Turkey Bowl

A group of my friends get together every Thanksgiving. For several of us it's the only day of the year we see each other. For many years we met on Thanksgiving morning and played tackle football. After one particularly grueling game that resulted in several broken bones, some (read: our wives) would say we started using our brains and began playing flag football. Toward the latter years, the football teams always ended up pitting the younger guys ("youngies") against the older guys ("oldies"). Surprisingly, the oldies totally dominated the competition. In the earlier days, it was our physical prowess; toward the latter years, our intelligence. While there is some dispute as to the actual record, as far as I remember it was (give or take):

Oldies : 20

Youngies: 2

Since the oldies have begun entering our late '30s, we've transititioned from football to bowling. Last year the youngies pounded us pretty good on the lanes. So, this year the oldies took them to the woodshed. The first game was won by a single pin, while Game 2 saw the oldies spank the youngies like the wayward children they are (the alcoholic beverages we purchased for them worked to perfection).

Unfortunately, the oldies were victims of their own success. We began to believe that we had the strength and stamina of our youth. So, we accepted the challenge of a third game and then, after losing handily, a fourth. We allowed the youngies to claw back and salvage what little dignity they had. So, officially, it was a tie; but, only because of the oldies largesse. Next time we won't be so magnanimous.

Pictures to follow.

This is a photo of the youngies. As you can see, they are not very impressive.

The oldies--good and decent human beings.

There was no shortage of "ball" jokes. Here, Jason Hagen shows off his ball sack.

In action-two "YOUS": Youngies of Unusual Size.

Most of the youngies bowled like wussies.

However, this was just a ruse to conceal their evil intentions.

Oldies are not fooled easily, though. Here, Al Davino is settin' up to knock 'em down.

It was a great night. I can't wait until next year.