KYLE FIELD AND THANKSGIVING DAY—11/24/16

While driving to College Station from Fort Worth Texas, time alone in one’s car permits for reflections. Three legs of my 2016 College Football Pilgrimage had been completed. For those of you reading this and missed the other two previous stories short titled, “Darrell Royal Stadium”, and the second one “TDECU Stadium and Amon G Carter Stadium”, they are located in the Sections titled Pilgrimages and/or College Sports-Football, or scroll down the Homepage and check recent posts.

As I was reviewing the many ‘Blessings’ that were bestowed upon me, two really had a major impact on me. Remember a ‘Pilgrimage’ is “A journey out of one’s everyday life to a sacred site and return home, during which time a transformation has taken place”.

My home in Henderson, NV awaited me upon my return the Saturday after Thanksgiving. However, the ‘forces’ in Texas had already begun my transformation. Many, who shared my Pilgrimage with me, blest me with a safe and healthy journey. As I thought about the many ‘Blessings’ that were created, the two that affected me the most were:

* Meeting 4 West Virginia Faithful who watched me play in the Greatest College Football Game at Pitt Stadium. It was Pitt 36-West Virginia 35. For the complete story, see “Darrell Royal Stadium”

* Having a ‘Random Act of Kindness’ created for me by Amon G Carter Stadium. That can also be found in the story “TDECU Stadium and Amon G. Carter Stadium”.

It was at the previous Shrines of worship that many told me that my Thanksgiving Day at Kyle Field would be the best among the rest. Personally, I try to squelch such talk so as not to affect my expectations. Keeping an open mind with little or no expectations works best for me.

Too often when one places expectations on someone or something, it can affect the outcome especially if what you were expecting did not turn into reality. With an open basket, one can place the things they want to into it. Plus, as in any relationship, short, medium or long, my principle is simple. A relationship is defined as “Time well spent with others with no guarantees”.

Tempering my expectations could not temper my excitement as my vehicle pulled into my campsite in Bryan, Texas after a two plus-hour drive across some beautiful fall landscapes in the state of Texas. When I pulled in early Monday afternoon, supplies would be needed for my stay. Since driving takes a toll on me, the rest of the day would be a writing and a 3R day.

With only a few hours’ drive on Friday back to Houston for my return flight on Saturday, my rental vehicle will have traveled over 1,200 miles during my Pilgrimage. With more time to spend in College Station, a trip to the local mall would be part of my Tuesday. Wednesday would be my ‘Pre-Game Ritual’.

Visiting local malls are usually included during my Pilgrimages along with walks in nature. Nature walks were omitted on this Pilgrimage and other interests were substituted. As a visitor in a strange land, one can gauge the welcomeness in a shopping environment. Conversations are always part of the experience with strangers.

Abraham Maslow in his studies says that all humans start off as strangers. When a conversation begins, we are strangers no more. Our relationship is altered with only a few words. Meeting people from other localities is part of the Pilgrimage and needs to be embraced.

Shopping also permits the purchasing of tokens for others including myself. My favorite token for remembrance of my Pilgrimage and other important life events are wind chimes. My back outside patio is the storage of my trinkets. With the breezes and winds of the Las Vegas Valley, songs and sounds of my past always entertain me while listening to the ‘Tranquility’ of my fountain and pond.

The oldest Christen Book Store in the state of Texas offered me these chimes in College Station.

Wind chimes from a local garden/hardware store in Austin, Texas

Starting last year during my 2015 Pilgrimage, I started to collect Christmas ornaments to commemorate my journeys. These shopping trips also provide me the opportunity to walk to spend time with one of my companions known as ‘exercise’. It is a win-win situation.

PRE-GAME RITUAL WEDNESDAY THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING

 First a historical look back a Kyle Stadium is warranted. Taken from Wikipedia.

“Kyle Field is the football stadium located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. It has been the home to the Texas A&M Aggie football team in rudimentary form since 1904, and as a complete stadium since 1927. It is known as the “Home of the 12th Man“.

The seating capacity of 102,733 in 2015 makes the stadium the largest in the Southeastern Conference and the fourth largest stadium in the NCAA, fourth largest stadium in the United States, and the fifth largest non-racing stadium in the world. Within the state of Texas, Kyle Field has the largest regular seating capacity, while AT&T Stadium has a larger overall capacity.

