A story came out today about the possibility of Jesus having a wife. A scrap of papyrus suggests that very idea.

Harvard professor finds evidence that suggests Jesus may have been married.


A Harvary scholar supposedly discovered a 4th century fragment of papyrus providing the first evidence that some early Christians believed that Jesus was married.

This Sept. 5, 2012 photo released by Harvard University shows a fourth century fragment of papyrus that divinity professor Karen L. King says is the only existing ancient text that quotes Jesus explicitly referring to having a wife. King, an expert in the history of Christianity, says the text contains a dialogue in which Jesus refers to "my wife," whom he identified as Mary. King says the fragment of Coptic script is a copy of a gospel, probably written in Greek in the second century. (AP Photo/Harvard University, Karen L. King)


Scholars are questioning the authenticity of the payrus.

During an international congress on Coptic studies in Rome, Karen King, a professor of early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School, announced the finding on Tuesday. The text on the papyrus, which is written in Coptic and likely translated from a 2nd century Greek text, suggests that Jesus refers to "my wife." Jesus identifies her as Mary.

Many scholars believe it's a fake, or a forgery.

I'm not near smart enough to figure it out. I found it to be a really interesting story.

Read more about it here: http://news.yahoo.com/harvard-claim-jesus-wife-papyrus-scrutinized-115436251.html

All I know is that I'm a firm believer in Jesus, and that I love the Lord.

FANTASY FOOTBALL UPDATE

I realize I'm really switching gears here, but it's what I do. My first week in Fantasy Football was a great one. I'm off to a 1-0 start, and my team scored the most points in Week 1, leaving me atop the standings.

My team, Awesome Allison, scored 130.12 points. The next closest team scored 116.90.

My backfield of Reggie Bush (31.70), C.J. Spiller (29.00) and quarterback Cam Newton (25.22) led the way. Of course, my defense, Green Bay with 19.00 points, also helped.

BOOK UPDATE

I'm in a holding pattern with my book, "Home Run from Heaven," at the moment.

My wonderful Mumsy is diligently editing my book. A buddy, Darryl Marsh, has been working on a cover for me.

I'm hoping to have it published sometime this month, or early next month.


SHOUTOUT OF THE DAY

Today's Shoutout goes to my sister-in-law, Louise D. She's an awesome lady, who will be running a half marathon with my beautiful wife in Octobor. (I've been training for my role as a supportive husband/brother-in-law by clapping my hands while sitting down. It's not easy, but I'm getting better at it.)

FLASHBACK OF THE DAY

A shot of the Bellevue Redmen cheerleaders from, ahem, a couple years ago. The group includes two of the sweetest, prettiest, coolest girls I know...Carolyn Wenner and Angie Bickhart.

Somebody who received plenty of cheers and applause as a Bellevue Redmen was Brad Bollinger, who was a superstar in high school. He was one of the most fun guys I had the chance to cover, a dynamic, explosive athlete and a great guy. Definitely one of the funniest guys I know.

A great golfer, and an ever greater girl, is Faith Hardison. She is super pretty, super funny, super sweet and super awesome. Faith, who went to Williamston High School in N.C., earned her way on to the ECU golf team.

 

 

 

THE BRITS: ‘OFF WITH THEIR THREADS!’

What’s going on with the crown jewels these days? First, Prince Harry got caught, sans pants, during a VIP party in Las Vegas. And now, Kate Middleton was caught, sans top, while on vacation with her hubby, who is some important chap in England.

Nude photos leaked of Prince Harry’s shenanigans while in Vegas. I guess the motto, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” didn’t hold true.

I think I would have wanted to party with Harry when I was in college, but I don’t think I would have done what he did. I’m too bashful. Besides, my mom always taught me to wear pants, especially while out in public.

Kate, who seems really cool to me, was caught topless while vacationing with her hubby, Prince William, in France. When word leaked that a French publication ran photos of the topless Duchess, she and her hubby were none too pleased. I don’t blame them. Then again, I’m careful even when I’m out on the beach. I cover up my delicates because of paparazzi…and because of curious seagulls.

The head honchos at the palace said topless photos have invaded the Duke and Duchess’ privacy “in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner.”

The royal couple want a criminal investigation into the slime ball who took the photos. While a French court did rule in favor of the royal couple on Tuesday in their fight over the photos, other photos have already been published in Ireland, Italy and the Internet.

