Today I’m a Texan

I just returned home from a weeklong family vacation. And although we had a fabulous time, it’s good to be home. Ironically, this vacation took us home — to Iowa — where we were able to spend the better part of four days with family and friends.

Some of the high points (in no particular order):

1.  Iowa sweet corn
2.  Homemade ice cream
3.  Fireworks on the lake
4.  Casey’s coffee and donuts
5.  S’mores around the campfire
6.  Sun and fun at the water park
7.  Waking up to my daughter’s giggles
8.  A long run along the shores of Storm Lake
9.  Watching my son gather more than enough pinecones for the fire
10.  Catching up with family over coffee or beer (depending upon the time of day)

And a few low points (Nothing real can be all Norman Rockwell):

1.  Mosquito bites
2.  Road construction
3.  Sunburned shoulders
4.  Torrential rains while driving on the Interstate
5.  Spending upwards of nine hours in a minivan in one day

A mere hour after pulling in the driveway, you won’t find any of us in a room together. We’ve each found a favorite corner of the house to unwind and decompress. Iowa was a great place to visit, but we’re all very happy to be home in Texas! And if they’re thinking what I’m thinking, it’s all about a good night’s sleep in my own bed.

Today I’m a Kid Again

Well, not really. But as it is May 1 — or May Day — I began to think about a childhood tradition that brought back a lot of memories.

I grew up in Iowa where it’s tradition to make May Baskets. I remember doing everything from homemade baskets made with construction paper to simple Styrofoam cups with pipe-cleaner handles. We’d fill the baskets with popcorn or candy and deliver them to the neighbors.

As I remember it (and confirmed it on Wikipedia so it must be true), the kids would set the basket on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and run away. The person receiving the basket would run after the kids. If you get caught, you get kissed.

One of my fondest (and funniest) memories is when I was maybe in 2nd grade. I was feeling particularly speedy that afternoon and decided it was time to deliver one across the street to the neighbor boy. I was pretty stealth about my approach and quietly set the basket on the porch step. I slowly reached for the doorbell. That’s when things changed.

His Dad has been watching me and quickly began pursuit! With my eyes as big as saucers and my heart beating faster than hummingbird wings, I turned on my heels and ran faster than ever before (or since). When my family retells the story, it goes something along the lines of “Her feet only hit the street once before she bounded up the dozen steps to our front door.”

I relive that moment nearly every year. And I was reminded of it once again this morning with a simple text from my brother: “Happy May Day. Or you could declare it Fred Bunch Day.” Hats off to all the kids who successfully made it through another May Day without getting caught.

Today I’m a Football Fan

I’ve always been a football fan. Ask my brother. The kids from our neighborhood. Or my classmates from Rogers Elementary. But today, I am reeling with the excitement for the Iowa Hawkeyes besting all previous years with a remarkable 8-0 start to the season! Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye!

Although I wasn’t able to watch the game (no Big 10 Network at our house), I was able to pick up a play-by-play via chat. So while I watched the Texas Longhorns trample the Tigers last night, I was getting a pretty good picture of the Hawks thanks to instant messaging. From the tie-breaking field goal to the sensational Stanzi-to-McNutt touchdown, I had the same anxiety of those who got to watch it live. Hats off to Gottrocks!

And now today, my childhood faves are playing. Unlike my brother who has faithfully stood by the Dallas Cowboys, I was the one who would switch it up. Sometimes I would base it on a team’s record. Sometimes I liked the quarterback. And, admittedly, sometimes I chose a team based on the boy I liked. But today I see three of my go-to teams hit the gridiron.

First up is the head-to-head match up between Pittsburgh and Minnesota. My passion for the Steelers goes back to the Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris and Lynn Swann days. But “Big Ben” has brought back a great sense of offensive excitement in recent years. Besides, I’ve always preferred their black jerseys to the white.

As for the Vikes, my initial affiliation was proximity (one of the closest NFL teams to where I grew up in Iowa) and the sheer number of friends who followed them. More recently though, Adrian Peterson makes the rushing game far more exciting. Ultimately, I think it comes down to Brett Favre. I love what he brings to the game. His determination, guts and unpredictability make him an exciting leader. Plus, I’ve got to give hats off to a fellow 40-year-old.

And then I sit tight to see which Romo shows up for the Cowboys against the Falcons. I’ll apologize right now for the previous losses, because apparently the new Witten jersey isn’t working. No worries. Today I’m sporting my original #31 Roy Williams jersey. It’s been lucky so far this season and I hope that sharing this information doesn’t jinx it. Must close so I don’t miss kickoff!

Today I’m an Iowan

I’ve lived in Texas for nearly 10 years now and it’s quite likely I’ll continue to live here for many more to come. However, I will always be an Iowan. I spent what I would consider my formative years (birth to 30) growing up in Iowa. I wear this hat today because I am thinking of the thousands of people cycling across the state this week on RAGBRAI.

For those not familiar with this grand Iowa tradition, RAGBRAI is the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. And according to the official website, this yearly event is “the longest, largest and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world.”

Although I’ve never endured the challenge of this seven-day trek, I remember going to host towns as a kid to greet the riders as they rolled into town to find a place to pitch their tents for the night. I know many classmates, friends and family members who have dipped their tires in both the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers on this great ride. And one day, perhaps I will too. But for now, I’ll just reminisce, read the blogs, follow the tweets and take pride in being an Iowan.