The Slower Road

Well, part 2 of the “snow” portion of yesterday’s post, at any rate. We won’t be discussing basketball here today.

As promised, a few photos of Lexington’s pretty, powdery snow last week. The remnants are still hanging around, but not for too much longer … the temperatures are forecasted to be nearly 40 by the end of the week (after having been below freezing so far this year).

the walled garden at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate, as seen through the decorative garden gates (which, sadly, were closed)

snow in the park at Ashland

Last Thursday, the first big snow storm of the season hit Lexington (“big” being a relative term, of course), and Friday was declared a snow day for our office. Practically all the local and area schools were closed on Thursday as well, in anticipation of the dreaded, promised snow.

the front of our CAA building at the Kentucky Horse Park, after the snow had been falling for several hours on Thursday afternoon

By the time all was said and done, we had about three very pretty inches of fluffy, powdery snow. On Friday afternoon, I took a break (from working at home), bundled up, and braved the measly 17 degrees (plus wind!) to walk to a lovely park near our house for some photo opportunities. There was a group of teenagers playing football in one of the open (normally grassy) areas … they must’ve been cold but sounded like they were having fun. I’ll try to post a couple of proper snow photos tomorrow.

On Saturday, my husband and I went to Rupp Arena to watch the Univ. of KY Wildcats take on the Georgia Bulldogs in the Cats’ first conference (SEC) game. After a hard-fought game, the Cats won (how does that saying go? “cats rule … dogs drool”) and are now one of only two still-undefeated basketball teams in the college div. I universe. It was also celebrity day at Rupp: the Steelers’ head coach sat with UK’s new head football coach, Ashley Judd (a UK alum and rabid Cats fan who comes to as many home games as she can) was the special-guest “Y” in the traditional spelling out of “K-E-N-T-U-C-K-Y,” and the UK cheerleaders presented the routine with which they’re hoping to win their 18th national championship this week.

From here on out (with one notable exception and possibly the NCAA tournament), I’ll spare you any more basketball details … unless something momentous happens. In February, we have tickets for the home game vs. Tennessee, and that’s also the game at which ESPN’s College Gameday will be in attendance. We’ll try to get some photos of the festivities!

Monday, December 21 is a date that will, I imagine, live on in Kentucky (basketball) history for quite a long time. That was the night that the Univ. of Kentucky Wildcats became the first NCAA basketball team to reach 2,000 wins. Ever. The team’s first win was in 1903, so this has been a long time coming. Both UK and the Univ. of North Carolina were close to the milestone, but it was every True Blue UK fan’s wish, of course, that the Cats get there first.

My husband and a friend were lucky enough to be at the milestone game, which was a blowout win against Drexel … 88 to 44. Usually, even the ever-faithful UK fans start heading for the doors a few minutes before the end of home games … to beat the traffic home, I guess. But last night, everyone (more than 24,000) stayed for the after-party.

There was confetti and streamers, and music, and jubilant fans. And there were short but heartfelt speeches from the current coach (John Calipari), a former coach (Joe B. Hall), the son of the legendary coach (Mr. Rupp), and even, at the prompting of his teammates, the junior leader of the team, Patrick Patterson.

after the milestone win, all the fans stayed; the cheerleaders, team, coaches, and media gathered on the floor; and the confetti started flying ...

... and it flew and flew and flew ... confetti and streamers covered the floor, the stands, and the players and fans

Now that this amazing team has reached (and celebrated) this particular milestone, I think everyone’s attentions and hopes are focused on the NCAA tournament in March.