Round 34 for the Year

I played pretty good today, at least well enough to win some money.  I wasn't low man today, but I was on the low team, so we got $8 each.
Two of the people on my Thursday Team didn't show up today because of the heat, so there was just two of us on the team today.  So, not only did we win low team money, we only had to split it two ways. But, because not many people showed up today, the pot was a little low.
I shot a 41 - 37 = 78 at Iroquois GC.  My handicap is now an 8 on Thursday so I netted down to a 70. My partner, Buddy Brown, shot a 71, with a 3 handicap netting him down to a 68.  That was pretty hard for those other teams to beat.  Buddy had to split individual  low round with one other person.
The temperature out there today was really hot.  When I got home I tuned in the Weather Channel and it was 97 degrees.  But with the rather low humidity it wasn't nearly as bad out there today as it was last week.  Besides the low humidity, there was a pretty good breeze.  So, waiting between shots we could sit in the shade of a tree and have a little breeze blowing on us.  Much, much better than last week.  I keep watching the 7 day forecast and the temperature is in the 90's all 7 days every time.  I'm ready for a break from this heat.

The Last of the Bread Starter

This will be the last bread I make with my starter.  Mary Lynn won't eat any of this bread and I can't eat all of it myself, so this batch will be the last.

With this starter I've made rolls, pretzels, loaves in bread pans, bread sticks, but this is the first time I've make round loaves.  I think they look good, don't you?  I bet they taste as good as they look.

The starter requires you to bake every 3-5 days, and that's just too much bread for me to eat.  I've got a freezer full of rolls and pretzels.  I'll freeze one of these loaves, too.

It's been fun.  I enjoy baking.  But I'm being over run with bread, so I'll just have to stop for awhile.  I can always make more starter.  It's a little more fun baking in the Wintertime anyway.

They're still doing some landscaping, but the outside of the house is done.

I've posted the picture of the house next door after the aluminum siding was taken off.  Now I'll post a side-by-side picture since it's been painted so you can see the difference.

This was after the siding had been removed. The house was very dirty underneath the siding and a lot of wood needed to be replaced and caulking needed to be done, especially around the windows.

They've finished the painting. New gutters, corners of the roof propped up, supports for the porch roof, new metal roof, side porch by kitchen enclosed and new railing installed.

Big difference!  They bought the house last summer and have just moved in the first of June.  They've been landscaping the back yar, installing some support walls and replacing the whole fence around the yard.  I'm sure they have plans for the front yard, too.

Another Tuesday round at Shawnee GC

The heat just won't break, and my golf scores keep being consistent.  Today it was 41 - 42 = 83.  I really hit nice drives today and good fairway woods.  My chipping and putting wasn't very keen today.  Normally the short game is what keeps my score respectable.  Many times a nice chip and a one putt whould save a par or bogey for me, but not today.  The short game suffered a little.  It wasn't terrible, as an 83 isn't too bad, but it could have been much better.  I was very pleased with how I hit my 3-wood today.  I don't think I've hit it better any time this year.

It didn't take long to get my only double bogey of the day.  I took a 7 on the first hole, a par 5. I did birdie #6, a par 3.

But, all in all, I'm pleased with an 83 for round 33 of the year.

This heat is getting to be a little much....

My Thursday golf at Iroqouis GC was a hot one.  And I don't mean I played great.  This 115 degree heat index can make even a fun thing like golf a little miserable.  I rode a cart again today.  I wouldn't even attempt to walk in this heat.  Nobody else did, either.  I played another consistent round, 42 - 38 = 80.  I only had one double bogey today, but it was early in the round, hole #5.  I'd just birdied the hole before that, so I kinda threw that away.
I'm not putting real well.  I'm leaving a lot of putts short.  I think the greens were a little slow today because I don't think they'll keep them very short in this heat.  Even some putts I hit well just aren't falling.  You go through stages I guess.  Sometimes they fall, sometimes they don't.  But I have to be happy with an 80 in the heat.  We lost the team low score by half a stroke.  I lost low round by 2 strokes.  I'm an '8' handicap on Thursdays now, so my score of 80 netted me a 72.  I keep shooting around an 80 and not winning.  My handicap keeps going down and I've got no money to show for it. 
It looks like it's gonna be hot at least the first part of next week.  I'm ready for a break in the weather.  Mid-80's weather looks good to me right now!

