It took a long time, but round 18 for the year is in the books!

It's been several weeks since I've played a full 18 holes playing my own ball.  I've played a scramble since then. 
Today was very hot, so I decided to ride the 18 holes at Iroquois GC.  We started on the back nine, so I'll list that first.  I shot a 37 - 43 = 80.  I feel like I played very good today.  Yep, I messed up several shots, but overall, I was pleased with my play.  Especially after not playing much in the past several weeks.  I birdied #10 and #13, and a par on #14 had me 1 under after 5 holes!  But, a bogey, par, bogey, bogey finish  had me 2 over for the 9.  But, the bogey on #17 was with a lost ball in the weeds.  So, I was very pleased with a bogey on that hole.
  I think the hot weather and riding helped me play  better today, even though I haven't played much lately.  I know I was getting a lot more distance on my shots, with the heat and the fairways drying out   letting the ball roll a little.
I play Shawnee GC Thursday.  I'm sure it hasn't grown in much yet, but at least the mud should be dried up!  I think we'll be able to find grass to sit the ball on and the thin grass will allow a lot of roll.  Should be OK.  I plan on walking Thursday.  Shawnee is nice and flat and even though it will be hot it should be very walkable. 
When I finished the front nine with my 37 I was thinking it might get me some money.  But I heard a lot of low scores on the first nine so I think it unlikely that will win anything.  I'll let you know.

2011 Willow Park Concert Series begins!

Mary Lynn and I love going to the Willow Park Concerts.  We like meeting Mark and Kim and the girls there.  Erin and Jill love the concerts and was really looking forward to the start this season.  In my opinion, Erin loves the concerts because she likes to dance.  Jillian loves the concerts because she likes Ice Cream and Watermelon.  Not that both girls don't like everything, but I think those are their main interests!
As in the Zoo photos, I picked a few of my favorites from last night to post.

My favorite photo.  The girls really enjoy thier snow cone, sun, and watching the dancers.

Pam gets in the action with Jill and Erin.  It's hard to sit and watch without getting up to dance a few times.

I love this picture! Kim and Erin and having a great time twirling to the music!

Had to post this one because it's such a complete opposite of the photo above!  Caught them in a pose that seems to say "How much longer is this going to go on?" We had a lot of fun!  Next Sunday night at 7:00 pm "The Lost Boys".  Good ol' Rock and Roll!

A little golf on Thursday.....very little.

When you haven't played for more than a week, sometimes you try to get a little golf in even under adverse conditions.
This morning the big red and green blob on the radar seemed to be blowing through Louisville quickly and a window of 5 or 6 hours of sunshine looked possible.  So, off to the golf course.  It was a little windy, cloudy, and the course very wet. 
We were putting out on the 5th hole, actually #14 because we started on the back 9 at Iroquois GC, when it started to sprinkle.  It was raining pretty steady when we teed off on #15.  I hit a nice ball to the middle of the green.  We broke out the umbrella's and walked down the hill to the green.  Then it really started raining hard.  I stood on the cart path holding my umbrella over me and my clubs hoping it was just a brief shower.  It wasn't.  It poured buckets.  While standing there thinking maybe we can continue if it would just quit, I turned around and looked at the green.  It was covered with water running from back to front.  If it stopped raining at that moment we wouldn't have been able to putt for at least an hour.  Just then I heard some thunder.  Time to head in!
So, I got in 5 holes today.  Wasn't playing to bad, either.  Well, at least I got a little golf in.....it's gonna have to hold me till Tuesday.

I'm starting to have withdrawal symptoms....

My hands aren't as steady as they should be.  I'm starting to lose my appetite.  I roam around the house wondering what to do.  Mary Lynn is starting to get annoyed.
It's been over a week since I've swung a golf club.  I played Shawnee GC last Tuesday, but only nine holes because it was in terrible shape.  For a guy that's been playing 2-3 times a week, this is getting serious.
We are supposed to play tomorrow at Iroquois GC.  Of course, that depends on the weather.  There's a chance of severe storms this evening. I hope they're not to severe and that they blow out of here before tomorrow morning.  If we can't play tomorrow it will be Tuesday before I play.  That will be 2 weeks! 
And people think retirement is easy!

