Beyond the Fairway

Vision is Everything

2009-08-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

Since the 5th grade, I've been seeing the world through imperfect eyes. Diagnosed with severe nearsightedness, glasses and contact lens have been my friends for many decades. Then nearly two years ago, I was told that the vision in my right eye could no longer be corrected with glasses or contacts. The reason was most likely a deterioration of the lens...in other words...a cataract. My only option...cataract surgery.

For the past 2 years, I've been grappling with to decision whether to agree to the surgery. Yes...I know how many are done every year and how high the success rate is. But somehow I never thought I'd need to make this decision at a relatively "young" age and nothing medical in our family ever seems to go as planned. What to do? What to do?

Finally this summer I bit the proverbial bullet and called to make an appointment with the Ophthalmologist. His determination...my increasingly blurry vision is most likely a result of a cataract. Is he absolutely sure? No...only once he starts the surgery will he know the cause definitively. His recommendation...surgery.

Today I started the medicinal eyedrops in preparation for the surgery scheduled for early Monday morning. I will admit to a severe case of the pre-op jitters and there's been a whole lot of second-guessing going on in my brain. Am I making the right decision? Should I wait longer hoping technology and medical advances will make the results even better? Even with this indecision, I expect to face my fears and be in the surgical room Monday morning ready to go.

Stay tuned.

Hello...Anyone Out There???

2009-08-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Okay...I should be the one to talk. I've been away far too long to mention and I'm not even sure I'm ready to resume my blogging career.

Certainly I'd have quite a bit to post initially trying to catch everyone up on what's been happening in my oh-so-exciting life. Still, it takes time and energy and, at the moment, what little I have seems to be directed to another source of amusement...social networking. It's fast, it's easy and, best of all, it doesn't take a whole lot of thought.

Still... there's something about this blogging thing that keeps calling my name. We shall see...

Today's Giggle

2008-12-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

It's the summer of 1957 and Harold goes to pick up his date, Peggy Sue. Harold's a pretty hip guy with his own car and a ducktail hairdo. When he goes to the front door, Peggy Sue's mother answers and invites him in.

'Peggy Sue's not ready yet, so why don't you have a seat?' she says.

"That's cool."

Peggy Sue's mother asks Harold what they're planning to do. Harold replies politely that they will probably just go to the malt shop or to a drive in movie.

Peggy Sue's mother responds, 'Why don't you kids go out and learn to screw? I hear all the kids are doing it.'

Naturally this comes as quite a surprise to Harold and he says: 'Wha...aaat?'

'Yeah,' says Peggy Sue's mother , 'We know Peggy Sue tried it and really likes it; she'd screw all night if we let her! ' Harold's eyes light up and he smiles from ear to ear. Immediately, he has revised the plans for the evening.

A few minutes later, Peggy Sue comes downstairs in her little poodle skirt with her saddle shoes, and announces that she's ready to go.

Almost breathless with anticipation, Harold escorts his date out the front door while Mom is saying, 'Have a good evening kids,' with a small wink for Harold.

About 20 minutes later, a thoroughly dishevelled Peggy Sue rushes back into the house, slams the door behind her and screams at her mother:

'Dammit, Mom! The Twist! The Twist! It's called The Twist'!

I've Got to Stop Thinking...

2008-12-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

OK...it's all my fault. Just the other day, I was thinking how we're in the midst of the holiday season and yet we haven't had any household emergencies. It seems like every year we have some home disaster requiring repair and the spending of money. One year our heater went out just before Christmas; another time our drains backed up big time. And here I was counting our blessings that things were so calm.

So yesterday, Mr. Fairway noticed some water running out from the cabinet under the kitchen sink...never a good sign. Anyway, it turns out the water was dripping from the rusted bolts on the bottom of the garbage disposer. Thankfully, we left a message with our plumber who graciously called us back even though it was Sunday. He told us to go out and buy a replacement disposer and he would come by today to install it.

