It's Official! My signed scorecard makes it so!

The Scramble I played in a couple of weeks ago is the equivalent of most league's end of the year banquets.  We play a Scramble, then eat and give out awards for our years worth of incredible golf.

I stayed around for the Scramble winners, but not for anything else.  At the time I had other places I needed to be.  But, they gave out 'Awards'.  So, I didn't get mine until yesterday.  This was the even par back nine I shot a few weeks back.  He saved the scorecard and framed it for me.

So, it's official.  Scorecard signed and everything.

You'll notice that the year, '2011', is in white.  That's because he had the wrong year, 2010.  He said he'd run me off a new Yellow sheet with the correct year.  Until then, I'll just use my white piece of paper.

Metal Detecting....Just a little bit

I got out to metal detect a little today.  I spent about 30-40 minutes in Rubel Park.
I found 76 cents, a nut, and a ring.  The ring is very cheap tin, or some other cheap metal.  Very possibly a ring from a fountain pen. 
The ground, despite the heavy rain several days ago, is still dry and hard to dig.  I was surprised at how dry it was.  It was not dusty dry, but the dirt would not clot together when you dug.  It would just fall apart.  I think I'll wait for more rain before I go out again.
I went to the Fincastle Apartments on Poplar Level Road to metal detect in a little ballfield there.  But, I checked with the maintenance people to get permission, and they turned me down.  Their excuse was that they had some residents who metal detect and that they probably wouldn't want me to.  OK.  If there are other metal detectors living there, then it probably wasn't worth my trouble anyway.  I bet those grapes were sour.

Golf at Iroquois for round 49 of the Year

I played Iroquois GC today as usual on Thursdays.  Like my round Tuesday at Shawnee GC, my game is not up to par.

Today I shot a 43 - 43 = 86.  With my 6 handicap on Thursday that netted me a nice round 80!

My game is just a little off.  Like it was early in the year.  Just a few shots here and there, a few putts fall.  I've been chipping well but can't convert the putt.  I feel good over the putts, but nothing falls.  And, on longer putts that I leave myself 3 or 4 foot putts, I miss them to 3 putt.  It'll come around.  I don't think it's left me for the year.  I really think the last 3 weeks or so, I was under a little more stress than I let myself believe.  I missed a couple of rounds, and I think my mind hasn't been on my game.  So, I really believe a couple more rounds under my belt and those 78 - 80 scores will start showing back up.

That's the plan, anyway!

Docent Training Update

Today I completed my 5th training session at the Zoo.  At the end of the session today we went to the Giraffe Exhibit and got to go behind the scenes.  I didn't get to pet the giraffe's today like the elephants last week.  However, we did go into the enclosure beside the one that 3 giraffe's were in.  the Momma Giraffe was in with her two babies.  One baby was almost 2 years old and the other 3 months old.  We were told that this would probably be her last baby, as she was getting on in years.  The Mother Giraffe, named Mariah, was 24 years old and has reached the end of her child bearing years.  It's very interesting to stand there and listen the the Keeper talk about the animals, facts about the type of animal in general, and the little quirks each one may exhibit.  How some throw fits just like a spoiled kid, some very easy going, some get upset easy.  I guess each animal has a different personality just like people.

At the end of class, we handled our '3' animals.  Today we handled:

A Zebra Mouse.  This was not taken out of it's little cage.  It is shown only in the cage when taken out on a show and tell trip.

A White's Tree Frog.  This amphibian, when handled, must be kept wet and can't be touched by the people to whom you are showing.  We had to take him out of the container, hold him as if showing him, and then put him back and close up the container.  Before handling him we had to wet our hands and keep him moist at all times.

Then we handled an Argentine Horned Frog.  The same thing applied to him as the tree frog.  This guy was about 3 times as big as the tree frog.  I guess to to describe how big, this guy as about the size of the Bullfrogs you see in these frog jumping contests.  He was pretty good size.  Pretty much covered your whole hand.

Also, after class was over today I hung around and completed one of my requirements.  We have to attend 3 interpretations. That is, go to one of the animal exhibits and help another Docent talk to the people about the animals in that exhibit.  Today, we went to  Glacier Run and talked to people about the Polar Bears and Grizzly Bears there.  We had a piece of Fur and a Claw from a Polar Bear to let the people, mostly kids, touch and feel, and tell them about the bears in the exhibit and answer questions.  That was also fun and interesting.

The weather is changing and so is my golf score

The temperature is starting to drop and the ball doesn't carry as far now.  That really doesn't help a short knocker like me.  They haven't moved the tees up for winter yet, either.  Plus, today was a windy day and I think the wind was blowing against me on every hole.  Let's see, can I think of any more excuses for why I played bad today?

