Tis Spring and a man’s thoughts turn to baseball may not have been the exact way Al Tennyson said it, but at age 61, you’ll have to pardon my paraphrase.
For those not in on the joke, ask your English teacher for the correct quote or better yet just Google the headline.
It’s is Spring in all its glory and I am proud to be from Mississippi.
I’ve lived in Tennessee and it puts on a show in the Fall. I’ve lived in Texas and the wildflowers are great for about a week and then it’s the long hot summer. But I dare say no place on Earth is as pretty as Mississippi in the Spring.
Everything has a flower. Everything is a tender green. And everything is growing so fast in the Delta sun.
We shouldn’t let people come to Mississippi in the Spring or they will all want to live here.
Baseball
How many of you kept up with the Bulldogs and Rebels this past weekend.
As a graduate of Moo U, I will have to say the outcome matched the weather - it was gorgeous!
As folks from the Magnolia State know, this rivalry is played with extreme passion. And baseball, being a sport of consistency, averages and individuals, we don’t always see the emotions until the last pitch.
It was that way this past weekend.
On a personal note I got to watch Bulldog designated hitter Luke Hancock when he played high school ball at Houston.
He has fighter-pilot eyes and can zoom in on a fast ball and knock it out of the park.
He’s in a bit of a slump right now, but will hopefully come around by the time we all start on the road to Omaha.
And there is not a doubt in my mind the Rebels will be on that path, too.
Juke Joint
I like blues music.
No, Sara will not let me listen to it in the car and my boys in Texas turn up their noses as they put on their headphones to listen to their country twang.
But I grew up in a family where all music was appreciated.
Momma played three instruments and Daddy sang in the choir. He once told me he liked Alice Cooper’s Generation Landside.
We were taught to listen and learn.
I was blown over by Kingfish Ingram’s performance on the lawn of the Delta Blues Museum Thursday night.
He walked into the crowd playing his Clarksdale style of blues. He bit is bottom lip as he picked those tight high notes. And he smiled as he gave back to the town and people who have given him so much. I’m sorry if you missed it. There is not a doubt in my mind he will be back next year.
COVID concerns.
It was about a year ago that I pondered when I might pen my last COVID-19 story.
They aren’t over yet.
I do urge you to read the story on Page One and, better yet, get the shot.
I was stunned this week when County Administrator Morgan Wood told me more than 70-percent of Coahoma County has not been fully immunized.
The Ingrams have been blessed that none of our family have been stricken with COVID.
I have lost three high school friends and a former Sunday School teacher to the disease. There are many in our town and community that I know who have had the disease and survived. I have also grieved with friends who have lost loved-ones from this disease.
Please get the shot.
My bunch has gotten the shot and there is a relief and unburdening feeling to put down the fear of catching COVID-19.
Yes, I know my shot is only 94-percent effective, but now the odds are with me.
Let’s get the shot. Let’s open back up the economy. It’s Spring! Let’s start living again.
Floyd Ingram is the Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. He is as young as he wants to be and other local youngsters can call him at 627-2201.
