Monaco--Monte Carlo

One of our favorite ports on our Mediterranean cruise was Monte Carlo. Maybe because a girl can dream. The wealth kind of oozes here. It is seen in the cars, in the homes, in the buildings and gardens. And then of course there's the fairy tale story of Grace Kelly who came here to film a movie and ended up a real life princess.

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world--right behind the Vatican which is considered the smallest. It's coastline is 2.5 miles long and the country covers 485 acres (100 of which have been reclaimed from the sea). It borders France and the first part of our tour actually took us up to a vantage point in France that overlooks the city of Monte Carlo. The yachts looked big even from that view.

From there we went back to city and took a walk around passing the villas of Caroline and Stephanie and stopping at the palace to see the changing of the guard. We also entered the cathedral and passed by the graves of Prince Ranier and Princess Grace.

Attention single ladies: Prince Albert is still unmarried although we were told he does have a girlfriend. There is at present no male heir to the throne through him since his children have been born out of wedlock.

While we were waiting for the changing of the guard, we watched cars lining up for a sports car rally. I think Bob had his eye on one or two.

The Monte Carlo Casino of course is the major attraction because of all its colorful history and James Bond movies of course. We did not go in. There is a cover charge of $15 just to get in and a strict dress code. The doors were not open until it was almost time for our ship to sail anyway. We did take a look at the Cafe de Paris across from the Hotel de Paris on the same square as the casino. The Cafe was built years ago before women were allowed into the casino. They got to gamble there. Guess the casino saw that as profitable and eventually let women in as well.

The gardens were beautiful, the city lovely and clean, and we'd definitely put it on our revisit list--if we could afford it.

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts

Today I'm blogging at our Scrapbook blog. It's all about The Christmas Story and how it sparks childhood memories.

Cavtat and Dubrovnik, Croatia

In Croatia, we visited a resort area near Dubrovnik called Cavtat. Since the season is over, the place was only crowded with cruisers from the ship. We enjoyed a nice stroll around and found the church of St. Nicholas. It was pointed out that he was the patron saint of Croatian sailors as well as being recognized as the patron saint of children.

After the morning cappucino at a little sidewalk cafe, we boarded the bus again and went back to Dubrovnik for a taste of pastry and a small cup of orange juice accompanied by a culturat program of dancing. The dancers were a volunteer group that is quite famous apparently. They have been invited to go on tour in the States. The costumes were beautiful. Some of the skirts were heavily embroidered in gold thread and it was said that their clothing was authentic from the skin out.

Afterwards we walked down the main street of the walled old city we had seen from our drive to Cavtat. Take a look at our guide holding #21. Doesn't she look like a character from a James Bond movie?

And how about this couple? We're still smiling after 40 years of marriage and two weeks together on a cruise ship. Will it last?

Olympia, Greece

While at the port of Katakolon, Greece, we took an excursion to Olympia, site of the first Olympics that took place sometime around 600-700 B.C. An earthquake tumbled quite a bit of the columns in the temples. It must have been a big one since the sections of the columns indicate they were very large and heavy.

The stadium was like a shallow bowl with grassy sides. The area where the judges sat is still there and a "tunnel" much like the entryway of football stadiums is still there.

At the temple of Hera, the Olympic torch is lit for our modern day Olympics and begins its journey from here. The fire is started with rays of the sun on a mirrored bowl. Or at least it appears that way. If you watch this video, the fire starts awfully quickly.

As I walked among the old temples, I was reminded of the scripture verses that talk of the temple of the unknown god in Athens--the one I think Paul refered to in Acts 17:22-31. Paul said God, the creator of heaven and earth, did not need a temple in which to live. Again, as in Rome, the thought played in my head, "My God is bigger than all of this."

Once we were done touring Olympia, our final stop was at the Europa Hotel's banquet room where we sampled Greek food and were entertained with lively Greek dancers. These people know how to party!

On to Santorini, Greece

Probably the most beautiful port we stopped in out of the three we visited in Greece was Santorini. Here the tenders deposited us on at the base of a steep hill with three options for getting to the little town at the top. First was the option of walking. The trek may not have been impossible but it certainly was made less desirable by the second option--donkeys.

