What a Life! RIP Emma Lommasson

Over the weekend, the oldest person I have ever met passed away. In fact, the distinction isn’t even close.

I had a great uncle who lived to be 101 but he was a spring chicken compared to University of Montana legend Emma Lommasson. On Saturday, she died at 107 years of age, just shy of her 108th birthday. A few months before I moved to South Carolina I had the privilege of meeting Ms. Lommasson. Based on that special afternoon, I am not surprised one bit that she would live for six more years.

In 2013, former Griz football/basketball broadcaster Mick Holien arranged a visit between former Griz football head coach Mick Delaney and Ms. Lommasson at her nursing home. Besides the two Micks and the centenarian, I was the only other person there. I was invited to document the occasion for social media.

I watched as Coach Delaney held Ms. Lommasson’s hand while the two discussed life and football. Totally alert and with her wit intact, Ms. Lommasson convinced me that she should be the one calling plays on Saturday!

After she spoke with Coach Delaney, Ms. Lommasson focused her attention on me. She asked me questions and I tried my best to explain what I do. She was warm, humble, and funny. She made me think that perhaps living past 100 wouldn’t be so bad after all.

This is me with Emma Lommasson in December of 2013.

I feel blessed that I was able to meet Missoula’s oldest and one of its most famous residents. There is no doubt that she lived a long, happy life. RIP Ms. Lommasson. Don’t Blink.

Our 2019 Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

It was another pleasant Thanksgiving holiday weekend for our little family. It entailed plenty of lounging around the living room but just enough “out-of-the-house” activity to not make us go stir crazy. Tonight I am reflecting on Thanksgiving break with 10 ways that made it memorable.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – On Wednesday, Sidney did not have to teach and CCU let all employees out early. With the extra time, we went to the theater and watched the Mister Rogers movie before picking up Sloan from daycare. My review is simple: There is no need to see the movie in theaters as the cinematic experience does little to enhance it. But, you will cry and be inspired whenever you do choose to watch it. Tom Hanks nails the role of Fred Rogers and it is definitely a movie to watch with family during the holidays.

We saw “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” on Wednesday.

Thanksgiving – This past summer, my sister-in-law married her fiancée (John Henry) in the Florida Keys. For Thanksgiving this year, we spent the holiday with his family. They own an auction business and held the big meal inside what they call “the barn.” More than 50 people joined in on the Thanksgiving feast as it was delicious.

We had plenty of food at this year’s Thanksgiving celebration.

Pig – I had to honor this tidbit with its own section. As part of the Thanksgiving meal, John Henry’s dad cooked a 130 lb pig. I don’t know if I have ever eaten better pork in my life. It was true Southern barbecue at its finest and we were encouraged to fill up a big ziploc bag when we left. I am still making sandwiches out of it!

This pig was so dang good.

Thanksgiving Evening – Perhaps my favorite part of the holiday weekend was spending the peaceful Thanksgiving evening with Sid and Sloan. Our daughter was in a sweet mood and we just vegged out on the couch and relaxed. It was so nice. We watched a Disney holiday special and after we put Sloan to bed we started an adult movie (read below for more).

The Irishman – Netflix recently released “The Irishman,” a gangster movie directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino. Because of the film’s 3.5 hour length, we watched it over the course of two days. Let me tell you this, it is the exact opposite of “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.” A sucker for these mob-based films, I loved every minute of it and would recommend it to anyone with a Netflix subscription.

“The Irishman” was really good.

College Football Black Friday – I don’t spend much time in bars, but I do honor a Black Friday tradition that I started with my brother. While everyone else floods the malls and shopping centers, I take a calmer approach and find a place that has a lot of televisions. I then relax and watch the day’s football games while enjoying a couple drinks. It is the perfect tradeoff between Sid and I; she shops in the morning and I watch football in the afternoon.

Santa Photos – On Saturday we took a drive into the country. We went to Booth’s Christmas Tree Farm so we could get our family Christmas card photo taken with Santa. Although Sloan talked a big game about how much she loves Santa, it became apparent when she was sitting on his lap that her phobia is still lingering. We are crossing our fingers that a good shot was captured despite Sloan’s tears.

Two years later and Sloan still has a Santa phobia (this year’s photo will be part of our Christmas card).

First Sunday of Advent – Even more important than Thanksgiving itself is the start of Advent. This season of waiting and preparation for Christ precedes Christmas. The first Sunday of Advent was yesterday and we marked it by mass and prayer.

We are now in Advent season.

Decorating for the Holidays – Yesterday we cooked up some hot chocolate and decorated the interior of our home for the Christmas season. Sloan, like last year, was exuberant to help put the ornaments on the tree. Thanks to my mother-in-law for assisting us!

We spent Sunday decorating our house.

Ending the Weekend With a Bang – Was there a better way to put a bow on the Thanksgiving Weekend? Before going to our beds to prepare for the work week (and daycare week) we sat down and watched “Christmas Vacation.” Yep, December is here.

We started off the month right by watching “Christmas Vacation.”

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The Thanksgiving weekend has passed and December is now here. I hope everyone has a special month and remembers the reason for the season. Don’t Blink.