Happy Thanksgiving

Last Sunday, the guest preacher at church delivered a sermon on thanksgiving. He summed it up pretty well with the statement, "Thanksgiving isn't a day, it's a lifestyle." Amen to that, bro! I could only add, the lifestyle of thanksgiving is isn't so much about what you say or think as what you do.

Happy Thanksgiving from Bruck!

Bruck's Picks, NFL Week 11

Weathermen and sports commentators - two occupations where you can be wrong over half the time and not get fired! Where do I apply? Bruck's picks for key games in week 11:

Cowboys vs. Redskins

For those of us born in the Politically Incorrect generation, this game will be the culmination of our perennial childhood game, Cowboys and Indians. The cowboys always won, of course, and will this weekend as well. By at least 7. And for our Idaho readers, "Redskin" is slang for American Indian, not a variety of potato. Here's one for the research department: are there any real Redskins, i.e., card-carrying American Indians, on the Washington Redskins? I bet the answer is no. Not a whole lot of Caucasians either.

Ravens vs. Giants

Giants by 14 or more. I mean really, how can you take a team seriously whose mascot is a carrion bird? Eagles or falcons, now there are a couple of birds that command respect. Even penguins are more intimidating than ravens. What were they thinking?

Titans vs. Jaguars

There's a toughie - I wouldn't want to be caught in a dark alley with either of these. Jaguar is one of the toughest and fastest members of the cat family, while a Titan, well, I don't honestly know what a Titan is, but I'm pretty sure it's some sort of large, powerful mythological creature. Since fear of the unknown always trumps fear of the known, Titans by 5.

Chargers vs. Steelers

A charger could be a battle horse, a credit card purchaser, a device for restoring the juice in a battery, a large platter, or a hockey player who executes a particular form of illegal checking. A bit ambiguous, no? Meanwhile, I've always like the Steelers' uniforms. Steelers by 3.

Bears vs. Packers

Packer in this case means meat packer, red meat being a pillar of the Green Bay economy and local culture. I once met a vegetarian who had previously lived in Green Bay. Finding social acceptance, let alone a good meal, in Green Bay proved a substantial challenge. Bears, on the other hand, are fearsome and voracious omnivores whom people with livestock blood on their sleeves would do well to beware. Bears by 9.

Vikings vs. Buccaneers

If ever a game should be played out on the open sea, it's this one. Here we have a historic, well-organized, and exceedingly brutal naval force battling against wily pirates who honed nautical guerilla warfare to an art form. In a pitched battle, the Vikings would win hands down, but that's not how Buccaneers operate. So I'm flipping a coin… and the winner is… Buccaneers, no margin.

Lions vs. Whoever They Are Playing.

Here's another one for the research department: Why are the Lions' team colors blue and silver? Shouldn't they use some derivative of actual lion colors? Whoever They Are Playing by 21.

Sailing Lake Superior - An Update

The father of Bruck (FOB) just finished having some fiberglas repair work done on the hull of his CL-16 sailboat, the one used for his nautical exploits highlighted in the spellbinding VOB dispatch Taming Lake Superior. The mother of Bruck (MOB) suggested that he get the hull painted as well, to cover up the unsightly patches. "Why don't get get a message painted on the bottom," I offered, "something that can be read from the air?"

"Yes, how about SOS?" added the MOB.

"Har-de-har-har," his rejoinder.

Anyway, I offer the story below in the interest of full disclosure: the FOB is not the only one who has trouble with the fickle winds of Lake Superior. The story below is from an e-mail from Carolyn, friend of father of Bruck (FOFOB) to the FOB, relating her adventures in a boat piloted by Chris (husband of Chris), a sailing buddy of the FOB. Please note that the FOB had absolutely nothing to do with the following sailing mishap.

I was walking down the beach minding my own business and Chris and Chris were waiting for friends to take sailing. While they were waiting Chris asked me if I would like to go for a quick sail while Chris waited to hear from their friends. I questioned whether or not it was the best sailing conditions, because the wind was coming from the southwest and gusting every which way. Chris said no problem. We were having a pretty good time when Chris noticed people on shore and said we better head back. The wind died as we neared shore so he jumped out to pull us in. Only problem was that the water was too deep and a gust of wind came and shot me out toward the middle of the bay. Chris started yelling "stay with the boat" (like where did he think I would go). Next it was "take down the sails", then "I'll come and get you". He first started out in a kyak. I was waving good bye to everyone at this point. Chris and Chris finally found keys to a jet ski and rescued me. I am determined to learn to sail next summer so I can make it back to shore by myself!

As in the previous dispatch, I would respectfully recommend Chinese Checkers.