ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 10, 1997 TAG: 9701100075
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: COMMENTARY
SOURCE: RAY COX
Counting blessings is an endeavor mandated by the Christmas season and the turning of the new year.
This particular exercise has always come easily to me, perhaps never more so than right now. Why? Because I am the luckiest guy in the solar system, that's why.
Some reasons:
Sunsets over the baseball diamond at Christiansburg High. The rich oranges, aquas and royal blues bathe the outfield and pitching mound in celestial pastels.
A new football stadium may be going up at Blacksburg High. Maybe they'll throw in a new press box.
Pulaski County's football Cougars play - hard all the time, no matter what the occasion. Sometimes I'm there to see it.
After numerous girls' basketball games at Floyd County High, I'm pleased to report that I'm not deaf yet.
My daughter Arden Spencer's waist-length hair was not eaten by a doll this Christmas.
One of the line drives off Arden Spencer's softball bat almost ate me up while I was pitching her batting practice the other day. I hit the dirt just in time. That I was spared a shot right between the eyes always gives me cause to be grateful.
My son, Hatcher, is developing a taste for football.
The single wing. A lot of sportswriters have never even heard of the antique offense. I get to watch Giles run it, which is a little like watching Rembrandt paint a picture or Sinatra croon a tune.
One of my parents turned 74 in December, and the other makes that age in February. They're both healthy, although my father likes the Redskins, which makes him sick in the head.
The Appalachian League may be returning to the New River Valley.
I didn't have to block Cornell Brown. I didn't have to guard Ace Custis.
I didn't get run over the last time I visited the pits at New River Valley Speedway.
My wife, Sarah, can cook circles around anybody you know. Wars have started over lesser delicacies than the espresso-bittersweet chocolate cheesecake that she served last night.
Four kinds of trout are finning around the creek down from our house. I never have to have permission to go catch one, just the correct fly pattern.
Arthritis is in only one of my joints.
I just turned 40. I never thought I'd make 30.
LENGTH: Medium: 53 linesby CNB