A home-state football legend

For several hours yesterday, I watched as Penn State and Illinois clashed on the football field. Penn State led for much of the game, but Illinois came back and won in the closing moments of the contest. The flow of the game reminded me of Penn State's fortunes over the years and the reaction of their fans. Penn State has been a powerhouse in Division 1 football for most of Joe Paterno's reign as head football coach. The team's fans have been very vocal in their support and have been willing to put out big bucks to purchase paraphernalia and clothing items bearing the colors, blue and white, of Penn State and marked with one of the University's many symbols.

However, for the past several years, Joe Paterno and his team have fallen on hard times, especially at the beginning of this year. After the first two losses, I noticed that the Penn State items were now on the shelves of discount stores and the clothing items were hanging on the racks in Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. The less faithful fans have shed their identity with the team. The major department and novelty stores continued to sell Penn State items but didn't have them displayed prominently.

Then, after four losses, Penn State beat Northwestern University, which gave Joe Paterno his 323rd victory and tied him in the win column with the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant of Alabama University. Immediately, anything having to do with Penn State football appeared prominently in the bigger stores and disappeared quickly from the discount stores as well as the Goodwill and Salvation Army stores.

Penn State continued their winning ways last week and made Joe Paterno the winningest coach ever in Division 1 football. That winning trend ended Saturday with the loss to Illinois. Oh well, it's my good fortune. I have an extra five bucks. Next week I will go to the Goodwill Store in Ebensburg and purchase that hundred-dollar Penn State jacket I have long desired but couldn't afford.

Cards for when you don't care enough...

3. Happy Vasectomy! Hope you feel zippy!
Cause when I had mine, I got real snippy.

4. You totalled your car, and can't remember why.
Could it have been. that whole case of Bud Dry?

—Sent by Mike Harrison

Thoughts for the day

The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

When you're in love, it shows.

Just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

Having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

—Sent by Sallie Covolo