"Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep....."

Most of you who read my blog know that Mary Lynn and I pre-paid our Funeral and burial plots several weeks ago.  We got the call yesterday that our stone was in and set.  So, I figured I'd go by and take a picture of it and make sure there were no mistakes.  Looks pretty good, doesn't it?

If I didn't say before, this is in Calvary Cemetery on Newburg Road.
The brick wall in the distance is the back wall of the Carmelite Monastery next door to St. Agnes School.  We're on top the hill behind the Monastery.

At this angle you can see the St. Agnes ball field and the church tower.  In both of these pictures the brick wall and the ball field are a lot closer than they look.

So, this is where we'll be.

Thursday, but no golf

Trying to build up my stamina, I don't need to catch a nasty Cold.  But that's what has happened.  So, not feeling so hot, I decided to skip playing golf today.  Normally, with a Cold, I would play because I think you always feel better with a Cold when you're active.  Colds are only really miserable when you're sitting or lying around.  But, because I'm not 100% yet, I figure It would be best to just skip playing and rest up for the day.  I also missed going to the Zombie Attack on Bardstown Road last night.  I would have gone up had I been feeling a little better.  It is an event that you have to see to believe.

Not playing very well, but playing

I played my normal Tuesday golf at Shawnee GC today.  The weather was a little warm, so I decided it was best to use a cart for the whole 18 holes.  I'm playing pretty well, but it's like the beginning of the year when I just hit a lot of bad shots that sorta ruin holes.

That, and the fact that I really wasn't feeling well today.  I'm coming down with a Cold, and as the day went on I got to feeling worse and worse.  Plus, it was something that helped sap my energy, and I don't need that right now.
But, back to the game.  I shot a 39 - 46 = 85.  I really hit a lot of good tee shots today, but tended to lose a couple of them with a pull hook.  Needless to say, those were usually holes where there wasn't any room to the left, so it was either in the weeds or OB.  That tends to fatten my score.  I had a lot of good holes, even birdied #7, but just don't have that consistent game I had 7 weeks ago.   I putted well today, but my chipping didn't get me close enough to save my pars.  So, I didn't make those par putts, but, then again, I didn't 3 putt and only had tap in bogeys'
Well, I hope this Cold is a mild one and doesn't stay around long.  I don't need anything sapping my energy right now.  This was round 38 for the year.

Scramble Play

I played in a Scramble today at Seneca GC.  It was a Scramble to raise money for the Male HS Girls Basketball Team.  My son Brian's good friend, Jeff Sparks,  coaches the team.
My team was made up of 3 of my friends I grew up with and have known for almost 60 years.  We were the 'Oldest Team' out there.  We didn't play bad, finishing 3 under par.  Brian's Team finished tied for first, 10 under,  but finished 2nd, losing a scorecard playoff.
I really enjoyed the day.  Haven't gotten to play golf with those old friends of mine for years.  We've talked about getting out, but have never gotten around to it.
It seemed to take a lot more out of me today than it did Thursday, when I played 18 at Iroquois.  I think it was a little hotter, and the humidity was up.  So, looks like an afternoon of sitting in 'Big Easy' and watching golf on TV with my eyes closed.

Bare-ly Breaking 90

Well, I'm back.  Just not all the way back.  I played my first 18 today.  My score was 46 - 42 = 88 at Iroquois GC.   With my '6' handicap that nets me a 82.  A far cry from par.  But, I feel pretty good about my game.  I think I chipped really well today, and got off the tee fairly well.  My fairway shots are the ones killing my score right now.  I'm doing what I was doing earlier in the year.  Pulling off the ball and hitting them off the 'toe'.  When you do that you're always going to be 'short right'!
I didn't putt that bad today, just a couple of short putts that I pulled.  But I made some nice putts today, too.  So, all in all, I was fairly pleased with my putting.  I just need to get my fairway game to come around and I'll be back.
I really felt good after finishing 18 holes today.  I think I'm getting some stamina back.  I wasn't exhausted when I got done like I was when I finished that Scramble Monday a week ago. 
So, a little more work with the fairway shots and those scores will start falling.  This was round 37 for the year.  It was a long time coming.

THE WALL

I took these pictures from my oldest son Mark's blog.  I don't have very many readers outside of those that would also see his blog, but I wanted the few who don't read Mark's blog to see these pictures.  Mark painted a retaining wall at his daughter's school, Chance School.  Here are some before and after pictures:

Sure did improve the looks of the place, didn't it?  I think it's a great job and Chance School is lucky to have such a talented 'Daddy' among the school parents.  Like all artists, he feels like he's not finished yet, but will take off awhile before doing anymore work on it.  I would think mainly because he's put a lot of time in on it, he's tired, and school has started now.