Columbus Zoo Pictures

Facebook is full of Wedding pictures so I thought I'd concentrate on the Zoo.  If I knew how to post more than one picture at a time on FB I'd post all these Zoo pictures on it.  But, I can't....so here are few a my favorite pictures from the Zoo.  You'll have to pardon me, but my favorites might be slanted towards Erin and Jill.

The whole group minus Mary Lynn who was taking the picture.

I'ts really hard to catch Jillian in a good pose smiling for the camera, but I think I did it!

                                                 Erin wrestling a crocodile.

                       Both girls posed well in front of the Penguin House. Erin wanted to act like she was feeding the penguin.

  I posted a picture like this on Facebook, but here they're doing the 'Dot' pose.

                                  I really like this picture.  Erin in action with the camera!

                    And I like this one.  We caught the Wolf just as he was passing by.
We have more pictures, but these were my favorites.  Stop by the house to view the rest.

Metal Detecting in the North Country

While on the trip to Columbus for Beth's wedding, I got up there early enough Friday to Metal Detect Jit and Julie's yard.  I was really hoping to find some old coins, possibly silver, because their home is in an old neighborhood.  As in any yard detecting, I found several aluminum clippings, from gutters, siding, etc.  Some of these things were recognizable, some weren't.  A blob of solder or lead, a can tab, a copper strap, probably to hold a downspout in place.  I was disappointed in not finding any silver coins.  My findings are pictured below.

I found a total of 32 cents.  I was sure Ohio people would lose more money than that over the years.  Three interesting finds.  I found 2 Wheat Pennies, a 1952 and a 1917s.  And this toy airplane wing.  It says ARMY on the wing.  I would think it was pre-WWII since the Air Force was established after that time and all pre-WWII planes were Army Air Corps.  The U. S. Air Force was established September 18, 1947.
The Treasure Hunt was fun.  I wish I could find more 'Virgin' yards to detect.

I thought I'd put a picture of the back of the pennies.  Some of my young readers may not know why I say "Wheat Pennies".  In 1959 they changed the back of the penny to the Lincoln Memorial.  Before that, beginning in 1909, they had a shock of wheat on each side of the back.

Also, I thought I'd add a better close up of the front of the pennies so that the dates were a little more readable.

The Fish'n Poles are ready and so are the Girls!

Erin and Jillian were practicing their casting.  They got to be pretty good!

One time Erin cast the line all the way to the bottom level close to the fence.  And, neither one of them got their line tangled in the tree, bushes, or phone wires!  Very professional!

The ol' Fishing Poles are ready to go!

The Fishing Rods and Reels I've had stored in the basement for over 20 years without being touched have now been cleaned, oiled, new line installed, tested, and are ready to go.  I only had one casualty.  One of the small child's rod and reel set had unrepairable damage.  So, I canabalized the two that I had to make one good one that works.

One of them had some teeth on the gear broken and one of them had a spring broken on the reel face.  So, I combined the two to make one good one.  At least, as good as a cheap rod and reel can be.
After finishing each one I took them outside to the driveway and made a few practice casts.  All except the open faced reel that I'm going to have to let Mark show me how to use.  But, I put new line on it and it seems to work very smoothly, so I will assume it will work OK.
Now, to get my fishing license and wait to be invited on a fishing trip.

Shawnee GC, after the River Runs Through It

We played our usual Tuesday golf at Shawnee.  I tried to get them to wait a couple of weeks before playing Shawnee GC.  But, NOOO, they had to play at Shawnee.  I think Gene McDonald wanted to give the Pro there a little business because he's had such a rough couple of months.  And I can appreciate that, but the course is just not ready for play yet.

