A few notes...

A few notes this time on scattered topics:

          The recent discovery of papers related to Confederate General John Bell Hood might develop clues that help answer a question I’ve pondered for several years now: Where, exactly, was Hood when he was wounded during the battle of Gettysburg?

It seems evident from the information known at this point that Hood was somewhere on the property of, or near, the Bushman farm when he suffered a severe wound on July 2, 1863. An historian I spoke with in 2011 read from letters written to the general after the war to establish the historian’s belief that Hood was on the Devil’s Den/Little Round Top Side of the Bushman property when he was wounded. From the tone of the letter, it sounded to me as if Hood himself was not certain of the precise spot of where he was hit.

It seems possible that the newly discovered letters and other documents might give more clues to help find an answer to the question.

 

 

The National Hockey League finally got a championship out of the Los Angeles Kings last year. The league itself enjoyed one of its best years ever, financially and in television ratings.

Naturally, the league and its players union have taken this success and thrown it away. Due to a labor dispute, the 2012/2013 season has been delayed. It seems likely now that, if there is a professional hockey season, it will be shortened.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

 

 

Notre Dame’s football program will begin playing an Atlantic Coast Conference schedule soon and the Fighting Irish will learn a lesson Penn State learned years ago: It is much harder to succeed when you have to play half your games on the road and are not allowed to dictate your scheduling.

When Penn State joined the Big 10 a number of years ago, the Nitany Lions began their march to mediocrity. It’s harder to play in a conference than it is to play as an independent.

Now, the ACC is not on the same level for football as are the Big 10,

the Southeastern Conference or the Pacific 12. Still, it is pleasing to see Notre Dame almost become a member of a conference. That should make the Irish almost considerable for inclusion in the playoff system, which the television networks will create for the NCAA soon.

          I am stuck, however, for a way to explain how South Bend, Indiana is along the Atlantic Coast, just as I don’t fully grasp how Utah and Colorado are in the Pacific region.

I also wonder why the Big 10 is still called the Big 10. Math classes must have been cancelled at elementary schools in the Midwest. Otherwise, someone might count the schools in the Big 10 and get, uh, whatever number of schools they have now.

         

          Ever tried to park in Philadelphia?
           Don’t.

Thanks for reading.