Fourth of July Week

Mon.-Fri., July 1-5, 2024

Another thankfully tranquil week in wondrous, rural Camarillo that allowed lots of time for thought.

Thought #1 of the Week

Instead of Old Testament's Ten Commandments, maybe we should place these Ten Commitments in every classroom in the USA.

What do you think?

I've started doing a lot of walking again to start getting back into good shape for the upcoming American football coaching activities in both Brazil and Spain. It allows me to focus in on various things around me that I normally do not take in and enjoy.

I like red flowers as it turns out

Many neighbors are planting

drought resistant plants

I have no idea what this is

Look but DO NOT TOUCH!

This is a bit more my style

 

This Raspberry Croissant from

Cafe Ficelle was a LOT more my style

A well deserved reward for my new found exercise regimen.

Just another rocket launch from

Lompoc's Vandenberg Space Force Base

Fourth of July at the

Carpinteria Tide Pools with Jacob

We had been invited by Brian and Koreen FitzGerald to join them and their family for Independence Day at their Carpinteria beach condo.

We had a wonderful time as always and enjoyed an overcast day by the Pacific Ocean.

Random Tide Pool Rock

A budding Marine Biologist's

dream spot

Jacob could not be happier than being

surrounded by a world of sea life

Mary could not be happier than being

buried alive in sand by her Dad

Let's take a look at this weekend's American football news . . .

In Italy, the DII and DIII/CIF9

National Championship Games will

be played in Ravenna

Nine Bowl XXIV for the DIII/CIF9

title would be played on Friday night

Trento Thunders vs. Catania Elephants

Both clubs were a perfect

8-0 coming into the game

On the right is Catania WR

Claudio Mangano

Claudio, who is a dentist by trade, was an outstanding WR for the Elephants when I coached them in 2008 and 2009.

In the background is WR Gregorio

Barbagallo with Claudio Mangano

in the foreground

Gregorio was also a great WR on those two Elephant clubs of 15 years ago.

Two veterans to say the least.

#21 is Catania DB Christian Di Mauro,

another throwback veteran to our

Sicilian coaching days

Yes, Enrico Lombardo was our

leading rusher in 2008 as well

After trailing 16-0 at the Half, the Elephants came roaring back but . . .

. . . the Thunders held on to win

The 2024 DIII/CIF9 Playoff Bracket

Catania Elephant 2008 QB Jason

Johnson was at the game rooting

on our veteran teammates

L. to R.: DB Christian Di Mauro, fan Jason Johnson, WR Claudio Mangano, OL Coach Giulio Romano and, at the top, WR Gregorio Barbagallo.

Giulio was a great OG for us those many years ago.

To the victors belong the spoils

BIG game in Finland's Maple League

The Crocodiles and Roosters were

both 4-1, tied for second place

Coach Michael Wood's Roosters

won this important game on Friday

The Serbian National Championship

Game is this Saturday

The Swedish Women's National

Championship Game on Saturday

Carlstad Crusaders vs. Copenhagen Raptors

The Stockholm Mean Machines will

play the Carlstad Crusaders in the

Swedish Men's Title game

Still lots of time to prepare a

trip to the UK for this one

In Switzerland . . .

Goodness #&*?@$&?

What a way to "win" a

Semifinal Game . . .

. . . just by drawing this high tech

slip of paper out of a hat

Women's American Football is

STRONG in Central and South America

I've always wanted to take

a trip to Dubai

Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals

won at IFAF tournaments over the

years broken down by country

For the Men's Senior Team USA, it is either a Gold Medal or nothing.

The Men's Junior Team USA is much more consistent in these World Championship Tournaments, but not in this year's games.

The European League of Football's

latest Power Rankings

This coming weekends ELF slate

Only the Prague Lions have

published a good poster this week

Important thoughts from the net . . .

DAMN!

Start them YOUNG!

The winner of the Annual Nathan's

Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest

ate 58 of their tube steaks this year

This may not be as healthy a contest as I thought.

We are retired, what's an alarm?

VIVA ASTURIAS!

The Gijón Mariners season creeps ever closer and I'm excited!