It's clouding over here in Muskoka on this Thanksgiving Monday. I don't mind because today is the day when many cottagers leave, not to return until May. The shoulder season officially starts today so I can look forward to peace and quiet, perhaps more wildlife to see and a cold lake which provides generally perfect sauna conditions for the next few weeks and beyond.
I spent the first quarter of yesterday's game preparing the Thanksgiving turkey. I tried a new brine solution with a bit of soy included and it was particularly good. I stuffed the turkey, catching a play after each handful and also between bodkin stitches on the two turkey cavities. The game looked to be a defensive struggle through the early going which I thought boded well for the Bills with their ball control offence and I thought their pass rush might keep Tom Brady off balance enough to generate a turnover or two at some point as the Bills were likely to need at least one to post a win in the first game of the Pegula era.
Terry and Kim Pegula were introduced to the crowd at the Ralph before the game and, based on the short clip I saw, were well received. The letter they penned to the fans after the Governors approval on Wednesday and the closing of the sale on Friday sent a positive message and Pegula's comment about never wanting to finish second in anything - except for being the second Bills owner after Ralph Wilson - was a good message too. When he joined the Fox broadcasters in the booth during the game, it was clear to me that Pegula is a man who thinks before he speaks and doesn't say too much. Apparently, he and his wife choose to lead quite private lives and do not circulate much in high level social scenes. I presume that they usually stay home and count their money so I guess they can look forward to having a bit more free time after dropping $1.4 billion on a football team. It has been reported that Kim Pegula will be the CEO under the new ownership structure so if I were Russ Brandon, I'd make sure I was in early every day, at least for this week. The Bills ownership situation has clearly resolved itself in what looks to be just about the best possible way. I was worried that a Toronto ownership group would outbid Pegula and create a lingering sense of uncertainty which could potentially sour the fan base and cause permanent resentment no matter what they did or didn't say about the Bills staying in Buffalo. So, on with the Pegula era which may or may not include more fracking. Either way, I'm happy about it.
I did watch the second half of the game closely. I think that the Patriots are simply very well coached and their game planning against the Bills, year in and year out, is well conceived and well executed. We just can't stop them when we need to and it feels like that has been the case for so long that I can't remember when it wasn't. Although I'm a Bills fan, I do find the Patriots impressive and I usually root for them in the post season too. I don't hate them. I don't think I hate anybody really when it comes to sports teams and rivalries. I just wish we could beat them a little more often.
So, at 3-3, The Bills get ready to play the Minnesota Vikings in Orchard Park - something they do only every 8 years. The Bills need to win and I think they will. I'm looking forward to seeing my buddy at the US Border station in Lewiston. I've managed to avoid arrest since I saw him and I can't wait to share the good news with him. Happy Thanksgiving and to my American friends, Happy Columbus Day.
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