In Today's Sports News

The good news for (Mr. Pouty-face Mc-Cry Baby) Cam Newton?  He was paid a bonus of $51,000 for losing the Super Bowl!

The bad news?  Since The Big Game was played there, and based on its convoluted, confiscatory tax system, Newton will owe the state of Kalifornia $137, 900 in taxes on that little bonus. That's an effective tax rate of freaking 172.2%!!! Plus 40.5% to the IRS!!

Hardly seems worth the effort, does it?  Think again. If he had led his team to victory, he would have owed only 86.3% of the winners' bonus. Kinda makes you want to re-think that decision not to go after the fumble, doesn't it, Cam?

One must live with the consequences of his choices, young man. Take a lesson.

Also:

The oddly-named new Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, who apparently lied his way into office, addressed the State last night on this year's proposed budget. Louisiana's fiscal condition is kinda in quicksand right about now, and the Gov came up with an interesting idea for getting the citizenry on board with his plans for new taxes (after he had done a "Read my lips -- no new taxes" number on the voters before his election).

He let it slip that, theoretically, without an infusion of new funding, LSU would have to shut down before this spring semester is over, and, ultimately, that could result in no LSU Tigers football in the fall!!

I think that, rather than getting taxpayers on board, his suggestion is more likely to lead to what ultimately took out another populist governor, Huey P. Long. It is the SEC, after all.

And, unbelievably, Grandson #1 turns 16 today!  How can he be 16? He was just crawling yesterday! His father wished him a happy birthday on Facebook thusly: "Lookout, everyone! This young man is about to head out into the world in a 3,000 4x4. If you were scared before.....be very afraid now.

Proud of you, buddy. I love you. Happy 16th!"

But, The Son sent this text to our family: "No big party or anything, but if you guys want to drop by tonight to see Will, he will be home around 7. I'll be here drinking whiskey and trying not to think about what I just turned loose in the world." Ah, parenthood.

Happy birthday, Will!!!

Good Medicine

Pepper and I are in the midst of our annual Christmas Cold and Sinus Infection Extravaganza.  I thought we might escape it this year because it didn't strike until New Year's Eve, but, noooo.  It was just teasing us and landed on us with all four feet as we headed back home.

I was afraid I'd bleed out through the nose and someone would have to change the icky sheets (I know -- TMI.  Sorry, but this is really how I think sometimes), so I broke down and went to the doc yesterday.  She armed me with Amoxicillin and nasal spray to supplement the Coricidin HBP.

I always hate the second day of antibiotics.  The biotics rise up in self-defense and fight back hard, turning one's body into a sore and battered battlefield for a day or two.  Then the meds usually take the high ground, and one begins to feel better on day 4 or 5.  So, listen up, microbes -- you stand no chance, so why don't you just give up and surrender peaceably now?  You know you can't win -- so, why engage in shock and awe just for effect's sake?

Toward the end of his military career, Pepper traveled quite a bit and came to refer to commercial airplanes as "silver flying pathogen tubes."  I think he might have been onto something there, and the same general idea (although an earthbound version) might apply to the homes of friends and family during the holidays.

Oh, well.  At least my misery is not compounded by the agony of a Razorback defeat in the Cotton Bowl!  Despite what the FOX sportscasters might have preferred, the Hogs whomped up big time on the Kansas State Undomesticated Pussycats! 

Now, I think that a Saints victory tonight over the Lion Cubs, followed by an LSU drubbing of St. Nick on Monday might be just the little bit of extra tonic I need to make a full recovery before donning my nurse's cap to take care of Pepper next week after his rather extensive oral surgery. 

Perhaps we should start referring to Moogie's Mansion as Mayo South.

Who Dat!!!

It's Gameday!!! WPS!!!

We're coming for you.  Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

Woooooo Pig Soooiiieeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hogs are on fire!!

SEC, 1-2-3, and More Conflicting Emotions

Pretty amazing.  And all in the SEC West!  Countdown has begun to the Decline and Fall of Mike the Tiger -- my Razorbacks will reverse those rankings come Friday.  And make a total mess out of the BCS.