I played like I played early in the year.  I hit a lot of good shots, but allowed way too many bad shots to balloon my score.  I shot a 43 - 44 = 87 at Shawnee GC.  I hit two bunkers today, but got out of each OK, but two putted.  I also hit one out of bounds on 18. 

This round might help raise my handicap.  He usually throws out the high round, but I think I shot a pretty bad round either last time or time before last.  So, he can't throw all of them out.  I've gotten a little rusty over the past 3 weeks, just haven't played as much.  And, with the wind and soft ground conditions from the heavy rains, the ball would carry as far today and didn't get much roll.  So, with those few really stinker shots and the conditions, I'm not that disappointed.  It felt when I hit those good shots.  It just didn't happen often enough.

I believe this was round 48 for the year.

Memorial Citation

Today in the mail I received this Memorial Citation for my mother from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  I recieved 3 copies, so I'll have one for Joe and Jean.

I went to Flaget with Rep. Larry Clark and we remain good friends.  I very much appreciate him doing this for me and the family.

Taking one, leaving one

They're removing a tree from across the street.  But not the one that lost the big branch that crushed a van, a car, and damaged a truck.  However, they will be removing the dead wood from it.  I can't understand how they can leave that tree on the right.  With that big scar on the side where that large branch used to be, I just can't see how that tree can be healthy enough to remain. 
This is just another job done in the neighborhood that I wasn't consulted on beforehand.  Go figure!

Box Turtle

On the way home from Iroquois GC today I found this Box Turtle crossing the street and had to stop and pick him up.  I used to see them crossing streets all the time years ago but this is the first one I've seen in years.  He was crossing Summit Ave., just a few blocks from home.
I figured I'd rescued him so he wouldn't get run over by a car, so I don't plan to keep him.  But I would like to keep him long enough for Erin and Jill to see him.
I'll have to google him and see what you're supposed to feed him.  I remember when the boys were little we had one and he loved nightcrawlers.  I put a little cheese, sausage, and a carrot in with him to see if he'd eat any of that.  I hate that the picture is so 'orange' looking, but I put him in my recycle bin, so it kinda gave everything an orange tint.

Getting my handicap strokes back

I just finished round 47 for the year.  The best thing I can say about it is that I walked the 18 holes and it was good for me.

I played, as usual on Thursday, at Iroquois GC and shot a consistent 42 - 42 = 84.  With my handicap down to a 5 that netted me a 79.  As I've mentioned before, your team needs to average around 70 to win team bet, and to be low man you need to net down to around 66.  So I was a long way from challenging for the money.  But, I just can't feel bad about shooting an 84.  I had 2 penalty strokes today, which is unusual for me.  My game is to keep the ball in play.  I don't hit it very far so I have to rely on keeping the ball in the middle of the fairway and out of trouble.  I didn't do that very well today.  But, this is the first time I've played my own ball in 2 weeks.  So, I was a little rusty.

Another Cross Country Meet. This Time at Hite Elementary School in Middletown

Mary Lynn and I went to another Cross Country Meet tonight.  There was a pretty good crowd, and we had a looong walk from the parking lot to the actual race course.  In this meet Erin got to run against ONLY 2nd grade girls.  Each race was divided by Boys and Girls and class.  Each grade raced by itself.  That made it nice.  I was able to see where Erin ranked with other 2nd grade girls.  The 2nd graders also only ran a half mile.  The course was fairly flat for a Cross Country Course, but it did have one long uphill climb about half way through the race that was challenging.

Jillian read while swinging waiting for Erin to run.  When Erin ran Jill was there cheering hard for her.

Kim on the left cheering for Erin.  Erin was pushing hard to the finish.  Here she's by herself, either way behind the girls in front of her or way ahead of the girls behind her.  I prefer to think of it as way ahead of the girls behind her!

Erin crossing the finish line in 5:07 for a half mile.  I think that's pretty good for a 2nd grade girl.  I'm proud of her effort.  Look at the ponytail fly!

Docent Training at The Louisville Zoo

Some of you know this, others may not, but for the past 5 weeks or so I've been training to be a Docent at the Louisville Zoo.  The training began with orientation on July 16th, and my first class was August 24th.  I have classes each Wednesday, from 9:00 to 12:30, until November 30th.  At that time I'll be a trained Docent and can start doing Volunteer work in the field of educating others about the animals living at the Zoo.

At the end of each session they bring in 3 of the animals they use in the 'Outreach' program.  That is, the Docent's take them out to off-site places, schools, senior housing, pre-schools, etc., for a little show and tell.

In order to sign off on the sheet that says you've handled the animal, you must remove it from it's enclosure, present it to someone to touch or pet, and then return it to it's enclosure.  So far I've handled a Box Turtle, Chinchilla, Ball Python, Lop-eared Rabbit, Rose Hair Tarantula, Hissing Cockroach, Tiger Salamander, Bearded Dragon, Pygmy Hedgehog, ferret, and a Guinea Pig.