I feel badly for Kate. And for William. But I’m a selfish kind of fellah when it comes to my beautiful wife. I don’t want anybody to see her but me. And, luckily for me, her mom raised her right. She wears pants (and shirts) while out in public.
 

 

IF I WERE A PARENT, I’D BE GOING APE!

Have you seen the video where a gorilla is carrying around a young girl? There’s video of it all over the Internet now.

 

Damian Aspinall, a conservationist, let his 18-month-old girl play with a 300-pound gorilla. He even filmed it! It happened 22 years ago and it is just now coming into the light because Mr. Aspinall was afraid of public backlash.

He released it recently to show that gorillas can be good babysitters if you can’t get anybody else to watch your kid. And you just have to pay them in bananas, not real dollar bills!

No. Wait. That’s not quite right. He did it to show that gorillas can be gentle creatures.

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/09/gorilla-carries-toddler-like-doll-in-amazing-viral-video/#ixzz26qtrAUrT

WHAT WAS THAT BABY DRINKING?

Kids are cute, aren’t they? Well, usually. But this photo had me laughing.

The baby was posing for a passport photo. The cute little guy didn’t have anything extra added to his bottle, making him look a bit crunked. It’s just that he was plain tuckered out.

Read more on the funny little fellah here: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/09/5-month-olds-amazingly-awkward-passport-photo/

SHOUTOUT OF THE DAY

This shoutout goes to all of the former student-athletes I've had the priviledge of covering during my sports writing career. You have given me so many great memories, I can't thank you enough.

 

FLASHBACK OF THE DAY

I was there when Dave Falknor set the all-time scoring record in Bellevue Redmen basketball history. Dave was a pure shooter. He could drive to the basket when he wanted, but he was absolutely deadly from the outside. Dave went on to have a nice career with the Akron Zips. He was one of the nicest guys I ever covered.

Emily Best is as sweet as they come. She was a tremendous softball and volleyball player for the Williamston Tigers. What made her stand out to me was her demeanor, on and off the playing field. I loved watching her play.

 

OH, MONDAYS, YOU COME TOO SOON

As I was lying in bed, my eyes blinking and adjusting to the light at the crack of noon, I thought to myself, “Mondays, why must you come so soon?” Rubbing the sleep from my eyes after my 12-hour slumber -- hey, I worked hard on Sunday. ..it’s not easy watching THREE football games back-to-back-to-back -- I kicked the covers off me, hopped out of bed and was ready to tackle the day…. “Only six more hours until dinner!” is what pushed me through.

Okay, I embellished somewhat. I was up a bit before noon. But I woke up groggy. I think it’s the weather. It was gray and rainy, which is excellent sleeping/lounging/loafing-around/doing-absolutely-nothing-productive kind of weather.

After I brushed my teeth, I decided that I needed a nap after that taxing endeavor. I kid. I kid. I decided that I needed coffee. I read the paper, drank aforementioned coffee, had some toast and then decided it was time to walk the dogs. Both Thor and Tasha (left to right in the photo below) get excitable when it comes to walks, and are quite happy when we are on said walks.

But they crash, and they crash hard, when we return.

                           (Thor hiding his head under the bed to maximize his sleep after a walk.)

        (Tasha resting on her bed after a walk. Of course, she looks like this most of the day anyway.)


While resting myself after the long excursion, my beautiful wife asked if I wanted to go out with her while she jogged. Me? I don’t jog. My doctor once told me to take it easy…something like 12 years ago after a nasty cold… and I have heeded his advice ever since.

I actually climbed on my bike and caught up with my wife. It’s always nice being with her. Of course, my idea of “alone time” with her doesn’t constitute being in the great outdoors, but this is a family blog. Anyway, besides the bonding time with her, we got to see actual, real-life nature.

(There he was, all 700 pounds of him, just roaming around freely in the back yard of a neighbor's house! Okay, I made that up.)

Here is what we actually saw...

          (A mama deer and her youngun's, presumably named Thor and Tasha, or Bambi and Fred.)

SHOUTOUT OF THE DAY

My friend, Lindsay, is the best dancer/performer in the NBA. She's on the dance team, the Charlotte LadyCats, that performs at the Charlotte Bobcats basketball games.