But, LOOKS GREAT!!!!

Back Walking the Golf Course

I played Shawnee GC today.  I only played 9 holes, but I walked .  When I finished I was pretty tired, but but I'm glad I got the exercise.

I'm also glad they didn't have to send the ambulance out for me before I got in. 

My plan was to walk 9 at Shawnee GC today and play the full 18 at Iroquois GC Thursday riding a cart.  I would think if I can walk 9 it should be a breeze to play 18 in a cart.  Of course, it's supposed to be a little warmer Thursday.  But, if I keep myself hydrated, walk as little as possible, I should be OK.  I'm ready to get back on schedule.
Par for the front nine at Shawnee is 34.  I shot a 39.  I had 5 bogeys and 4 pars.  Nothing worse than a bogey.  I didn't play well, overall, but the score sure was acceptable.  I hit into a green side bunker on three holes in a row.  Two of them I hit out onto the fringe and 2 putted for my bogey.  The other, I made a nice sand shot to within 3 feet, and missed the putt.  Several of the bogeys I could have had a par if I could have just made a make able putt.  But, that's what goes south when you've been off for 5 weeks.  But, I'm working my way back.

I think I see an Academy Award in my Future!

I've landed the part of 'Scoots' in the movie "Nearly Dead".  Think of "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest", only with Zombies attacking.  I read for the part of Randal, but the Director thought I'd make a better 'Scoots'.  I'd like to think it was because   my talents were better suited for this jester and schemer role rather than the fact it's a little smaller part and I wasn't very impressive when I read for the part.

I've just received the full script to study, and they're setting up an evening when the cast will have a read through.  The Writer/Director also said WHAS is interested in it and would like to do a story on it. 
This is a story about Zombie's invading a Nursing Home and the Old Geezer Residents fighting them off and saving the day.  My role of 'Scoots' is an old guy confined to a scooter who is the joker in the group.  Even though it's a little smaller part than Randal, he's still one of the main characters and gets to fight some Zombies!
I'll keep you posted on how things are going.  This sounds like it might require a lot of time, but  it will be a new experience and fun to do.

Weekend at the Zoo

Spent a couple of hours at the Zoo yesterday and today.  Both days I took a Ball Python to the Herpaquarium to show and tell with the people and let them get up close and personal with a real snake.  After I put the snake away today I took the Rhino horn up to the Rhino exhibit and talked to the people who came by and let them touch a 'real' Rhino horn.  I enjoyed myself and I think I enhanced the Zoo visit for a lot of people.
I found out yesterday that the Ball Python I was handling a couple of weeks ago, 'Regina", that wasn't acting right, died.  She had a respiratory problem and didn't survive.  This is why we need to let the keepers know if an animal  we have out isn't acting right or seems to be acting different than normal.  We have a lot of animals we use for educational purposes and they are hard to come by, so I hate losing any of them.  The Ball Python's we have are very docile and easy to work with.  When you get them out they're calm, easy to handle.  Unlike several of the other snakes, the Andean Milk Snake, The Prairie King snake.  Sometimes these are a handful.  The Andean Milk snake, "Milkshake", really moves when you get him out and holding onto him is like climbing a rope, hand over hand.  But they settle down after a couple of minutes and are easy to handle, too. 
Another concert night tonight.  Mary Lynn and I will be going to Willow Park for the 7pm Sunday Night Concert tonight.  The Band is 'Delicious Blues Stew', Cajun Blues.  If I remember them right from last year they were a pretty good Dance Music Band.  I can't believe the Summer Concert Season is almost over.  Labor Day Weekend will be the last Concert for the Season.  If you haven't been to any this year, you only have a couple of weeks left.  Tonight should be one of the best weather nights we've had all year.  See You There!

This and that, ....and the other

I'm continuing Rehab.  I go every Mon-Wed-Fri morning at 7 am.  My workouts, in my opinion, have been very light, so I've asked to increase the levels on each of the machines I've been on.  Now I feel like I'm getting a pretty good workout without over doing it.

I am now allowed to play golf.  I can even walk if I like.  So, I'm going to walk 9 holes Tuesday at Shawnee GC and see how that goes.  And, if all goes well, I think I'll get back into my regular routine of Tuesday and Thursday golf starting next Thursday.  I will ride a cart at Iroquois GC the full 18.  I just think those hills are a little much to add to my golf.
I asked if I could cut my grass.  The answer was NO!  They want me to wait until the end of the Rehab sessions.  Hmmm.....that's the same answer I got from Mary Lynn.
I want to try and get a little time in at the Zoo.  I've been reluctant to go over there because of the heat and the hills.  It takes me a long while just to walk down to the MetaZoo, and then to walk back up to the exit, so I feel like doing anything else while I'm there would be pushing it.  But now that the weather is getting a little cooler I might be able to get over there and do a little something.

