Sears, Phoenix & 80 Degrees

I slept about 15 minutes late again Thursday. But even though 15 minutes is a big chunk of time, especially during morning prep, I didn’t let it alter my routine. I recouped most of the time by cutting PC time to a minimum. At 602am I was already into meditation. I was finished by 615am then promptly delivered Mindy’s coffee. I had my stretch completed before 630am and was out the door for my run by 635am. I was fully caught up. The sky was clear and the temperature mild. It was only 53 degrees, but the day’s high was expected to touch 83 under mostly sunny skies – summer-like. My run went pretty well, although I could feel a pinch in my right knee from time to time – the same knee that has given me trouble from time to time over the past six months. I still ran four miles but was careful about making abrupt moves which might’ve aggravated a tender knee. I finished no worse for the wear. I helped in the kitchen by cooking my own eggs and preparing Bella’s Fruit Loops. Jacob was already finished with his breakfast and on his way to his room. Mindy put eye drops in both kids’ eyes before departing for work. Bella’s were far worse than Jacob’s. I was off to the shower after putting away the fruit tray and coffee creamer. I dressed with evening golf in mind and threw some shorts and a ball cap in my back pack. Because the weather was so nice, I planned to drive the BM’er. I moved my golf clubs from the Trooper into it on our way to the bus stop. It was a lovely drive in, made that much better by driving the convertible. It’s the first time in recent memory that I can remember driving the BM’er with plain old sunglasses instead of eye glasses. I’m just too cool!  The sounds of singing birds and the sweet smell of spring flowers tickled my nose as I walked towards the building. If ever there was a day when I wanted to turn around and go play, this was it. It was absolutely gorgeous! Unfortunately, my sense of responsibility guided me towards the entry door. The work day went well. I spent most of the morning interacting with my team. The time went fast. I decided to take a leisurely drive to Tuttle Mall at lunch. There, I stopped in Sears just to browse around at new appliances. We’ve kicked around the idea of getting a new range and dishwasher, but nothing too serious. Mindy & I both like the idea of a gas range over the now more prevalent electric. When it comes to dishwashers, quiet would be nice. But it’s awfully hard for me to justify spending a penny on new appliances when our current ones work fine. But after all, I was just looking. I had to fend off a couple of overly aggressive salesman. I used the line, just checkin' out the competitor. Neither knew what to make of me after that. From afar, they watched my every move. One guy approached me again offering help. He didn’t know what to say when I asked if I could hear one of the dishwashers run, and possibly fry and egg on one of the gas ranges. “Fraid we can’t accommodate you fella”. Why, that’s a lot of money to spend on something before seeing it work. I used the TV's as an example. I pointed out that all the TV’s were on, presumably for the shoppers comparisons. One of the guys spotted my work badge. I was busted! The store was largely unshopped. I felt like the only customer as I made my way towards the exit. Back to the BM’er. I should’ve driven back to the driving range to pay JR for yesterday’s lesson but it slipped my mind. I was on auto pilot and back at work by 145pm. By then, Bob I. responded to my inquiry about evening golf. He was in, but where was still in question. I called Phoenix which is 20 miles closer than Split Rock. They claimed we could get on after 4pm easily. Their leagues don’t begin for 2 weeks yet. I fired back an email letting him know that Phoenix was doable. I also called Tom C., who would typically be off on Thursday’s. He was, but in the middle of reroofing his front porch. He was tentative. We all agreed to leave work around 400-415pm. I didn’t leave until 415pm, just after changing into my shorts and ball cap. Meanwhile, I was anxious to see if I could put my recent lesson to work on the course. I arrived at Phoenix Golf Links at 440pm. Bob I. pulled in just ahead of me. Good thing we weren’t doing Split Rock. There was a huge delay just south of the I-270/I-71S interchange. Bob said there was a wreck down that way. We would’ve been stuck in traffic. It was just the three of us; Bob B, Bob I. and me. $22 for nine holes with a cart. Gave us our choice of the front or back. We checked both out. According to the ranger, the front was clearer – just one threesome currently on the tee and no one holding them up. Cool. We opted for the front nine. I hit my drive slightly right and long, but unfortunately into the already thickening tall grass rough that Phoenix is known for. I couldn’t find my ball. Dammit! I hit my second shot, a 3-wood, 50 yards shy of the hole but again slightly right in the deep rough. This time, however, I found my ball after some scouring. I hit my third shot (4 w/ lost ball penalty) on. Can’t remember if I two or three putted. No worries. Hole #2 is a 160 yard par 3 but with a stiff breeze blowing into our faces. Looks easy enough. I chose my 5-iron. I did my ugly left slice, although it ended up pin high but again in the deep, deep rough. I was on in two after hitting a nice PW. Two putted that for a bogey. I couldn’t avoid the deep rough all evening long, and honestly, it started to wear on me some. But nothing got to me as much as my infamous iron shank problem. I did it at least three more times, which really sunk my spirits. I know what I’m doing wrong but am still struggling. To be sure, my confidence was shaken. Not only that, but my attack mode was missing. I just couldn’t score. Left myself with lots of 20’+ putts, which resulted in too many three putts. My one really strong hole, a 500 yard par 5, I was on in three and within 16 feet for birdie. I four putted. Ugh!!!!!!!! Hole nine is a 400+ yard par 4. I hit a long low drive that just caught the top edge of a fairway grass bunker. I had no choice but to hit an 8-iron out. My third shot left me just off the green right, but the green’s fringe where I sat was about 20’ long. I chose to pitch rather than putt. I two putted for a double bogey. Not the results I was hoping for. My typical scores used to be in the low to mid 40’s for nine holes. I haven’t broke 55 once this season in four times out. What’s worse, this goes back to last fall. But I’ll get it together. Just watch me! I asked the Bob’s if they were interested in playing a few more holes. Bob I. typically bites. Neither did. Rats! I really wanted to end on a more positive note. I thought briefly about playing alone but didn’t. Time to head home and stew on this debacle. It took 12 minutes to get home from Phoenix – not long at all. It was 730pm and absolutely lovely. Still about 80 degrees. The kids were still gone with Jimaken. Mindy was doing some chores. She offered me her dinner leftovers from the Olive Garden, some lasagna, fettuccini, and chicken parmesan. I ate it all. There wasn’t that much left. I ended up having a few bites of leftover steak too. We have plenty of that. After changing out of my golf shirt I grabbed a beer and suggested we walk down to visit with the neighbors. Mindy followed. The kids got home just as we were crossing David and Becky’s yard. They joined us at Kenny’s Turns out, Chrissy was gone shopping and Kenny was out front working in the yard. We headed out there. He rented a gas powered edger (cheater tool) to cut the edge along all of their flower beds. He offered to let me borrow it. I didn’t jump on the offer. I still like the edge the square landscape shovel leaves behind better. I encouraged Kenny to stop working and come sit on his deck and sip a beer. He liked that idea. Kenny, Mindy & I, along with all the kids, sat out back for about an hour. Come 9pm Mindy gave the kids their 10 minute warning. We headed home around 915pm. Jacob was pumped up with it being his 10th birthday tomorrow. He told anyone that would listen that his daddy bought him an iTouch. Okay! Mindy had both kids get showers fast. While they readied for bed, I kicked back on the sofa with my legs propped up over the arm. I was out in a hurry, but waking to my own snoring twice. I got up at 1020pm and headed for bed.