Lindsay has started a new "Lady Cat Lindsay" page on Facebook and she is looking for fans. Yeah, she's okay looking (sarcasm), but she's really, really sweet and super funny. You should help her out. Click on the link below and "like" her page.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lady-Cat-Lindsay/397845203605182


　
FLASHBACK OF THE DAY

In a new segment to this blog, I have decided to unveil a photo or two of some of my favorite people I have covered during my sports writing career. It was neat going through old newspapers and looking at some of the photos I've taken and stories I’ve written, bringing back all kinds of wonderful memories.

Of course, I’ve been doing this for over 20 years. While I do have quite a few old newspapers, I didn’t keep them all. Still, what I have will bring me smiles for many years.

I’ve also gone through some old photos. Maybe, just maybe, YOU will be the Flashback of the Day.

In the first installment, here is Lindsay (at left) in an article I did on her when she landed a gig with the LadyCats.

Here are the awesome Eddie "Eagle B" Baptista and Jen Swartz, who were Gazette Award winners. Both were tremendous athletes in high school. They are two of my favorites. Besides being tremendous athletes, they are exceptional people. They always wore smiles while playing; they were competitors; and they were classy. I miss you two!!

A LOVE POEM TO MY WIFE

 

                                                                 Married: June 2, 2012.


The first time I saw you, you took my breath away,

You have the same effect on me to this very day.

You send my heart racing with just one look,

That sweet smile of yours is all that it took.

Oh, to stare deeply into those gorgeous brown eyes,

Lead me into happy thoughts and loving sighs.

Oh, how I long for the taste of your luscious lips,

It makes me all aquiver, it has my heart doing flips.

I will always and forever cherish the day June two,

For on this day you made me the happiest man by simply saying, “I do.”

I wanted to jump around, dance and maybe even sing,

When I saw on your finger that silver wedding ring.

We’ve had great times together, in water, on dirt and sand,

But I seem happiest when I’m simply holding your hand.

Because of that boisterous laugh and that amazing smile,

I know you’ll make me happy for a long, long while.

You’re funny, sexy and extremely smart, too,

There isn’t anything on earth that I wouldn’t do for you.

I’m not the only one who thinks that you are the bomb,

I know Katherine and I both think you’re a wonderful mom.

You are so very special, and so very sweet,

Even when you talk in your sleep, I think that’s kinda neat.

Whenever I’m with you, I am completely in bliss,

And even more so when I get your loving kiss.

To be in your arms, in that awesome embrace,

To look you in the eyes, to see that beautiful face.

To be with you always, to never be apart,

To share with you always, your kind and loving heart.

My caring and beautiful wife, you’re the only one for me.

I’m so very thankful that you and I have become “we.”

I now find myself looking to the heavens above,

Thanking God each day for you, dear Allison, my life and my love.

 

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

I remember exactly where I was on Sept. 11, 2001. I believe most of us do.

It's a day that we all remember.

It's a day that we should never forget.

On that day, America was rocked to its very core. On that day, America stood taller, and braver, than it ever had before.

Terrorists took control of planes and slammed them into the World Trade Center, beginning their attack on America that day. I was visiting my mom in Charlotte, N.C., that weekend. Before returning to my job as sports editor at the Washington Daily News in Washington, N.C., I had breakfast. I was drinking coffee, reading the sports section and watching The Today Show when I saw that the World Trade Center was on fire.

After the second plane smashed into the tower, I knew immediately that this was no accident. I ran upstairs to get my mom, and together we watched the horror unfold.

I remember driving back to Washington that day, looking into the sky for any planes. I was angry. I was bitter. I was sad.

I still had work to do. I wrote a column that evening. Here is what I wrote the evening of Sept. 11, 2001.


Everyone affected by incident

So many tears shed, so many more to come.

America, I fear, changed drastically on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. Four planes were hijacked by terrorists. Two crashed into the World Trade Center, bringing two of the world's most famous buildings to a rubble of metal, concrete and death.

America's security has been threatened. The nation, the entire nation, was virtually paralyzed because of what transpired.

All air travel was called off. Most sporting events, from the professional level to high school level, were postponed.

My job is to cover sports. I follow sports with a passion, from the pros to college to high school. Football, baseball, basketball. I can't get enough of it.

Tonight, as I write this, sports just doesn't seem so important now.