For a few Euros you could ride a donkey up the winding steep slope. Surprisingly this was a popular mode of transportation for many. I imagine the going up wasn't nearly as scary as the coming down however as we saw donkeys slide a bit every so often. There was no one following behind with a pooper-scooper so you can imagine the path. . .

The last option seemed best to us. The funicular. We took that to the top and were one of the first to explore the little town as the shops began to open. A large part of Santorinin is just little alleyways with beautiful white washed buildings with colorful bougenvilla draping the walls.

This was a port for a relaxing (but strenuous at times) walk. After exploring, we stopped for a cappucino at a restaurant overlooking the water. A beautiful picturesque place right out of the pages of any travel brochure. The pictures could never do it justice.

Truth in Advertising

This sign was posted in a market area near Ephesus.

Kusadasi, Turkey

Kusadasi was a wonderful and pleasant surprise. It is set in beautiful countryside and appeared very clean and much less frenetic than Italian cities. Just outside Kusadasi is the ancient city of Ephesus. Our day long excursion was a wonderful inspiring and educational experience. I will have a page on my website dedicated to it when I am able to get it published. I am able to connect and post at Blogspot but for some reason cannot get my website to publish. Ah, the perils of internet technology at sea.

After our morning exploring Ephesus, we were treated to a wonderful meal at a hotel in Kusadasi. The first course was a sampling of several different vegetable salads mostly with beans and tomatoes. Then there was a small cheese filled crepe, followed by an entrée of grilled meats—chicken, beef and a meatball of sorts, and more veggies. It was all topped off with fresh fruit and baklava. I enjoyed the baklava that was not as heavy as the Greek baklava I’ve tasted. The Turks make theirs with light sweet syrup rather than a heavy honey.

After our meal, we were entertained by a troupe of dancers in native costume. The men were quite energetic and athletic doing leaps and landing on their knees then turning circles on their knees. The ladies were elegant and graceful and of course, beautifully dressed in their gold and red trimmed white gowns.

This is a Muslim nation but they do not wear the veils and follow many of the fundamentalist regulations of the religion of Islam. There were many minarets around the city and while we did not hear it, others on the ship did hear the call to worship that came over the loud speakers at the top of the minaret.

Turkey will be on our list of return trips.

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts--Sicily

From the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius in Naples, our ship moved south to Messina, Sicily, the large island that looks like it’s getting kicked by the boot of Italy. We were surprised at how close together the two land masses are. Our tour in Messina took us near the top of Mt. Etna, an active volcano. The latest large eruptions were in 1992 and in 2002. There is still a small eruption going on opposite of the place we visited and is only visible at night when the glow of the small lava flow can be seen.

This lava looks very different than what we have seen in Hawaii. It has much more iron in it and appears very red. It also seems to be finer—not as heavy as the lava flows look near Hilo. There are several craters rather than just one large one.

The area is also known for its honey production. There was every kind of flavored honey you could imagine. We were told the flavors came from the different types of pollen the bees made their honey from but I suspect some of the flavors, like strawberry, actually had flavoring added.

Moving on to Turkey. . .

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts--being read in Tuscany!

While visiting a farm/bed and breakfast/restaurant, I took the time to peruse my copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Overlooking the valley full of grape vineyards and olive trees, I couldn’t help but think of how those symbols play such an important part of the story of God’s plan revealed in the Scriptures. God as gardener. Jesus as the vine. The branches that are to bear fruit.

As we strolled through a walled garden in the little town of San Gimignano amid silvery green olive trees ripening with their fruit, I thought of the garden where Jesus prayed in Jerusalem. There were probably olive trees there as well. I remembered the olive branch as a symbol of peace. Jesus, that little baby we celebrate at Christmas, was foretold in Isaiah to be the Prince of Peace—a peace the world little understands.

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts--Seen at the Trevi Fountain!

While scores of people tossed coins over my head, I opened my copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts again, this time in front of the Trevi Fountain. The fountain is fed by the amazing system of aqueducts built in ancient Rome. Trevi Fountain was completed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi. The main figure is “Ocean” who represents water in all its forms. The water gushes from 24 spouts and disappears underground to rush toward Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain in Piazza Navona.