Kyle Field’s largest game attendance was 110,631 people when Texas A&M lost to the Ole Miss Rebels with the score of 20–35 on October 11, 2014. This was the largest football game attendance in the state of Texas and SEC history.

In the fall of 1904, Edwin Jackson Kyle, an 1899 graduate of Texas A&M and professor of horticulture, was named president of the General Athletics Association. Kyle wanted to secure and develop an athletic field to promote the school’s athletics.

Texas A&M was unwilling to provide funds, so Kyle fenced off a section of the southwest corner of campus that had been assigned to him for agricultural use. Using $650 of his own money, he purchased a covered grandstand from the Bryan fairgrounds and built wooden bleachers to raise the seating capacity to 500 people.

On November 10, 1904, the Texas A&M Board of Directors set this area as a permanent athletic field, which served as the home for the football and baseball teams. After the stands were built, students supported naming the field after its founder and builder. The Board of Directors decreed that Kyle Field was in fact named for E.J. Kyle ’99.

In 1921, the November game between the Texas A&M Aggies and their archrival the University of Texas at Kyle Field became the first college football game to offer a live, play-by-play broadcast

In 1927, the school chose to build a new stadium, at a cost of $345,001.67. The new stadium opened later that year.

In 1929, grandstands were added on the north and west ends, turning the facility into a 33,000-seat horseshoe.

Capacity was raised to 41,500 in 1953 when a partial second deck and a press-box were added at a cost of $346,000.

More of second deck and other improvements were added in 1967 to raise the capacity to 48,000 at a cost of $1,840,000.

In 1974, two large flagpoles were added at the south end of the stadium in memory of Lt. William B. Blocker, Texas A&M class of 1945.

Expansion continued in 1980, when a third deck was added to Kyle Field, bringing the capacity to 70,000. Construction took place during the football season, and students were allowed into the area as each row of seating was added.

The Bernard C. Richardson Zone was added in 1999 at a cost of $32.9 million raising the capacity to 82,600. For high-demand games, temporary bleachers were installed in the south end zone and folding chairs were placed on the sidelines.

In the fall of 2003, the Bright Football Complex was completed on the south end of the stadium. The facility (named for its principal donor, former Dallas Cowboys owner Bum Bright) includes a players’ lounge overlooking Kyle Field, dressing rooms, one of the largest training and rehabilitation facilities in the country, and a state-of-the-art academic center.

The field had a grass surface until 1969, when Astroturf was installed. It returned to a grass surface in 1996. Since that time, the turf has consistently received praise from players and coaches.

On May 1, 2013, the Texas A&M Board of Regents approved a $450 million rebuild of Kyle Field. The renovation would raise the official seating capacity to 102,512 people, making it the largest football stadium in Texas and the SEC (surpassing Neyland Stadium by 57 seats) and the fourth-largest football stadium in the country.

The renovation was done in two distinct phases geared around the football season, and began immediately after the conclusion of the final 2013 season game in November with the implosion of the student section side.

The stadium renovation was complete by the beginning of the 2015 season.

The renovation was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Other significant items included in the scope of work for the Kyle Field redevelopment included:

*Lowering of the playing field by approximately 7 feet and relocation of the playing surface approximately 18 feet to the south allowing for an additional six rows of seating around the stadium

*Construction of widened, tree-lined walkways along both sides of Houston Street from George Bush Drive to the stadium east mall area

*The new “South Side Upper Level” (with addition of an upper seating deck and concourse), has an estimated seating capacity of 12,000 with the future potential of an additional 7,000 seats, with seating to be located both below and above the new upper concourse.”

My new campsite was located about 10 miles from Kyle Stadium. With no timetable, I arrived around noon for my ‘Pre-Game Ritual’. Visitor parking was nearby and this was my first view of Kyle Field.

This is my first pic taken by a ‘Local Beauty’

As I walked away, an opportunity to capture her on camera became another Chance in my brain. My Ritual continued. The magnificent re-construction of Kyle Field was evident.

