Happy Cardinal Holidays!! -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Merry Christmas weekend, readers.  Its frigid in the Ville and most of this side of the country this weekend.  I hope you have a warm place to enjoy the holiday.  

With most of the programs on break there isn't much to recap other than giving a couple thoughts on this past weeks events.   

Saturday evening, the VolleyCards blanked against Texas in the national championship match.   Frustrating to not even win a set against the Longhorns.. the Cards were struggling to go on any runs beyond the starts.  As they say, 'its not how you start, its how you finish'.  But it was another historic run for the program to advance on next season.   I want to thank the athletes from this year who made some memories for Louisville fans.

Wednesday night, WBB held off DePaul on the road when the Blue Demons were able to pull it within 4 points in the 3rd quarter.  Hailey Van Lith didn't heat up until the 4th quarter, scoring 11 of her 17 points in the final 10 minutes.  Chrislynn Car had a career night with 21 points and 17 rebounds to anchor the team to victory.  DePaul scored just 18 points off the Cards 15 turnovers, HVL with 6 of them.  Conference play coming up for Louisville when they welcome Carr's previous school to town on 12/29.  

This or That: Christmas edition 

 

(got this edition from Etsy)

I do really enjoy this time of the year and getting to take a break, see extended family and think back on the year while looking forward to the next.  Merry Christmas all! 

As Always, 

Go Cards!

 

~Daryl 

Sunday Cardinal Couple - Christmas Hot Takes

Happy Boxing Day

In many locations, today is Boxing Day, traditionally the first weekday after Christmas, but more recently just celebrated the day after Christmas.  Where the name come from, no one is really quite sure, but there is likely some connection with boxes used to collect or convey gifts on the day, particularly to people in service roles such as postmen, servants, tradesmen and such.  It was a chance for people who benefit from the services of such workers to show a degree of appreciation and thanks for their work.

I find this a lovely sentiment, particularly in our Covid-present when so many people who have been working in such roles are necessarily exposed to greater risk.

Christmas Hot Takes

OK, so most of the rest of the Cardinal Couple gang got the share their favorite aspects of Christmas.  I thought I'd take a slightly different approach today, now that Christmas is in the rear-view mirror.

My Favorite Christmas Music

I have shared on this site, and on the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast, my take on Christmas music that I like.  Christmas music that in some acknowledges that the world isn't just happy go lucky all the time.  The music doesn't need to sound like funeral dirges or anything like that, indeed some of can be quite happy and joyous sounding such as "We Need A Little Christmas", which tells the story of two kids with their aunt (from the Broadway musical "Mame") who are decorating, early, for Christmas because it makes them happy, when life otherwise has them down.

One of my all-time fave Christmas songs is "Snoopy and the Red Baron", which is set, of course, in the heart of World War I, not exactly a joyous time on the whole.  Both of these songs are about uplifting and bringing joy, but they both give a nod to the fact that life can be rough and Christmas can come in the context of some very unhappy times.

Christmas Associated Food

Maybe my most controversial take....  Any dish that has turkey in it, would be better if it were ham instead.

Turkey can be enjoyable, without a doubt...my mother put together a turkey meal for Thanksgiving, on pretty short notice, and the Turkey that was quite good...but I'm of the opinion that ham is always better.

Even for iconic turkey dishes.  Have you ever had a Kentucky Hot Brown, but made with ham instead of turkey?  The only place I have found that will make a dish like this was the Boone Tavern Restaurant in Berea, KY, and oh my goodness it was so good.

Maybe I'm just a really big fan of ham in general, because I've also found the substitution of ham in place of chicken in traditionally chicken dishes can be quite good as well.  Ham Alfredo instead of Chicken?  Delicious!

Thanksgiving vs Christmas

Thanksgiving and Christmas shouldn't be pitted against each other, but due to their relative proximity on the calendar, roughly a month apart, and given the huge endeavor that Christmas has become over the centuries, it is somewhat inevitable.

I feel like Thanksgiving gets short shrift, getting overshadowed by the hype and commercialization of Christmas.