Legend, or tradition, says that tossing a coin into the fountain will ensure that you will return sometime to Rome. Bob handed me a quarter but since I was the only one tossing it and it was American money, we may not make it all the way back. Still, we can say we followed tradition. I think I like the Christmas traditions in our book a little better.

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts--On tour in Rome!

In the midst of the ancient ruins of the Colosseum, I stopped for a picture opportunity with my copy of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. The huge arena is fascinating. The floor is gone but the area below it is exposed for all to see. A maze of hallways and rooms extends from one end to the other where the animals were kept until they were lifted up by elevators to the staging area for gladiators to fight. Our guide said it was quite an exotic collection including not only tigers and lions but giraffes and other exotic animals from the far reaches of the Roman Empire as a way of showing the extent of the emperor’s control.

The actual name of the arena is the Flavian Amphitheater—really two amphitheaters stuck together to make the oval. It held around 50,000 and could be shaded by an enormous canvas awning that was pulled across the top—the original domed stadium.

No mention of Christians being eaten by lions but as we entered, there was a large cross standing before us with a plaque on it. I know no Italian and there was no explanation. I can only imagine.

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts--The Interview

Today I'm hosting our Christmas Blast Out Blog Tour! Leave a comment to be entered in our drawing for a free copy and that $200 Christmas Basket.

A SCRAPBOOK OF CHRISTMAS FIRSTS

(Leafwood Publishers, October 2008)

A wonderful new gift book, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, is available in October for Christmas giving. Today, I’ve invited the six coauthors to share their unique story of how they came together to publish this exciting book full of stories, recipes, tips for simplifying the holidays and so much more (click on bookcover to see the trailer!).

First, let me introduce Cathy Messecar, Leslie Wilson, Brenda Nixon, Trish Berg, Terra Hangen and Karen Robbins. Thank you for being here today, ladies.

Karen: Thank you for the invitation.

You are from three different areas of the country—Texas, California, and Ohio. How did you all meet?

Terra: We all six joined The Writers View, an online group for professional Christian writers. Trish and Brenda met in person in 2004 for lunch, I understand, and on 9/18/04, after reading a post Brenda sent to TWV, I sent an email to Brenda, asking if she would like to join with me and walk alongside each other, as a Barnabas group. Brenda said yes that same day, and suggested Trish too. Very quickly Cathy, Leslie and Karen joined in and our stalwart band of six was formed. Living in California, I was so happy to find 5 Barnabas writers in other states so we could bring together a wealth of different viewpoints and expertise

Brenda: Actually, We haven’t met. We’re all great colleagues and friends via the internet. Four years ago Terra and I formed a dyad to support each other as Christians who write in the secular markets. Along came Trish, Cathy, Karen, and Leslie (not necessarily in that order) and we formed a close knit bond of support, creative energy, and professional accountability.

Karen: I met Trish through an online forum called The Writers View and she invited me to join the group.

Trish: Although we belong to the same Yahoo writing group, we met one by one online. Eventually, the six of us decided that since we all write as Christians for a secular market through magazine articles and newspaper columns, we could support and encourage one another.

Leslie: Though we met virtually through The Writers View, I have been blessed to give and get hugs from Trish (at a MOPS conference), Cathy (in the area on business) and Karen (in town for a writers' conference). I can’t wait to meet Terra and Brenda face-to-face, though I feel as though I already know them!

How did you come up with the idea to do a book together?

Brenda: The book is Cathy’s brainchild. She mentioned the concept of telling stories of events that happened for the first time at Christmas and sharing holiday historical tidbits and recipes and each said, “If you need any help, let me know.” That offer morphed into each of us equally contributing and co-authoring A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts.

Trish: Yep, Cathy came up with the idea and the title, and asked us if we wanted to join her on this project. Of course, we said Yes!

Terra: Cathy mentioned the idea for a Christmas book to the group, and someone (I think it was Leslie) suggested that maybe our group could all write the book together. Cathy agreed to lead the way on the project. The earliest email I have on this is from 9/7/05, which shows that this has been a three year collaboration from idea to publication.

Karen: (Chuckling) Terra is a librarian and keeps our historical records by saving our e-mails.