John David Crow, Heisman Trophy Winner is immortalized

Empty newly created walkways with recently planted trees

Images fly around the Stadium reminding you of the 12^th Man Tradition

This is Phillip. Phillip took the time from his busy schedule and offered me some ‘olde fashion’ Texas A&M hospitality. Disguised as a ‘tour guide’, he described pre-game events and their locations. Offsite parking in the neighborhood was discussed along with the locations of Tailgating near the Stadium. Various traditions were also shared with me. I thanked him for his time.

The Corps is part of the Traditions

A closer look

A sign indicated that official tours of the Stadium were available. When I arrived for the last tour, it was cancelled for pre-game activities. My tour would be my own. With the new facade that surrounded Kyle Field, gaining entrance to the field without the tour would be a long shot.

Little known fact about Kyle Field

Campsites being set up across the street from Kyle Field with more than 24 hours before kick-off

Speaks for itself

For a moment, I became part of the monument

More campsites across the street

Rules for campsites

A sliver of hope appeared on my tour. While standing outside the locked service gates of an end zone, a view through a tunnel of Kyle Field appeared. For a moment, a small ‘Blessing’ shined on me. As I was fiddling with ‘Helen’ for a shot, a worker appeared at the gate.

After a short story about my Pilgrimage, we were strangers no longer. Though I did not ask, he graciously told me that he would let me in, but he did not know the pass-code. I thanked him for his generosity and then suddenly a ‘Genie’ appeared as on cue.

She was disguised as a male worker driving an orange work cart. Perhaps he overheard our conversation, and my wish was granted. Without asking, he punched in the key codes and the gate opened like magic. Oddly, he did not exit. He ‘smiled’ at me and drove off into the Stadium concourse.

With the gate opened, I was now faced with a dilemma. My 3 principles of invite were being put to a test. I only enter when invited. I stay as long as I am welcomed. I leave when the exit signs turn on.

As I weighed out the meaning of the Genie’s action, I sought the wisdom of the other worker, as the gate remained opened. If the ‘opening says me’ was for my benefit, perhaps a verbal and/or written invitation was not needed and I could remain true to my three principles of invite.

The site of the field was extremely tempting, however being locked in if the gates closed played heavily on my brain. The worker reassured me that another escape route was possible. We agreed that the worst thing that could happen to me if I accepted the invitation of Kyle Field to walk onto its playing surface and got caught, I would be asked to leave.

Taking everything into consideration, I perceived the current happenings as an invitation. This is my first pic inside on Kyle Field

3 more pics of Kyle Field

I am not a fan a selfies, but one was needed for evidence

My visit was short as the exit sign turned on in my brain. The workers disappeared as magic. My thanks to them and to Kyle Field were done privately in my thoughts as I exited.

More campsites

This is Paul Willis, Vice President, of Tail Gate Guys. His tale of how the company got started and how he became involved was very inspiring.

The set-up usually takes four days. The short week for Thursday’s game required a more concentrated effort. Tent prices for the basics start in the low thousands of dollars for a season package.

The following is taken from http://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T049-C000-S002-small-business-success-story-tailgate-guys.html with co-founders Parkey Duffy and Michael Otwell

“What’s your game plan? Tailgating at football games is a way of life in the South, but it’s a hassle. You need to secure a place to set up and lug your equipment there. We partner with universities to provide a reserved location close to the stadium, as well as packages of equipment [tents, tables, chairs, linens, coolers, ice, personalized signs and even TVs], catering options and physical support. We can host a small group or thousands of people—say, members of a large university alumni association.

Who are your current partners? We’re the “official tailgate management company” of Auburn Athletics, Florida Athletics, Georgia Tech Athletics, Texas Athletics, Texas A&M Athletics, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl and the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl.

Where did you get the idea? On an Auburn football weekend in 2008, I met someone who was doing the same thing on a small scale. The next day, I began writing a business plan to show how you could develop the idea by partnering with universities.

How did you finance your start-up? With a $30,000 line of credit from a local bank and a lot of sweat equity. Plus, we saved everything we could from our salaries to put toward the start-up until we quit our jobs in 2009. After we began selling in the summer of that year, we poured cash back into the business.

