The Ethnic Tailcat

Wow! I think we may have to go to "All Ethnic All The Time" for TailCat themes! I'm not so sure I'm kidding - that was fantastic! As for the game, it wasn't anything like I expected but - hey, back to the TailCat! Where to begin - we had one highlight after another.

It started with the dueling heaters - Frank Ross' new-fangled version vs the hardy metal propane version brought by the Martins. Heat - good. Cold - bad.Fraaaank! Fraaaa - aaaank! Mr. Ross also brought his new fryer full of some awesome home-made soup.

"Are you SURE you dropped the car keys in here?!?"

The early-arriving girls - JoAnn Ross and Judy Martin - were a bit miffed that we guys were monopolizing the heaters. So they emptied the ManCave by changing channels to male beach volleyball. We don't need to see guys rolling around in the sand in their trunks - we gave 'em the heaters.

I'm not sure if there's a connection there but - Doc Myers showed up later with a purse over his shoulder. It sure wasn't a medical bag; he doesn't do house calls.

"I'm a licensed medical professional; I should probably have vegetables with this"

The Godfather and Consigliere of our TailCat tradition - Mike Eynon and Axel Hoyer - showed us all what top-shelf schnitzel tastes like!

"OK - tell me again: How did that wedding reception get into our TailCat?!?"

Jim Anter was there and - oh wait, no - no he wasn't.

Fraaank! Fraaaa - aaaank!

The Ramoses have been at every TailCat - yet this is Fred's first mention. For a guy that's run for public office, he sure doesn't call much attention to himself. How IS that?!

Sue Ryan - come back!

Wendy is seen here texting all her friends that she's standing next to George Clooney

I started to make note of every dish that arrived - and that I sampled - and wanted to mention them all. But I know I'll slight someone if I leave them out! Gillissie's pierogies, Wendy Myers' Lazy man's stuffed cabbage, JoAnn Ross' soup, Gina McVey's svingies(?), Chris Carozzoni's meatballs. Here's a blog twist - let's open it up for "shoutouts": if you tasted a great dish, "reply all" and mention the dish and who made it. (This is NOT an invitation to tease ME! I'm very sensitive. Seriously.)

Fraaaaaaaaa-aaaaaaank! Frank!

Junior and Sophomore parents: Heed the call! Heed the warning!! Judy Martin pointed out Saturday night that - without the promise of a playoff appearance - that could have been the seniors' last game at Byers!! My god - it goes fast! 4 years. 8 weeks. Does it not seem like yesterday we were preparing to face Glenville?!? Or watching our Kittens in their first game at St Ignatius?! Make the effort to add an hour or two to your gameday schedule and come early -or earlier - to the TailCat; it's the only way we parents can make these days last a tad bit longer. You won't regret it!


As for our 'Cats, they have nothing but one tough matchup after another the rest of the way - playing playoff-caliber teams in playoff environments. Some of the best high school football in the nation - such a treat. Could we be any more proud of a group of kids that started the season with so much promise -but with just as many question marks? But now stand undefeated after 8 weeks?! Bring on the Boatmen!!


GO CATS!!!!