Now, the movie part I read for.  I was notified that I got a part in the movie, even though it wasn't the part I read for.  J. R. also got a part, and got the part he did read for.  So, in the near future I'll be working on a movie.  My character name is 'Scoots', a nursing home resident who is confined to a 'scooter', and J. R. will be 'The Colonel', a retired Army Colonel also in the nursing home.  We are old geezers who fight off an attack of Zombie's trying to invade the nursing home.  This is a local movie and I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes.  It should be fun.

Back on the Golf Course

I played golf today for the 1st time in 5 weeks, not counting the Scramble I played in on Monday.  This was the first time I've had to play my own rotten shots.    It was pretty bad.

I 3-putted the first 2 greens for bogies.  Which wasn't so bad, because I was hitting the ball well off the tee and from the fairway.  On the green in regulation, but not putting.  But then, I mis-hit a few shots on the next 2 holes and triple bogied both of them. 
It was nice to get out and play.  I only planned on playing 9 holes, and that's all I played.  I think I'll stick with just 9 holes the next couple of times I play.  I've gotta work my way back slowly.  By the way, my 9 holes today I shot a 49.  So you see, I've got a little work to do to get my game back to where it was 5 weeks ago.  Plus, I'm not really sure I was supposed to be playing.  I talked them into letting me play in the Scramble Monday, but I'm not sure that I was supposed to go out and play regular golf yet.  I'll ask them tomorrow if I can play golf now.  I'm also going to ask them if I can cut the grass.  I'm supposed to take it easy, but I don't know exactly what that means as far as what I can and can't do.  I'll make a new post after I go to Rehab in the morning and let you know what I found out.

Record setting performance on the Golf Course

Well, a record for me.  I played golf for the first time in 5 weeks yesterday.  I played in a Scramble to raise money for the re-election of State Rep. Larry Clark, an old friend of mine from the St. Benedict, Flaget HS days.  I played on a Scramble team with a couple of other Flaget friends, Bobby Brower and Paul Lyons.  Where the record setting comes in, we also had 3 other people on our team for a total of 6 people on our scramble team!

I'm sorry to say, they didn't give us enough people!  It was a fun day and I really enjoyed the company of the people I played with.  But we weren't very good.  We didn't have a long hitter on our team, which you desperately need in a Scramble, and we didn't have that 'A' player you can depend on hitting a good shot.  So many times we were inside 100 yards to the green and were lucky to get a ball within 40 feet of the hole.  I thought I hit some nice drives today, but being off 5 weeks, my fairway game suffered. 
This was a pretty good size tournament, lots of teams.  And, in this type tournament where you bring your own team, I never expect my team to win.  We finished 5 under par, the winning team was 16 under.  And our 5 under was very 'suspect'.  Actually, I would never have been a part of the way we played if I thought we were in any way in contention to win.  Some of the things we did were 'slightly' against the rules.  But, when you're playing with 5 other guys, drinking beer, and this is the way they want to do it, you just go along.  I won't go into some of the things we did, but had it resulted in any prizes, I would have had to decline them.
We played at Woodhaven CC, which I hadn't played in almost 25 years.  I remember not being very impressed with the course in those days, but I have to say that the course has made major improvements since then and I was very impressed with the condition and layout. 
I had a good time, even got to listen to a speech from Gov. Steve Beshear at the awards dinner.

On the Ground floor of Movie Stardom!

I read for a part in a movie today!  Yep!  First time ever.  One of the Educators at the Zoo's Husband is making a movie, so she let a lot of the Docents know about the 'Casting Call' held today in case we'd like to read for a part.

It was a fun experience.  I went into a room where they had a video camera  set up, a boom microphone.  There was a mark on the floor where I was to stand.  They sat at a table behind the camera and read the other parts of the script and I read the parts of the person in the role I wanted.  When the camera rolled, I was a little nervous, but it was kinda fun.  I don't know how I did.  I'll find out. 

The movie is called "Nearly Dead", and is about old guys in a Nursing Home fighting off a Zombie Attack.  It's just a short, local movie.  If I don't get the part I read for, maybe I can land one of the other parts, or maybe just an extra.  Either way, sounds like a real Hoot!

