As we take this day to give thanks, yours truly has a few things to be especially thankful for.
First, let me say there is not enough space to list everything I'm thankful for because I am truly blessed.
I'm thankful for:
• My family, and that we all live in the area and will share time together on this holiday. My day will start with lunch at my daughter Whitney's house with her husband, in-laws, friends and Monica, Makennah and Pat Alderson.
In the evening my entire family will meet at my sister Lola's house and it will be filled with loved ones, but none more than our 92-year-old mom who will, as always, be the center of attention.
At both events there will be enough food to feed an army.
• This newspaper, which through the trials and tribulations of today's social media still has the conviction to remain a real newspaper and has kept the mission of being the watchdog of the people intact, complete with integrity.
• The sports department, those people who work nights and weekends and stay on top of the world of perspiring arts not only in Arkansas but around the world.
• The USA, the greatest country in the world. While times and people change, we are still guaranteed a number of rights, including speech and the right to worship.
• For the great state of Arkansas. We may be overtaxed and have some problems, but it is still a great place to live for quality of life.
• For our military, who work around the world to keep us safe 24-7.
• For my friends, who are many and varied but are always there if I need them.
• For Tony Romo, because my house is a much happier place when the Dallas Cowboys are winning. Romo's two most popular times during his career were last Sunday when the Cowboys beat Miami and when he was injured so Cowboys fans could miss him.
• That I don't cover LSU, because the thought of firing Les Miles is beyond comprehension. Some of the things he says may come across as a little goofy, but his players play hard for him and they win a lot more than they lose.
• That I don't cover Alabama.
• For KABZ-FM, 103.7, The Buzz, the station that I'm entertained by all day when I'm not on either The Zone or Overtime.
• For Frank Fletcher, who convinced me a Jeep Grand Cherokee was the perfect vehicle for me and my sometimes aching back. He was right.
• That my tree is decorated and the stockings are hung with care.
• That for the next month Christmas music will be popular again.
• That the Arkansas Razorbacks and Arkansas State should go bowling again.
• That there is a college football playoff system that will most likely leave an undisputed national champion, although I'm not sure how Notre Dame fell out of the top four. Sure they struggled against Boston College, but they won, which is more than Oklahoma can say about its game against Texas.
• That the world was treated to a Triple Crown champion. American Pharaoh was a horse for all time, and he helped a struggling sport more than anything has for national attention.
• For Oaklawn Park, where the greatest 3-year-old horse racing campaign in almost four decades began.
• For The Pigskin Preacher, who not only charges my batteries on Sundays but entertains and informs with his texts and radio show appearances on Overtime.
• That the Razorbacks are playing on Friday and Saturday's games of national interest can be watched with little interference.
Sports on 11/26/2015