I made a list and checked it twice. Now, one last wish remains: a Husker bowl victory. Let’s remind Steve Spurrier what happened the last time Nebraska met one of his teams.

Okay, I hear you. I’ll settle for a victory. No need to win by 40. Again.

Yes, let’s go bowling. I’m not talking heave-a-14-pound-ball-down-the-lane bowling. I’m talking about the road trippin’, Christmas vaca away from home kind of bowling, where trips to Dallas or Miami or San Diego or, yes, even El Paso are part of the fabric of my football fanatic life.

From the third weekend in December until the national championship game, I’m in football heaven.  Between bowl games and the NFL season wind-down to the playoffs, my football fix is satiated until Super Bowl weekend.

Once satisfied, the countdown to spring and fall conditioning, opening kickoff, and what I call “empty Saturday syndrome” begins.

The Husker holiday tradition stems from a 1941 Rose Bowl trip, where the scarlet and cream fell to Stanford 21-13. Since then, the Huskers have accumulated an impressive bowl record and rank fifth nationally with 47 all-time bowl appearances. And, if it hadn’t been for that coach who shall remain nameless (because I refuse to utter it aloud), the team would have increased its streak of consecutive bowl appearances.

Will anyone beat 35 consecutive bowl trips?

By the numbers, the ‘Skers have a 24-23 bowl game record. They’ve played in 14 different bowls, appearing in the Orange Bowl 17 times, Fiesta Bowl 6 times, and both the Sugar and Cotton Bowls four times apiece.

The Huskers have met 29 different teams, squaring off against Miami five times, LSU and Florida State four times each, and we’ve battled ‘Bama three times.

My first bowl experience was the 1974 Cotton Bowl. It was cold, but the atmosphere and adrenaline hooked me. I remember lots of funny (meaning ironic) signs spattered amongst the crowd. Unfortunately, I can’t repeat them here. I remember attending a pre-game concert by the UNL marching band before the game and singing along to “The Band Song.” Cue the trumpets. Dave Humm and company pounded the Texas Longhorns, 19-3.

There have been others, too, some with tough losses and some in places I don’t care to return to, but that first trip will always be my favorite.

If you are a football fan and you haven’t been to a bowl game, consider adding it to your bucket list. A bowl trip is about so much more than the game. Parades, great tailgate parties, and bowl-related events are just a few examples of the offerings associated with a bowl and its respective city.

My dad figures that 1974 trip cost our family about $500 to attend, including fuel, food, hotel, and events. Today, airfare may cost that much, and tickets for our family of four equaled the price of one Capital One Bowl ticket.

Unfortunately, I won’t be in Orlando for this year’s game, but I’ll be watching and getting my football fix.

Go Big Red!

            Ghosts and goblins may have spent Monday tricking or treating Nebraska residents, hauling in jack-o-lantern shaped buckets full of sweet treats.

            But if you believe legends and tall tales or everything you read on the internet (because it’s all true, right?), spooky phantoms and imps inhabit an overwhelming number of buildings or parcels of ground in locations across the Cornhusker State.

            When I was competing in a debate tourney at Nebraska Wesleyan in 1981, one Wesleyan debater kept telling my debate partner and me that the Lincoln college was haunted.

            Supposedly, the apparition of Clara Mills, a former faculty member, was first viewed in 1963, 20 years after Mills suffered a heart attack at her desk in the C.C. White Building.

            When that structure was torn down for campus expansion, Mills’ ghost allegedly moved next door to Old Main.

            The tell-tale sign? Piano music drifting through the atmosphere at odd hours.

            We both chuckled. Our roommates were music majors and had small keyboards in our dorm rooms. We heard piano music at odd hours, too.

            About 20 miles southwest of where I grew up, the unincorporated village of Spring Ranch was apparently haunted.  A stagecoach stop along the Overland Trail, the community sat next to the Little Blue River. Homesteaders were ambushed by natives, and legends state that the cemetery is haunted.

            What piques my interest about Spring Ranch is the story of Elizabeth Taylor and her brother, Tom Jones.

            No, not the celebs.

            A feud developed between the siblings and their neighbors, who claimed the Jones/Taylor cattle were breaking down fences and destroying crops.

            While a group of men cut timber along the river bank, Taylor sent her hired help to scare them away. Soon, a shotgun blast permeated the air and one of the men was dead.

            Since the trial couldn’t be held until a judge was available, riled homesteaders rustled the brother and sister to the bridge, placed nooses around their necks and fired a shotgun into the night air.