Barry Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants, is chasing Mark McGwire's home run record of 70. Bonds has 63 and has a legitimate shot at breaking the mark. He and the Giants were scheduled to play in Houston on Tuesday but the game was postponed.

But tonight, I just don't care.

The Cleveland Indians, my favorite baseball team, are playing great and will probably win their division. They were supposed to play the Kansas City Royals Tuesday, and I was looking forward to seeing if Jim Thome would jack another home run.

But tonight, I just don't care.

My friend, Dennis Sabo, sent me a clip from my former home town newspaper so I could read up on how the Bellevue Redmen did last Friday night against archrival Clyde. I love the Redmen and follow all their games, even though I haven't covered them in over a year.

But tonight, I just don't care.

Stunned. Shocked. Horrified. Saddened. Petrified. Angered.

All these emotions are running through me as I sit at my computer. Like many of you, I've been glued to the television and radio trying to absorb as much information as I can on the horrific events that transpired on Tuesday.

The cowardly acts of terrorism have been played over and over by the media. It's been 11 hours since I started to watch the story unfold. And I'm still in disbelief.

I was sitting at my mom's house in Charlotte, drinking coffee and watching The Today Show. While reading the sports section, I glanced up to see the World Trade Center on fire. After a second plane smacked into the tower, I knew immediately that there's no way two planes just happen to run into a building.

I ran upstairs, got my mom and together we watched the unbelievable unfold. It looked like something that happens in the movies. Together, we just shook our heads. My mom just kept going, "Oh my God. Oh my God."

Just how safe are we? I get the feeling that everybody will be looking over their shoulder for some time to come.

My heart goes out to the countless victims and families affected by the heinous acts. I can only imagine what their loved ones are going through.

The word that keeps coming back to me is "why?"

After watching the television and listening to the radio for eight hours straight, I managed to tear myself away to cover the Northside-Gates County volleyball match. It was difficult not to think about what had happened earlier that day. Quite frankly, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

For me, it was nice to see the innocence of high school players trying to prove themselves, trying to win a game. It seemed worlds apart from what was happening on the outside.

I returned to the office, and the television was blaring. More images of the plane barreling into the tower. More images of the towers crumbling down. More images of people jumping from over 50 floors up. More images of mass confusion. More images of shock and stunned people.

The images just don't seem real. It makes me want to go back inside the high school gymnasium, where innocence was pure and real.

It makes you appreciate your life just a little more. It makes you care about your loved ones just a little bit more.

I think about them. But I also think about the victims, and what they'll have to deal with over the upcoming days, weeks and years.

So many tears shed, so many more to come.


Here is the front of our newspaper on Sept. 12, 2001, along with the front of a special section and the front of the sports page that day.

It's hard to imagine that 11 years have passed since that horrific day. Most of us were able to go on with our lives, but many were changed because of that day. I can't help but think of, and mourn with, those who lost loved ones or friends on that day.

I developed a deeper respect for firefighters, police and armed forces that day. And my compassion for my fellow man deepened that day as well.

Go America! God Bless!

Sept. 11 is a day I will always remember.

Sept. 11 is a day I will never forget.

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL...

When the Cleveland Browns play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, I'll be ready. I may even wear my awesome, authentic Browns' training camp shorts that my friend, Brad Roach, sent to me.

Brad got them when he had a tryout with the Browns. He also had a stint with the Baltimore Ravens. I hate the Baltimore Ravens, but that's another story.

I know what you guys are thinking. "Sweet shorts. I wish I had a pair of real NFL shorts."

And I know what you ladies are thinking. "Heavens to Betsy, those are some fine legs. He must workout like once a year or so." Sorry, ladies, these legs belong to my beautiful wife, Allison.

She likes me in the shorts. Well, her exact words were, "It looks like a dress on you." But what I read into was, "Mmmm, you sure are some kind of beefcafe."

I think the Browns could use me. I can catch the ball, if it's thrown right at me and not too hard. And I can run the ball. I have a blazing "9.7" 40 time.

I've been known to sling the ball a time or two. I once threw 7 touchdown passes in a backyard football game. That's right, 7 of them!! It may have been with a Nerf football, but still. You gotta be impressed!

As a bonus, I could just wear these shorts. There is nobody on Cleveland's current roster wearing the No. 40. So....yeah.

