Most Mondays, there’s no way I’d be driving all the way to Norton. There’s always too much work to get done for Tuesday. 

This is a different Monday. 

Since Caitlyn is playing her last volleyball matches at home this evening, I had to come. Had I stayed back in Russell, I would have been skewered by Caitlyn and Peggy, and probably Clark, Chelsea and Courtney, too. 

Knowing I had to leave before 1, I made sure I had all of the work done for the Monday deadlines as early as possible, and then got a head start on Tuesday. By time the matches end, and then Peggy and Clark take me out to eat, I won’t be home until at least 10:30. By then, it will be too late to do anything. 

In the past, I might have stayed up all night, but not now. I’ve learned it’s much better to go to sleep earlier, get up between 6:15 and 6:45, and then go to work. I haven’t been later than 1 pm yet. 

Then again, maybe I should have stayed home.

The Bluejays won Oberlin’s tournament Saturday, defeating Atwood, Oberlin, St. Francis and Hoxie. This was only the second time I’ve missed them play this season.

When I’m not there, Norton is 6-0. I facetiously told Peggy I might as well not show up. Of course she ripped that idea to shreds, and I told Caitlyn about it. She knew I was lying. 

The other time I didn’t go was last month when Norton played in WaKeeney vs. Oakley and Trego. I am pretty much not welcome at Trego, so I decided not to risk it. 

Here I am, in Norton’s dark gymnasium, waiting for the matches to start. Norton plays Russell at 4:30, followed by Russell vs. Logan. Logan and Norton play following senior night, when Caitlyn will be honored, as will Baylee Miller and Kristen Dole. 

I need a break from football. The Arizona Cardinals disgust me right now. 1-3? Okay, I’ve seen many Cardinal teams start 1-3. But this Cardinal team? Come on. Maybe I need to stop watching, or receiving text alerts, or  following the game on the Internet.