Hill-Topics
Hillsboro fans went through a wringer of emotions this past Friday and Saturday at the Class 3A State Volleyball Tournament at the Salina Bicentennial Center.
Through a telephoto lens, I could see the Hillsboro players faces as they experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
When the girls lost the first match on Friday to the seventh-seeded team, they were shocked. At the time, no one could've predicted that team would win it all on Saturday.
It was not a good beginning.
But when the girls came back and won the next two matches to qualify for Saturday's semifinals, they were hokey-pokey happy as could be.
Unless you've been one, it's difficult to understand what its like to be the parent of a high school athlete competing at the state level.
Win or lose, you're proud of your child, of course, but you know how hard they've worked and you want them to do their best.
When the Trojans were defeated in Saturday's semifinals, the players were obviously heartbroken. But I think the parents might've been in more pain. And I'll admit, I took it pretty hard myself.
Thank God for the resiliency of youth! Less than a half hour later, the girls wiped their tears and played some of their best volleyball of the season, winning the battle for third place. It was, thankfully, the happy ending they'd earned from all their hard work.
The parents were overjoyed. And I'll admit, I took it pretty well myself.
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Halloween has passed, but I couldn't let the holiday go by without pun-ishing you with a few groaners:
Q: What is a vampire's favorite mode of transportation?
A: A blood vessel!
Q: Why do ghosts go to baseball games?
A: To boo the umpire!
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Speaking of booing the umpires, I want to send a hearty raspberry to the overzealous security guards at the Bicentennial Center, who kept parents from going on the floor to take photographs their children after the tournament was over.
I understand the need for a security presence at these events, but what we experienced was more akin to Police State volleyball than Class 3A state volleyball.
* * * * *
Q: How can you tell when your windows are scared?
A: They get shudders!
Q: What do you call serious rocks?
A: Gravestones!
* * * * *
My son, Garrison, 20, has decided not to become a firefighter after all. Instead he has decided to go back to college, play football, study anatomy and physiology, and go on to chiropractic school.
Dr. Garrison Overstake, D.C.
Sounds pretty good to me.
He's seen enough chiropractors in his athletic career to know that they really can help straighten people out.
Before returning to football, he has to get back in shape, so he's been working out rigorously and drinking concoctions mixed up in his blender.
He called the other day: "Hey, Dad, what's up?" Not much, son, what's up with you? [Click! Whir!] "Oh, I'm just blending up some breakfast."
Really? What's in it?
"Chocolate protein powder, sugar-free chocolate drink mix, one cup of dry oatmeal, a cup and a half of skim milk, a half cup of water, a dash of cinnamon, and a tablespoon of orange marmalade. You won't be able to taste it, so don't worry."
Why are we doing this?
"It's a perfect breakfast, Dad. It's got everything your body needs and it tastes good. Are you going to try it?"
Well, probably not today.
"You should."
OK. Maybe I'll get you to make it for me, so I don't mess it up.
"OK, Dad. Bye."
Bye, Son.
We're now a blendered family.
* * * * *
We're delighted to welcome Hillsboro Public Librarian Cathleen Fish as a weekly correspondent to The Star-Journal.
"The Book Buzz" makes its debut in this issue, on Page 3.
In an era when public meeting places seem to be dwindling, the public library continues to be a place where community can be found.
Cathleen is eager to begin sharing about the world of words, and we're glad she has agreed to join us.
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Q: When do ghosts usually appear?
A: Just before someone screams!
Q: How do they begin their letters?
A: "Tomb it may concern
— GRANT OVERSTAKE
