Covering your Fannie Mae get you into Trouble

I was up at my set rise time. The full moon was incredibly bright shining in through our west facing bedroom window. I was quick going about my business and found myself downstairs engaged in exercise by 5:32am. The effects from taking 800mg of Ibuprofen yesterday morning still held sway over my usually stiff and achy leg muscles. My exercises were done in relatively short order.

 Ykraps & I headed out for our walk under a brightly lit full moon. However, it wouldn’t last. Just west of the moon was a bank of clouds swiftly moving our way. Even before we made it back home the moon was fully engulfed in cloud cover. I’ve witnessed this phenomenon many times past - clear when I get up but cloudy even before making it back home with Ykraps. I find it peculiar that it happens so frequently in that relatively short window of time.

 As I sat down in front of my PC with coffee, I was hoping to find that the global stock markets (Europe & Asia) were on the upswing overnight, somewhat offsetting Tuesday’s drop off. It didn’t look good. Plan-B? I moved on to lighter headlines and, of course, the Daily OM. Today’s OM concerned itself with the special gift (talent) embedded in all of us. Finding it is key. I find the OM a great starting point for my day as they serve as mini reminders of what’s important or fundamental to our happiness.

 I was a bit more deliberate with meditation this morning. I needed a good one. I finished at 6:32 and promptly changed into my running attire. The temperature was a balmy 62 degrees. I tossed my running jacket aside and went with a mid-weight wicking shirt and long running pants. Oh, and my running shoes too! J I stretched my legs on the front porch just before setting out. The clouds were still hanging over head. If anything, they were even thicker. My run went well, just as I expected it would.

 As I approached our house from the east I noticed the moon was once again in full view. The cloud cover was broken. Originally, the Wednesday forecast called for a rain, or at least a 40% chance. I later learned that forecast was upgraded significantly. Suddenly, the prospects for Wednesday evening golf were looking much better. Yahoo!  Mindy had fried eggs resting at my place setting along with a big pile of fruit. I think it’s fair to say, Mindy was most pleased that she didn’t have to pack me a lunch. Today was potluck day. She & Bella weren’t long for my company. They left around 7:25am.

 I headed off to the shower while Jacob headed upstairs to his room. After my shower I found an empty clothes basket to use as a transport mechanism for my potluck contribution. In it, I carefully placed the crock pot full of taco meat and the large Tupperware bowl of fresh salsa. I grabbed a large plastic serving spoon, too. On both the Tupperware and spoon I placed a strip of masking tape which I used to write my last name on. 

I walked Jacob to the bus stop. As usual, we tossed the football while waiting on the bus.  Jake was already at the corner waiting thanks to his grandma who was watching/waiting while sitting in her Toyota Camry. The bus pulled up at 8:05am. I walked home after seeing the children onto the bus. I loaded my fixins’ into the Trooper then headed off to work. 

I arrived just before 8:30am. I carried everything into the building using the laundry basket. I was just a little self-conscious carrying it in.

 I plugged in my crock pot right away. The salsa, I stashed in my office. I had a 10am team meeting planned. I used the 1.5 hours before hand to address the usual morning type stuff. That went really fast. Soon, it was time for my team meeting. We had fun. For the most part, the agenda was light. My team meeting ended at 11am just in time for my staff meeting. Our staff meeting ended just in time for the potluck to begin. Again, this week’s theme was Mexican. There were so many selections, but I ate only one plate full. Still, I ended up pretty well stuffed. The afternoon wasn’t that busy at all. We were on top of things. The easy day was a welcome occurrence. 

The weather remained on the brighter side. Golf was officially on. I was excited.  This time of year can be so iffy. I left work right at 4:30pm and headed directly to Thornapple. Both Bob’s were already there and taking some practice putts. I rushed a little to get prepared. I’d be carting alone while the Bob’s carted together. There was another twosome just in front of us. That afforded me an opportunity to take a few practice putts of my own. The greens were recently aerated. The aeration process leaves ½” holes every couple inches. To minimize the impact, sand is then spread over the green effectively filling all the holes. Happens each fall. Putting can be treacherous.

 It turns out, the two week hiatus from golf was just what the doctor ordered. Gone was that nasty hook that had been plaguing my swing lately. This night I was pushing the ball a tad left but nothing I couldn’t manage through. I was playing some fine ‘Jimmy’ golf through the first eight holes. Worthy of mention was perhaps my best drive of the year on hole #7. The hole’s about 400 yards and fairly straight. however, the fairway’s tight with huge mature trees lining each side. They’re not thick, but they’re strategically placed. Anyway, I hit a long, straight drive that went just short of 300 yards. For me, that’s big. I’m usually a 240-260 yard driver. My second shot, a pitching wedge, I hit within 12’ of the hole. I missed the relatively straight birdie putt but took a tap in par. Anyone who’s played Thornapple knows that half their par fours might as well be par fives. Not only are they long but the greens are protected by ponds and /or creeks. Without the perfect drive laying up is almost always the right 2^nd shot.

 Bound to get burned - hole #9 is a long par 5. I hit a long drive but pushed it left. I couldn’t find it between the tree line, ditch, and road. I laid out hitting number three. I topped my 3-wood rolling the ball only about 60 yards. I had about 200 yards still to go hitting shot #4. I hit a long 3-iron but pushed it left. This time it was headed for the road bouncing over a motorcyclist, and at least two other passing cars. I was nervous watching it nearly strike each passing vehicle. I was now hitting shot #6, a sand wedge onto the green from 20 yards. I didn’t get the kick off the fringe that I hoped leaving myself a long putt from the first cut off the green. I ended up 3-putting for a 9. So much for my sub-bogey round. I shot a 47. I was still pleased with my swing.

  It was just after 7pm. The sun was just beginning to set in the western sky. We figure we’ve got one, maybe two more weeks before the clock will end our golf season by default. We’ll see what the weather does. Bob Imber and I made tentative plans to hook up by the firkin on Friday. We haven’t done a Friday at Barley’s together in quite a while. 

I was home a short time later. It’s a relatively short drive compared to our typical Wednesday golf venues. The kids were off playing and the house quiet. Mindy & I chatted about several things before the kids were in. Most notably, we discussed the latest ordeal with daughter Courtney. Mindy mentioned speaking with Ashley firming our plans to keep Olivia Thursday night since we’re both off on Friday. We’re planning a trip to the zoo. Should be fun, but I’ll take a stick just in case. J

 While Mindy bathed the kids, I wrote Tuesday’s blog entry and eventually posted it. I was eager to watch the third and final presidential debate. This debate was rumored to be much more entertaining that the other two. It didn’t disappoint. The issues for me are simple. Who’s best equipped to get our country moving in the right direction. I’ll leave it at that. Mindy grew bored/tired with the debate before I. She headed to bed around 10pm. I stayed up until the bitter end.