Maybe the Canadians have the right idea by giving Thanksgiving a bit more space from Christmas by celebrating it the second Monday of October.

I'm a big fan of Thanksgiving as a holiday.  Many people get stressed out by Christmas, and there can be a lot of pressure involved in gift buying.  It depends on how you go about celebrating these holidays, of course, but I feel like Thanksgiving brings with it a lot of the joy of being around loved ones and sharing in their company, with much less stress and pressure.

To be fair, preparing a lavish meal such as many have for Thanksgiving is not without its own pressure, but many do that for Christmas in addition to all of the extra

Regardless of your own hot takes or mine, I hope you have had a wonder Christmas celebration with loved ones based on whatever way you choose to celebrate it.  My Christmas day was very quiet with the family gathering that I am involved in happening on Christmas Eve.  And frankly, it was wonderful to just have a quiet day to spend with no pressures, no priorities, and not even any real schedule.  The Christmas Eve celebration was also wonderful with my family, so I was able to have the best of both worlds.

Louisville Women's Sports

We are all about Louisville women's sports here at Cardinal Couple, and there is, of course, no real news of note at the moment.  Women's Basketball will be back in action later in the week, on the 30th hosting Boston College, and the players will be making their way back to Louisville from their homes where they have been able to enjoy a nice Christmas break.

Enjoy your Christmas leftovers, and Go Cards!

JMcA

Christmas Eve; FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Happy holiday weekend to all!  I hope you get to enjoy Christmas safely with your friends and family.   I've enjoyed reading up on the gang's favorites and traditions this week in between some of my own new and old.   As you might know,  I've been M.I.A. from radio for the past few months as I have been spending the weekend's away with my family being Aunt Daryl :D 

This time of the year is all about my family as my sister, mom and dad all have birthday's around the holidays.  The new addition this year just tacks on another end of the year celebration to my calendar.  Not that I am complaining... 

With not a lot of new stories out of the sports programs for the holiday break and the rest of the gang throwing out their favorite things about this time of year, I will piggy back off their lead with a few of my own favorites. I dont know about the bacon on white bread tradition that was mentioned in yesterday's post but I am here for that being my new thing...

Favorite Christmas movie: A Christmas Story 

I will admit, I have not seen every Christmas movie out there but this one holds a special place in my heart.   Not only is the movie extremely quotable (I can't put my arms down, you'll shoot your eye out, triple dog dare ya) my family and I have actually recreated several scenes from the movie before - such as the Bumpus hounds stealing the turkey and Ralphie and the fam having to get Chinese for dinner "Fa Ra Ra Rah Rah", one year I got my dad a leg lamp (a major award!!!!) and built the crate with straw that it came in including the "Frag-il-e" detail. 

The Santa Clause 

Tim Allen is absolutely hilarious in this movie and I cannot let Christmas go by without watching this at least twice.  One of my favorite jokes.. 

              You know, Neal's a real good cook.

              Yeah, and you should see him walk on water.

              - You don't like him very much, do ya, Dad? - Charlie, yeah--

              I was joking, okay? I'm sorry. I was just kiddin' around.

              I like him a lo-- Yeah, sure, I like him. You know, there--

              There's just something about him that makes me wanna--

              Lash out irrationally?

              - Where did you hear that? - From Neal.

              I learn a lot from him. He listens to me.

              Yeah. Then he charges ya for it.

ZINGGG.

Honorable Mention:  Jingle all the Way, Elf, White Christmas (I just watched this for the first time earlier this week), Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer & Christmas comes but once a year (1936) This is a short 8 minute flick that I could not tell you WHY or WHERE I ever watched this but it gives me some serious nostalgia. 

Favorite Christmas song(s): Silent Night (I taught myself how to play this as a kid on a little keyboard and Santa brought a real keyboard for Christmas that year)  White Christmas In fact, This song at the opening credits of The Santa Clause is my most fond memory from this time of the year.  You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch, Blue Christmas, Run Rudolph Run, Mele Kalikimaka are some of my favorite classics.  And just to upset Jared, all Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift holiday tracks are on my list of favorites. 