On a sad note, I'd like to offer my sincere condolences to the Razorback family at large, and especially to the family of 19 year-old tight end, Garrett Uekman, who passed away yesterday in Fayetteville.  There will be a candlelight memorial service this evening at Walton Arena in his honor.  And, as a friend noted on Facebook this morning, the Hogs now not only have something to win for, they have someone.

 Please remember this family, and remember to cherish every moment with loved ones this holiday season. 

Woo Pig Soooieee.

A Heads Up

Fair Warning -- Andy threw down the gauntlet and Moogie scooped it up. 

There is a wager on the table between Andy and Moogie concerning the impending Razorbacks v. Tiggers football game that will rivet every good soul to his or her television on Black Friday, the day following Thanksgiving.  Who wants to get out amidst the great unwashed at an hour that the good Lord never intended people to be up and about in pursuit of gift-giving treasure anyway?  That's waaaaay too rough on the blood pressure.  A nice, calm Razorback victory will be ever so much more relaxing.

I plan to have extra blood pressure meds on hand.

My Hogs must first dispense with the Mississippi State Puppies this Saturday before they can concentrate on the Tiggers, but I wanted to give you Fair Warning that the terms of said wager will be forthcoming, so be expecting them.  It'll be interesting.

College GAMEDAY, A Follow-up

By now, you are probably aware that the Clash of the Titans weekend in college football is in the books, with a nice win by the Razorbacks.  Some other SEC teams played, too, and one game was pretty important, I suppose.  It was important enough for Pepper to fire up his laptop so we didn't have to toggle back and forth between SEC games on the tv.  Of course, the more important game played on the bigger screen, but the Tiggers from up I-10 did all right on the laptop, even if the final score in that game more closely resembled a baseball score. (Man, that was some pretty awe-inspiring defense!  I think the Hogs had better put in some extra practice time during Thanksgiving week.)

Now, this is the way to watch football!

College GAMEDAY!!!

Lots of action going on today! I barely found a parking spot at the grocery store. With that many people stocking up on party food and beverages, there must be an awful lot of folks around here who are as excited about the Razorbacks/GamePullets matchup this evening as we are!

Saving a little here and there by enrolling in one of the top colleges online is all right, but there is one thing that makes traditional education worth the money: GAMEDAY.  The excitement, camaraderie, and revelry will stick with you even as you work a couple extra hours here an there to pay back the loans you may have incurred.

There's another SEC game on at about the same time, but I'm sure everyone's just ready to call the Hogs with their friends and family!

Whoo Pig Sooie!!!

It's Almost . . .

FOOTBALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WPS!

From the Inbox

From a friend on the Northshore.  Yep.  This is the way it would probably go --

The year is 2016 and the United States has just elected the first woman, a Louisiana State University graduate, as President of the United States: Susan Boudreaux.



A few days after the election the president-elect calls her father and says, 'So, Dad, I assume you will be coming to my inauguration?'


'I don't think so. It's a 30 hour drive, your mother isn't as young as she used to be, and my arthritis is acting up again.'


'Don't worry about it Dad, I'll send Air Force One to pick you up and take you home. And a limousine will pick you up at your door.'


'I don't know. Everybody will be so fancy. What would your mother wear?'


'Oh Dad,' replies Susan, 'I'll make sure she has a wonderful gown custom-made by the best designer in New York.


'Honey,' Dad complains, 'you know I can't eat those rich foods you and your friends like to eat.'


The President-to-be responds, 'Don't worry Dad. The entire affair is going to be handled by the best caterer in New York. I'll ensure your meals are salt free Dad, I really want you to come.'


So Dad reluctantly agrees and on January 20, 2017, Susan Boudreaux is being sworn in as President of the United States.


In the front row sits the new president's Dad and Mom. Dad, noticing the senator sitting next to him, leans over and whispers, 'You see that woman over there with her hand on the Bible, becoming President of the United States?'


The Senator whispers back, 'Yes I do.'


Dad says proudly, 'Her brother played football at LSU.'

Ooops.

Perhaps I meant Pluck the Ducks instead of damming some Beavers.

And they did!!  Those Auburn Multi-mascots did it!!

SEC!!!!!

GAME DAY! And Among Moogie's Many Talents . . . .

