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!