New Oregon Head Football Coach

Mark Helfrich.  Born in Medford and grew up in Coos Bay. Went to college at Southern Oregon University in Ashland.   Let's Go Ducks!

All Glory is Fleeting

On this inauguration day 2013 it's important to remember:

"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeteers, musicians and strange animals from conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conquerors rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children robed in white stood with him in the chariot or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."- Gen. George C. Patton

Former Secretary of State James Baker once said, "Someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned since being in Washington. I replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting." Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration. "There he was alone - no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."

Lincoln: 12 Oscar Nominations

Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress,Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Cinematography, Costume Design,Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Production Design, Sound Mixing, and Writing.  Yes, 12 Nominations.  Oscar Sunday is Feb 24, and for the first time in a long time I am excited about the show. Go Lincoln!

The Holidays are Over

For most people the holidays were over a week ago. However, we were able to make them last almost  an entire month !

Our son arrived home on December 16th and I took him back to the airport here in Medford on Tuesday, January 7,2013.  Between those dates we celebrated the arrival of our daughter from Washington DC, Christmas, New Years, the Ducks winning the Fiesta Bowl, Oregon coach  Chip Kelly leaving for the NFL weekend (He stayed), watching all or part of 23 College Bowl games, at least 5 NFL football games, going to see the movies "Lincoln", and "What a Wonderful Life" at Tinseltown, Eating out at Bella Union in Jacksonville, a trip to Donut Country, Christmas shopping, numerous other meals out, the Oregon vs Oregon State "Civil War" basketball game, attended a South Medford Basketball game, and going to the bar at Red Robin for dinner New Years Eve.  We had small parties for the Fiesta Bowl and the National Championship game.

Both of our children are now  safely back in their homes "back east" as they used to say in the Westerns. Today, it's cold, rainy and snow is expected here in Medford and the house is quiet and empty and Christmas decoration free.

But, just think, the NFC/AFC playoff games are next Saturday and  Sunday, the Super Bowl is three  weeks, and  after that  college football "letter of intent" day is February 6th  and we have a Duck recruiting dinner that same day at the 7 Feathers Casino in Canyonville . . And I haven't even talked about movies, music, history and a possible trip to Eugene for a Duck Basketball game.

"Chip Don't Go" by Mat Kearney

Every Oregon Duck fan needs to watch Mat Kearney perform his song "Chip Don't Go"  It brought tears to my eyes.

Mathew William "Mat" Kearney^[1] (pron.: /ˈkɑrni/; born December 1, 1978) is an American musician born in Eugene, Oregon, now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Kearney has received critical acclaim and widespread recognition for his Columbia Records debut, Nothing Left to Lose. So far, he has a total of 4 top 20 hits on the Adult Top 40 Chart.

GO DUCKS ! GO DUCKS ! GO DUCKS !

Today is GAMEDAY!  Let's win the day!  GO DUCKS!