Also, the last hour or so of class we go out to one of the exhibits and go behind the scenes. We've been to the Herpaquarium basement, and the Islands exhibit with the Tapirs and the Sumatran Tiger.  Today, we went to the Elephant Enclosure.

The Louisville Zoo has 2 elephants, one Asian elephant and one African Elephant.  There are many differences, but a quick look at the ears and head you can tell the difference.  The Asian has two rounded bumps on top the head and smaller ears, versus a fairly flat head and large ears for the African Elephant. I also learned that the Asian Elephant's name is Punch, and the African Elephant is Mikki.

We got to go inside the pen and stand in the yard where the elephants are on display, and stand right beside the elephants and pet them.  Of course the trainers were right there.  But that was pretty neat.  The skin of the African Elephant was very rough with bristly hair, but the back of her ears were very soft and velvety feeling.  The trainers said they give them Jelly Beans for a special treat and the elephants love them.  I asked how many they give them, a hand full, or what?  Nope, ONE Jelly bean. They love it!  That's their treats when they do what they're told.

Well, I've got two full months of training left, so I'm sure I'll handle all the other 'Outreach' animals before I'm through.  Other snakes, Toads, Tarantula's, Frogs, Millipede's, Rats, Opossum, and a few other varmits.  It's been very interesting, and with a few things behind me after this weekend, I'll have more time to finish some of my up close and in person training requirements.  

The Fall "BubbaLou Classic Golf Scramble"

Here we are all lined up to start the 2011 Fall BubbaLou Classic.  We had 17 teams on this cool, windy morning.

After completing the round, the score card is torn in half, front nine and back nine.  They draw two teams together and that's your front nine score.  We finished 32 on the front and drew with a team that shot a 32 on the front, so our score was 64.  Then they draw two more teams together until all teams are paired with another.  The low score together, both teams win.  Then they draw back nines.

We didn't win anything.

This was my team.  From left to right Norman, Buddy, Rowland, and Me.

I had my name on a closest to the pin on hole #4. When was played it about half the groups had gone through.  But, it didn't hold up.  I played pretty good today.  Hit some very nice drives, nice irons.  Putted OK, not great.  Made one long birdie putt.  Out team birdied 5 holes and bogeyed one.  We bogeyed hole #2, a long par 4.

It was fun.  Would liked to have won something, but I did get a hamburger when we finished.

Oldham County's "Rumble in the Jungle"!

I went to Erin's 2nd Cross Country Meet, the first away from home.  It was in North Oldham, and there were at least 20 schools there.  A lot of competition.  The weather was pretty warm, and the sun shining.  The course was tougher than the "Chance Chase" course.  This course had some hills.  These girls ran 1.2 miles.  Now, that's a long way for 2nd and 3rd graders.
Doesn't Erin look cute in her uniform?

They had so many runners they had to split this age group up into two races.  The girls and boys ran together. 

Erin, on the right, kicking to the finish line.  She was hurting, and her tummy was hurting, but look how strong she finished!  That little girl is tough!   That's my Rosiepie!

Round 46 for the Year was a Cold, Wet One

I played Iroquois GC today in my usual Thursday golf league.  My handicap is now down to 5!  I shot a 41 - 38 = 79 today, and netted down to a 74.  Our team averaged a net 76. Not so good. 
It was a cold, wet day.  It drizzled most of the time we were on the course and was a little breezy.  So, the temperature of about 65 degrees made for a wet and cold round.
I'm pleased with my 79.  I can see I won't be low man until my handicap gets a little higher.  I'm not going to shoot much better than a 79.  My problem is that I've been too consistent.  I've been shooting 78-81 most every week.  Not a score that would win me anything, but one that steadily dropped my handicap.
I hit the ball well today, and chipped and putted well.  I let a couple of shots get away from me in the fairway and had to drop out of creeks, but still managed to keep those holes down to a decent score.  Two straight holes I had penalties, one I had par, and the other I had a bogey. Not bad recoveries.
It was fun, despite not winning.  We'll get'em next week.

Chance Cross Country Race The "Chance Chase"

Mary Lynn and I went to the "Chance Chase" to watch Erin run her first Cross Country Race.  I think Mary Lynn was a little cold, so after Erin ran we left.  So, I don't know how Chance School did in the event, or what Erin's official time was.  But, she really did good.  That was a long race for a 'young' 2nd grader.  She's one of the youngest in her class.

She beat a lot of girls.  They were still coming in a long time after Erin crossed the finish line.

This is one of Erin's best friends, Ellie, who is on the team, too.

This is about 3/4 of the way through the race.  Erin is on the outside wearing long pants.  She decided to run in her warm up pants because it was pretty chilly.






