Sports was immediately consigned to a recycle pile where it was handy in case she heard the unmistakable gack-gack-gack machine-gun regurgitation sound of Midnight Louie about to deposit a hairball on some particularly cherished piece of paper or furniture.

Chip called from New Hampshire to tell me about Jack's representing me at the National Rifle Association meeting. Jack not only told them I was a hunter all my life and a good shot, but also said in a loud voice, My daddy will approve anything you want to do in the woods.[…] The key words were in the woods. The NRA, basing its argument on the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution regarding the right to bear arms, has acquired tremendous influence within the U.S. Congress and among state and local governments.

Despite knowing that getting rid of Koeman was going to necessitate putting his hand very deep into what are currently very shallow pockets, Laporta changed tack a couple of weeks ago by summoning journalists for an off-the-record briefing about what was going to happen with the coach.

“Special delivery for Mr. Graham,” said the uniformed sheriff. He grinned as he stepped aside. “Hi, honey,” said the woman standing there.