Monday Meanderings - 8.6.2012

Bumper sticker: "Math and science are for those people who don't understand the importance of football"
 
The prolonged drought in our area has the trees all stressed and dropping leaves early. Our big pecan out front is no exception, and all the fallen leaves from that tree are sticky. Very sticky. So every trip outside results in clumps of leaves plastered to the bottom of your shoes, and if you don't tend to them at the door you end up with leaves scattered throughout the house!
 
Watching Olympics track and field events reminded me that I am acquainted with a couple of Olympic gold medalists. One evening, way back in 1956, Johnny Brannon, family friend and Bible class teacher, picked me up and we drove to Abilene to watch a track meet where Bobby Morrow, then a sophomore at ACU, set a World record in the 100 yard dash - 9.4 seconds. Bobby went on to win 3 gold medals in the Melbourne Olympics. When I got to ACU, Bobby was still on campus, and later I worked with him on some film projects. Then in 1960, a classmate of mine, Earl Young, won a gold medal in Rome. For a time, those medals were on display on campus - the closest I've been to Olympic glory.
 
Speaking of Olympics, I was startled to hear someone say there are only 26 sports being contested in the 2012 version. It made sense when I saw that the official list included "Athletics," which we normally refer to as "Track and Field" and that there are 47 events under that one heading and "Aquatics" covers everything that happens in the water - some 46 events. Too bad some of the favorites are missing this year, like Tug-of-war and Croquet.
 
Interesting story behind this photo:
 

 
A local photographer was sitting on a bench on the Capitol grounds when he spotted this proposal taking place. He took the shot from afar and the next morning posted the picture on a popular website with the question, "Did any of you propose at the capitol last night?" The quest went viral and in less than a day the couple's identity was established and they have since met with the photographer. He's invited to the wedding.