Playing Baseball

I grew up playing baseball.  I played baseball in the streets, corner lots, backyards.  Everywhere we could play.  We would always choose up sides and play.  I didn't play any 'Organized' ball until the Summer of 1958.  That was when I played on the St. Matthias 6th Grade Baseball Team!  I grew up playing with kids who were good players and never thought much of it.  We were all good, but I don't think I realized how good we were until later in life.  Our 6th Grade team won the City Championship that year.  And, we won it pretty easily.  I don't think we ever had any real close games. 

My first year of competitive ball and we won the City Championship!  Wow!  But then, even more amazing, right after the Championship game they announced the Most Valuable Player for the Parochial School 6th grade league, and it was me!   I didn't even know they had a Most Valuable Player, and if I'd known and thought about it, I wouldn't have even dreamed it would be me!  I still have the bat Hillerich and Bradsby awarded me, with my name on it.

The following summer I was recruited to play on the Marydale Clubs 13 year old team.  So I played on St. Matthias 7th-8th grade team and Marydale.  Our St Matthias team was dominated by 7th graders like myself, with only 2 8th graders that started.  We were pretty good, but didn't challenge for the title.  However, our 13 year old Marydale team dominated the Parks League, and we won the City Championship.  And, guess who was selected to be the Most Valuable Player?  Right, ME!  So, it was no fluke, I was a pretty good ballplayer at that time.  I was awarded another bat, but I have no idea now what happened to it. 
The following year I played on 3 teams.  Our St. Matthias 8th grade team, Marydale 14 year old team, and Marydale 15 year old team.  That year we won the Championship at St. Matthias, and the 14 year old Parks League with Marydale.  When I was asked to play with the 15 year old team, I was nervous.  Playing with older kids.  I remember the first game, I went 4 for 4 at the plate and played a pretty good left field.  After that game, I felt a lot more comfortable.
After that year I played with Flaget High School for 4 years, and continued to play with the Marydale Club on up through the 18 year old division.  I also played with St. Matthias Intermediate Team every year until I was out of High School.  Our Marydale team was very good, with players from Flaget and Manual HS making up most of the players.  We continued to win the City Championship in or division every year.  As we got older though, the competition got a lot stiffer.
I always hit the ball well, but I think my strength was in my defense.  I never had a strong arm for an outfielder, but I threw accurately.  I always got a good jump on the ball, and I think a lot of catches I made easily would not have been gotten to by many other fielders.  I really don't think I'm bragging, but just stating a fact.  I always had decent speed, and could get a good jump on the base paths, also.
Of course, out of High School and into the Navy, and not touching a ball for 4 years kinda takes a lot out of your game.  Coming back into Civilian life we played Softball.  What a different game!  I played Softball for quite a few yeas, off and on, and played decent.  But then the body starts to decline, Arthritis  set in and my bending over was difficult, so the great ball playing career was over. 
But I always enjoyed playing baseball, and I still love watching the game.  I was very lucky to have good coaches at Marydale, and through the intermediate teams at St. Matthias from 15 to 18 years old. 
I may have rambled a lot on this blog, but I just wanted to touch on the fact that I grew up playing baseball.  I love the game and I know the game.  The game is a whole lot more interesting to watch if you know why things on the field happen the way they do.

Grampy's Special Day with Jillian

Erin's Birthday is fast approaching, so for her Birthday she wanted to go shopping with Nana and Mimi.  Not shopping for her, but shopping for clothes for her Doll, Rose.  So, with the Grandma's busy, Grampy got to spend some time with Jillian.  I asked her what she wanted to do and it was DQ for lunch and the Kentucky Derby Museum.  That's my Sweet Girl!

Jill ooohhed and aaahhed over this Red Rose dress on display, so I took her picture with it.  I bet she would love to try that on.

And of course we had to try on the jockey silks and goggles.  After weighing in she only needed to add 85 pounds of lead weights to her saddle to make weight.

She looks like a natural!  She was digging her heels into the horse's withers trying to get him to take off.
She also rode the horse that has a big screen in front showing your progress in the race you're riding.  She did that 4 times, winning 2 and coming in 2nd twice.  Pretty good percentage!  She also picked a winner and has her ticket proving it!  She bet him $2 across the board and he came in first!

Before going home we stopped by Chance School to visit Mommy and take a look at the concrete  wall Mark's been painting.  Looks pretty good, doesn't it?  Jill wore her new shoes for the first time.  Doesn't she look nice?  And look at the pretty necklace.  She really looked special nice for her day with Grampy.

One again, looking back in time.......

In this post I'm going to cover a few different pictures that I found and thought were nice to post.  None of them have anything to do with the other.