Riding the "Double Bogey Train" to round 31 for the year

I started off pretty good at Shawnee GC today.  I had a par on #1, a par on #2, which is like a birdie for me,as I can't reach that green in two, and then the 'Double Bogey Train' pulled into the station.
I had 3 double bogey's on the front, and a triple bogey on #17 to finish my round today with a 41 - 45 = 86.  This will be one of those rounds that is thrown out when figuring my handicap, so it won't raise my handicap any.  However, another bad  round and I know my handicap will go up.  I never try to throw off to raise my handicap, but I'd like to have every stroke I earn.  I believe if you throw out a high round, you should also throw out the low round when computing handicaps.  Take the last 5 rounds, throw out the high and low, then average the remaining 3.  I believe that would give a pretty consistant picture.  In our league we're only getting 80% of our handicap anyway, so don't just throw out the high score.
It was hot out there today.  I was planning on walking but Bubby Brown brought his cart and I went ahead and rode with him.  It only cost me an additional $4.50 to ride on someone else's cart, so I went ahead and did that.  I'll do it again Thursday at Iroquois GC.  It's supposed to be one of the hottest days of the week.  I'll be glad when this hot spell is over.  It's just way to hot to do anything outside.

No worries.....Lost 'Reese's to Pieces' won't stay lost

I've had an M&M machine in the basement for several years now, but because of Jill's problems with chocolate I keep it stocked with Reese's Pieces. Jill has always called them "Reese's to Pieces", so, that is now their name around here.

When that little machine's arm is cranked releasing those Reese's to Pieces the girls come running. Of course, being a responsible Grampy, I don't let them have very many.  But, let one hit the floor and the scramble is on.  It won't stay lost long.  I didn't get the camera soon enough or I'd have had a picture of Jill holding the flashlight for Erin as Erin probed for the lost Reese's to Pieces!  I think Jill, realizing there was only one, figured she wouldn't get it anyway! 

Another Consistent Round of 80

Thursday golf at Iroquois GC.  I shot a 42 - 38 = 80 for round #30 this year.  My handicap on Thursdays has dropped down to a '9'.  That made my score of 80 net down to a 71.  Today a 67 was the low net round.  That means with a 9 handicap I'll have to shoot an actual 76.  I really can't see that happening.  I'm playing well and I've earned my 9 handicap, but, It's also a handicap I can't win any money with. 
I walked the front nine at Iroquois today, but rented a cart for the back nine.  It was a pretty nice day, and I'm sure I'd have had no problem walking the back nine, but everybody else in my foursome were in carts.  I was arriving on the scene in the fairways a little late, so I thought it would just flow a little better if I also rode a cart.

A Visit to the Flaget Museum at St Xavier High School

I visited the Flaget Museum for the first time today.  I took a few pictures, some of which I'll post here on the blog.  It was very interesting. Yep, my picture does appear several times in the Museum.  It was nice to see all the old memorabilia. I took a picture of the baseball team Photo, but it was blurry so I won't post it.  Here are some of my photos:

Yep, I was runner-up as most talented in our Senior Class, here's the proof!  I was probably 3rd in most of the others.  You can also see that my best friend, Dub Jansing was voted Most Likely to Succeed, and was 2nd in the Best Student Category.

I had to take a picture of this trophy.  The Ryken Trophy was awarded to the winner of the Flaget-St Xavier Game every year.  I noted my Senior year game, 1963, in which we won 7 - 0.

I didn't have the money to afford a Senior Ring, so I never had one of those.  I did have one of the cheap rings I circled, but I have no idea what happened to it. I was able to get that only because I sold enough chances in the One of those items I left at home when I went into the Navy.  No doubt Joe acquired it until he lost it.

 

This is a program from my Junior year playing DeSales High School.  One of my best friends played for them. I was looking through his year book several years ago and it has a picture of our Senior year game and we were playing the End position opposite each other.  There was an action picture from the game and he had his arm wrapped around my leg blocking me.  Notice I was a strapping 5'9"" and 145 pounds!  I wasn't always this heavy.

