He is now 6' 11". He wears a size 16 shoe. And he is 21. Other than that the kid hasn't changed a bit.

I can't wait to see Josh ball out this season on t.v. and person. I can't wait to see how my 6th graders will develop and improve their skills. Welcome hoops--without you I don't see how I could brave the winter.

And whether you are an all-star player, retired athlete,or just admire the beautiful game take some advice from the Carol: never turn down a chance to play with your kids even if they are triple your size and GO GET BUCKETS.