big tigers, little tigers...

Last weekend Lauren and I went with Katie to her hometown of Winnfield. It is a small town in Cenla (Central Louisiana) that has so much character! I can see where Katie gets it from. I have been hearing stories about Mr. Von, Mrs. Kim, Blake and Samantha since Katie started working at LSU with me, but it wasn't until I got to spend a Saturday afternoon eating the most delicious bbq chicken off the grill and watching the LSU tigers play and win, that I understood the family. From the second I walked through the door I felt like family. The casual way we were offered something to drink, the mountains of food on the counter, too many dogs to count, and the steady stream of people coming in and out of the back door showed me how welcoming they are and how comfortable their house is for everyone. I asked Katie if "all this" was for Blake's birthday and she said,"Oh no, they cook like this all the time." Coffee is brewing at all times- often referred to as "el coffee" by Mr. Von for all of you Spanish speakers. A pig named Champ that was found in the river as a baby prances around the side yard and has to be the biggest hog I have ever seen. (His diet includes Puppy Chow and corn.) After the LSU game we went to Blake's studio where any instrument can be found. We all joined in for an impromptu jam session.

Katie and her family were celebrating her Pawpaw's 91st birthday over the weekend. Since Winnfield Tiger football team has made it to the State Championship, the first time since 1982, we made her grandfather a sweatshirt with iron-on letters, "Shelton #1," to wear to the game. Pawpaw's youngest grandson, Jon, will be playing in the game as the kicker this Saturday against John Curtis. He refers to LSU tigers as the big tigers and Winnfield as the little tigers, which I think is so adorable! The entire town is covered with signage wishing the team well. Even the preacher on Sunday had the congregation applaud the team for making it this far! Katie says that the whole town will be at the game- and I really do believe her.

Good luck little Tigers!