How have you grown? We have 43 full-time employees and another 50 to 75 part-time employees during peak periods. In 2014, we introduced the Event Group [serving East Alabama, West Georgia and Central Florida] to offer year-round rentals.

We’ve averaged 50% to 60% growth in sales annually since 2009. We may exceed that in 2015, when we expect gross sales of more than $5 million. In 2016, we’re shooting for $7 million.

Are you making a living? Yes, but a humble one. We pay ourselves as employees and take distributions when we can. Our wives are accomplished professionals, and their incomes allow us to plow more money back into the business.”

As Paul and I concluded our session, and with the info, he shared with me about Auburn, I told him that if forces permit, he would be hearing from me next year. My 2017 College Football Pilgrimage will include U of Georgia, which completes my Pilgrimages to the top 10 attendance College Football Stadiums, plus Auburn and Clemson, with a fourth possible game.

Indoor practice facilities

Texas A&M Football Complex

The story of the 12^th Man

Now you know why Coach Dana X. Bible selected E. King Gill. Look at his size

Sometimes life provides us with second chances. After touring Kyle Field for a few hours, I returned to the parking garage. With timing on my side, my second Chance appeared with two of her friends.

This pic is with Sarah, the ‘Local Beauty’, who took the first pic that provided the ‘Spark’ for my ‘Blessings’ from Kyle Field the day before Thanksgiving. I told her that her ‘Spark’ ignited my tour resulting in my invitation onto the playing surface of Kyle Field.

She laughed as I told her I was ‘Insane’. I left her my card and thanked her for her ‘Spark’, which fueled my ‘Insanity’ to permit me to PLAYIN MY DREAMS.

An aerial view of Kyle Field

While driving back to my campsite, I reflected on my day and two words, Coincidence and Chance, which are related to the Universal Law of ‘Cause and Effect’.

Voltaire says this about ‘Chance’

James Redfield explains his view on ‘Coincidence’

As I tried to connect the dots of how my ‘Blessings’ were created many dots appeared on my page. The name Sarah intrigued me for I could connect dots back to a recent introduction and challenge I made with a Cellist.

After watching her play with unmatched passion and ‘Insanity’ for six months with the David Perrico’s Pop Strings Orchestra, our paths finally crossed resulting in an introduction. (For more information on this World Class Orchestra, I invite you to read and listen to my ‘Musical Storybook’ titled “David Perrico and his Minstrels-A Festival”. It is located in the Inspiration Section on the Homepage.)

My experience with the Minstrels was known as the ‘Streak’. From their first Festival I witnessed in April of 2016 at the T-Mobile Grand Opening Event to the last one on November 5, 2016, I had perfect attendance.

Knowing that my ‘Streak’ was ending for my Pilgrimage, I issued a challenge to all the Minstrels to increase their ‘Insanity’ in order for me pack It and to use It as fuel for my Pilgrimage. Everyone including the Cellist accepted the challenge the last few Festivals of my ‘Streak’.

Not only did this Cellist accept the challenge, the exploration of her passion and ‘Insanity’ ventured into uncharted territories. As a parting gift for my Pilgrimage, she stunned me with another ‘Cello Handshake’ and extended an invitation to her Facebook page and website.

I accepted and said I would view both from Texas and write to her if time permitted. Time did permit me to do both. I told her that it was an ‘Honor’ to meet one that exceeded my ‘Insanity’. My initial introduction with her was accented by a ‘jolt’ from her ‘smile’, eyes, and as she described It, her Cello Handshake.

The following is a clip from her website, cellobat.com. Chamber Music has returned in a different format. She is known as the ‘Fabled Cello of the American West’. Her name is Sarah Chaffee.

GAME DAY AT KYLE FIELD ON THANKSGIVING DAY 11/24/16

The College Football Game providing the entertainment at Kyle Field would be LSU vs Texas A&M. Both teams were 4-3 in the SEC. LSU was 6-4 overall and Texas A&M was 8-3. LSU was rated as a slight 3-point favorite.

LSU star running back and one time Heisman Trophy candidate, Leonard Fournette remained in Baton Rouge nursing a bad ankle. Not much, but pride, rested on the game. As the only College Football Game on TV, the entire College Football Nation would be able to compare ‘Pride’.

