Way back when I signed up for vacation time for 2009 with my job at the VA Medical Center, I had hoped to play in the Aspen Ruggerfest in September. More than a few members of my Metropolis Rugby club have been out there, and they assured me that a good time is had [...]

This past weekend I took part in another one of those most American of activities: My high school reunion. In my case, it was my 30 year high school reunion of the class of 1979 from Cooper High School, in New Hope, Minnesota.
My class was the last of what was called “The Baby Boomers”, [...]

Here in Minnesota, the winters are long and cold. It’s nice the good folks at Gilbert were able to come out with specially designed rugby ball for those rugby matches in the snow, ice and cold.
It has the extra advantage of making purring noises and cuddling with you after the game-win or lose. You also [...]

It’s been a very good last couple of days for sports fans in Argentina, after the soccer (Futbol) team losing last week at Asuncion to Paraguay. Yesterday, Juan Martin del Potro shocked the formidable Swiss, Roger Federer to win the US Open, but just as big was the announcement from SANZAR (South Africa, New [...]

With Saturday’s 32-29 win over the All Blacks, in Hamilton New Zealand,  South African Rugby ran the table with it’s third triumph out of three tries:  The Blue Bulls winning the Super 14, The Springboks winning the series against the touring British Lions, and now they have won their third Tri-Nations trophy. It’s been a [...]

September 11th is a date with memories, both good and bad, for me.
Two years ago today, my family and I landed at the airport in Marseille, France to begin what would be a wonderful trip. It combined introducing my family to some areas in France that I love, like Provence, Languedoc and Paris, to participating [...]

A couple of months back, I stumbled onto a link at http://fenetre-ovale.over-blog.com/ , which had an interesting link in the French web site www.linternaute.com about a book that had recently been released in France under the title “La Melée” (The Scrum). 
As a prop (I’m playing tight head in this shot with my green-clad Metropolis team [...]

In the world of rugby, and other contact sports, bruises and injuries are a part of the game.
I have an 18 year old daughter named Rachel who has a horse named Maverick, and who likes to do western gaming events. Last night was a reminder that this is a sport that can be very tough [...]

As some of my regular guests to my blog might know, I have been involved as a host parent with AFS, through whom my family has welcomed 12 exchange students over the years. Since I have a full house these days with my son, his Fiancée and my grandson living with us, hosting is out [...]