Feelin' Fit at Fifty

Happy 50th Birthday Jimmy! I woke a few times near my usual wake time of 530am but chose to stay in bed. Mindy got up around 615am to ready for work. I got up just after her and headed downstairs to begin my day. Like any other day, I did my sit-ups and push-ups, and then took Ykraps out for his morning walk. Another gorgeous day was just unfolding. The sky was clear and star-filled with the temperature near 60. Back at home I still wasn’t sure if I would try to run before or after seeing the kids onto the bus. It was 6:40am when Mindy came down for her coffee and asked about my intentions. After thinking it through for a few minutes, I decided to go ahead and run early, all the while knowing that Mindy would most likely be gone upon my return home. I hit the streets at 7:00am feeling absolutely fantastic. What a great feeling it is to be 50 and in good enough shape/heath to run comfortably everyday. The blessing certainly isn’t lost on me. I am blessed! The sky was lit up beautifully in the east as the sun made its initial ascent. I thought only briefly about shortening my run to three miles since I’d be golfing 18 holes but decided against the reduction. Not on my birthday. It was the full four miles. Mindy was already gone when I got back. Bella was sitting Indian style in front of the glass door apparently awaiting my return. It was 7:38am. Bella was happy I was home. My eggs were prepared and waiting in the microwave. By the time I finished my breakfast it was darn near time to get the kids onto the bus. The kids headed out promptly at 7:55am. I followed behind with a cup of coffee in one hand and Ykraps on his leash in the other. Kenny & Makayla wished me a happy birthday. The bus pulled up almost immediately. Kenny and I firmed up our golf departure plans, which we agreed would be 9:30am. It was 8:05am. I had some time to relax before leaving. Back at home I poured more coffee and played on the computer. During the next 30 minutes I received calls from all three of my girls and a VM from my mom all wishing me a happy 50th birthday. I also received a web card from brother Glenn that contained birthday music, music, I might add, from the Happy Birthday album I received for my ninth birthday all the way back in 1968. I was all but ready to head out by 9:10am. I carried my clubs to the front porch last minute to give them a quick cleaning with hot water and Fantastic. That had to save me at least one stroke, I figured. J I secured the home and drove down to Kenny’s at exactly 930am. He was ready to go. We left for Tom’s place a minute later. We picked up Tom around 9:40am. He recommended we take I-270 around to the north to intercept Rt 161 E. We arrived at Royal American around 10:25am – just about perfect timing. Tom & Kenny agreed to collectively cover my green fees as a birthday gift. Thanks guys! We putted at the practice green for a short while. Fast and slippery! And judging from the clubhouse view, the course looked to be in great shape. The ponds within eye shot were full and the grounds, fairways and greens were all very lush. There’s no doubt, this is a tough, top notch course. We tee’d off without the benefit of a starter playing the black tees. There were two groups on the fairway in front of us so the play started slowly. I didn’t care, it was my birthday! Kenny started out very strong ( 2 birdies, a par, and 2 bogeys) on the first five holes. I was playing bogey golf. On the other hand, Tom struggled mightily on the first three holes taking an 8 and two 9s. He wasn’t pleased. In fact, had he driven, I’ll bet he would’ve packed his bags and left. But he hung in their and got his act together. There are hazards everywhere including lots of water, trees and heather. And once you’re on the green you’re still not home free. Lots of undulations in those greens. I shot a 48 on the front, and Kenny shot a 45 after taking a 7 & an 8 respectively on holes seven and nine. Tom shot a 56, but not too bad after that horrendous start. We took a brief break at the turn. I woofed down a delicious brat and chased it with water. Somewhere along the line, Kenny and Tom bought some beers. I, of course, rarely if ever drink while golfing. If nothing else, the back was tougher and longer than the front. Save for two really bad swings, I was striking the ball really well. I was on the long 580 yard par 5 in three but missed my birdie putt. But at least I got the par. Unfortunately, I finished with three straight sixes, and one of those was a par three that I was on in two. Poor putting. All totaled, I shot a 51 on the back to finish at 99. Kenny had low round with a 95. Tom struggled even more. But golf is as much about expectations as anything else. I was expecting a little better having shot a 91 here last summer but I wasn’t too concerned. It was my birthday, the weather was excellent, I was with good friends and doing something I love. All good stuff! We finished after 4.5 hours. And given that we had to wait on several holes, that wasn’t bad at all. I checked in with Mindy on my drive home. I expected we’d be home by 4pm, but somehow we missed a crucial turn and as a consequence ending up taking Rt 62 all the way into the city. We got stuck behind a school bus, not to mention rush hour traffic, & didn’t arrive home until 4:30pm. I had to drop Tom off at his place along the way, too. The kids were already off with Jimaken for the weekend by the time I arrived home. A couple more b-day cards arrived via mail. Thanks Glenn, Thanks Jill! Mindy was especially impressed with Glenn’s card and promptly decided it was going with us to Barley’s. We walked Ykraps together. Before heading off to Barley’s, I needed a shower after a long day on the golf course. Chrissy offered to be the D.D. so that Mindy & I could raise a little hell. I offered that we simply take a cab so all four of us could. After briefly discussing our options Chrissy insisted on driving since she didn’t plan on drinking. Cool! We walked down to the neighbors around 6:45pm. We also talked with neighbors Peobena and Kapel before heading off. Believe it or not, I am not one to like forced attention, and I was worried all day that Mindy might have something crazy organized upon our arrival beyond just having some old friends invited. I was nervous. But happily she didn’t. Many of my old peeps were already there, including Jeff Garren and Art Vranken. Gifting me right away was Steve Won. Cool card and a four pack of “Old” beers, a cute and intentional theme! Tom Clark was already there too. He brought a work peep. Through the evening many others showed up as well including: John & Sheila Vereb, Pat & Lisa Shultz, Lori Landle (sp), Rick, Bob & Mary Ann, Bill Gray and Jen Defue, Deanna & Kevin Sweeney, Jodie, Larry, and Lindey. The Jumps were there too, and left me a nice card and gift but had to leave just before we arrived. Mindy pressed me to eat something more than a couple of times. I eventually heeded her advice and ordered a Cuban, but ate only half. I gave the other half to Bob Imber, who, by the way, wasn’t feeling any pain himself. As a matter of fact, don’t know that I’ve seen him that buzzed before. Anyway, I was having too much fun. And in kind, we hung at Barley’s until closing time. Chrissy was our DD and safely drove us home. But we still weren’t done partying. Nope. Mindy changed into her PJs and we walked back to Kenny & Chrissy’s. I took a Southern Tier IPA to sip. Not really sure how long we stayed there. I was admittedly buzzed. However, I do remember them handing me a b-day card that also contained a Barley’s gift certificate. They’re the best! Good night birthday moon!