Now you may be wondering why Mr. Fairway doesn't do the install himself to save some money. Let's just say that, while he is a capable man with many talents, home repair isn't one of them. Oh, he can do the small things around the house but I put my foot down when it comes to anything electrical or plumbing related. The one thing I don't want to do is pay a professional even more money to fix the mistakes a novice like Hubby would do.

Mr. Plumber just left and now I have to call Mr. Electrician. Apparently our home is so old that, while our old disposer was hard-wired under the sink, our new local code requires a simple outlet to plug in the unit. Oh goody...more money and time to spend on the house...sigh.

Meme for the Season

2008-12-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling kinda punky for the last few days so I haven't felt creative enough to think of anything to post. Thankfully, I found this great holiday meme at Driven to Distraction so here goes...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Since I seem to have lost all patience when it comes to wrapping gifts, gift bags are now my new best friends.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
We don't do a tree at all. Oh, we have a boatload of boxes filled with ornaments in the garage but, everytime I think of the effort it takes to pack each one after the holiday season, I resist the temptation to go out and buy a tree...real or artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Tree? What tree?

4. When do you take the tree down?
Tree? Still...what tree?

5. Do you like eggnog?
I always look forward, as the holiday approaches, to having a glass of eggnog but then it never tastes quite like I remember so I limit myself to just the one glass.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
I honestly cannot remember one gift I got as a child although I can remember that I never got the one gift I always wanted...a set of Lionel trains. Drat!

7. Hardest person to buy for?
Mr. Fairway. Even though I tell him he's not allowed to buy himself anything after the first of December, he always cheats and buys whatever he wants so we don't really exchange gifts anymore.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Mom...our traditional gift to her (along with lots of clothes) is a bottle of Shalimar cologne. She's been wearing that scent for more than 60 years.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yep, a small one and it's been packed away in our garage with all the other decorations.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. And it's the one holiday responsibility Mr. Fairway has!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
An ironing board from a boyfriend...yes, definitely a former boyfriend.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
"A Christmas Carol" starring George C. Scott. We watch it every Christmas Eve after we get home from church.

13. When do you start shopping?
Usually around the first of November although this year all the adults have made a pact not to exchange gifts so my shopping season has been shortened considerably. Whew!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yep..a few although none of them come to mind at the moment.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Until our neighbor passed away a few years ago, her butterscotch haystacks were the gastronomic highlight of the holiday season.

16. Lights on the tree?
Since we don't do a tree, we don't do lights.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
"Angels We Have Heard On High" It took me a long time to learn the "Gloria" refrain and I just love it!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We drive 65 miles to my sister-in-law's home to celebrate with Mr. Fairway's family each and every Christmas Day.

19. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Ummm, no tree remember?

20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning?
Mr. Fairway and I generally don't exchange gifts but sometimes we buy each other little items and open them on Christmas morning.

21. Favorite ornament?
I haven't seen our ornaments in so long (remember...they are in the garage) that I dont remember what any of them look like.

22. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
It's Mr. Fairway's family tradition for us to bring a smoked turkey. Yum.

23. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Peace on Earth. Mr. Fairway and I ask for this every year but so far the world just hasn't cooperated. Maybe this year...

Many Blessings

2008-11-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

To you and your family...

The Name Is Bond...

2008-11-25T17:55:00.000-08:00

So Mr. Fairway and I, along with our friend Joe, went to the movies today to see that wonderful, heartwarming holiday film...Quantum of Solace. Okay...so maybe heartwarming isn't quite the word to describe this action film. And I'm not sure "wonderful" describes the movie either. Let's face it...explosions, gunfire, dead bodies, blood aren't things I prefer to see. Give me a movie like Mamma Mia any ol' time. Still, I wanted to spend the day with the guys so I let them talk me into going to see the film.

Now I've been a James Bond fan since I watched Sean Connery swagger across the screen in the first Bond flick "Dr. No" in 1962. Of course I was under the age of 10 and didn't quite understand all the sexual references but I did love the intrigue and mystery of Mr. Bond. I can still remember asking my friend Myra to come to the movies with us and being turned down. Oh...she wanted to come but her older sister convinced her folks that the movie was far too "adult" for her and so we went without her. I have to give my parents credit...they knew my younger sister and I would enjoy the action parts of the movie while ignoring the parts which were too mature for us. How right they were.

