“Think I’ll cut back on some of the Thanksgiving dinner things,” I said to the wife.

“OK,” she replied, “Which ones do you want to leave out: Cranberry salad? Mashed potatoes? Dressing? Sweet potato pie? Rolls? Pumpkin pie?”

Never mind, I said.

–

To readers of this newspaper, in particular you who spare a few of 10,080 minutes a week to agree-and-not with one old guy’s opinions before tossing it into the trash, thank you. Your time is precious and e-mails afterward are too. Even those with suggestions of where I can stick my points-of-view which often are physically impossible.

This week, in the spirit of good intentions, a few ideas with Mark Twain in mind. “The human race,” he wrote, “has one really effective weapon, laughter.”

1. Thanksgiving nuggets to express holiday gratitude include …

• “Never correct a fool for he will hate you for it. Correct a wise man and he will appreciate you.”

• “I know what I have given you. I do not know what you have received.”

2. Good advice Dept. “Trust your hunches. They’re usually based on facts filed away just below the conscious level.” – Dr. Joyce Brothers

3. A father’s proudest moment occurred in Alabama last month. Gregg Farnetti, football coach at West Blocton High since 1990 stepped down after the season finale but not before “the proudest moment of my life.”

An extra point attempt near game’s end sent No. 24 racing out to try the PAT. Kick was perfect. A sideline celebration included the coach hugging the kicker. No. 24 was Jodie Farnetti, coach’s daughter who had “practiced and practiced,” she said, “because I wanted to do something for my dad.”

4. James Ramsey. Grace under fire. University of Louisville’s President appeared this close to haggard in a news photo last week. His repeated apologies for ethnic insensitivity elevated his dignity and made small the mob of sanctimonious critics too happy with sound of their own voices than accepting one and move on.

5. Ron Weaver. Fan in Bracken County represents all who send e-mails to by way of varied passion and techni-colored language, counsel me on how to write a column.

6. Opportunity to read The Natural Man authored by Brooksville native Ed McClanahan. I recommend it.

Thanksgiving.

7. Turkey dinner day after, what could be C-USA better than Hilltoppers (9-2) and Thundering Herd (9-2)?

8. Louisville-Kentucky Governor’s Cup renewal has star power again and cha-ching incentives.

• Cardinals, thumped at Pittsburgh, have state brag rights at stake, but 7-5 and winners of five of last six registers better than team with two-loss sputter at the end to bowl officials.

• Wildcats (5-6), off a 58-point show have their mojo back? On the line: It’s UofL, it’s a bowl bid and, it’s two more weeks to practice.

9. Alabama-Birmingham basketball coach Jerod Haase donated $46,000 of his own salary to help pay for men’s and women’s programs’ cost of attendance this year – $23,000 to each program. Haase’s salary? One million annually.

10. Northwestern Wildcats (9-2) are bowl bound again.

Ball coaches

11. Mark Stoops. Hammered on radio call-in show, Kentucky’s coach insisted callers be allowed to howl no confidence.

12. Willie Taggart. Tampa area media and South Florida football fans have slammed ex-WKU coach for two seasons, but after the Bulls smashed Cincinnati 65-27 and post season play was possible, Taggart “ain’t too bad.”

13. Tweet from Bowling Green High football coach Kevin Wallace “… the past five seasons, BGHS is 67-3. That’s a lot of good play by a lot of good players. Keep rollin’!” The Purples host Fern Creek this week in a state semi-final.

14. Godfather Dept. NBA Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive intends to make John Calipari “an offer he can’t refuse” to become the Kings’ next coach.

15. Another Kentucky-trounced-Duke is history. First rate entertainment … for a night in November.

16. Tyler Ulis. Praise was too lavish, too widespread, too early and fool’s gold. Thankfully, Kentucky’s point guard will keep clear eyes, humble heart and play on.

17. Latest link to basketball greatness in Kentucky, Louie Dampier is a Hall of Famer.

18. Kids in Kentucky harboring a Big Blue dream and in need of worthy role models – Alex Poythress and Derek Willis.

19. Just Wondering Dept. Will Katina Powell of UofL sex scandal fame, be among nominees for Kentucky sports person of the year?

20. Andre McGee and Jalen Rose (ESPN) remind us, by way of sex scandal and tawdry confession (Rose), a rotten underside of college sports remains.

21. Gary Pinkel. Soon to be ex-coach at Missouri, will stay near to show us what courage looks like after the cheering stops.

22. Wheels of Justice grind slowly. We’re still waiting to see justice meted out to North Carolina athletics

23. Slightly altered quip from Twain: “It is by the goodness of the Almighty that in our Bluegrass State, I have three precious options:

√ Freedom to criticize a ball coach.

√ Liberty to poke fun with enthusiasm.

√ And, willingness to risk doing both.

24. Personal spirit of Thanksgiving, we celebrated Mother’s birthday. 96.

And, Seenager (Senior teenager). Have everything I wanted as a teenager, don’t have to go to school or work; Receive an allowance (Social Security); own a driver’s license, a car, have no curfew and own my place. And, I have an ID card to get into bars and saloons.

America! I love this place. Happy Thanksgiving.

And so it goes.

You can reach me at bob.Watkins24@aol.com