Char's Coffee Corner: 
(The only news that counts this week)
Hello All,
Grab your cuppa coffee and let me share an
experience I was privileged to enjoy this week.
When Kathy Goodman, Howard's daughter, called me a
couple of months ago and asked if I would like to attend the Packer/Viking game
when my favorite quarterback, Brett Favre, would be playing against my old
hometown team, I didn't hesitate with my answer. Howard, who was listening on
speaker phone, went immmediately to the computer for a ticket to Minneapolis.
The plan was to fly up on Monday
morning, Oct. 5, 2009, and return on Tuesday morning. We packed a lot of fun
into 24 hours.
Since the Vikings play in an enclosed stadium,
called the Metrodome, I didn't have to concern myself with warm, layered
clothing as I did at Lambeau Field at Green Bay in January of '06. The bigger
conflict was do I wear my green and gold #4 jersey in a crowd of Viking fans?
And Viking fans with horns and hair are formidable-looking creatures. Kathy
assisted here. She brought purple glasses with flashing lights to deflect from
the green and gold. She also brought two cake pans of homemade cookies labeled
"cookies to go" which diverted attention from me. It's pretty hard to divert
attention from Kathy as she is such a pretty girl and turned A LOT of
heads.
Kathy picked me up at the airport with the Land
Rover which lowers for small people like me to enter. It rained during the
entire 24 hours I was there, but was nice for my dry eyes. We went to the hotel
to drop off overnight bags and headed for the hotel restaurant for lunch. We
met a lady there who struck up a conversation because of the Favre shirt and it
turned out she was a Packer backer, but, like me, switched to the Jets last year
and the Vikings this year because of the irresistible quarterback. While we
were there she introduced us to several more people and soon we had a party
going.
Kathy splurged and had arranged for a Towne Car to
pick us up at the hotel and drop us off at the Metrodome, or right across the
street at Huberts where there were wall to wall people. The cookies were
popular here. Kathy met some old friends with whom she had gone to school and
Geraldine's (Howard's sister) son, Tommy and his son, Bryan, were also there.
I guess this was a version of a tailgate party. I dunno.
At the entrance to the Metrodome, everyone is
searched for contraband. I wondered if Kathy's cookies would pass muster.
Although they said they were not allowed, she blithely told them she always
brings them and two people waved her through while she smiled.
We had great seats on the 10 yard line and the
pageantry was fascinating. I hope you can see the huge Viking ship which rocked
and roared and was situated at the end of the tunnel where the players enter the
field. There were fireworks, flag team, cheerleader/dancers and a loud-speaker
system which provided plenty of background noise. Noise. I have never heard
noise as I heard it Monday night. People screamed at the top of their lungs
when the opposing team had the ball. I honestly didn't know if I would lose my
hearing which isn't all that great anyhow. After any good gain and especially a
score, the high fives started. My wrist had a work-out since we had a lot about
which to cheer. I did feel guilty as it was the first time in my life, I wasn't
for the Packers!
With her binoculars, Kathy spotted Brett Favre's
wife in a box across the field from us and she thought it would be fun to see if
we could get a picture with her. We made our way--s l o w l y--to the other
side of the stadium and asked the security guard by her box if we could see
Deanna Favre. He asked our names and Kathy gave mine from Arizona. After a
while he came out and motioned for us to come in. I told her I had read her
book, blah, blah, blah and Kathy snapped our picture. Hopefully you can open
it.
By now you know the outcome of the game. I can't
imagine the pressure Favre felt with so much resting on his shoulders, but he
came through with flying colors. Now if he can get through the season without
injuries, the Vikings could....maybe.....I hope......make it to the Super Bowl.
Doyathink?
The Towne Car driver found us in the mob and the
rain and I utilized the hot seat feature as well as the temperature control for
my little compartment in the elegant car. After door to door service we decided
a little food would taste good and I headed for the restaurant while Kathy
suggested "room service." It was a short night and soon we were headed back to
the airport. In the Phoenix terminal, a man seeing my Favre shirt, commented
that Favre played "good." I told him I was at the game. He smiled broadly and
said, "You lucky dog." Yup, that's what Howard and I thought too. And how
about that Kathy? Is she something or what?
God bless you and America,
Char Underwood