As a kid growing up in West Aliquippa, Pa on Thanksgiving Day, there were usually only three football games on TV. Two were pro games and the College Game between Texas and Texas A&M. Their rivalry equaled or exceeded all other rivalries. (Thanksgiving Day Game 1941)

Though TV was black and white in those days, my ‘Imagination’ would permit me to enjoy the colors of the pageantry and the game. I would also imagine sitting in attendance. As an adult, I was going to PLAYIN MY DREAMS.

The kick-off was at 6:30 pm. There would plenty of time to Pilgrimage with a planned arrival time around 1:15pm. Thoughts of my first Thanksgiving being away from my family and/or friends entertained me on my drive to Kyle Field. Melancholy made an appearance.

However, once my vision had Kyle Field in sight, excitement entered the car. Perhaps Kyle Field would offer me a Thanksgiving Day with ‘Blessings’ to add to Pilgrimage. My basket already filled with ‘Blessings from Texas’ to share with family and friends in Henderson, NV, the proper packing could squeeze more in.

A free parking space blocks away from the Stadium

Before taking my picture, this ‘Local Beauty’ and her friend were told of my Pilgrimage. After she took my pic, her words struck me right across my face and ‘stunned’ me. She declared with a ‘smile’, “Welcome Home”.

With those two words, a new meaning for my 2016 College Football Pilgrimage had been established. Though I was away from family and friends, Kyle Field was welcoming me home for Thanksgiving Day. Was it Chance, Coincidence, or Cause and Effect?

Tail Gate Guys are up and running 5 hours before kick-off

Activity around the Stadium

Santa’s Helpers get ready as the 12^th Man if called upon

Campsites are underway across from Stadium

My First pic game day outside the ‘Open Says Me’ gate

The Cavalry parades down the street

This Cavalry has a name. As the Corps of Cadets Mounted Unit, they are called the Parson’s Mounted Cavalry, Cav or PMC. The following is from their website.

“This horse combat unit consists of cavalry, artillery and quartermaster elements. Military training at A&M included mounted drill until 1943, when the Army disbanded its horse operations. The Cavalry tradition was revived at A&M by the Class of 1974.

The unit was named after then Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, Colonel Thomas R. Parsons. Military horse training is used to teach cadets self-discipline, confidence, leadership, and decision-making.

Learning to manage an animal much larger than themselves with a mind of its own in challenging conditions develops many of the skills necessary for modern business and military leaders. There are 90 cadets and 50 horses in this unit. The Cav is responsible for the transportation, care and maintenance, as well as

The Cav is responsible for the transportation, care and maintenance, as well as firing of the 3-inch field gun known as Spirit of ‘02”. (More on Spirit of ’02 later)

The Calvary has my back

A ‘Salute’ by the ‘Four Horsemen’

Images of the ‘olde west’ at Texas A&M

More campsites are flourishing across the Stadium

Tasting homemade deer jerky from the faithful from LSU who set up a campsite in hostile territory

This is the woman who slayed the deer that the jerky was made from standing next to her husband

I was told the ‘rowdies’ set-up their campsites across the road on the other side of the Stadium

Rigs were permitted in these campsites

The concept for this rig was developed as a promotional tool prior to the ‘Presentation’. The operator of this rig pulls into a vacant parking lot around 2:30 am and sets up shop. When the staff arrives later in the am, smoke and smells from the rig provides a wake-up alarm to the olfactory senses. The hook has been set and the bait will be enjoyed later at lunch during the ‘Presentation’ out in the parking lot.

A circle of prayer of ‘Thanks’ on this Thanksgiving Day

An LSU fan ponders his next coaching move

A first for me a local cowgirl drinks wine from a plastic bladder while riding Trigger

Her name was Amy

More LSU campsites in enemy surroundings

This campsite was called

The two Aggies behind this operation started it when the original Spirit of ’02 was retired with honors in 2014

 It was replaced by 105 Howitzer.

aggienetwork.com reports about the Spirit of ‘02

“It was found at the (Bonfire) cutting site near Easterwood Airport in 1975. There were actually two of them found,” Byrns said. A big rain had just swept through the area and eroded some of the soil, he said. Both guns were dug out and combined to make one working artillery gun, he said.

