Seize The Day

I cannot remember a more beautiful summer and now we are enjoying a colorful fall with lots of sunshine.  I have maintained two bird feeding stations that have attracted a wide range of feathered strangers and I love to watch the curious mix of comedy and confusion as they feed. The rock formations, aspen groves, pockets of  trees and overgrown fields in Mountain Shadows provide camouflage for wildlife and it is always an unexpected pleasure to look up and see these majestic animals roaming our yard.  Yesterday I talked with friends (e-mail - phone) and was mindful of the problems some of my friends are dealing with, Lou Gehrig disease, injury from an accident, caring for parents fighting a battle with cancer, or their parent's aging issues.  It made me realize the importance of 'seize the moment' and appreciation for my beautiful, calm surroundings.

  Fall is short here in Colorado and I know the aspen will be bare and my flowers gone when we return from a two week road trip to southern Illinois.

LSU, An Amazing Experience

U.S. News & World Report ranked LSU as the 16th most popular university in the nation.  LSU is featured in the 2011 edition of Princeton Review's "Best Colleges" guide.

Even the kids are dressed in LSU colors.

It is one of those "see it to believe it" situations.  Fans set up tents with big flat screen TVs, and bring generators to power them and giant size coolers.  They cook and watch the game and celebrate from early in the day. 

It is a truly colorful sight.

• For 7 years straight LSU has averaged 92,000 Fans attending the LSU games.

Waiting for the Tiger band to march to the stadium.

These ladies even brought their centerpiece for the tables.

I didn't get a shot of the RV park which was full and they have a waiting list for people who want to reserve a space.  People reserve their space (not cheap) for years.  This is one of the few streets for driving (entry to RV parking), most of the 2,000 acre campus does not allow driving.

A little time for rest before the pre-game practice.

The pre-game practice is a full two hours of practice until perfect.  Exactly 8 steps to 5 yards and every foot must be on the line at the same time.  Look at those feet - on the line.

The practice takes place in an air conditioned indoor football stadium. Above, Zach on the 35 yard line - 2nd on the left, playing trumpet.

I am very proud of Zach, it is quite an accomplishment to make it into
LSU Tiger marching band. He is working for a chemical engineer degree.

Since I didn't have a purple or gold shirt, I
could have colored my hair!

My daughter-in-law, Alison, and I took a little rest from all the walking around campus and 95* heat. I am surrounded by a sea of purple and gold but Alison couldn't lose me in the pink.

Thousands of fans line up on game day to see the Golden Band
From Tiger Land march from band hall to Tiger Stadium, stopping
along the way at Victory Hill to play.  The band begins to run in
tempo down the hill playing on the way to the stadium. 

We needed the shade.

 

LSU is known for it's 1,200 live oak trees that shade the beautiful campus.  There is also an abundance of azaleas, crepe myrtles, camellias and magnolias. I wish I had more photos of the campus.

Really pretty girls!

The Golden Girls perform with a full blown show.

80% of the 352 member band are comprised of non-music majors.The band is treated like rock stars, the crowd goes wild!!

Zach is 2nd to the left, back row.

The Tiger Band performs and is a big part of Mardi Gras festivities.

Such precision is an amazing thing to see.

Although Tiger Stadium was originally nicknamed "Deaf Valley" for its excruciating levels of sound, "Death Valley" caught on instead.  It is legendary for the crowd noise generated by fans.

You can see the Baton Rouge skyline in the background.

The Tiger Land Band takes their seating early, it is a long day for them.

"Fight For LSU"is LSU's offical fight song. It is played when the team runs onto the field, after the field goal or extra point is attempted/scored and at the end of each half. It is a staple at pep rallies and is often sung by fans before games and after wins.  This song was adapted from the Broadway show tune "Hey Look Me Over", written for the musical "Wildcat".  LSU gained permission to adapt the music and lyrics. 

It gave me goose bumps when the announcer started with " It is Saturday night in Death Valley and here come your fighting tigers of LSU".  Poll after poll has proclaimed Tiger Stadium as one of the greatest anywhere for a college football game, an intimidating venue known as the most dreaded playing sites in college football.

LSU athletics are represented by it's mascot, a Bengal  tiger.  The
latest in the line of Mike tigers is Mike V1, a 3 year old, 300 pound,
Bengal-Siberian mix introduced to the fans at a home game 2007.
Mike decides to go or not go to the game.  If he doesn't walk into
his crate that means he wants to stay home in his very comfortable
and beautiful habitat.  He gets very excited when he hears the band.

It was a beautiful, warm Louisiana night. 

During a nationally televised game in 2003, ESPN recorded a noise level of 117 decibels at certain points in the game. In 2007 when the No. 1 ranked tigers played Florida Gators, the noise level registered 122 decibels when the Tigers made a come-from-behind win in the final minutes of the game.  In the legendary "Earthquake Game", LSU won against Auburn 7-6 when quarterback, Tommy Hodson completed a game-winning touchdown pass to running back Eddie Fuller shaking the ground as much as an earthquake of 4.7 magnitude. 

Last but not least, I also got to see Nick perform with the St. Amant High School marching band, which the third largest in Louisiana after LSU and Layfayette.    He plays saxophone and has 33 sets memorized,  The Gator's game in the Pit was fun with all the enthusiasm of homecoming. 

Not the best photo of Nick marching on to the field.
I am very proud of  Nick, a good student and great
on the saxophone.

Nick is 3rd behind two girls, standing on the line.

Nick is a high school sophomore and considering LSU. 

It was a fun packed trip and wonderful to spend time with my grandsons, the best!