It was a lot of fun and I'm sure Erin learned a lot from this first race.  She really has a nice pace and I think as she gains experience she gonna really be tough to beat!

When I was in School I used to beg for more homework myself!

Mary Lynn and I watched Erin and Jillian Sunday night while Mark and Kim went to a movie.  We played some fun games but I think the most fun they had was doing homework.  Not from school, but from me.  They asked me to make some homework for them like they have from school.  So, I made some.

I made up some math problems, a few Geography questions, and I asked them what else I could put on the paper?  They said some horse questions.  So, I made up some horse questions. 

Oh, they each had their own homework paper with different questions.  Here, I think, they were going back over some of the questions before they turned in their papers.

Weren't you that way? Always wanting more homework.  I know I was. Homework was always my favorite part of the school day.  Play outside with my friends? Naw, I wanted to sit at the kitchen table and do homework.  But, that's just me.

A Cold Night to End the Willow Park Concert Season

Wow. It's hard to believe it got so cold so fast!  I'm playing golf in 102 degrees Saturday and Monday I'm sitting at the Willow Park Concert Freezing to death.

My little girls were cold!  They spent most of their time cuddled under a blanket or in somebody's lap to try and stay warm.

Jerry and Kathy Blandford hit the dance floor.  Jerry made sure he didn't hit on all cylinders or he'd scare everyone else off the floor.  He tried to keep all his 'smooth' moves toned down. (Well, that was his story anyway)

Bill and Kathy Ralston also hit the floor.  They said they weren't afraid of Jerry's moves.  "Bring it On!", said Bill.

To top it off, we had a Beautiful Sunset!








It was a nice Season of Concerts at the Park.  It was so hot all summer, and so many Sunday nights were really scorchers, then to finish of the season on a cold, windy , night.....it was just one thing I wouldn't have believed.

Cold and Windy Golf at Weissinger Hills GC

I met Greg Lynn at Weissinger Hills GC today.  J. R. played and a friend of Greg's, Dan.  I played Saturday in 102 degree temperature and melted.  Today, two day later, I played in 65 degrees and windy and froze!  Unbelievable!
This was round #45 for the year.  I shot a 42 - 45 = 87.  I gave Greg 3 strokes a side and lost the front, tied the back, and lost the 18.  Hmm....I think I'll adjust that stroke thingy.
The forecast was for a high of 73 today.  When I got in the car at about 2:30 in was only 65 degrees and it had been windy all day.  It wouldn't have been bad if not for the wind.  A good stiff breeze can make 65 feel mighty cold!
I think I played well today but I never made a putt. The greens weren't in very good shape.  They'd had a lot of rain there overnight and the greens were pretty soft, wet, and uncut.  This made for pretty bumpy greens.
It was fun and I'm looking forward to going to the concert tonight.  But, I bet I dress warmer for that than I did for golf.

For Brian's Bachelor Party, What else but Golf?

For Brian's Bachelor Party he wanted to play golf.  So we played today at Heritage Hill Golf Course in Shepherdsville, Ky.  We didn't plan it, but it got up to 102 degrees today!  Yep, it was hot!  But we had a nice time and it's a nice course.  Some of the greens were pretty bad, but it's been a problem with a lot of the courses this summer.  They've just burned up.

Because it's Brian's Outing, I'll just post pictures of him teeing off!  He pulled this drive just left of the cart path but just short of the high weeds.
That's Don Dreher on the left and Jeff Dreher on the right.

This is the 18th tee. Nice course.  Really well taken care of even though some of the greens were bad from all the heat we've had.








After playing today we went to Dundee Tavern back in Louisville to drink a few beers and eat a sandwich.  After a couple of hours I left and left it up to the younger folks to party as long as they wanted to.  I enjoyed the day and I hope Brian had a good time.
Oh yeah, I guess I'd better report on Bob's Bad Golf.  This was round 44 for the year.  I'll report our scores, even though I'd rather not.  Brian and Jeff both shot 75, Don shot 95, and Bad Bob brings up the rear with an even 100.  Needless to say, I played terrible today.

Round 43 FTY, keeping it below 80

I played bad but scored well.  You know what I mean.  My chipping and putting was good today and made a so-so round pretty good.  Making a 30 foot birdie putt on the first hole didn't hurt.
I hit the ball well off the tee, but my fairway shots left a lot to be desired.  Actually, my putting was just adequate, but my chipping was excellent.  I think there were three holes my chips were up to about a foot from the hole.  I shot a 40 - 37 = 77.  My handicap is still a 6 on Thursday, so my net 71 won't win low man.  But, the good news is that 2 people on my team beat me with net score.  So,....maybe we can win the team bet again.  I had to leave before everybody got in, so I'll find out later and let you know.
***Well, I found out we lost low team by .2, that's 2/10 of a point!