It took eight years to find someone with the mechanical know-how. The Association of Former Students helped finance the purchase of a limber—the wagon that carries the cannon— and in September 1982, the artillery gun was fired for the first time on the Corps of Cadets Quadrangle. The Spirit of ’02 became tradition on Kyle Field in 1984”.

Their first replica of the Spirit of ’02 for the campsite lasted 2 years.

The growth of their campsite demanded a larger replacement to match.

The brisket was still cooking. I thanked them for the sausage wrapped inside of a tortilla

Barry is in the LSU overalls with friend Jerry. Barry said this was his 7^th game this season.

After my final pre-game preparations at the car, I spotted what appeared to be wild turkeys while walking back to the Stadium. Apparently, they received a pardon this Thanksgiving.

Chase and brother Nick. Nick on the right, recently took over the house in the back from brother Chase. Chase a recent graduate of A&M wanted the house to stay in the Aggie Family. Chase reminded me again, I was HOME.

Two hours before kick-off

This is Nick the Turkey

A March by the Corps of Cadets, including the Band

From the Aggie website, “The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band is the official marching band of Texas A&M. Also known as the Noble Men of Kyle or just the Aggie Band, the band is the largest military marching band in the United States. All members of the band are members of the Corps of Cadets”. (More later on the Band)

A long parade of Corps of Cadets followed. It is the largest Corps of Cadets in Texas A&M history

With a break in the parade, an opening occurred to cross the street but not before a pic

Disney style weaves upon entrance

Concourse about an hour before kick-off

My first view with a ticket. My seat is in the far left opposite end zone upper deck

First pic inside with a ticket

The Band beat me inside

The March around inside the Stadium continued

The Primary Duty of the Corp

Closest on this level I could get to the 50-yard line

The March continued

Renee was from New Brighton, Pa and knew Aliquippa, Pa. Towns are about 12 miles apart. New Brighton is the home of Tito and Terry Francona plus Ron ‘PO’ James

This was her niece Megan

Megan earned her ring. This Ring is special. Wikipedia writes, “A visible designation tradition among senior undergraduates and alumni is the wearing of the Aggie Ring, whose design has been relatively unchanged since its introduction in 1894”.

A Sunset welcoming me Home before kick-off

Upper level concourse

Senior day from my seat. The ‘Best Seat’ in the house

More pics from the ‘Best Seat’ in the house about 30 minutes before kick-off

A wide-eyed look of Thanksgiving from my seat

Aggies take the Field

Opening kick-off crowd

This Texas Football Fan shared tales of Bum and Wade Phillips with me. He also told me about two school districts in Texas that are building new high school football stadiums and football facilities. One project near Dallas will cost about 60 million dollars. The other project, area not known, will cost about 80 million dollars. Welcome to Texas High School Football.

Pic of Student Section. It extended between the end zones all the way up the upper deck. Section included Band, Corps Members, and students. Seniors have lower bowl seats with Freshmen in the top upper bowl. Aggie Athletic packages for students were sold out this year. For a Thanksgiving Night Game, with only ‘Pride’ on the line, the crowd was outstanding.

Start of Halftime Show

The beginning of the show was treated with respect and dignity from the crowd. Very few in attendance left their seats for halftime unlike other Stadiums. A hush fell over the crowd creating a very solemn moment. The P.A. announcer in a tone that matched the moment started the show.

Trying to describe what I witnessed during the Halftime Show would not do justice to the ‘Blessings’ that I received from the Noble Men. The little kids below me echoed my thoughts as I watched with their Awes and Yeas. Occasionally, comments like “Did you see that” rang from their direction.

Someone posted the Halftime Show from near my view

The ‘T’ is for A&M and Thanksgiving

This is the view from Andrea’s section. For the second half, I accepted her offer to join her. The advice she gave that my upper level seat was the ‘Best’ for the Halftime Show was solid and true.

Joining her would be as Marcus Aurelius describes spending time with an ‘old faithful friend’. That was the impression that she presented when she made me feel like I was at home upon our initial engagement.