A big, big "thank you" to Brad for thinking of me. Brad was a superstar quarterback, setting all kinds of records with the Williamston Tigers in high school and with the Catawba Indians in college. If it weren't for a shoulder injury, I believe Brad would be in the NFL right now. A great athlete and a greater guy!!

Brad also sent me a sweet wristband, that I will definitely wear. He started a company called, Life Armour: "God's armor brings victory because it is far more than a protective covering. It is the very life of Jesus Christ Himself."

The company's mission: "To reach as many people as possible, facilitating their relationship with Jesus Christ!"

Here is a sample of what they sell.

Check them out on their web site: http://lifearmourllc.com/

Or check them out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LIFE-ARMOUR-LLC/172429549502934

PREP FOOTBALL....

I kind of wish I was in Ohio tonight. The Bellevue Redmen are playing the Clyde Fliers in a big rivalry. The schools are like 10 minutes apart. I witnessed a lot of great games between the two, calling the matchup, "Goliath vs. Goliath" in a sports column I did for the newspaper many moons ago.

No matter the records, the towns always get jazzed up for the battle. And it is a battle.

I think you can guess who I will be pulling for:

FANTASY TIME...

I haven't played Fantasy Football in a few years, but I got the itch to play again this year. My team, "Awesome Allison," takes over for my previous team name of "Mumsys Misfits."

I won a championship the last time I played, which gave me bragging rights to the walls in my apartment. If I win this year, I could brag to Allison, who I'm sure would just shrug her shoulders. Or I could brag to my dog, who would probably lick himself. I would take that as a "Congrats, man!! You're the best!! You should be  real head coach or owner!!"

I'm doing the auto-pick thing. The first guy I listed is Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers. He had a sensational rookie season, and I think he'll put up huge numbers this year.


SHOUTOUT OF THE DAY

In sticking with the football theme, my Shoutout goes to the sweet Erin, one of my very favorite relatives. She's cheering for football this year. Isn't she so stinking cute? I love her like crazy!!


SONG OF THE DAY

Faith Hill and football...it's a good combination.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GZ0IjQm7oE

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE: The Hudson years

In keeping up with the weekly series, "Kevin Travis: Author - The Early Years," I share some of the poems I wrote in the 4th grade. Miss Mozingo, who as I recall, was really pretty... I think she was my first crush, compiled a list of poems into a handy folder.

So not only will I share a few of my poems, but will also share some of my classmates poems. You're welcome, Lori Tyrrell (Memsic), Ted McFarlane, Carlton Christopher (we became friends in the 4th grade and are of the bestest friends today), Holly Hetrick and Kelly Sullivan (Weissfeld).

The poems I wrote that made it in:

Today
Cold, snowy
Windy and freezing
Christmas is coming soon
Winter.

A white soft snowflake
Coming extremely lightly
Falling from the sky.

Two gems that didn't make it, and I can't see why because they are moving and heart-wrenching:

My dog Scamp
Is really a tramp
So we sent him off to camp.

And one of my all-time favorites:

Superman
Kicked a can
That was the end of Batman.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are a couple from Lori Tyrrell (Memsic). She was one of the popular, pretty girls and was on the flag team (I think that's what they are called) at Hudson High School.

What is Saturday?
Guess what's my favorite day?
Why it's Saturday!
I must say,
The colors are so gay.
Saturday's the psychedelic way!
(Seriously, who knows "psychedelic" in the 4th grade? She was smart!!)

Fawn
As gentle as a warm spring breeze,
As soft as a baby bunny,
As graceful as a butterfly in the blue sky,
As fast as a horse in the meadow.

Transylvania to Terryville two tarantulas traveled
Ten tiny turtles traveled, too.
They're going to Toledo to tip their hats
To take girls to dances and to tell their tall tales.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And from Ted MacFarlane, who was a stud in high school.

Saturday is Yellow
Yellow is nice
Yellow's not mean
Yellow is not ugly
Yellow is kean
Yellow is hot
Yellow is not cold
Yellow is not frightened
Yellow is bold.

Nancy knows her nose is enormous.
Her nephew neglects her nonsense.
But when Nancy knocked her nose on Norm's noggin'
Nancy's nose became normal.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carlton Christopher offered these:

The small croaking frogs
Jumping into cold water
Eating lots of flies.