A quick howdy just to let you know that I'm still alive, even though I might be draggin' a bit by now  --

Moogie was quite busy over the weekend.  Among her many roles, at the CAMAN Ball she was -- "Circus Sideshow Madame Moogie!  She sees all, knows all!  Come, learn what the future holds!"

I tell you what -- I can do a pretty good evil eye and grin!

Life is nearly back to normal -- the last of the houseguests are snowed out of Arkansas and get to stay at least one more day, so we'll have friends to help us watch the Auburn Multi-Mascots dam the Beavers. 

War Eagle!!!

Running a bed and breakfast is good exercise.

Sugar High! Wooo Pig Soooieee!!!!

There's some Wooo Pig Sooooieeing going on in the Big Easy!  Twelve houseguests have been fed in shifts, most have headed to Champions Square or the Quarter, kitchen is cleaned up, the Entergy HQ building adjacent to the Dome is flying the Arkansas state flag, and we're gearing up for a Sugar High in mighty fine seats!



Oh yeah -- there was the incident that required a fire truck, an ambulance, 2 Police cars and an Inspector, but I'll save that for another day.  Good times, and strange, at Moogie's Mansion!

Let's go, Razorbacks!!!!!  WPS!!!

Tickets? Check!

Our Sugar Bowl tickets arrived today!!!  Woooo Pig Sooieee!!!!!   Process the Buckeyes!  Or mill them, or do whatever one does with buckeyes . . .  .  Feed them to the livestock -- the livestock in the swine pen!

Pour Some Sugar On Me!

I promise not to do a daily Sugar Bowl post for the next month, but today -- the day after the "official" announcement -- is special!  Accordingly:

I stole the picture from a Facebook friend and got the spin on "The Night Before Christmas" in an email today.  The meter and rhyme could use a little help, but you get the general idea --


‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the town,
Not a single Razorback fan was wearing a frown;
Rooms were reserved and tickets were bought,
...A Sugar Bowl win was being actively sought.

The fans in my family were watching ESPN,
With visions of Hogs and BCS trips in '11;
And I, after wrapping a new Hogs cap,
Had just settled down for a nice long nap.

When out on the lawn came a thunderous roar,
The Arkansas fight song, Pig Sooie and more;
I quickly got up and rushed from my bed,
Sounds of Razorback Stadium being heard in my head.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster of stadium lights below;
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But members of the football team, in full Sugar Bowl gear.

With a determined driver, from what I could see,
I knew in a moment it must be Coach P;
With hopes for a bowl win his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

“Now Mallett! Now, D.J.! Now, Adams and Wright!
On, Wingo! On, Sheppard! Let’s put up a fight!
To the top of the roof! Let’s play some football!
It’s practice time! Practice time! Practice for all!"

As quickly as Adams runs 99 yards,
They jumped in the team bus and headed upwards;
Up to the house-top the players they flew,
With a bus full of gear, and Coach Petrino too.

And then, from Mallett, I heard overhead,
The sound of a play call as practice was led;
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney Coach P came with a bound.

He was dressed all in red, from his head to his toes,
Decked out in his very best Razorback clothes;
A bag full of footballs was flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes – how they twinkled! His smile how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His headpiece was on and it started to crackle,
With orders like pump fake, and handoff, and tackle.

I looked at Coach P, and then said with a sigh,
“This season’s missed assignments and refs made me cry;
But, with all of the talent we have on this team,
It’s definitely enough to make this fan dream;
We struggled some this year for whatever reason,
Please say we win our bowl game and beat 'Bama next season!”

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke no words, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And just as he was leaving, he spoke with no fear,
Exactly what this Razorback fan wanted to hear:
“We’re laying a strong foundation for many great years,
This season is over. We're focused on New Year's;
A bowl win, a strong class and hopefully Mallett’s return,
Will give our competition next year plenty of concern.”

Then laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his bus, to his team gave a yell,
And away they all flew like “Bats out of Hell!"

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove through the snow,
Merry Christmas to All and “Go Hogs Go”!!!

Musings on a Lazy, Saintless Sunday

Still strutting my Razorback thang and contemplating the very real possibility that Moogie's Mansion could be converted to an impromptu Bed & Breakfast on Sugar Bowl Eve.

Dear Lord, central Arkansas is glorious in the fall!