I think I have baked enough goodies this past week than I have in the past 2 years - Quarantine included.  Cherry pie, pastry appetizers and cookies for Santa with the girls are enough to keep my heart and my belly full for the holiday!  What's your favorite holiday dish?  Is there something you cannot go without for Christmas?! Let us know in the comments.  Mine is easy - dessert!! Cookies, candy, pie; I dont care, I want all the baked goods!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas Eve! 
Go Cards! 
~Daryl 

Cards Go Home for the Holidays -- Christmas Traditions -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Cards Go Home for the Holidays

The wintertime holiday season usually involves an extended break for Louisville sports. Men's Basketball vs Kentucky (postponed this year due to COVID-19) and Football bowl games are the only exceptions.

Many of our athletes take advantage of the opportunity to go home with friends and family. As student-athletes, it's extremely difficult to travel home during the semester due to practices, workouts, and NCAA regulated games and events.

If you're active on social media, you may have seen some of the student-athletes already share photos and videos of them enjoying some well-deserved time away from campus.

UofL does an excellent job of giving student-athletes a break, which often includes leaving a gap open between games and events. Jeff Walz is a good example of this as Louisville Women's Basketball often has around a week and a half between games, giving players roughly a week at home. Walz notes that it's just long enough for players to get tired of boredom or being made to do chores at home and they arrive back to campus eager to play again.

We do wish all student-athletes, coaches, staff, and administration safe travels to and from campus during this season.

Christmas Traditions

I HOPE ALL WILL JOIN ME IN MY ANNUAL
"EAT A BUNCH OF BACON ON WHITE BREAD" ANNUAL TRADITION
ON THE 24TH !!"

Paulie talked about some of his favorite Christmas songs yesterday. I'm not sure I have true favorite Christmas songs but often prefer the 'classics' or instrumental Christmas music. There are some songs I strongly dislike such as "Christmas Shoes", "Wonderful Christmas Time", and any "Sleigh Ride" that has the "ring-a-ling-a-ling-a-ding dong ding". There's also plenty of Christmas songs by newer artists such as Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber that I have a distaste for.

Another big part of Christmas is traditions. Traditions can change over time, but it could be something about whose house you go to for Christmas, certain foods, who opens presents first, going to church, and so much more.

We haven't had a normal Christmas since pre-COVID-19, but we often visit my grandma (mom's side) on Christmas Eve for an early dinner and do some presents there before heading to the Candlelight Service at church. The morning of Christmas would be at my parent's house before going to my other grandma's place (dad's side) for the last of any presents and have chili. There's usually a fair mix of Christmas movies and NBA games while at different homes.

This year will be different for me. By the time this article is viewable to everyone, I will be at the airport about to board a plane to Charlotte. From there, it's about a half hour drive to Fort Mill, S.C., to Katy's parent's house. I'm not all too sure on what Christmas traditions and plans we have going on there, but I know their church has a Candlelight Service too. Her dad loves to make a giant shrimp boil on Christmas Eve or Christmas that I hear is to die for. Some of her family enjoys to hit the gun range around Christmas and have invited Katy and I to join them this afternoon. Me shooting a gun? As long as I don't pull a Ralphie I think I should be okay!

Do you have any Christmas or holiday traditions? We'd love to hear!

Happy Thursday, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Go Cards!

Jared

WBB Rankings -- Favorite Christmas Movies -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Women's Basketball Rankings

Following Sunday's win at a 'neutral site' (LOL) against UConn on Sunday, and some help from some other teams, Louisville Women's Basketball jumped in the AP Poll from #6 to #3. The #3 ranking is the highest of the season for the Cards, now 10-1.

South Carolina (11-0) retained the top spot in the rankings. The Gamecocks are the clear early season favorite for the title. Their schedule is already full of Top 15 wins against NC State (at Raleigh), Oregon (neutral site), pre-Buckers injury UConn (neutral site), Maryland (in Columbia), and Duke (at Durham). Their next game comes against current #2 Stanford tonight at 7:00 on ESPN2.

