Oh, football weather is once again upon us. And I’m happy. I’ve got veggies, bottles of ranch dressing, and all the fixin’s for nachos. 

I also bought some sushi, but that can be our little secret. 

So anyway, the preparations have been underway. We’re flying the colors and sporting our best orange. 

Mom has been out to the graveyard to get Grandmother ready, too. I approve of this, mainly because it’s cool and I couldn’t do it if I had to. I can still see her, perched on the couch, her back ramrod straight. “Hold ’em boys, hold ’em.” She’d be puffing away on that cigarette and probably wishing for a shot of Jack Daniels. Grandmother was a big Vol fan, as we all are here in big orange country. Knoxville is a sight to behold on game day. 

Not sure if you can make it out or not, but the little football says “Go Vols” on it. My contribution was the “live, laugh, love” part because Grandmother wasn’t very religious and all the scriptures just felt wrong. She was all for laughing and loving, though. 

So that’s her little piece of Big Orange Country, about ten miles from Neylabd Stadium. I’d say she can hear the cheering and feel the stands thundering as 100 thousand strong make their voice heard.

Here’s the 2016 season. I couldn’t find one from 2015 or older, though I know Mom has done this for several years now. 

 I always wonder what other visitors to their beloved’s gravesites think when they come upon it. Probably what most people think when they meet members of my family: “Good Lord, they’re crazy!” 

We play in Georgia tonight. Hope they’re ready. Vol Nation has descended once again.