Virg Foss commentary: Better days are ahead

NAPLES, Fla. -- I woke up the other day with my upper lip feeling like Mike Tyson had used it as his personal punching bag in his prime.

An infected tooth will do that to you. My dentist said he's seen worse, so that's some consolation. He loaded me up with prescriptions and promised better days ahead.

Coming just before my trip to Florida to receive a big honor from the American Hockey Coaches Association, it was not the kind of trouble I cared to borrow.

But as I sprawled on my sofa the night before flying to Florida, my tooth troubles soon paled to what I saw on TV.

I saw bits and pieces of the Minnesota Twins getting embarrassed in a doubleheader sweep at home by Tampa Bay. Outhit 30-10 in the two games and outscored 21-4? Painful to watch.

Then I dialed in the NFL draft on TV long enough to watch the Minnesota Vikings make the puzzling pick of Christian Ponder, a quarterback from Florida State. The Vikings need a quarterback, no doubt, but Ponder? He's injury prone and has what critics say is a weak arm.

So with the Twins a wreck Thursday, the Vikings reaching for a questionable draft pick and a throbbing tooth and fat lip messing with my day, I'm ready for brighter days.

This trip to Florida should be a good start, being there with my son, daughter and daughter-in law. Throw in a planned trip through the Everglades and a morning of fishing on a charter boat in the Gulf, fun days are ahead.

It's the time of the year when I will soon spend far more time at my Minnesota lake cabin than in Grand Forks. So the intoxicating mix of sunny days and cool, calming nights at the cabin await me and my dog Ole when the Florida trip ends.

This being my last column of the season, I wonder what changes will roll around before I resume writing in October?

It looks like UND will remain the Fighting Sioux for at least next season. I've always been 100 percent behind that. Color me an optimist, but I remain hopeful something can be worked out with the NCAA and Standing Rock. I say fight on for Fighting Sioux.

I wonder what life will be like for my mother Maebel, now 103 and counting, as the rest of the year rolls on. I see disturbing signs of forgetfulness on visits and talks with her.

I know changes are inevitable as one ages. That knowledge doesn't make it easier to accept. I've been blessed to have my mother in my life for all these years. I want her there forever.

For all you fans of the Twins, they will play better ball when injured players return. Ponder might not be a big bust for the Vikings. My tooth infection will go away. I hope puppy Ole survives his first extended stay at a kennel while I am gone.

So as I put my column aside for five months, I close by sending one final thanks to all of you who read the column and shared your comments with me.

Foss is a Hall of Fame journalist who reported on sports for 36 years for the Herald until his retirement. He writes a weekly column from October through April. Contact him at virgfoss@yahoo.com or at (701) 772-9272.