This is my Dad's Army picture from 1942.  He was 26 years old.  Wow!  How young!  Maybe moustaches run in the family.  I'm really glad I have the pictures I've got of my family.  So many people don't have the extensive photos of their ancestors that I have.  I owe that to my Mother, who was the self appointed family historian.  I'm really proud to have the book she wrote documenting all the Tabler family back to their Exodus from Germany in 1732. 

Mark, in 1974 playing with the Evil Knievel Stuntman.  You could set ol' Evil on the little platform, crank the wheel and build up speed, then send him off flying!  This was taken in our hallway between the kitchen door and steps.  Notice the Linoleum floor.  We used to take Evil out on the driveway and let'm fly!  I'll bet Evil Knievel in the original box would be worth a pretty penny today!

Dad and Mom on the front porch of the house I grew up in.  This was a brand new house and this picture was taken a little over a year after we moved in.  I was 6 years old and lived there until I went into the Navy when I was 18 years old, in January 1965.  I find it hard to believe I lived there only 12 years, but for me at the time, it was a lifetime.  Mary Lynn and I have lived in our house now for over 43 years!




Another stroll down memory lane.  I'll have to dig up some other pictures to post if I can't report on my golf game for awhile.

Doing my job at the Zoo......

A Docent's job at the Zoo is mainly to teach.  To educate the public about the animals we live with on this planet.  We meet and greet and talk to the public.  We have with us a 'biofact', usually a piece of animal hide or fur, piece of bone, feathers, etc.  Sometimes a live animal,such as a snake, lizard, bird, turtle, etc.  I like having live animals because it piques the interest of people, allowing you to talk to them about the animal without feeling like you are imposing on their time.  A live animal really gets them interested.  The Ball Python, pictured here, is one of my favorite animals to handle.  They are very docile, easy to handle without fear of them jumping out of your hands, and most of all, very impressive.
But, one of the little jobs that the Docent's have that is very important, is to let the keepers know if the animal is not acting like himself, or doing something that is not normal to that animal.
Yesterday, while at the Zoo for the Louisville Water Company's sponsored day of the Wonders of Water, I was handling 'Regina', one of the 5 Ball Pythons the MetaZoo has on hand for educational purposes.  I had Regina around my left arm and her head was above my elbow, and all of a sudden she struck at my neck!  I don't know if she struck at my shirt collar or me, but she didn't bite me, but it was a definite, unmistakable strike!  This worried me a little, so I kept a close eye on her.   She just didn't seem right, and opened her mouth several times, which is also unusual.  So, I put her back into her carrying case, being a little afraid to handle her around people.  When I turned her back in to the Keeper, I mentioned this to her, how she struck at me and seemed a little out of sorts.  Which, is very unusual for Regina, who has always been one of the easiest to handle.
Well, when I went to the Zoo today to work the same station, I found out they had the Veteranarian look her over and found out she was very sick.  She is now in the Herp Hospital.  I hate that she is sick, but am glad there was a reason for her actions.
So, the Docent's job is not just to handle animals, but to notify the Keepers if there is any strange behavior.  So, I hope my actions lead to a quick recovery of Regina.

Stuck on Round 36 for the Year

Well, I'd made sure I tracked each round of golf for the year that I played my own ball.  I played round 36 for the year on July 10th, and that's where I'm stuck.
A week from Monday I have a Scramble to play in.  I hope that I'm released to play by then.  I don't have high hopes, but you never know.  If nothing else, I'll just go and chip and putt and let my partners hit an extra shot on the other ones.
I'm pretty sure I could play golf.  I just don't think I could handle the heat. I can see where I'd really be pushing it to play golf in the kind of weather we're having right now.  I also have a Scramble set for August 25th. I'm not sure I'll even be released by then.  I just hope the weather breaks and cools off.  Highs in the mid 80's sounds pretty good to me right now.  Those temperatures you can at least feel cool sitting in the shade.  When it's in the mid 90's, you don't feel cool no matter what you do.  So, stuck on round 36 and holding.  No telling how my game will be when I finally get back to playing.

Pittsburgh Trip Post #5.....Uncle Honus

We passed by the front of PNC Park, Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Out front they had a statue of J. P. 'Honus' Wagner.  He is a relative on the Wagner side of the family.
It has always been my contention that we are all related, if you go back far enough.  And, if you have the same last names, you don't have to go back very far.
So, I'm sure not to far back in the past ol' Uncle Honus Wagner branched off our Wagner side of the family.  It's nice to see one of our relatives honored in such a way!  We've always been proud of you, Uncle H!