Stanford (8-2) has been back-and-forth against ranked opponents this season, but did move up to the #2 ranking following a win at Tennessee. Their other big wins have come against Indiana and Maryland while their not-so-bad losses have been to Texas and South Florida. The losses have been by a combined eight points.

Louisville (10-1) has won 10 straight following a season opening loss to Arizona. The Cards have been hot and have climbed from #10 in Week Four to #3 in Week Seven. The Cards have good wins against Michigan, Kentucky, and UConn with the latter two coming by a combined 11 points. Louisville is in the early stages of an 11-day break before returning to action against Boston College on Dec. 11.

Arizona (10-0) remained at #4. Besides their season opener against the Cards, Arizona has played a less-than-stellar non-conference schedule after their game against Texas over the weekend was cancelled. Besides the Wildcats and Stanford, the Pac-12 has not proven to be much of a threat this year.

NC State (11-2) rounds out the top five. They fell in overtime at home to a mid-ranked Georgia team over the weekend and have fallen to 2-2 against ranked teams. A road win against Indiana and a neutral site location against Maryland have been their big wins.

Maryland (9-3) moved back up a few spots to #6. Tennessee (9-1) stayed put at #7. Indiana (9-2) moved up to #8. Michigan (11-1) jumped up several spot to #9. Baylor (9-2) fell from fifth down to #10 after falling to Michigan over the weekend.

The ACC has four other teams in the AP Poll including Duke (#16), Georgia Tech (#17), Notre Dame (#20), and North Carolina (#25). In-state rival UK sits at #22.

Favorite Christmas Movies

After discovering Disney+ added a few more Home Alone movies to their streaming service, I realized that the Home Alone arsenal is up to six movies. The first two follow the happenings of Kevin McAlister while the third one shifts to a new cast and plot. The fourth one semi-reverts back to the first two. The fifth goes in a different direction. The sixth installment, which was released this year, happens in the same universe as the original two with only Buzz McAlister reprising his role.

Although, I enjoy the first three installments, everything after becomes cheesy and disappointing. Besides the Home Alone films, some of my other favorite Christmas movies include National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, The Santa Clause (original one), and Elf as well as many of the animated or claymation films. Do you have any favorite Christmas movies? Also, do you consider Die Hard a Christmas movie?

There are no wrong answers to the questions above.

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared

MERRY CHRISTMAS -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 MERRY CHRISTMAS ! 

From all of us, to all of you -- a very merry Christmas!  

Paulie, Jeff, Case, Jared, Daryl and Sonja

Poll results for WBB and Julie Sullivan offers a Christmas poem -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

It seems we may have a second poet-laureate here at Cardinal Couple. First off, the long-standing annual Sonja XMAS poem is rapidly nearing completion and sources tell me that she, the chimps, and Mike the psychedelic-eyed Clemson Tiger should have it out by the weekend. Since Mike isn't much of a proof-reader, I've gotten some glimpses of what my better half has been working on and I like what I'm seeing.  

The poem, a tradition started long ago at Howie Lindsey's fine CARDINAL SPORTS website lives on and it will be posted here and there. (I had wondered why the egg-nog and bourbon levels in the house had been shrinking...) 

Julie Sullivan, our newest writer, is also adept as a wordsmith and offers us poetry today based on a true experience from a couple of years ago. We hope you enjoy this holiday treat and that your holidays (Worldwide refers to this time of year as "Christmahanakwanzika,") are going well.  -- Paulie -- 

Less than a week before Christmas and all thru the website

The games had been covered, I have nothing to write

Paulie wrote the UofL/UK game with such clever flair

That all felt the victory, even those who were not there 

But the readers are clamoring for a new story to read

It's early Tuesday AM and the sweat starts to bead

Then, I remember an incident from two years ago

When a Cat fan and I had a battle to and fro

She put a Christmas tree in a common hallway

And from a bough, a giant Wildcat ribbon did sway

On the tree a Cardinal ornament soon did appear

When I was wrongly accused, I put it in high gear

A tree with blue? It's not the color of the season

Everyone knows Santa wears red for a reason

Her tree was soon adorned with lots of red birds

And an email she did get with the following words: 

Oh, Cardinal tree, oh Cardinal tree

How lovely are thy birdies?