            Even local historians say the bridge is haunted and if it’s a quiet night, you’ll hear the gunshot.

            In my hometown, legend – and even school employees and students – declared the halls of the elementary school haunted. A portrait of a former principal was displayed above the entrance to the gym, and people whispered that the eyes of the portrait would follow anyone who walked down the hall.

            Others spoke of seeing the principal’s ghost walking across the gymnasium, heading into the hallway, and disappearing into thin air.

            Figment of imagination? Paranormal activity? 

            Now, I’m pretty sure this sounds like a scene from a Saturday morning cartoon, and pretty soon, Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby are going to show up outside CCHS in the Mystery Machine and unmask the impersonator.

            “And I would’ve gotten away with it,” the school janitor would shout, shaking his fists in the air, “if it hadn’t been for you darn kids.”

            Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, Nebraska’s whimsical past creates a lot of present-day ghost stories.

             In “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” a daring Tom and frightened Becky Thatcher lose their way in a cave. Mark Twain describes “vast knots of bats packed together” and once the candlelight reaches the creatures, “they came flocking down by hundreds, squeaking and darting furiously at the candles.”

            Ugh! Every time I read that passage – I taught the classic for 20 years – I shudder.

            Let’s just get it out on the table: I despise bats.

            The thought of a rat with wings swooping through the air heading for my hair – or worse yet, my neck – makes me cringe.

            Maybe I should blame my bat neurosis on my ‘rents and sister who dragged me to those creepy, corny Dracula movies in the 70s. Segue to the shadowy night sky and the camera moves in for a close-up of the sinister-looking creature baring its fangs.

            Gross!

            Or perhaps my bat phobia is a result of dodging the pesky pests at one school where I taught. Picture this: mid-afternoon literature class, west wall of windows beaming sunshine into room for natural lighting.

            And then, the menace flew into the room, dashing in circles amidst a throng of screaming girls and laughing boys, until it made a break for the windows.

            Splat! It fell to the window ledge, where the principal captured and liberated it.

            I’m still traumatized.

            So, will someone explain why October celebrates the bat? And I’m not referring to the Louisville Slugger variety.

            Over 1100 bat species exist throughout the world, comprising one-fifth of all mammals. Nebraska features 13 kinds.

            While most types in Nebraska are uncommon (thank goodness), the big brown bat is most prevalent. Typically, the brown bat measures about five inches from nose to tail and has black skin on its ears, nose, and wings. This species lives in a colony, which can include hundreds of the flying mammals.

            Red bats are smaller than their brown counterparts. As the name implies, this bat is reddish-brown or rust colored and on each shoulder, you’ll notice a blotch of off-white.

            In the eastern segment of Nebraska, little brown bats appear glossy dark brown and measure three to four inches.

            Why are bats important? A University of Tennessee report released in March estimates the value of bats to the agriculture industry at $22.9 billion annually.

            Bats use echolocation and hearing to hunt prey, primarily insects. UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources estimates one bat can consume more than 1,000 insects in an evening. Fruit bats also work as pollinators and seed dispersers, pollinating nearly 130 kinds of plants.

            Our agrarian economy relies on bats, primarily bat guano, for organic fertilizer.

             But that natural nourishment is threatened by White Nose Syndrome, a fungus spreading from the northeast region of the United States. The U.S. Geological Survey says many bat colonies have disappeared in that area.

            The end result: farmers will end up spending more for pesticides.

            Perhaps I’m unappreciative. Bats make an important ecological and economic impact.

            But, I still don’t like them.

            Look at a September calendar and you’ll notice three holidays: Labor Day, Grandparents Day, and Rosh Hashana. Take a closer look (or some online surfing) and you’ll discover the ninth month of the calendar year marks 69 monthly observances, 34 weekly celebrations, and 159 daily commemorations.

            You may not immediately think of a correlation between some of these reasons to party like its 2011 and the Cornhusker State. But dig a bit further and you may be surprised at how these topics are not only current, but they also create a Nebraska connection.

            It’s Atrial Fibrillation Month. AF, the most common type of heart arrhythmia, occurs when the atria sends erratic signals that do not work in rhythm with the ventricles. 

            Through 2007, 20,009 Medicare beneficiaries in Nebraska used healthcare services due to AF. Those services totaled $14.7 million, according to AF Stat, a health policy foundation.