No, this is not a picture of Shawnee, but it could be.  There really wasn't any standing water, but a lot of sloppy, soft mud.  And I mean 'every' fairway.  Every shot you hit plugged!  I shot a 44 on the front nine and cleaned mud off my ball 44 times.  I didn't have a clean spot left on my two towels.  I played the front nine and told the guys I was playing with that that was enough for me.  I packed up my clubs and left.
I'll give Shawnee a couple of weeks before I try it again.  They're planning to play there Thursday, I think, and I'm not playing.  If they move to Iroquois I'll try to make it, even though it looks bad for rain tomorrow. 
I would advise anyone who reads this blog to avoid Shawnee GC for at least 2 more weeks!

I don't think Churchill Downs has racing anymore

I got this mailing today from Churchill Downs.

One thing, I really appreciate them thinking of me and letting me in free on Friday, May the 13th.  I only wish I'd have gotten this in the mail before Monday, May 16th!

This is the backside.  I was just wondering.....does Churchill Downs still have horse racing?       One small mention of racing at the top with live music, drink specials, no mention of post time.  More mention of music and drinks, but not another mention of racing.  What time should I get there to be able to bet on the first race?  Oh, it's the concerts you're selling, not thoroughbred racing.  This is what my Churchill Downs has become.  They no longer care anything about the racing fans. 

It looks like it might be getting close to Fishing Season

I happened to see a picture of one of my Granddaughters learning how to cast a fishing pole....and she looked like she was getting the hang of it.  I can't see it being very long before we may have to go fishing.  So, I started getting out all the fishing gear I have stored in the basement. Oh yeah, besides all that outher stuff I've got a few fishing poles and a tackle box.  I think I have a lot of that gear to Mark a few years ago.  Like a bait box, minnow bucket, etc.  So I had to take inventory of what I have.

I have a few fishing poles.  I think they are in very good shape, just needing to be re-strung.  The line on the reels are at least 25 years old.  I think taking the reels apart, putting new line on, and lubricating the moving parts, things should be OK.  I haven't done any fishing for 25 years and therefore haven't worked on any fishing equipment in that long.   I used to use Vaseline inside the reels to help moving parts.  Is that advisable?  I'm sure they've made advancements in the type line used now.  So I tossed the spools of old line I had in the tackle box.

 
  Also, I had this reel.  I don't remember ever using it and, in looking at it, couldn't figure out how it works.  How do you cast it?  It looks like a nice reel and the pole is nice.  I think I need Mark to help me get these things working properly.  We definitely won't need to buy any new rods or reels, just fix up the ones we have available.

All you fisherman out there who read this blog can give me a little advice on what type line, lubrication and cleaning of reels, and any other maintenance advice on getting these old poles ready to go.

Coke Scramble.......The Tradition Continues

We played in the Coke Scramble today.  I like the tournament because I get to play golf with my 3 sons, it's fun, and they have nice door prizes.  However, today Kevin couldn't make it so Jeff Sparks stood in for him and I was glad to have him.  I did get to play with Mark and Brian.  How did we do you ask?  PeeeeYoooooo! 

