Dear Kid,

Aside from the coffee we stopped for on the way to see you (one part battery acid to two parts battery acid) and my slightly sun-kissed nose, yesterday was a fabulous day.

Even the unfortunate end to the football game couldn’t take the shine off the day.

OU football! OU, Oh yeah! DearKidLoveMom.com

OU football! OU, Oh yeah! DearKidLoveMom.com

And I am now officially a HUGE RAVING fan of the Marching 110.

...the effervescence of the 110 between plays and during TV time outs is contagious...

…the effervescence of the 110 between plays and during TV time outs is contagious…

There is a convenience inherent in watching football on TV. The snacks are less expensive, there’s no line for the restroom, and did I mention the slight sunburn? But there is nothing like of being part of a cheering crowd. And the effervescence of the 110 between plays and during TV time outs is contagious (and unfortunately drowned out by TV commentators). The 110 has FUN. Halftime was EXCEPTIONAL!

Before the game and after brunch with you, Dad and I drove to  the “classic Appalachian town” of Nelsonville, OH, home of a very small historic town square, an opera house (closed for renovation), a cute emporium (bought a glass barrette), and Rocky Boots (want to kill something with four legs? Get outfitted here).

Nelsonville Brick

Nelsonville Brick

Nelsonville is famous for coal mining (which we don’t talk about) and its bricks which were often made with a star pattern and were shipped all over these here United States.

When we got back to Athens, we parked at “Event Parking $5” and walked over to the Dairy Barn and Art Gallery. I’ve seen the signs for the last two years since it isn’t that far from your apartment, but we’ve never been. Yesterday, we went.

Turns out the art gallery/museum cost $10 per human, and since we weren’t planning to enjoy $10 worth we didn’t pay. Instead I asked if I could visit the shop. Certainly, I was told. But to get to the shop you go through the gallery. I cheated and looked at the art on my way. Very cool. Not worth $10 visit fee.

The shop has much of the same art we saw in Nelsonville at the aforementioned Emporium, so we got to enjoy it a second time.

Our view during our picnic before the OU football game. DearKidLoveMom

Our view during our picnic before the OU football game. DearKidLoveMom

Then a quick picnic by the car and off to the football game.

Lovely, lovely day.

Love, Mom