Aurelius states that ‘life’ is an art. It is a practice suitable to both men and gods. Everything contains some special purpose and a hidden blessing. Everyone we meet is here for our benefit and we for theirs. What then could be strange or arduous when all of life is here to greet you like an old and faithful friend? All we have to do is let the benefits unfold.

This is a picture of Andrea. A relationship was formed during our time together. It was ‘Time well-spent with others with no guarantees’. When it was time to exit from spending Thanksgiving together, an embrace was exchanged.

This summarizes the Aggie Football Season. Once filled with promises and hope, it is now a broken dream. In this, case a broken handle.

A reminder of Christmas will soon be here as I walked to my car.

GAME SUMMARY

With only ‘Pride’ on the line, the LSU Tigers put a Tail Whippin onto the Aggies from A&M. The final score indicated that it was an extremely high scoring game. However, the outcome was decided early in the contest as LSU led at the half 20-7.

Led by running back Derrius Guice, who was filling in for star RB Leonard Fournette, a new LSU rushing record was set. Guice rushed for 285 yards and four TDs. LSU QB Danny Etling threw for a career-high 324 yards and 2 TDs.

Though ‘Pride’ carried the Tigers throughout the game, the Aggies were a little short of ‘Pride’. The Aggies played with not much left in their tank especially on defense by surrendering 624 yards. Final score LSU 54-Texas A&M 39. Forces only permitted me one pic of the game.

With the win, the LSU Tigers moved to 6-0 against A&M since the Aggies joined the SEC. The Brass of LSU rewarded interim Head Coach Ed Orgeron, a Louisiana native, the next day. He was promoted to Head Coach and a longer deal.

Video highlights of the Thanksgiving Dismantling

KYLE FIELD SUMMARY

 As I sit writing, the summary from my home in Henderson, NV, Thanksgiving Day at Kyle Field definitely influenced the final leg of my 2016 College Football Pilgrimage. As I was explaining parts of my Pilgrimage to my longest known friend in Las Vegas, NV while he cut my hair, Tony DiMaria of DiMaria Studio with his wisdom, replied that I was tracing the footsteps of my life.

It started with the ‘bizarre happenings’ and ‘Blessings’ at Darrell Royal Stadium and continued with TDECU and Amon G Carter Stadiums. Kyle Field with all of its majesty culminated my Pilgrimage. Leaving any expectations at my campsite, Kyle Field exposed its power starting with the day before Thanksgiving.

When Thanksgiving and Kyle Field are combined, fantasies become realities. Whether this ‘Magic’ is created on non-Thanksgiving Days, one would have to ask another person, for ‘I do not know Sam I am’.

I tip my hat to all that contributed to my ‘Dreams’ while in College Station/Bryan, Texas. Good ‘old fashion’ Texas hospitality rained with abundance upon me. Many Aggies greeted me with the traditional ‘Howdy’ setting the tone of ‘being like home’.

The remodeling of Kyle Field to its current status of grandeur was well thought out with the fans in mind. Campsites around the Stadium provided the casual and serious fans with many options to enjoy the pre-game festivities.

Traditions were on full displayed. One’s ‘Imagination’ permitted them to venture back into time of a different era if so desired. This was the first Stadium on my Pilgrimages to offer a Calvary along with the Corps of Cadets and the largest Military Style Marching Band in the country. (1900’s Corps of Cadets marching to a Football Game)

A sellout crowd of 102,733 was printed in the local newspaper for the Thanksgiving Night Game. Not every ticket was used. However, it was a very impressive number considering only ‘Pride’ was on the line. With little to cheer about, the maximum roars were kept to a minimum and so were the ‘Gooseflesh’ on my skin.

To make-up for the lack of ‘Gooseflesh’ created by the game, the Noble Men of A&M created a plenitude of ‘Gooseflesh’ during their Halftime Show. It more than made up for what the game could not create. ( A different view of the Halftime Show if you did not get enough.)

If you are a Fan who enjoys the pageantry and the Traditions of College Football, I encourage you to place Kyle Field on your list. Plan to arrive early and stay late to enjoy the ‘Blessings’ that Kyle Field has to offer.