Leslie: Actually, Terra, I wrote that comment (in a group e-mail) kind of tongue-in-cheek. Cathy, the ultra-sweet person she is, took my joking at face value and here we are. However, I believe God prompted the passion and ideas we all bring to the project and that He will do mighty things as a result of our collaboration!

Why did you decide on a Christmas theme?

Brenda: It was Cathy’s concept to write a book centering on Christmas.

Cathy: For several years, I’d been thinking about Christmas as a threshold to introduce Jesus to folks who aren’t familiar with him, and I love a simpler Christmas with the emphasis on family, friends and doing for others. I knew of some families who had experienced “firsts” at Christmas—reunions, losses, special surprises—and I wanted to collect those stories.

Terra: Cathy’s idea immediately resonated with me because Christmas books are “a way past watchful dragons,” as C. S. Lewis wrote. Many people won’t buy a book about being a Christian, but will buy a holiday and family fun book, thus the “past watchful dragons.” People who want to grow in their faith, and people who have no faith but celebrate Christmas will buy our book and hopefully be led to put the focus back on Christ for the holiday, and for their lives.

Leslie: Though Cathy birthed the idea, the rest of us quickly hopped on board. Not only is Christmas special to me—especially now that I have a family of my own—but also that particular holiday cries out to be simplified, to return to the meaningful aspects of celebration, and to lose some of the hype and commercialism.

Tell me a little about what is in A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts? What is your favorite part?

Cathy: I like that you can read one chapter in about 15 minutes and, with all the different suggestions, it feels like Christmas Eve. Makes you want to set up the nativity! Many of the suggestions for family activities can be adapted for any family get-together.

Karen: There are heartwarming stories about things that happened for the first time at Christmas. For instance, one of my stories is about the first Christmas with our adopted children. And the book is pretty. When I first saw the colorful pages and drawings, I fell in love with the illustrator’s work.

Brenda: I don’t have a favorite part – I love it all!

Terra: I like the way the parts are woven into a seamless whole, like a patchwork quilt, that is stronger and more beautiful than the parts.

Trish: It’s like everything you ever wanted to know about Christmas, all the best tips and recipes, and neat stories all wrapped up in this perfect little package.

Leslie: I love reading the special stories, hints, recipes—whatever—and imagining the precious family time that precipitated each moment. Plus, the book is gorgeous, beautifully printed, truly something to be proud of. And we are.

I’ve heard that the book is really a nice gift book; can you tell me a little about the format?

Cathy: Yes, it’s a hardbound book, full color interior. The layout makes it easy to read. It has a definite scrapbooky look on the interior. Different logos identify sections, such as an oilcloth-look Christmas stocking appears beside the “Stocking Stuffer Tradition” (help for connecting family members), and the “Cookie Canister” recipes are on a recipe card, and the back ground of “A Gift For You” is a gift box with bow. It’s a classy gift that they can be placed on a coffee table or in a guest bedroom during the holiday season.

Brenda: I like to describe it as a Starbuck’s sorta gift book. It’s high quality, crisp, and practical.

With six different personalities and areas of ministry, how did you manage to put this all together and still remain friends?

Karen: We pray a lot for each other and it helps that none of us have an over-inflated ego.

Cathy: There were no squabbles. Surely, we had differing opinions, but we knew that any of us could suggest an idea for this book and that each idea would get fair reviews from others. We actually voted on some aspects—everyone in favor say, “Aye.” If you’ve ever watched women at a Dutch treat luncheon when they divide up a meal ticket, it can be intense as they split the ticket down to the penny. As the project came together, I was in awe of my gracious coauthors, unselfish women who respect each other.
For some decisions, we did a round robin—things like book title and chapter titles and what categories to put into the book. Then, as compiler, I’d send out a list of needs to The Word Quilters, that’s what we call ourselves. For instance in a section we call “Peppermints for Little Ones” (hints for children’s activities), I’d put out a call, and the WQs sent in their hints, and then I put them into appropriate chapters.

Brenda: (Smiling) Are we still friends? Seriously, we each have our own platform, ministry, and family life, and those interests kept this project in perspective – it was important but not the only thing on our plates. No one was so enmeshed in this project that she campaigned for her own way. We never had a bitter disagreement or insistence to be “right.”