Actually, we played pretty decent.  I thought Brian played very good.  We were just STUPID!  In this scramble each person is allowed one throw, which doesn't count as a stroke.  So, if you're smart, you take one of those 30 foot birdie putts you left about a foot from the hole and just drop it in for a birdie!  That was our plan.  We started on #17, which was a very long par 5.  We were also allowed one skirt each, which means that at any time during the round you may hit from the ladies tee.  So, on our first hole, the longest par 5 and the hole with the largest advantage from the ladies tee, we had Brian use his skirt.  Good move so far.  He hit a nice drive.  On our nexf shot we were just off the left side of the green, in two, with about a 60 foot chip to the hole.  We got one about 7 feet from the hole.  Just far enough away that you couldn't reach and drop it in the hole....you had to roll it a little.  Well, Brian rolled it, using up his throw.  The ball rolled just off the right lip....miss.  Jeff used his....the same thing.  I used my throw, by gosh we're gonna Eagle this hole or else.  I missed.  Mark rolled his ball......missed!  I stepped up and putted it in the hole for a Birdie.  First hole, Brian has used his skirt and we've all used our throws!  When you have 4 throws, that should be an automatic 4 birdies.  We threw them away! One hole played and we've already thrown away any chance of winning this thing!  How stupid can we be!
We finished 4 under.  Wagner Team 7 under.  With 4 birdies thrown away, we should have been 8 under.  On hole #6, we had to play it from tee to cup with just a 7 iron.  We were on in 3 and 3 putted from 15 feet for a double bogey.  Now, I can see2 putting from there with a 7 iron, but not 3 putting. That's another stroke thrown away.  So, we should have easily been 9 under.  The winning team was 12 under.  So, we could have been, should have been, 9 under.  Making a few putts around the course we could have won this thing! Not at all out of the question.  But, you can't fix stupid.
Door prizes.  The Wagner and Tabler teams stood there a long time watching all the nice prizes selected before any of our numbers were called.  We ended up with the normal late in the round door prizes.....Coffee Travel Mugs, Hats, sleeve of balls, bucket of 5 beers.  They had a 32" TV, Gas Grill, 2 counter top Coca-Cola Glass front coolers, 2 nice drivers, a putter, golf bag, and a few other very nice prizes.  But, they were long gone by the time our numbers were called.  We still got nice 'late in the round' prizes and I'm satisfied.
We played at Penn Run GC this year instead of Sun Valley GC.  Sun Valley went to Pepsi....therefore no Coke business!  I don't like Penn Run.  The greens were very rough, bumby, shaggy, and hard to figure.  Slow rolling putts would bounce every which way.  I didn't like the tee placements.  They had blue, white, and red tees.  Each tee was usually 5-10 yards from each other.  I hate that.  If that's all the difference you're going to make them, just have one tee!  Tee's should be adjusted for the difference in handicaps and distance you can hit the ball.  If you have a 400 yard par 4 and the blue tee is 400 yards and the white tee is 395 yards......why have two tees?  What was the purpose?  Then, the red tee 390 yards?  Why?  To me, some courses just don't understand what the purpose is of having different tees. 
It was a fun day and I always enjoy this tournament.  I look forward to next year!  We'll use our throws a little smarter!

Round 17 for the year was a hot one!

And I don't mean I played great!  The Weather was hot.  It was just a little to warm for this early in the year.  I remember feeling the same way last Spring when it got hot early.  In the middle of summer this wouldn't have felt so bad, but this early, temperatures around 90 degrees with hight humidity is just a little much for me.  I walked the front nine but rented a cart for the back nine.  I think I could have walked it OK, but I could tell it wasn't going to be any fun.
So, for my Thursday golf round 17 for the year a shot a 45 - 39 = 84.  Not so good, but about my average.  I've said many times before that I want to finish my round with nothing worse than a bogey.  I think I had 4 double bogey's this round. 
We're supposed to play at Shawnee GC this coming Tuesday.  I think we should wait at least another week.  I'm sure the greens will be in good shape, but the fairways will still be very thin grass where the mud covered the grass during the flood.  But, Gene McDonald, who heads up our bunch of misfit golfers, likes to give the pro there our business as soon as he can because they are very cooperative all year with the tee times.
Well, the Coke Scramble is tomorrow morning.  The weatherman is calling for scattered showers and chance of Thunderstorms.  I hope we can get this in without getting wet.  The Wagner Team has almost guaranteed they'll win this thing this year.  I don't know how they can win it if they can't beat us.  We plan on winning the tournament and then sweeping the top door prizes!  I'll let you know how our plans come out.

Art Show at Chance School

Mary Lynn and I attended an Art Show at Chance School today.  All the Students had their Art Work featured.  There was a lot of nice pieces of work on display....a lot of talent.

