It's Tim Tebow Time

I attended the Broncos/Chargers game in Denver, CO on October 9th.  The Broncos quarterback, Orton, was terrible.  So were the Broncos.  I enjoyed the NFL game and the atmosphere, but was a little disappointed in the level of play.  I was just about to leave the stadium early, when I heard the crowd roar.  Tim Tebow replaced Orton and had just run the ball into the end zone for a score.  Was this the same game I had just watched for three quarters?

Tim Tebow has been criticized for not being the "typical NFL quarterback."  He is unconventional and does not have the greatest arm in football.   But he is a born leader on the field and the Broncos were a different team when he was their quarterback.  I can think of several "unconventional" quarterbacks that had to prove themselves in the NFL.  Names like Tarkenton, Flutie and Warren Moon come to mind.  All these had very different styles from the cookie-cutter QBs of today, but they were winners and proved it on the field.

Tebow led the Broncos back to almost tie the score with less than two minutes left in the game.  He then got the ball back with seconds on the clock and drove down the field.  With one second left on the clock, he threw a pass in the end zone that was dropped.  The Broncos came that close to winning the game against a very good Chargers team.   What would have happened if Tebow had been allowed to play all four quarters?

After the game was lost and the 1 and 4 Broncos headed for the locker room, the Denver fans showed their appreciation by chanting "Tebow, Tebow, Tebow."  I was glad to hear Tim Tebow will be the starting quarterback this weekend against Miami.  Miami is 0 and 5 and this may be a very good opportunity for a very young quarterback to get some playing time. 

Good Luck, Tim!

Santa Fe, NM Is For Art Lovers

My wife and I travelled to Santa Fe, NM recently for the first time.  After a little bout of altitude sickness (7000 ft. elevation), we settled in to find a city rich with culture and diversity.   We visited several art museums and enjoyed all the artisans works we saw everywhere.  From the paintings to the sculpture to the silver and turquoise jewelry displayed on blankets in front of the Palace of the Governors, the whole town was one big art show.  We even found some of the our favorite artwork displayed in the rotunda of the state capital.   One of my favorite artists was Georgia O'Keefe.   We purchased several of her prints at the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and the gift shop graciously framed them for us.

There was so much to enjoy in Santa Fe, from the historic churches, to the art museums, the food, the shopping and just sitting in the plaza listening to music.  One of the greatest treasures we found in Santa Fe were it's people.   My wife and I rode the #2 bus daily to downtown and found the most friendly and kindest people we have ever met.  Every single person was so friendly and personable.  They all knew each other by name and we enjoyed the daily conversations and courtesy that was shown to one another.

Santa Fe has much for which to be proud, but the best of it's treasure can be found in the hearts and spirit of it's people.  The Zia symbol that is on the New Mexico flag (see below) is an interpretation of an ancient sun design.  The symbol stands for "perfect friendship" and the Santa Fe people live up to this name.   It has been a real joy visiting Santa Fe and we plan to return.

Boomer Sooner or Later.....

I was in Denver, CO last Saturday and wanted to see the Red River Rivalry (or for those not from Texas - the annual Texas/Oklahoma football game).  My RV did not have cable access to the game, so I looked on the Internet for a sports bar/restaurant that might be showing the game. 

To my surprise, I found the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the "Texas Exes" were meeting at the Govnr's Tavern for a big TX/OU game party.  We were invited to join them at 9 AM for brunch and to watch the game.  We arrived early before an overflow crowd, all dressed in burnt orange and singing the UT fight song.

Although Texas got beat up by OU (which was expected since Texas was largely a freshman team going against the previously No. 1 ranked team in the country), the atmosphere was great and it was nice to meet so many Texans in Denver.  The only good thing about the game was the Longhorns have a good memory for this type of defeat.  The Sooners kept their first string players in the game and ran up the score.  Three years from now, if Oklahoma is still playing in the Big 12, the Longhorns will certainly get their revenge.

Next time you are in Denver, CO in October, look up this fantastic group of alumni.