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.