April showers bring May flowers
Unless it doesn't rain in April.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelly Sullivan (Weissfeld) had these wonderful words: (Kelly was super cool in high school!)
Spring is nice,
And Summer's great,
But Winter's the one
I really hate.

Smiles
Happy, joyful
Showing your teeth
I'm so happy
Grin.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Holly Hetrick offered these:

Wreaths are bristley
With lots of holly berries,
I have one of these.

Rainbows starting from the sky
Will it ever stop forming?
We will never know!

On Beautiful Days
On beautiful days
You can see bays
Fawns come out
And roam about.
Days get longer.
Night grow shorter.
We'll have fun
In the sun!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 REMINISCING: HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL

While being nostalgic, I decided to go through my high school year book (Go Explorers!!).

Ahh, I have such fond memories of the football games (watching from the bleachers).

Ahh, I have such fond memories of the basketball games (watching from the bleachers).

Ahh, I have such fond memories of the dances (standing by the door and waiting to go back to the car to drink a Little Kings or two because I thought I was "cool.")

Going through our senior pictures, (I was trying to look tough in mine, but it's hard to be tough when you weight like 120 pounds), I couldn't help but smile. I remember hanging out with guys like Carlton Christopher, Tom Creamer, Mark Meeker, David Puleo, Dan Kreeger, Donny Alberson, Billy Cuthbertson, Bill Fulton, Paul Kornuta, Tim Klausner, David Kovacs, David Packard...a bunch of great guys.

Notice that I didn't mention any girls. Despite my "brawny" 120-pound frame, I didn't exactly land the ladies like the studs of those days: Ted MacFarlane, Sam Anderson, James Blythe, Kevin Casey, Jeff Albee, Jim Coleman, Brad Daberko, John Fink, Trent Fouts, Steve Herold, David Lloyd, Scott Malson, Scott Martell, John Martinson, Michael Mays, James McGrath, Chris Moore, Dante Pieramici, Dave Rhodehamel, Keith Ruch, Gerry Sobnosky, Ryan Welsh and Brian Zeh.

Hudson sure did have some beauties, and they were sweet, too! At least they didn't knock me down and laugh at me. I counted that as a plus.

My high school crush was Laurie Colitz, one of the awesome cheerleaders for the Explorers. We also had Meredith Morris (super sweet), Lisa Bottke, Lisa Belsito, Barri Abrams, Judy Bonhomme, Betsy Browning, Kristin Dallman, Amanda Dempsey (super sweet), Lauree Gallagher, Leann Galloway, Lisa Hagy, Holly Hetrick, Kathy Heller, Lisa Janik, Kristin Kauer, Kim Kauth, Eileen Kelley, Pam Keyser, Susan Kory, Suzanne Krejci, Susan Kuhel, Molly Kuhn, Kris Kuncl, Janet Lasher, Kathy Madigan, Connie McHale, Beth Minier, Kristen Moir, Kristin Nauffts, Colleen Orne, Karen Race, Laura Rich, Meg Riley (another crush), Susan Riley, Heidi Rubin, Kim Ruff, Jennifer Russell, Anne Schaefer, Kendra Schaffer, Kim Shaw (a beautiful neighbor and sweet gal, just like Justine Stanek), Cary Stauffacher, Pat Taylor, Becky Spooner (another crush), Lori Tyrrell, Barb Volle, Jayne Weinberg, Heather Wilcauskas, Amy Williamson, Sarah Wilson, Karen Wirtz (awesome cheerleader), Wendy Wolff and Jackie Young.

I miss those days. I miss some great people and some great, memorable teachers like Mr. Zetts, Mr. Sogan, Mr. Yanko and Mr. Stofsick.

It's been great going down memory lane, and I will visit again soon. Back to the real world, where I actually found a hot, sweet girl to marry!! (And I weigh more than 120 pounds now).

I hope all of you from Hudson are doing great.

God bless.

KEVIN TRAVIS: AUTHOR -- THE EARLY YEARS

Once again, I will share some of my earliest works with you lucky readers and followers. (A sincere "thank you" for taking the time to read some of this goofiness.)

I don't recall exactly when I wrote this gem, but I think it was like second or third grade, if not sooner.