This was the Varsity Team picture from my Freshman year. Note my jersey number. The tackle position usually wear numbers in the 70's, and I wasn't a tackle.  But I was a Freshman and  as such we were given what ever jersey's were left over.  There weren't that many Freshmen that made the Varsity Team Picture.

This was my Junior year Team Picture. I was a fullback at that time.  I've posted a picture of my Senior year football team before, so no need to post it now, but in my Senior year I was an End and wore #83.





The Museum tour was fun.  I was in the room by myself and took my time looking through all the old stuff.  The had binders of a lot of the old School Papers, the "Landmark".  Binders of old newspaper clippings, Football programs, scoring books from basketball games. During the day, Flaget High School was one of the 'Big Four' Schools in Louisville, the other three being St Xavier, Manual, and Male.  Today, St X and Trinity game is the big game in Louisville.  Back in my High School era the two big games were Flaget - St X, and Male - Manual.  Male Manual played for years on Thanksgiving Day, a real tradition. My how time marches on.......

5th Annual Slyder Cup at Heritage Hills GC

We played our Slyder Cup Tournament today at Heritage Hills GC.  Regular readers may know what this Slyder Cup is, but for you novices to my blog, it's a match play tournament between Two teams, J. R. Harris and me, and Harold Goad and Barry Rahn. They played from the white tees, we play  from the Gold.  They gave us two strokes a side, given on the low handicap holes.  The first six holes we played our  own ball, low team totat wins the hole. The next 6 holes we played alternate shot, low team wins each hole, and the last six holes we played as a scramble, low score winning each hole.  It has always been a close match, and today was no exception.  On the 18th tee, we were tied.  Both teams hit good drives down the left side, near the water, leaving a short 80 yard shot over the water to the green.  I hit a ball about 6-7 feet left of the hole.  Their best shot was short and just off the front of the green on the hillside.  They missed their chip.  J. R. stepped up and drilled the putt for the victory! So, we won and Harold and Barry had to buy the White Castles!
It's amazing that almost every time we play it comes down to the last putt.  I think both teams have won a match closing out the opposing team with several holes to go, but the others have been down to the last shot. 
The next Slyder Cup will be held sometime in September or October.  Get your tickets now and avoid the last minuite rush.

I'm in the money!

I played my usual Thursday golf at Iroquois GC today.  I found out that my 79 I shot on Tuesday won some money. I tied with 3 other people for low front nine, but I won low back nine and the low 18 by myself, for a total of $32! 
I rode a cart today. It makes playing 18 holes in this heat so much easier. It didn't take long today to get my first double bogey. I doubled the first hole! Then I doubled #8 for 2 double bogey's on the front side.  Then I doubled #15, a par 3, on the back nine.  But, I did manage to birdie two holes on the back side.  I had another good round today and our team won and I tied two other guys for low round.  I shot a 43 - 36 = 79.  We got $7 each for the team win and I got $4 for tying low score.  So, altogether today I got $43!  I'm thinking about retiring and playing golf for a living.
This was round 29 for the year.

The Big 4 Bridge Walk.....We were the first!

Mary Lynn and I went downtown to the ceremony starting the renovation of the Big 4 Bridge. 

Walking up the ramp was pretty easy.  It's long enough that it's not a very steep climb.  I asked a bike rider at the top what he thought of the climb up and he said it wasn't bad at all, not as bad as the new bridge down by the canals.  I'll have to agree with him on that.  Even driving over that bridge in a car it seems like you're going straight up!

It was a hot day with the sun shining brightly, but there was a nice breeze at the top.  I would think there would always be a good breeze up there.

It really gave you a good view of the surrounding area.  There was a real good view of downtown.  What a great place to stand and watch the Steamboat Races or Thunder Over Louisville!

This was the view look up the bridge.  I can see they'll have to pull up a lot of old wood.








We had a nice time there.  It was kinda neat.  During Mayor Fischer's speech he mentioned that upon completion of this project, with the view of the setting sun,  it just might be the most romantic spot in Louisville. And that he could foresee many proposals of marriage taking place on the bridge.  Well, I took advantage of the opportunity and gave Mary Lynn a big kiss!  So, in future generations, as this bridge becomes a romantic draw, let it be known that Bob and Mary Lynn were the first to kiss on the bridge!

