For once, the weather forecast was spot on. As predicted, it started snowing between 8 and 9 a.m. this morning and didn't stop until late this afternoon, by which time we had five or six inches on the ground.
Last night, MBA and USN made the early call and canceled school for today. The boys, of course, were tickled to death, as they rarely are out of school for snow. Better yet, they're both out of school tomorrow, too, as it's not going to get above freezing tomorrow. Truth be told, with the omicron variant raging, I am kind of glad they're not in school right now, immediately following Christmas vacation.
Jude and I worked from home today, off an on. I took a walk down 12th Avenue early this afternoon, while it was still snowing, just to see what was open. By 1 p.m., everything but Edley's had closed for the day. It was different, to be sure, to have a work call - AirPods in - as I walked down 12th Avenue in the falling snow. I had hoped to grab a second cup of coffee from Portland Brew before I walked back home but, no luck, as they shut it down at noon.
By tonight, we were all going stir crazy, so we were excited that the Belmont men's basketball game vs. Southeast Missouri State was still on. Jude made the boys grilled cheese sandwiches and about 6:45 p.m., we trudged up 15th Street in the snow and ice, as we walked to the Curb Center for the game. Being able to walk to Belmont basketball games from our house is one of the coolest things about where we live.
Earlier today, I had talked to Scott Corley, Belmont's athletic director, so I knew they were running a skeleton crew at the game. He'a a close friend of mine from high school. Scott's brother, Mike, and I were roommates in college and fraternity brothers. No concession stands. Managers running the scoreboard. A promotions guy working as the public address announcer. Probably less than 50 fans in the gym.
And, you know what, we loved every minute of the game, a 40 + point Belmont win. For most of the game, the boys sat in the court side seats while Jude and I stayed in our regular seats. The boys were almost directly across from us, so Jude and I were able to see one of the referees talking to them in the second half. After the game, we learned he told J.P. he liked his Dylan Windler Cavalier's jersey.
Because there were so few mans at the game and we sit close to the floor, we could hear the players talking to each other, especially on defense. We also could hear the SEMO coach, as he talked to his player on the bench. Belmont's all conference point guard, Grayson Murphy - the son of a friend of mine - had a great game, as usual. Scored in double digits and led the team in rebounding, with seven.
It was a different, but memorable, night at the Curb Center. I think it's a basketball game I'll always remember. Afterwards, the four of us walked down Bemont Boulevard, turned left on Linden Avenue, and we were home. Jude and the boys sledded on 15th Street for a few minutes but not for too long, probably because the temperature was 18 degrees and dropping.
A pretty great night.
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