At right is Erin's painting, "The Princess".  Very nice use of color and I especially like the jewels on top the crown.  Oh, and the cute artist.

Then, between Jill and Erin, is Erin's sculpture "Magic Kitty".  Very nice!  You can tell there was a lot of work that went into that.  The tail nearly wraps around the body.

Jillian, being in pre-school, didn't have any exhibit.  She will have something next year when she's in Kindergarten.  But, she did show us the little face she made....it will grow grass for hair! Sorta like a Chia Pet!  It was soaking in water but she got it out to show us.  When the grass starts to grow this will look really neat!

Derby Weekend is over, but What A Weekend!

Another Derby has come and gone and as Monday gets here I'm a little poorer, as usual.  I liked Nehro for several weeks before the Derby and changed a couple of days before the Derby to Shackleford.  I liked both of them, and boxed them in my Exacta.  They finished 2nd and 4th, a very good showing, but, no money.  I did get a little back on my $5 win/place bet on Nehro.  But, I think with my horses finishing 2nd and 4th,  does give  a little credibility to my handicapping ability.  And, the one horse I thought  couldn't get the mile and a quarter finished last. 

But, it was a great weekend!



Thursday started off with a Parade of Hats at Chance School.  Erin had her "Fascinator" she made.  Very Pretty!  If Fascinator is not spelled correctly, well, that's the way it should be spelled.

Jill had her pretty Derby Hat.  A little more traditional.

Friday was Oaks Day.  I watched the races on TV and had a little money on each race to keep me interested.

Then, the Derby Party.  Kevin looks to be trying to peek at the horses before selecting his jackpot choice.  Come on Erin, don't let him peek!

As at all High Class Derby Party's, we had our share of "Beautiful People".

Then Sunday, "Mother's Day"!  We gathered up all the 'Mother's' and went to the Zoo. 
Erin loves her boots.

We spent about 3 hours walking around the Zoo.  It was lot's of fun.  This was taken at the new exhibit opened this season, "Glacier Run",  featuring Polar Bears, Grizzly Bears, and  Seals.






Then, to cap off the weekend, off to the Comfy Cow for some Ice Cream!  What a great weekend.  It doesn't get any better than a great weekend with the family!

Tis the Season! Your Oaks and Derby Winners handed to you!

I've done my research. This has been a very tough year to make a final selection.  During the past couple of weeks I've wavered between several picks, but now have finally settled on my selections.  You must remember, my picks have a history of excellence!  I've picked three (3), count'em, three,  Derby winners since 1959!  With such a stunning winning record, people stop to listen to my picks like they do E. F. Hutton.
First, the Kentucky Oaks.  I really like Kathmanblu. I think She'll be right there.  Also, Joyful Victory has an excellent shot. But, my winner will be Summer Soiree!  You can win a lot of money boxing these three fillies for an exacta or trifecta.  I know many of the top handicappers charge you for this type info, but you can get them from me for free.  Just remember me in your will.

Now, for the Derby.  This was the toughest of all.  For several weeks I had been settled on Nehro.  And I still like his chances.  But I've decided on another.  Besides Nehro in you exotics, make sure you include Midnight Interlude, Master of Hounds, and Dialed In.  But, on top, make sure you have my 2011 Derby Pick,........ Shackleford!

You now have the Oaks-Derby Daily Double.  Summer Soiree/Shackleford could make you a pretty handsome profit.  Lock them in with a couple of exactas and you'll have a very happy Derby Weekend. 
If you doubt my selections, just remember I've hit at a whopping 6 percent over the last 50 years! 

My White Azalea's as promised

My white azalea's are finally in full bloom.  I don't know why they wait until the red azalea's are almost done.  The wet weather has kinda beat them down a little.

My roses, or, Mary Lynn's roses, are blooming just in time for Derby.  I might have to take some cutting's and give a vase of Red Roses to the person who won the Derby Jackpot!