Terra: We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders.We offer support and ideas for our separate writing projects and for personal prayer requests. I love these ladies, and I have only met one of them in person. So far, Karen is the only one who has met each of us, and one day we hope to meet in person, in a circle of friendship and love.

Trish: I think we are all very flexible and forgiving. We do have a variety of personalities here, but God has worked amazing things through our little group.

Leslie: Though I have seven non-fiction projects in various stages of completion, I could not be more thankful that this is the one to reach publication first. I am truly blessed to have worked with these women, learned from them, watched as they’ve poured heart and soul into crafting a product that will impact lives for the Lord.

Where can my readers get a copy of SOCF?

Cathy: The coauthors will all have a supply, plus our publisher, Leafwood Publishers, will have plenty of copies and discounts for buying five or more. Or they can be ordered at most online stores or by your local bookstore.

Karen: And anyone who leaves a comment here can be entered in a drawing for a free book and a gift basket worth $200! For a list of its contents, check our blog, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. And while you're there, leave another comment and increase your chances of winning!

Tell me more about your blog.

Karen: We started our blog in July and it is accumulating a wealth of information about Christmas. Each of us posts one day a week following the theme for that week. Watch for new recipes, tips, ways to simplify, stories, etc., similar to what is in our book.

Leslie: Ooh, ooh, let me answer this one. I’m probably the newest to blogging among the group, but I LOVE it. I’ve enjoyed posting and receiving comments back from readers. What an amazing adventure having an online voice can be! This blog will focus on a different theme each week—anything from tips to avoid overeating during the holidays to how to give a guest room special touches—and expand on the material in the book. I think readers will get to know the authors’ individual personalities and connect on a more personal level. Plus, they get that many more ideas, information, inspiration (!) at no additional cost.

WQs: As an added bonus for inviting us to your blog, we’d like to pass along this Christmas tidbit to you and your readers:

Enjoy a blessed Christmas this year! And thanks for inviting us to share our book, A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, with you.

How will we remember?

Several years ago, Bob and I went to New York City to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Perhaps the most important thing I wanted to see in NYC next to the parade was Ground Zero at the site of the World Trace Center. We spent the afternoon in the financial district being awed again by the immensity of the tragedy that took place 9/11/01. The rubble is cleared but the empty space is enormous. The subway station is open again and right across from it is St. Paul's Church. This little church with a big heart was central to the rescue operation providing shelter, food, and encouragement. There are display areas set up with remnants of the memorials and the rescue effort for visitors to see.

(For more impressions of 9/11 see my earlier posts: Ground Zero, Ground Zero 2, Ground Zero 3.)

It will not be long before the gaping hole that is in the middle of the financial district of NYC will be filled in with. . .what? How will we remember the day that changed our world? The people that lost their lives? Somehow I think that no matter what the structure, it will be something remembered more in our hearts than in stone.

New and Old Country Roots

While my husband came from small town roots (see my Monday post), my family came from two distinctly different areas. My mother's side of the family was southern although Mom never really defined that except to say that my grandmother sure knew how to make Southern Fried Chicken. It has been rumored that the roots for that side go back to John Hancock although I have never seen the proof.

My father's side of the family came from Prague in what was then Bohemia, Czechslovakia. My grandfather came on a ship with his parents and nine siblings and passed through Ellis Island like so many other immigrants did in those days. The story was always told that they lost one daughter in the crowd and confusion. Then they found her years later in Detroit but I never heard what became of her after that. The truly interesting thing was that all of the siblings eventually changed their names to a more Americanized version and none of them were the same.

When we are children and young adults we often don't appreciate the roots we have. I wish I had paid more attention. But the stories are still mine to retell--true or not, they are what were told to me.

Small Town America

This weekend we made a trip to where my husband's family roots are in a small town in south central Ohio. My mother-in-law narrated as we took side streets pointing out the house where she grew up, the homes where some of her siblings and aunts and uncles lived. The homes are a lot smaller than what Bob remembers but then we decided he was a lot smaller back then and his perspective would have been a little different visiting grandma and grandpa's house.

We drove through the center of town and marveled at the detailed brick and sandstone on the buildings that still stood strong. It seems that small towns aren't in a hurry to knock everything down for a modern mall or shopping strip. Those things were there but they were situated closer to the interstate.