Oh, Cardinal tree, oh Cardinal tree

How lovely are they birdies"

Oh, Cardinal tree, oh Cardinal tree

Such pleasure you do bring me!

Oh, Cardinal tree, oh Cardinal tree

Such pleasure you do bring me! 

And how this former Wildcat tree

Brings us such joy and glee

Oh, Cardinal tree, Oh, Cardinal tree

Such pleasure you do bring me.

Oh, Cardinal tree, oh Cardinal tree

Card/Cat games we'll be winning

A symbol of our pride and love

No other school can ring my bell

Someday Ms. J. will think you're swell. 

Oh, Cardinal tree, Oh, Cardinal tree

You'll never again need changing. 

( This column is a tip of the hat to my grandfather, who wrote each of his ten grand-kids individualized poems that accompanied our Christmas cash each year. The money was welcome but all these years later, I still miss GrandPop's cheesy rhymes. I hope I did him proud.) 

-- JC --   

***********************************************************

USA TODAY, AP POLLS OUT

If it's Tuesday morning during basketball season, and we're relatively sure it is, it's time for the weekly polls for NCAA Women's College basketball. Steady on the horizon, course remains the same for the WBB Cards in the AP, holding at third: 

1)  UConn            800 points

2)  Notre Dame    748 points

3) LOUISVILLE      740 points

4) S. Carolina       686 points

5) Miss. State       672 points

A bit of a head-scratcher, "WTH" result over at the USA Today/WBCA Coaches Poll, however, where the Cards are still in fourth behind Mississippi State. 

1) UConn             800 points

2) Notre Dame     745 points

3) Miss. State       720 points

4) LOUISVILLE      719 points

5) S. Carolina       681 points

in the RPI rankings, the Cards are sixth.

Coach Walz and the players will tell you rankings are unimportant, they take each game at a time and I have to agree. I use them primarily to see how an upcoming opponent might be situated coming into a game against UofL. 

Speaking of, the WBB squad is in Colorado and ready for Wednesday night's game against Air Force. I suspect Mr. Anderson Jared will fill us in on more of that tomorrow. FWIW, Air Force is #345 out of #349 in the RPI listings. 0-9 on the season. 

345	345	Air Force	MWC	0-9	0-5	0-0	0-3	0-1
346	346	VCU	Atlantic 10	1-7	0-5	0-1	1-1	0-0
347	347	Charleston So.	Big South	2-5	0-2	0-1	1-2	1-0
348	348	La.-Monroe	Sun Belt	2-5	0-4	0-0	0-1	2-0
349	349	Longwood	Big South	2-6	0-4	0-0	1-2	1-0

Paulie

xxxxx

Christmas Day CARDINAL COUPLE --MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM CARDINAL COUPLE


We wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for following us in 2013. We will do our best to keep up the expectations of our readers and listeners in 2014 and we appreciate your comments, suggestions, ideas and e-mails. ENJOY your holidays and get ready....because 2014 is going to be another GREAT year for UofL Women's Athletics !!! We'll see you Saturday...we're taking a few days off... 

Paulie, Sonja, Jenny, Jeff and David

BELOW IS A LITTLE CHRISTMAS DITTY FROM OUR FRIEND NICK PEAY at CRESCENT HILL RADIO. CLICK THE LINK  "MERRY CHRISTMAS" BELOW AND ENJOY NICK'S SONG ABOUT SANTA ! CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE SONG...MERRY CHRISTMAS !!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!




" and they asked me the meaning of this holiday and what it entailed...so I told them of the traditions, gatherings and fun. They were not impressed and returned me to my cell...where my fellow soldiers and prisioners were detained in various stages of dying and suffering. We clung to the hope that we would be liberated and returned to our homeland. Some days, it was a lot harder than others. You see...when you've had your freedom and lost it...it makes you appreciate it even more."

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