Monday's Random Thoughts

Random thoughts just a week away from Christmas Eve:

I’m not saying malls and shopping centers are empty but it sure does not seem like what you would normally expect the next-to-last weekend before Christmas. More and more retailers are saying on-line shopping is having a greater impact with people choosing to spend time on their computer rather than searching for a parking spot.

It’s easy to get caught up in the madness of the holiday season with everyone trying to make sure they get done with shopping and all the other stuff that goes along with this time of year. However it’s also good to pause and thank all the local people and companies that have given time and resources to various efforts to make the holidays something special for those less fortunate. From toy to food drives many do understand and believe it is better to give than receive and in turn they’ve received the ultimate gift…making a difference in the lives of others.

I was home by myself Sunday and really looking forward to watching the Jets and Patriots play in near blizzard conditions. What a disappointment it was to see that the worst of the storm was over by the time the teams took the field in Foxboro, Massachusetts because there’s nothing like watching great athletes completely humbled by Mother Nature.

Jackson Memorial’s Scott Winston and Southern’s Glenn Carson emerged as champions this weekend at the season-opening Beast of the East Wrestling Tournament at the University of Delaware. Winston won the 160-pound title and improved to 106-0 for his career while Carson claimed the 215-pound championship which is very impressive when you consider he was playing football just three weeks ago.
Jackson finished 4th out of 79 teams in the prestigious tournament which marked the debut on new Jaguars coach Doug Withstandley.

These are not good times for West Virginia football fans, like Crabs Claw Inn owner Sam Hammer. Just a few weeks after blowing a chance to play for the national championship they have lost their coach with Rich Rodriguez leaving for Michigan. Ironically the Mountaineers also lost their basketball coach to the Wolverines nine months ago.