Small town roots are good. They go deep and they grow strong and they produce some great families--like my husband's.

FAIR food fare

Who can resist a big fluffy cotton candy on a stick. Nowadays it mostly comes in bags but I still prefer the paper cone and watching the maker twirl it around as the sugar spins out. Cotton candy dates back to the late 1800s. There are four people credited with the recipe but only two, John C. Wharton and William Morrison obtained the patent for the machine in 1899. They premiered it in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair.

The cotton candy machine heats the sugar which is then spun by centrifugal force and forced into the center of the machine through tiny holes that form the fine strands of the sweet stuff that is collected on a paper stick.

My favorite fair food is a candy apple--the real ones with the crunchy red coating. I don't mind the caramel ones but in the heat of summer they can get really gooey. And of course it's a serving of fruit so it's good for you. Right?

FAIR Game

When we were at the fair we walked past the all the carnival games with their "barkers" goading us to come and play. I always look for the milk bottle booth. I remember as a really young child my grandfather giving me a beat up old baseball. I learned later that it was from the booth he ran as a "Carnie." I know now that it was a tough life for him and my grandmother. I can't imagine trying to live on what they made on the carnival circuit.

Someone once told me that it wasn't necessarily how hard you hit the milk bottles but where you hit them that counts. I did a little research and found a few places on the internet that support that theory. You need to aim at the base and the space between the two bottom bottles.

For the balloon dart throw booth I found a hint that says the best prizes are often hung under the balloons at the edges since most people aim for the middle. Also the balloons are a bit under-inflated so throw hard.

On the ring toss game, you need to snap your wrist as you throw so that it spins and if you're going to test your strength, accuracy is more important than how hard you swing the mallet. Aim for dead center.

Finally, it's always been my philosophy that if you really have to have that plush animal, it may be cheaper to just go buy one.

It was a FAIR day

This past Saturday, we took advantage of beautiful late summer weather and ventured out to one of the many county fairs held in Ohio, the Geauga County Fair. This fair is one of the largest and certainly oldest fairs not only in Ohio but in the nation. It dates back to 1823 and has been held yearly ever since despite the Civil War, the Spanish American War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and the more modern conflicts after them.

While that first fair was called "Fair and Cattle Show" and prizes were handed out for the best bull and heifer, there were also prizes handed out for fabric arts. Since the mid-1800s the fair has been held in Burton--equally well-known for hosting the maple festival in early spring.

The fair has certainly grown and offers exhibits for every kind of farm animal imaginable including llamas and alpacas. We strolled through the produce building and admired the beautiful harvests and stood amazed at the size of the large gourds and pumpkins. The largest pumpkin was just under 1200 pounds. Buildings (some listed on the historical register) held fabric arts, crafts, antiques, flowers, paintings, photographs, homemade bakery. I'll stop there as the image makes my mouth water. We just missed the apple pie auction.

This is what makes living in the Midwest so great and Ohio especially. While the Ohio State fair is huge, the county fairs bring more focus on local areas and add to community.

A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts--Cookie Recipe

Okay, so when we started this book and the call went out for recipes, I panicked. They were asking a gal who can't make Jello. Here's one of my favorite recipes for the cooking challenged at A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts blog.

O-H-I-O !

I had no idea those folks in the late 1800's were so rowdy. Apparently, according to all that I could find on the matter, that's when the O-H-I-O cheer began.

Now there are several ways it is done. At the beginning of the game, the Horseshoe is divided up into four sections and each one yells out a letter in turn, round and round, until the ball is kicked.

Then there is the shout, "O-H!" answered by, "I-O!" Often this is shouted back and forth between the closed end of the Shoe where traditionally Block O sits and the South Stands where faithful alumni who can't afford better seats sit.

O-H! I-O! has become a recognized greeting among Buckeye fans--true Buckeye fans. As we travel we often see someone wearing an Ohio State shirt and we immediately yell out "O-H!" We can tell if they are wearing the shirt with pride if they yell back "I-O!" So, a word to the wise: If you're gonna wear the shirt, know the right response!!

By the way, O-H-I-O is showing up in some strange places. Take a look here.


Hang on Sloopy and let's go Bucks!!