It's hotter than the 4th of July!

I guess, because it's the 5th of July.  But it's hot! Once again Shawnee GC didn't have any drinking water on the back nine.  I carry water bottles with me, but in this heat I go through about 1 bottle every 2 or 3 holes, and I need a cooler or water fountain to keep my bottle full.  I called metro call last week and complained. It didn't do any good.  I complained again when I got home and told them I wanted someone to call me.

I tell ya, it's sweltering out there when you're walking 18 holes!  I made it all the way to hole #16 before I had a double bogey today. I got a lucky break when my drive went to the right, smack into the middle of a big tree, but bounced out into the middle of the fairway. Of course, it left me a lot further back than I'd like to have been, but I was in the middle of the fairway.  My three wood got me up to about 40 yards from the green, but then I didn't get a pitch shot on the green.  Ended up with a 6 on the par 4.  But, I shot pretty well today.  I had a 39 - 40 = 79.  I don't believe it will get me any money, but I'm satisfied with the score.  Just not satisfied getting that double bogey.

I believe this was round 28 for the year.  I'll check older posts and if I'm wrong I'll come back and correct it.

This and that, and one other thing.

Several things have gone on this past week that I havent blogged about.  Not that they weren't important or interesting, but I just haven't had time to put them on the blog.  And I know you're interested.

I didn't blog about the Willow Park Concert last Sunday night.  It was one of the best weather nights we've had.  The crowd was large and the music very good from the "Stray Cat Blues Band".  They played a lot of good dancing music.  This picture was taken from in front of the bandstand looking out at the crowd.  A very large crowd that wraps around to the left and right of the dance floor in the foreground. This was during the band break at 8:00p.m.. Notice June (lower right in white slacks and light blue blouse) coming back from getting her and Uncle George's normal halftime ice cream treat!  That's my empty green chair in the middle of the picture.

Uncle George and June wanted Mary Lynn to take their picture on the dance floor.  They love these concerts and are there almost every week! For those readers who don't know, Uncle George will be 100 years old this October 10th!

Friday night we went to Churchill Downs "Downs after Dark" for the first, and last, time. We paid $45 for seats in the Clubhouse. When we got there, they were the worst seats I've ever seen at the track.  Of course, it was a very hot night, and our seats were all the way up at the top of the Clubhouse box seat section, up where the heat collects and there is no air.  After being shown our seats by an usher, we opted to go sit in the air conditioning of one of the little cubby hole areas in the clubhouse, and wait for the rest of our gang to show up.
There were 5 couples, and we decided to sit in an empty box down by the rail, and move if the owners showed.  They never did, so we had decent seats for the evening.  Can't say much for Downs After Dark.  I guess it keeps all the teeny boppers out of the malls.  The Downs are catering to this crowd and running off all the horse players.  But, if that's what they want, they'd better close the track for racing and just have party's and concerts there. 
We didn't have a very good night betting on the horses, either.  We lost a little, but had an enjoyable evening with our friends.  Although, I'd rather have had an enjoyable evening with our friends somewhere else.
Last night was my monthly poker game.  I did pretty good there, came out a pretty good winner.  The last several months I've been a loser, so it was nice to turn that around.
The game was at Chuck's house, who lives down hwy 111 in New Albany, towards the Casino.  We went over early and brought our guns to do a little shooting.  I have a pistol and a BB gun that I like to take a little target practice with every once in awhile to stay familiar with my weapons.   It's nice to know what you can hit from what distance with a pistol.  It was a hot night, so we didn't spend a lot of time on the firing range and started the poker game a little earlier than normal. I say 'monthly poker club', but it's not actually once a month.  We play the first Saturday of the month, but with Derby, Christmas and winter months, we usually only play about 6 months out of the year.  Which is just about right.  It leaves you looking forward to it a little more than if it was once a month.
Well, tonight's another Willow Park Concert night.  Hope to see you all there.  "Another Mule" is the name of the group tonight.  They play some good dance music and there should be another good crowd.  Hope the rain stay away!