Last night was a bit of an odd evening. The day started out normal enough. It was a balmy day for September in Edinboro...lots of humidity, but a lovely breeze as well. Mom and I decked out in summer clothes, walked to church for Sunday worship. We watched my best friend's niece get baptized and had a tasty post-worship meal with friends. We walked home, changed out of church clothes and settled in for normal Sunday afternoon activities. I read the parts of the newspaper I like (the comics and the sale ads), watched some football, took a nap, played with the kitty...all the usual stuff. And all leading up to the BIG game.
Around here, you're either a football fanatic or not, and if you are a football fanatic, you have to choose...Pittsburgh Steelers (Whoo hoo!) or Cleveland Browns (Booooo!). When the Steelers play the Browns, it's a BIG game. People wear their team colors to church, there is taunting in the narthex, long afternoons of waiting for the night game, party food, and loads of anticipation. If you are not a football fan, just imagine what you are most passionate about and you might be able to understand the excitement.
The BIG game was in Cleveland at 8pm. Joining the thousands of fans in attendance were the remnants of Hurricane Ike. The commentators described swirling winds, occasionally mixed with variable levels of rain, and gusting up to 60mph. Far from hurricane strength, but strong enough to make passing, punting, and kicking field goals interesting. The remnants of Ike had made it here to Edinboro too. The winds were picking up and life was a bit creepy outside as the sun set and the wind howled. It was a wonder the power had remained on.
Finally, the game started...and things got interesting. Only a couple plays in, the cable went out. Ah! The radio in the dining room wouldn't pick up a signal. Ah! To the hurricane kit! Among my belongings being stored on the front porch is my hurricane kit. We got out the emergency radio, popped in some batteries and found the game. The signal was in and out as winds swirled and we sunk down in our chairs hoping nothing would come flying through the windows. We gathered around the radio on the front porch, Terrible Towels in hand, and listened intently to the BIG game. A little bit later, a fire engine drove by...no sirens, but lights flashing and it stopped just down the street. Then another. Then the police. Concerned about neighbors and curious about what was happening we put on shoes and walked toward the excitement. A large tree had fallen on someone's house. Yikes! Fortunately, it didn't look like it had crushed the roof and we heard the people were ok. We walked home among many other fallen branches, hands over our heads, hoping not to get knocked out by falling foliage. At halftime, the cable was back on and we were able to watch the Steelers win. As it should be. It wasn't a pretty game, but a win is a win.
Post-victory, Lucy and I retreated to my room for sleep. We laid in bed, winds and rain still swirling outside, and fell asleep to the sound of chainsaws down the street. A fitting end to a rather odd evening.
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