            Just last week, singer-songwriter Barry Manilow spoke at our nation’s capital to raise AF awareness. Manilow is one of 2.5 million Americans who live with AF.

            During his visit, U.S. Senator Ben Nelson presented the singer with a gift: a CD of “Western Town,” a song Nelson recorded years ago as part of a charity album for the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children.

            On Sunday, Farm and Ranch Safety Week kicked off and continues through September 24.

            Every year around this time, Scott reminds me about taking precautions since harvest is coming up, I’m sharing the road with farm vehicles, and my Kia Sorento is a heck of a lot smaller than a combine or farm truck.

            In the past two weeks, several fatal accidents have occurred on Nebraska’s country roads. One main reason for the crashes: tall corn and obstructed drivers’ views.

            I spoke with Cheryl Stubbendieck, vice president of public relations for Nebraska Farm Bureau, about the importance of farm and ranch safety.

            She suggests highlighting a seasonal concern at monthly meetings.

            “It’s important that farm families not become complacent about safety. It’s a good idea to review safety procedures at regular farm business and/or family meetings.”

            What about farm visitors? It’s important that farm/ranch dwellers don’t assume guests know basic farm rules.

            Reviewing safety procedures may seem tedious, but those appraisals could ultimately save lives.

            On September 29, VFW Day honors the organization and its members who courageously served our country.

            The 2011 celebration denotes the 112-year establishment of the VFW. In 1899, a group of Spanish-America war veterans joined forces and started the organization for combat veterans.

            Nebraska’s oldest VFW post – All American St. Mihiel Post #247 – is the oldest, continuously active Post in the Cornhusker State. And, the Omaha organization also represents the second oldest post in the United States. The organization formed November 8, 1919. The Ladies Auxiliary began January 25, 1923.

            What an amazing tribute to everyone who has fought for this great country!

            Days may rush together in a flurry of activities, but take a closer look and see how a date on the calendar affects all of us.

The first muffled noises outside the bedroom window began about 5 a.m. Car doors closing, hammers pounding, voices hushed. A bit later, the slow sizzle of sausages, funnel cakes and enchiladas breezed through our daughter’s Haymarket apartment, followed by splashes of sunlight, rousing us to the join the activities in the street.

Sure, it was a football Saturday in Huskerland, and some of these individuals traveled hours to set up for the day.  But the sounds and aromas came from a different type of tailgate party – the Haymarket Farmers Market.

Farmers markets play a central role in the farm-to-plate movement. And thanks to growing interest in obtaining fresh products direct from the farm, the number of farmers markets across the nation has experienced close to a 20 percent increase in the last two years. Over 6100 farmers markets sprout up once or twice a week.

One of Nebraska’s oldest markets is close to 100 years old. In Omaha, City Market operated for a number of years at the intersection of 11th and Jackson Streets, offering grocery stores and local residents fresh produce. In 1964, the market closed and wouldn’t reopen for 30 years.

Now, the Omaha Farmers Market operates at this spot on Saturday mornings and takes up more street space as over 100 vendors haul goods to town.

But today’s farmers markets offer more than fresh produce and flowers. You’ll find baked goods, specialty meats, crafts, homemade furniture, and maybe even something dogalicious for your pet.

Many stands sell fresh, ready-to-eat treats. Cassie and I like to frequent the cupcake vendor, as well as the Oriental food stand at the Haymarket event. Yum!

Farmers markets exist outside of Nebraska’s metro areas, too. Over 80 operate across Nebraska; although, 43 of the state’s 93 counties do not have an active farmers market.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach challenges Nebraska residents to visit their local markets this week – National Farmers Market Week – as well as the rest of the season.

My family used to stop at the corner veggie and fruit stand when we’d go to Hastings. We’d walk between the sawhorse and plywood makeshift tables, checking out the ripest Bing cherries, the scads of sweet corn, the rosiest tomatoes. My sister and I each got to select a fruit or vegetable we wanted to try. It was a great way to experiment with foods we normally may not have been able to purchase in the grocery store.

At a time when consumers question the origin of a food product, shopping at a farmers market makes sense.  Nebraskans can identify Nebraska-grown products by the “Nebraska, Our Best to You” logo.

Farmers markets, roadside stands, and even U-pick-em farms provide more than farm-fresh goods and flavors.

They make an impact on the local economy.  They build a sense of community between producers and customers. They encourage healthy eating. They provide bonding time for families spending a leisurely morning (or early evening) perusing and partaking in the goods.

When’s the last time you visited your local farmers market?