Lamar Thames

With very little effort on the part of my wife and I, we had probably the best Christmas we have experienced in quite a long time. I’m talking legendary, as in it was so exciting that it was hard for us to fall asleep for at least two nights in a row.

So, what was so exciting about our Christmas, you might ask? Well, first we spent Dec. 23 with three of our children and all six of our grandchildren at our youngest son Joe’s house. Joe is the one who had a major heart attack four years ago at age 35; got married a year later and bought a house the last week in November 2009. Joe had to good sense to choose Tamarah Lohma as the woman he would marry. I will applaud him for that decision for the rest of my life.

The evening was just so full of joy from everyone. It was one of those evenings where

The grandchildren had fun trying to open a present with mittens on. (Photo by Lamar Thames)

everyone was in a good mood, including the children, who were so happy to be spending time with their cousins, their nana and papa and their aunts and uncles. We ate dinner, celebrated Jesus’ birth with an angel food cake (what else?) and candles, passed out presents and played games.

We always try to get together with my children in the Jacksonville area at least a day or two before Christmas for two reasons. One is to get our gift exchange out of the way early because of all the others involved in that holiday celebration, in-laws and such. It just makes it easier on everyone. Then, we are free to travel to Orlando to spend

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By LAMAR THAMES

I have been a Jacksonville Jaguar season-ticket holder since the beginning. Until this year. Try as I might, I just couldn’t bring myself to sign up for another season. It just wasn’t in the cards.

Can Tim Tebow save the Jaguar franchise? It is a big responsibility, but I think he can do it.

Or should I say, the budget.

I’m sure you have heard of a little thing called the Great Recession? Well, I am one of the victims of it, going on almost a year now. The $700 tab for a pair of tickets for my wife and I was just a bit too steep for our financial portfolio. I know, we could get a four-pack or the new thing they are calling the flex pack, but we have passed on it for now.

I am sure that we will attend some of the games, but I just don’t want to invest several hundred dollars in tickets right now since one source of our family income  — unemployment checks — will be drying up soon. I would rather keep that money in an income-producing vehicle for the time being until one of two things happens: 1) I get a job, or 2) I win the lottery. (The odds of the latter happening are probably greater than the former, if only I would buy a ticket.

Anyway, I feel really bad about not renewing our season tickets. Especially since I keep getting emails from Jaguar owner Wayne Weaver telling me how much he wants me back.  I hate to disappoint him like this, but the reality is that these are tough times. Maybe next year. Read the rest of this entry »