ruby red snacking

 I lay in bed and sleep I could not. A sharp pang of hunger was growing in my belly. Then remembrance of the four little ruby cylindrical vegetables, I remembered. So, I then hastened out to the, glowing refrigerated kitchen box, "refri", in the kitchen and with little trouble I managed, after many attempts including setting the fire alarm off, to cook said beets. Quite a debacle! Finally, that night after much kitchen strife, I sat in my dimly-lit (cell) happpily swallowing chunks of the delicious blood-red vegetable.  

Eating Mexican Take Out Food in an Empty Dorm House

Well, here I am enjoying life, eating the cold leftovers of my Mexican food. Kindly, provided by our local El Puertos. I'm eating this meal cold because, I've found that bad things happen when you microwave styroform containers. My beany enchilada sulks there waiting to be ate. So many dedicated hands must have worked to get this enchilada on my plate. The farmer who works in the hot sun and grew the corn or wheat to make the tortilla. The man who toils in the tortilla factory earning below minimum wage working to support his large family. The corporation who grew the lettuce, employs many people who are desperate for work and money to feed their families or inspirations. Income requires money and money is made buy working. So buying an enchilada from a local food store is really a cultural experience.

2014 Thanksgiving

Traditionally, my aunt's house has been the Thanksgiving family gathering place. This morning was crisp and dewy as we pulled up in our CRV. The ride from my home town to Topeka is quite an arduous journey, usually the car is two times heavier, packed with our overnight baggage and books my literary-loving family enjoys in the car. But, since my birthday usually falls on, or around Thanksgiving, its even more crowded on the way back. So, once we pull the car around the three neighborhood circles, which are already festive with natures decorations of fall leaves and pine trees. We pile out of the car stretching our legs with great relief. My aunts house has always been such a quaint place of family meeting; her style is a very regal 1800's. The paint is dark navy with white trim and the second floor features two north facing windows with black shudders. Through the next half hour, my parents talked about the happenings at the farm, KU's basketball scores and my aunt's new kitchen sink. But me, I'm drawn to talk to, I think the most interesting person in the crowd, my cousin, the pianist. He is a very worldly person who has seen almost every coast. He once got a job playing on a cruiseship. He's awesome! Someday, I aspire to have the knowledge of something as well as he has for the piano. In fact, thats what has inspired me to keep playing the piano. The whole genius of musicians is quite marvelous! After much talk, and my aunt's constant buzzing to and from the kitchen to check the turkey's temperauture, the bird arrives festooned with stuffing and a vibrant red cranberry sauce. My grandfather always quiets the family with his reticent manner at the head of the table. A hushed silence falls, and with trouble the family prophet stands, and addresses all the things we should be thankful for and how we should get along with our relatives(Later on I find that this speech was directed toward me, I had been having disagreements with my parents.) After, our family sage had spoken his words of wisdom, we bowed our heads for the concluding prayer. Then the merry-go-round of delicious food comes and goes. The table was bulging with turkey, cranberry sauce and potatoes. Savory wines and rich eggnog is passed round the table. After dinner, a soporific silence ensues, my uncle. Who lies prostrate on the dark green leather couch, and falls into a food coma. Usually, my aunt and all the ladies of the family do not rest after the feast. Most women, by creation, are curious, and enjoy talking. After all the plates and various dishes have been cleared from the table, $5 is ponied up and laid in the center of the table and cards are dealt for the annual sketch game. Which family memeber will take the fame? My dad does not enjoy playing this game, he enjoys strumming his guitar.He strums up and down,up and down.Singing the old cowboy love song, "Ghost Riders in the Sky." By God's grace, today his baby girl, he almost lost, turns nineteen. 

Men's Bird Basketball

The boy's energetically jog across the floor with a different, more 

relaxed "I'm cool, look at all the girls in the bleachers" energy. All

 the Birds this year are pretty tall. The tallest named Grey can really throw shots.
 In the crowd someone chides to their friend, "We who, white man," about going to concession stand.

"Time Walk" is booming through the speakers now. Many of the 

men stretch their hamstrings in a bow. The Conquerors look very 

intimidating! However, we still have the tallest players, and the 

swiftest. Joke, is a very quick player who leaps across the floors. 

The game begins, and the boys charge across the floor. The Bird's

 make the first goal. 

The Conqueror's are quick and steal the ball.

 The players of this game wear tatts and all. 

Someone in the crowd yells "Scrutt!"

Its good to know their are enthusiastic people in the stands.

The Birds nervously stand at the white line.

Cheerleaders shout "Take it to the hoop!"

16 to 9.

Conqueror's players sport dreads (dread locks)
 and all

surely that makes it hard to see the ball.

Thankfully, the Birds are swift to swoop capturing their prey.

The poet of the game nearly escapes being walloped with a spinning ball

Thankfully, Joke lunged for the oncoming ball.

Then tried for a long shot-

score.

this player has been very well taught.

I believe the Conquerors will have a hard time conquering tonight.

Loud music blares "Let's burn the roof and then we'll do it again!" 

Half time practice is yielding good shots.

The first five minutes in the second half the Birds have the ball and make a score.

Tall Adrion strides towards the hoop and dunks the ball, hanging momentraily and triumphantly, as the ball glides through the hoop. 

Patience rebounds and is on the floor, he swoops in through and makes a quick crossover.
Shoots, the sphere flies and like a magnet the bank shot goes in.

The Birds shall take home the victory win!

Women's Bird Bball

The Birds battle the Conquistadors tonight, 

both teams look ready for the fight.

This game is going to be good 

the crowd chatters and laughs 

before the game begins.

The cheerleaders spread the floor in glittery suits

The girls run onto the court and warm-up shooting hoops.

Music is blaring from the roof.

The ball pounds hard across the waxed wood floor.

Its many painted lines provide measure, for shots, and good scores.

Tonight, the Bird's shots are making the grade.

Players dance across the floor, spinning this way and that 

like a double helix. 

Someone in the crowd yells 

"Damn well shoot that ball!" 

The time is 13:26 the Birds lead by a mighty fifteen points. 

Two collegiates, sitting in front of me, nervously peel their oranges;

 as the clock runs down.

The ball thuds three times, then spins diagonally through the air and 
bounces around the rim, 

circling the hoop,

and glides swiftly through the nylon cylindrical net. 

The cheerleaders triumphantly wave their pom-poms high.

The andrenaline thats pounded across the floor is just extreme tonight. 

With ten seconds left the birds lead by thirteen. 

The players are proud.

"God Bless Us!"
-from the crowd.

College Munchies

Late night munching was never my thing in high school. But wow, my college friends and I have had some pretty crazy late night McDonalds runs. Usually for icecream, hot chocolate or fries. Well last night was different, outside it was a freezing cold November night, 10 degrees to be exact. If you were to sneeze I’m sure the sneeze would freeze in mid-air. However, tonight, our escapade was different; after hitting Mcke-D’s for the usual icecream sundae, we stopped by Casey’s for their late night “donut deal.” Simply delicious! I had a spiral-glazed vanilla donut. Though really it was just a donut; probs didn’t have any real vanilla in it. Upon our return to the dorm our other friends were very envious that we had donuts and they didn’t. Now, with the monstrous vibes of sugar flowing through my veins, I sit perched in bed, waiting for morning. Not having class till 6:00 is going to be very beneficial tomorrow. Unfortunately, I’ll have to suffer through that algebra class tomorrow night….Oops, guess I outta get that take-home test done.