I wonder if all those folks we saw near War Memorial Stadium hours after the game was over -- the ones Pepper referred to as DCRs (Drunks Crossing Roads) -- made it to wherever they were trying to go?

Dogs with access to a big picture window are easily entertained.

Pizza is sounding pretty tasty right about now.

Wooo Pig Sooooieeee!!!!

Battle of the Boot Eve

Razorbacks 34 - 10 over LUSers.  Believe dat.

And, after last night's come-from-behind-after-blowing-a-huge-lead Saints victory over the Cowpokes at JerryWorld, I am indeed a true believer!!

Pumping Up the Razorback Nation

Please take note of the most critical lyrics: "then go down to Little Rock to beat LSU!"


With a Wooo and a Pig and a big ol' Soooiieeeee, the Hogs are coming, striped pussycats!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Battle For the Boot -- A Little Historical Hoggish Perspective

This might be a little too painful for you, Andy.  You may want to skip this post.

All home games in Fayetteville before 1989 were day games because Razorback Stadium wasn't outfitted with lights until then.  So, the cheerleaders always looked forward to the night games in Little Rock at War Memorial Stadium -- the crowds in Little Rock were much more "willing" (read: well-lubricated and overserved) to get into the "spirit" part of the game.  That's no longer necessarily the case.  Razorback Stadium has now been introduced to the Don W. Reynolds Foundation -- Mr. Reynolds was the guy who made it possible to upgrade the stadium with a bunch of goodies, including a JumboTron so large and bright that it interfered with air traffic going to Drake Field when first installed. 

The following picture, however, was taken at the old Razorback Stadium, before the Southwest Conference imploded, on a date that isn't particularly relevant to today's discussion.  Let's just say sometime before 1989.  Yeah -- this picture was taken sometime before 1989.  We'll just go with that.

This is the picture that graced the pages of the football Programs sometime before 1989.

Do you recognize anyone who might be Moogie?  (Hint: there are no girls standing to Moogie's right.)

This is Tusk!  He is one in a succession of pretty mean wild boars who have served as the Razorback Mascot --

The cheerleaders ride atop of Tusk's cage as it is hauled around the track in the stadium before the game, calling the Hogs to get the crowd warmed up.  When Tusk is awake during this little tour, it's a good sign for the Hogs!  Moogie has sent an alarm clock to be installed in Tusk's cage before this week's LSU game.

War Memorial Stadium replaced its late-60s astroturf with natural grass in 1995.  Here is a chunk of it, cheered upon by Moogie and later acquired in a silent auction at some charity event, that hangs in a prominent spot in Moogie's Mansion --

The glass looks like it needs cleaning.  I'll get around to that at some point.

Tailgating is infinitely more fun in Little Rock at War Memorial than in Fayetteville, I don't care what anybody says.  And, Moogie will be in that number this Saturday!  The Son and his family, daughters, SIL#1 and SIL2B will be there, along with 100,000 or so of our closest personal friends.  Here are Moogie and daughters at the 2002 game where the Hogs knocked the Tiggers out of contention and replaced them as the SEC West team in Atlanta.  I do believe it's our turn again!

(Ooooh -- Moogie's roots needed a little touch-up!  Please disregard Moogie's roots.)

So, we'll all be there together again this weekend, and we'll kick back and watch on the big screen as the Hogs trounce the Tiggers 34 - 10.

Yep -- Razorbacks, 34 - 10, over the LUSers!

You saw it here first!

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Now, as a touch of lagniappe, and so we don't lose sight of the lunacy emanating from DC -- especially in the travel arena -- here's today's stolen video, courtesy of Moonbattery.


WPS*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(* Woooo Pig Sooooiiiieeeeee!!!)

Battle For The Boot Week -- The Beginning

A little happiest-day-of-their-Cajun-lives in Houma.

From an Arkie living in Tigerland:  Happy Hogs v. Tiggers Week -- the Battle For the Golden Boot!  It's on!

Stolen from Walton & Johnson via The Blog Hawgs.
(Sorry about the insurance commercial.  We actually have USAA at Moogie's Mansion.)

Lightning, and Hawgs, and Bears, Oh My!

That'll be a Wooo.  A Pig.  And a Sooooieeee.  Followed by a nap.

Geez -- a 5 + hour football game?