Well you would think that there would be no way at all that a guy like me would miss posting on such an important international holiday like Ground Hog Day, but indeed I did.  Despite the ridiculous concept of a groundhog predicting weather set aside (although they fare far better than the weathermen) I kind of am attracted to these big furry rodents.  No, I am not attracted to them in the sense that I would want to own one, but if you have read this blog long enough you know about the hefty one that lives across the street and comes over to feed in my wife’s garden every year.  She hates it, I love it, and he (or she) loves melons.

Anyway, the bottom line is that I missed posting.  I was not watching the Superbowl, nor did I intend to.  I instead just found myself in bed and hadn’t done it.  And my clear lack of commitment to rodent commentary means you will need to wait 364 more days to see if I can get it right.  I am guessing I will.

I will say however that the big news for me today is that the Lindenwood Lions Women’s Lacrosse Team, for which my daughter Stephanie plays, is ranked #14 in the country in NCAA Division II in the preseason coaches poll.  This is BIG.  And as she is a senior it is even bigger.  (This picture is of Senior Night 4 years ago in high school and I must be slouching as bot my wife Amanda and Steph seem taller….but I am 6’4″)  But she plays in Noblesville no more, so just in case you would like to read upher team now or follow them, here is the Lindenwood University Women’s Lacrosse team site Lindenwood Women’s Lacrosse Site

If you want to see my daughter she is of course Stephanie (named after my sister) Tirman (named after me).  I suppose this should go without saying, but as some of my high school and college buddies read this I want to help them like they would help me.  (And yes, she is a chemistry major and I suppose many of them will ask, “Just how the hell did that happen?” And I understand…..sometimes genes just mutate in a good direction….I’ll take it)

But I am really proud of her and her teammates.   I have watched them move this direction for three years and this is pretty real.  They are not just exceptional players, but they have exceptional coaches.  I was Steph’s high school coach and I sent a lot of girls off to play in college.  The last of those girls leave for college this year.  But the Lindenwood coaches have a unique and brilliant style and as my retirement from coaching comes to an end this year (as I just wanted to be available to see her play when I could but couldn’t if I was coaching) I hope to come back somewhere into the high school or college ranks and bring these observations too.  These guys know how to get it done and it is impressive.

I will miss the first game in two weeks which is being held in Missouri, but hope to make the rest.  I am very proud of all of what she has accomplished, from top to bottom.  She is an athlete, she is a top notch student, an exceptional daughter (my very favorite) and a team player in the best sense of the word.

Just a few months left of all this hard work, and it is all coming together!  Enjoy it Steph, and enjoy it ladies.  We are proud of you all and are excited to get to this point with you!  Congratulations Lions!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+