In closing, thoughts of Chance, Coincidence, Cause and Effects float within my brain. My Guru, Tony DiMaria, said I was tracing my footsteps. As I prepared for my 2016 Pilgrimage, I shared my excitement with others. Everyone wished me a ‘Safe and Healthy’ trip. Others I met along the Pilgrimage wished me the same.

I would thank them for their ‘Blessings’ and for some I would tell them that my Pilgrimage would be evaluated on two outcomes. The results included returning home Safe and in Good Health. All that happened in between would be considered ‘Life’s Lessons’ and ‘Blessings’. My results were granted but not without peril.

In the future, if time and forces permit, I will share my story of the ‘Unused Tickets and Tokens’. Texas folklore convinced me to purchase ‘Tokens’ of Protection and Good Fortune the night before the West Virginia at Texas football game. These small ‘Tokens’ were purchased for two powerful forces that influenced my life.

It was my way of returning their ‘Blessings’ that each gave me. With all the ‘Evil’ in the world, these two forces deserved ‘Special Protection’. Knowing that their current financial status could not afford such a luxury as in a personal bodyguard, perhaps this ‘Token’ could act as substitute in their daily lives and during their travels.

Little did I Know, that my ‘Random Act of Kindness’ would result in a return of my own ‘Protection and ‘Good Fortune’.

The stories of my ‘Good Fortune’ have been expressed in my 2016 Pilgrimage Tales. My ‘Protection’ stories of the three events that happened in two different rental cars have only been shared with a few. The results after each mishap turned out in my favor.

Thanksgiving Days in my thoughts always provoke the memories of the passing of our son, brother, and friend Nick Feher. November 27, marks the day that he physically left the planet in 2007.

Signs of ‘Forces’ in our back and front yards indicate that his spirit remains. My meeting with the two Nicks at Kyle Field reinforced my Insane thoughts that my son Nick said ‘Howdy’ to me in the form of a ‘Blessing’ at Kyle Field during my Pilgrimage.

 

When I think about the two Sarahs, I can trace the beginning of meeting one of them to an unused ticket for the T-Mobile Grand Opening Event in Las Vegas, NV in April of 2016. With multiple options that were considered, ‘Forces’ dictated for me to travel to that Pilgrimage with just ‘Helen’ my camera.

You can read that story located in the Pilgrimage Section on my Homepage. A second ticket with multiple options went unused on September 16, 2016 a few days from my birthday. It was for the David Perrico Pop Strings Orchestra-An Evening with Sting at Cabaret Jazz in Las Vegas. Cabaret Jazz is a Cathedral for Jazz Music.

It was after this show that I officially met the first Sarah and her ‘Cello Handshake’. I considered our meeting as an early birthday gift for it took six months for this greeting. To top it off, the first Sarah sent me off with another ‘Cello Handshake’ and ‘jolt’ for a safe and healthy Pilgrimage.

Then I met Sarah #2 who created the ‘spark’ that assisted me to PLAYIN MY DREAMS. Were the two Sarahs connected? Tony says, “I am tracing my footsteps” or ‘connecting my dots’. If what he says is true, was ‘It’ by Chance, Coincidence, and/or Cause and Effect that I received all the ‘Blessings’ and ‘Good Fortune’ during my 2016 College Football Pilgrimage? What do you think?

Faith and Hope remains on my table as my future plans shift to prepare for my 2017 Pilgrimage. If the ‘Forces’ permit, three Stadiums await my visit to worship at their ‘Shrines’. Number one is the U of Georgia, then that completes my Top 10 visits of the largest College Football Shrines in the USA. Two and three include U of Auburn and U of Clemson with a possible fourth Shrine.

For those of you that have not ever been on a Pilgrimage to your ‘Holy Shrine’ or ‘Place of Worship’ to receive your ‘Blessings and Transformation’, stop waiting. Start planning and begin doing or before you Know It, “They will start throwing dirt on you”.

Thank you for your visit and please remember to tell others about the ‘Insanity’ of Fox Feather @ playinyourdreams.com

Visit us on a regular basis and enjoy the Fixins in the archives or the new stories as they are created. Until our paths cross again, Fox Feather reminds you to PLAYIN YOUR DREAMS.

For your closing entertainment, another video of Chamber Music with the ‘Fabled Cello of the American West’ and her friends.