Ono This Date in 1999 (February 5)

Andy played a Friday evening basketball game for a change of pace. JoAnna wasn’t able to attend the game since Eddie is sick. She got a call from Elm Lawn school around 2 o’clock this afternoon. Eddie complained about not feeling well this morning and did have sort of a phlegmy cough, I noticed, as he was getting dressed. After some breakfast, though, cereal and toast, which is more than he usually eats at this time of day, he seemed to be OK. When the school nurse took his temperature, the thermometer registered 99.7, so he was running just a slight fever. This evening Middleton traveled to Waunakee, located about 7 miles north of us.

This game was a rematch, Middleton trouncing the opposition 40-18 in their first match-up. Tonight was even more of a mismatch, despite the fact that our guys got off to their usual sluggish start. Final score: 57-23. Andy scored 6 points on three nearly identical plays where he authoritatively dribbled to the basket and shot an easy lay-up, using the backboard, as Mom is always telling him to do. Middleton’s record is now 9-1. Tomorrow they have a rematch with the only team to beat them, Sauk Prairie, who held them to a season-low 23 points. It should be an exciting game. 

Andy and I stopped at Subway on the way home. At first, I wasn’t going to order anything for myself, since there was some leftover beef stew, an outstanding concoction made with our Midwest secret ingredient, Pelligrino’s peppers, that JoAnna had prepared in the crockpot on Wednesday. Andy pointed to a larger-than-life picture of a chicken fajita sub and said, “Dad, you’d probably like that.” I caved. As soon as we returned home, JoAnna, who had spent most of the day on her fanny, went to the health club. She missed last night due to a mailing she had to get ready for today so I imagined she’ll give herself an extra push tonight. Andy is playing video hockey. With the announcers’ voices and the crowd noise, it almost sounds like the real McCoy. Eddie, who seems to be perking up a little bit, is watching the simulated hockey action while playing with some of his military toys. 

Because of this weekend’s altered basketball schedule, Sunday will be a game-free day. What will we do? It’s supposed to get warmer through next Tuesday – up into the mid-50s, so maybe we’ll tackle that garage reorganization project that we postponed last weekend. At this rate, all of our snow is going to be gone by Tuesday. We’re supposed to have an early spring since Wisconsin’s version of Punxsatawny Pete, nothing but a pretender, of course, didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog’s Day.

On This Date in 1999 (February 3)

Andy’s basketball team is doing quite well. I haven’t seen any team standings, but Middleton’s record is 8 wins and 1 loss, which would insure them at least a tie for first place since none of the teams is undefeated. For the past couple weekends, Middleton has fallen behind early, having a tough time getting revved up in the first quarter. They always manage to overcome this deficit and hang onto a thrilling come-from behind victory. Last Saturday, they won 40-34 in overtime, after being down by 9 points at the end of the first quarter. On Sunday, they won 45-41, after being down 12-5 after the first quarter. Andy doesn’t score a lot of points, but he’s an excellent rebounder and manages a steal every now and then. The ten kids on the Middleton team all bring something to the game. It’s a solid, well-balanced group of players. 

JoAnna been making great use of her birthday present. With a few exceptions so far this year, she spends at least an hour each evening working out at the Harbor Athletic Club. The results are already noticeable: baggier jeans, a trimmer shape. One or both of the boys sometime accompany her. Andy likes to shoot hoops in the gym. Eddie actually works out on some of the equipment or goes to the pool. Since I’m still doing my 20 minutes of Walkfit every morning, I haven’t paid a visit to the club yet. 

My mom has been in a letter-writing mood lately. We’ve received two letters from her during the past week. I don’t know if it’s the effect of my letters but she’s been in more of a reminiscent mood lately, remembering her reactions to various family incidents that occurred when I was a kid. My dad’s not doing too well. He fell recently and since that time has complained of a pain in his tailbone. Larry and Kim were visiting one evening, and Dad didn’t recognize who they were. As Mom wrote, “he’s out of it more lately.”