DoubleB
Well-known member
So my wife informs me Sunday that we have a birthday party to attend for a 3 year old named Conner. I have never met the parents, but abbey met the wife through a Mom's group and they have had several play dates and are becoming good friends. We arrive on time and they have a slip and slide set up, a sprinkler, and an arts and crafts table. It was a really great set up and my kids had a fine time!
Abbey, my wife, informs me on the way to the party that both parents are graduates of the University of Alabama, and as much as I like to joke around about it, I do feel that the only difference between fans of SEC team is the color they wear. But I decide that it is a long time till football season and heck, these guys might not even really care.
The whole party went off without a hitch I made no conversation of football or sports at all. I then find out the grandparents on the father's side live in Guntersville. As we are leaving I do the usual pleasure to meet you routine as it really was an enjoyable day and I mention to the grandfather that I would be down in his area soon. And then it all went south.... Next time, I think I'll sneak off for a smoke instead of not having one for 3 hours....
Grandfather, "Really, what brings you down to the Guntersville area?"
Me, "That lake is probably one of the best Bass Fisheries in this area."
Grandfather, "Oh, you are a fisherman?"
Me, "Yes sir. It's something I shared with my father as long as I can remember and I hope to share with my kids for as long as I can."
Grandfather, "Yea, I like to splash the fisherman as I go by on my skiboat, It's quite amusing."
And then I said it. I shouldn't have. I should have forced a laugh and went on about my rounds. But the way he said it rubbed me the wrong way. It crawled under my skin, up my spine and circled my brain. I thought about every rude jet skier and pleasure boater I ever crossed, and then out it came.
Me, "Yea well, the education system in Alabama, I could see how you would be easily amused...." And then it hit me. As my wife groaned the party just stopped, everything came to a stand still. Out of the 30 people there, 25 were from Alabama. I heard one laugh, but other than that silence. I think that the comment even made some of the kids start crying.
I think it is safe to safe when I do travel to Guntersville I will not be invited to his house for lunch...
And to my Alabama brothers on here, I don't really feel that way.
I should not have said it. But it sure felt good to say.
Abbey, my wife, informs me on the way to the party that both parents are graduates of the University of Alabama, and as much as I like to joke around about it, I do feel that the only difference between fans of SEC team is the color they wear. But I decide that it is a long time till football season and heck, these guys might not even really care.
The whole party went off without a hitch I made no conversation of football or sports at all. I then find out the grandparents on the father's side live in Guntersville. As we are leaving I do the usual pleasure to meet you routine as it really was an enjoyable day and I mention to the grandfather that I would be down in his area soon. And then it all went south.... Next time, I think I'll sneak off for a smoke instead of not having one for 3 hours....
Grandfather, "Really, what brings you down to the Guntersville area?"
Me, "That lake is probably one of the best Bass Fisheries in this area."
Grandfather, "Oh, you are a fisherman?"
Me, "Yes sir. It's something I shared with my father as long as I can remember and I hope to share with my kids for as long as I can."
Grandfather, "Yea, I like to splash the fisherman as I go by on my skiboat, It's quite amusing."
And then I said it. I shouldn't have. I should have forced a laugh and went on about my rounds. But the way he said it rubbed me the wrong way. It crawled under my skin, up my spine and circled my brain. I thought about every rude jet skier and pleasure boater I ever crossed, and then out it came.
Me, "Yea well, the education system in Alabama, I could see how you would be easily amused...." And then it hit me. As my wife groaned the party just stopped, everything came to a stand still. Out of the 30 people there, 25 were from Alabama. I heard one laugh, but other than that silence. I think that the comment even made some of the kids start crying.
I think it is safe to safe when I do travel to Guntersville I will not be invited to his house for lunch...And to my Alabama brothers on here, I don't really feel that way.
I should not have said it. But it sure felt good to say.
