The Rules of Golf

I attended a rules meeting last night and it is amazing to learn all of the intricacies of the rules of golf. Of course the most discussed was the Brian Davis ruling from Sunday at Harbour Town. Being in a hazard he struck a blade of sea grass that was not growing (thus making it a loose impediment) on his backswing. This forced him to incur a 2 stroke penalty for moving a loose impediment in the hazard prior to his swing. It was kind of a catch 22 because he really could not tell if the grass was implanted in the sand or not prior to his swing. The only way he could insured he would avoid the penalty would have been to start his swing at the top. It would not be a penalty to hit the loose impediment on the downswing.

I am off to play golf today and knowing the rules will help. Of course keeping the ball in the fairway and on the greens is another easy way to avoid penalties.

How time flies

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring." ~Bern Williams

It has been a busy week. Jessica flew in on the red eye from California arriving Thursday morning early and we attack the Masters Party preparations. She also spent as much time as possible with nephew AJ. The party was again a success and it was great to have the weather co-operate letting some of the crowd socialize on the deck this year. It has gotten to be a rather large party and it is hard to spent much time with anyone but it is so much fun to at least see everyone and get quick updates on every ones family. We call it the official start of the golf season and I know many games for the coming months were set up on Saturday.

Sunday was a recover day and get the house back into order. With the major clean up before the party and the after party cleaning I think I can slack off on housekeeping for a week or so. More time to help my friends with computer issues. I have taken on another "client" and enjoy spending the time showing her how to navigate the computer for email and surfing. At the rate she is learning and with grandchildren in the area I am sure she will not be needing my help long.

Of course with the golf season starting we are also starting the mowing season at home, and that is where I am off to now.

Spring is beautiful

The weather has been just gorgeous and we have been enjoying it. I played golf on Friday and Steve and I played together on Sunday. Perfect weather for the golf season. We have the patio furniture out and we are ready for the season to begin.

Looking forward to the Masters this week. Will Tiger make the cut? My guess is YES! Will he win? My guess is NO. As we avid watchers of golf know a lot depends are on the day. Watching pros take big numbers on a hole or hitting the ball into a water hazard only reinforces that it is a tough game. There will always be something to improve on.

Jessica comes in tomorrow for a long weekend and Mike will be home to visit her so I will enjoy a full house. Hope everyone is enjoying the week.

Go Spartans

Such a nice spring day and the opportunity to fly my alumni fly with honor. I hope to keep it up until Monday but the weather or Butler may have something to do with whether or not that happens. Also note the brillant yellow forsythia bush if full bloom on April 3. We hope this weather is not just a teaser but we sure are enjoying it now.

Some Florida Pictures

The view from John and Alicia's in Naples


Pancakes on the Beach on Anna Maria Island

With Mom and Dad


It is always nice to get home when you have been away, even with the chores of unpacking and getting back into the home routine. Fortunately the weather has been great here. I spent the day today working in the yard picking up the winter debris and leaves. The John Deere is in the shop getting it's spring tuneup and the snow blade is off again. I even thought of putting the snow shovel up in the summer attic storage but something stopped me on that. We will be getting the lawn furniture out either this weekend or next so that will be when the shovel gets put away.

The grass is green. The golfers are out and with temperatures in the 70's it is hard not to think we are into golf season. I know it seems a little early but we are overdue for a warm spring. We have not had one in several years. The last few years we have gone from winter right into summer with little warm weather before it gets hot.

I have been reading my "Dummies" camera book and will be trying out some new shots. Since the camera is almost a year old already it is time to put to use all of the features. I have been guilty of using it as a point and shoot camera and it has so much more available it is a shame.

Had a great visit with Mom and Dad before we came back and I am trying to set up a flight back to Florida to help Dad with the driving back to Kalamazoo. It all depends on how much time I can get away again. I have a couple of irons in the fire that may prevent me from taking more than a couple of days off.

When the kids were in school I eventually got to the point I would say NO to people wanting anything and everything in the spring because it was always so busy. While my schedule has lots fewer activities I still worry about overextending myself at this time of year. So I was somewhat surprised when I responded yes to a request to serve on the Wood Lane Board of Directors for the next 2 years. We have gotten so much from Wood Lane though the years that it would have been difficult to say no. My only question was if it involved fund raising. If it had I probably would have at least thought about it a little more. Been there done that too many times and it is not my thing anymore.

Mike did well while we were in Florida. He is looking forward to Jessica coming home for a visit next week. It will be nice to have the family together for a few days. I will practice working the self timer button on the camera and take some group shots to share.

Ahh...Florida

They don't call it the sunshine state for no reason. We arrived Monday afternoon and although the temperatures have been cool for southern Florida it is much nicer than Ohio. The locals are all complaining about how the winter has been the worst anyone can remember. They have had cold temperatures and more rain than average but that is not relevant to me. I am enjoying the sunshine and high 70 degree temperatures.

Steve is working but I had the pleasure of playing golf with Our Belmont friend Betsy and her sister and brother in law. Her husband Paul, unfortunately is still recovering from shoulder surgery and can not golf but he had margaritas waiting for us when we finished. Steve and I hope to get together with Paul and Betsy for lunch before we head back to Ohio too.

Work finishes for Steve tonight and tomorrow we head to Naples to play golf with the Wagners. Then back up the coast to Bradenton for a visit with my mom and dad. A busy week but fun to see friends and family.