Spring, 80 degrees, Sunshine & Golf

This time I woke on time after a refreshing night of sleep. Still, given my druthers, I would’ve slept for another hour or so. I headed downstairs a few minutes early and started a pot of coffee since I failed to do so the evening before.

I glanced out back revealing a mostly clear sky. I opened the door to drink in the warm spring air. After exercise (sit-ups and curls) I learned that it was already 58 degrees with an expected high of 84 under sunny skies. Definitely not typical mid-March type weather.

After PC time and in a moment of weakness, Instead of moving to mediation I plopped down on the sofa and rested for another ten minutes. I didn’t fall asleep but reckon I could’ve had I laid there long enough. At 620am I headed upstairs with Mindy’s coffee. She was colder than usual. I gave her a kiss then headed downstairs to stretch and then ready for my run. Finished stretching by 628am and quickly dressed for a run. I didn’t get out the door until 635am. Not bad, but not as early as I have been of late. 

It was nice, and I was probably a tad over dressed with a thick wicking shirt. But all in all, I was fairly comfortable and ran the full 4.1 miles. Back at home by daybreak, I quickly headed in to retrieve the pug. I did the sitting at the bottom of the stairs trick. Still works. Not sure why. We headed out walking towards Chrissy & Kenny’s place. Eikanrf took care of her business but at a more leisurely pace. 

Mindy was cool to my presence and acted a bit put out when I reminded her that I had plans to golf after work with Tom C. I was sure that I told her about it Monday after it was canceled, but she seemed to recall me saying it was 230pm instead of 430pm. Why would I golf at 230pm when it’s a work day? Despite the tension, the kids and I were in good spirits if for no other reason that the summery weather forecast.  Mindy headed out near 730am and I headed off to the shower.

It didn’t take me too long to ready. I was back downstairs by 755am. I used the time before the bus stop to throw together my lunch. My golf clubs were already in the Accord.  I wore a wicking golf shirt to work. The kids and I headed out at 806am. It was gorgeous! Met Chrissy and the girls at the bus stop. Chrissy confirmed that they planned to get their new puppy that evening.

I walked Eiknarf out front a little after the bus picked up the kids. Looks like I’ll need to mow by the weekend if not sooner. This will be the earliest by far that I’ve had to mow in recent memory. 

I threw a few more items in the dishwasher then ran it just before heading out the door for work. It was a fast drive into the office. It was so lovely walking in that I hated to do it. I wanted to just keep walking – the sun, the birds, the warmth … 

Most of my day was consumed working urgent reactive matters, which has been far less frequent of late. Stayed busy all day long expecting holding out hope that I’d be able to leave at 4pm to meet Tom at Indian Springs.

Things were looking good for the early departure and the weather down right spectacular. It was 85 degrees and mostly sunny. I left the office right at 4pm. I tried calling Mindy to let her know for certain that I was golfing. Went to VM. She called back about ten minutes later as I was passing through Plain City. Still cold, I let her know that I was golfing and would be home near 8pm.

Tom called a couple minutes later to ask my ETA. He said he and his pal were there and waiting. I was still 15-20 minutes out, but expected to arrive at or very near 430p. I pulled up right at 430pm. Only about five cars in the lot. Looked like Tom and partner were already at the #1 tee box. I went in and paid - $21 unlimited golf with cart.. Talked with Dan for a while, the course pro who has been there for three years or so. Nice guy! 

I headed out to the tee box to meet Tom and Chad. They were understandably ready to tee off. I had to laugh having not swung a club since last September, or almost 6 months. Yikes! I took a practice swing or two then took a whack. Not bad. Straight, but low and slightly left of center. Hit my 2^nd shot short and 3^rd shot on, but three putted. The greens were dark green but long, bumpy and slow. Tom chipped in from off the green. J

I was just happy to be golfing. Aside from mostly bare trees, you wouldn’t guess that it was March. Not only was is warm, but there were thousands of bugs of various varieties buzzing and flying around like mid-summer. Dan warned that they had just cut the fairways that morning. There were clumps of grass everywhere, and the course was probably as bad as I’ve ever seen it. But then again, it’s mid-March no one thought we’d be golfing this early. 

I played poorly but didn’t fret even for a minute. I wasn’t expecting much. I shot a 53 on the front, but most of that was due to three putting almost every green save for one or two. No one was putting any better with the greens like they were. 

We elected to keep playing at the turn, getting in three more holes before calling it a day. As usual my fairway woods were very inconsistent.Finished up around 730pm. Chatted briefly with Tom and Chad then headed for home. The sunset in my rearview mirror was absolutely stunning. And as it near the horizon it seemed to swell two to three times its usual size (an optical illusion). Awesome! Thousands of bugs bounced off my windshield. And unfortunately, my windshield juice was no match for these bugs. 

It was close to dark as I entered 270 south at 161. Mad good time, arriving home at 802pm. Mindy and the kids were all out front riding bikes, scooters or sitting on the bridge. I had to stop on the driveway apron. Mindy’s Pilot was parked too far over on the driveway. I moved it myself then parked the Accord.

I was ravenously hungry, and had been thinking about that leftover cheeseburger the entire drive home. I heated it up right away while also snacking on peanuts and cashews. Jacob said they had just arrived home from dinner with dad. Mindy, it turns out, went to the Rusty Bucket for dinner. She let Jacob have her leftovers.

The cheeseburger hit the spot. Headed upstairs to change into my PJs. Downstairs, Bella shared that it was forecasted to hit 88 with nothing but sunshine on Wednesday. Holy smoke! The kids tuned the TV to Pawn Stars. I joined the family catching about 30 minutes of it together as a family. Mindy begged off to bed at 911pm. Jacob headed up too. Bella and I stayed up watching more TV and enjoying a snack. I had two bowls of Cheerios. My hunger now completely satisfied, I started to dose from the sofa. I woke when Bella begged off for bed. Thinking it was near 10pm. She asked that I tuck her in shortly. I’m guessing that it was near 1045 when I woke and headed up to bed, stopping first to tuck in Bella and drop off the pug. Bella was still awake. Good night moon!