Thursday, August 30, 2018

Following yesterday's practice, which was nothing like I'd imagined for our first day back to school, I rode the bike around our course a couple of times and wanted to post the picture which follows:

Caleb Parkinson did a great job which is even more greatly appreciated up close.  Concrete footings were poured to support the beams which in turn support the deck.  Quality lumber was used in the process and if you look closely you will see the scout emblem burned into the decking.  Caleb is, as many of you know, an Eagle Scout candidate.  I think the project looks great and I know you will all appreciate the bridge even more when we host our first home meet.  Thank you Caleb!

I joked last night with Mrs. Coach that some of you clapped at the conclusion of Admiral McRaven's speech video.  I said I wasn't sure if you were cheering the message or the fact the video had concluded.  In any event, the final word on the inspirational and motivational speech is this excerpt in which the Admiral summarizes his thoughts . . .

"Start each day with a task completed, find somebody to help you through life. Respect everyone. Know that life is not fair and that you will fail often.  But if you take some risks, step up when the times are the toughest, face down the bullies, lift up the down trodden, and never, ever give up . . . If you do these things the next generation and the generations that follow will live in a world better than the one we have today . . . and what started here will indeed have changed the world for the better."

I guess I'm hoping you cheered the message . . .

Today we will be breaking out in groups.  Those groups will be posted when you arrive.  Coach S is planning to hit the road with his athletes, Coach Richner will remain on the campus. They will have more specifics when we break out.  As for my group, we too will hit the road and will be running pick ups in the Holly Ridge area, after which we will have core and stretching.  See you at 2:30 . . .