To think, this handsome devil on the right would not only turn out to be a cover model for romance books and muscle magazines (the "before" shot), but he would also turn out to be such a fine, well-respected writer. Well, at least his wife and his mom tells him he's pretty good.

By the way, I know I look stunning in the bow tie. And that's my older brother, Scott, on the left. He's now in jail. I KID! I KID! He's a teacher in Florida.

Today I am sharing with you, "Crawling in the Purse." The teacher gave me a "Very Good!!" on it. I know I had to have been beaming from big ear to big ear.

Crawling in a Purse

Someone called my name, John. I crawled into my mother's purse, then someone said, "Hi, I'm Mrs. Lipstick. Who are you?" Jhon (not sure if I was going for a foreign name or I just didn't know how to spell John after getting it right the first time).

Oh meet Mr. Comb and Grandfather Pen. Here comes our dog Glasses. Bark, bark. Oh shut up.
I'll go get Mr. Money. Here comes little Watch and his sister Tic Tac. And we wouldn't leave out Miss Petunia. She is going to the store to get some ink for Mrs. Pen.

Help, a giant is picking us up. Darn I spilled the ink. That's only my mother. Whoops, she dropped the purse. Ouch that smarts.

What smells so bad? Oh that's Mr. Sock. A sock in my mother's purse. Yek. There's Thomas the clock. Some strange things are in my mother's purse. There's a snake. No, no. That's my mother's necklace. Oh I guess that's all in Purseland except Mr. and Mrs. Appleseed. I wonder if Johnny Appleseed gave them that name.

There I'm out of Mom's purse now, but boy what a trip. And about that sock. I'm glad I got out.

The end.

SHOUTOUT OF THE DAY

The Shoutout goes to my wife, because she's so darned hot!

 

SONG OF THE DAY

"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," by Cyndi Lauper. Just because, for some reason, it's in my head.

Kevin Travis, Author: The Early Years

In my previous blog, I shared my "first" book with you, "Big Bear." Surprisingly, I have yet to field any inquiries into turning the gem into a major motion picture. The book, that I wrote when I was in the second grade, was filled with not only words, but I also showed off my drawing talents.

Well, good news! I found another gem while going through some old papers that my wonderful mother kept for me.

I'm not sure I would classify it as a short story, or a poem. But, just like "Big Bear," this thing is a beauty. It shows off my writing (and illustrating) talents at a young age.

I perhaps wrote this after attending The Barnum and Bailey Circus in Cleveland as a youngster. I remember the clowns. (They kind of scare me.) And the elephants. And the smell. And the high wire acts. And, of course, Gunther Gebel-Williams (below), a lion-tamer and fancy dresser.

(Or I wrote it after eating wayyyy too much candy. Hard to tell.)

Anyway, the masterpiece is entitled: Kevins Circus: The Barnlum Bailey Circus.

The clown on the right is saying, "Hi!" and pointing at the other clown. The clown on the left is doing a handstand and either saying, "Cooo" or "Oooo"... or he's vomiting. I'm not quite sure.

Kevins Circus: The Barnlum Bailey Circus
He flew to space
with his funny face
tripping over his shoelace.

They were funny just
like a bunny and it
was very sunny
as the bear ate the
honey.

Then the man fell
in the can.

He was a funny fellow
and he said hello
And he was yellow.

He took a boy by the
hand and said let's stand.

I know!! I'm like Mozart, but only with pens and crayons!! To think, this boy (this handsome boy when he was 5 years old) could create such epics at such a young age.

Don't fret. I've got more gems like this one, including poems from Miss Mozingo's fourth-grade class in Hudson, Ohio!

SHOUTOUT

Today's shoutout goes to none other than Eve Torres, a WWE Diva. (Yes, I like saying, "WWE Diva.)

Deva... I mean, Eve, was the winner on the "Stars Earn Stripes" television show. I wrote about this awesome show in an earlier blog.

What's cool is that Eve won $150,000 for USO. That is really, really special. I hope they bring the show back for another run. Learn more about the charity here. (http://www.uso.org/)

Learn more about Eve here (http://evetorres.com/index.php) or follow her on Twitter here (https://twitter.com/EveMarieTorres).

SONG OF THE DAY

"Down Under" by the Aussie group, Men at Work. I loved that album when it came out. You youngsters wouldn't know what an album is, but it was a round, plastic thing that has music on it.