And now that brings me to current day James Bond. I know much has been written about how Daniel Craig fares against the likes of Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. Personally, I enjoy my Bonds dark and slightly sinister rather than light and charming so he more resembles the Bond I like. Still...I just didn't feel engaged by his character today. I'm sure much of that has to do with the screenplay (thin at best) but I just couldn't seem to make a connection with his Bond. And, if I have to be honest, Bond will always be the debonair, handsome Sean Connery that I first saw on the big screen so many years ago. Sigh...

Fa-La-La-La-Not!

2008-11-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

Ack! Yesterday I was driving in my car desperately changing my radio's pre-set buttons looking for some soothing music to keep me company. I pushed the button for one of my favorite "easy listening" stations and was confronted with a terrible realization...they've already started their "all Christmas music all the time" programming! How can that be? Geez...we haven't celebrated Thanksgiving yet, the Macy's annual parade is still a few days away and December doesn't come for another 9 days. Yes...I know I can simply avoid pressing that button until I'm ready to hear "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." but you'd think the radio powers-that-be could at least wait until after Turkey Day to bombard us with Christmas holiday cheer! Bah! Humbug!

I've Done Things!

2008-11-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

I found this meme on A Blog in the Rough and decided to give it a whirl. To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold or color (mine are in red) all of the things you have done. Happy discoveries!

I HAVE...

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

WOW...I have done things!!!

Back For More...

2008-11-14T18:48:00.000-08:00

Hey...wonder where I've been? Me too. I was all gung-ho to start this blog but then, after a few posts (and the election), I suddenly lost my gusto. But I'm back and hopefully I'll find my blogging voice once again.

During this little "hiatus," our country managed to elect a new President (hallelujah) and I managed to survive the wonderful emotions that accompanied this incredibly historic event. Now I'm sorry that we didn't take up our friends' offer to accompany them to Washington D.C. for the inauguration. They had the foresight to book flights and hotel accommodations way in advance figuring they could always cancel should the "other team" win. Now they are going to be there amongst the huge throngs of spectators expected for the event. I am soooooo jealous.

This isn't to say that Mr. Fairway and I haven't been thinking about doing a little traveling. In fact, we just booked a 14-day cruise to the Baltics scheduled to sail in mid-June. I tell people that we're doing our very best to stimulate the economy although, to be honest, I am feeling a little uneasy about spending so much money during this economic meltdown. As retirees, we are on a fixed income and, unlike previous post-retirement travels, I no longer have a part-time job to help supplement our savings.

And when I look around the house and realize how much work needs to be done (new windows, new kitchen, new bathroom, new paint, etc.), I get even more nervous. Still...I keep telling myself that we need to travel while we are still healthy and the economy will surely turn around since it always seems to run in cycles. Am I crazy or am I just doing my very best imitation of Pollyanna?

Count My Vote

2008-11-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

Mr. Fairway and I just got back from casting our ballots. While there were no long lines at our polling place, the room was bustling with voters...more than we've ever seen before. The church where we vote actually plays host to 2 separate voting precincts and both sides of the room had polling booths filled with voters with others waiting their turn. We live near a university and the number of young voters was amazing. There were voters who were asked for photo I.D. so we knew they were first-time voters and we were thrilled to see them.

I have to admit that I actually had tears in my eyes when I marked my ballot for my Presidential choice. Those are the same tears I shed when, so many months ago, I watched Barack Obama announce on a very cold wintry day his run for the Presidency. And now I anxiously await the results of today's election. While I am cautiously optimistic, I never take anything for granted and I will be glued to the television tonight awaiting the final outcome. Whatever happens this evening, I am proud to call myself an American on this Election Day.

Election Day Prep

2008-11-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

So here it is the Sunday before Election Day and I still haven't gathered up our Election Day gear. Normally Mr. Fairway and I go with just our filled-in sample ballots to the polls but this year, with the expected long lines, I will be packing a backpack filled with "stuff" to help us survive what we anticipate might be a few hours wait.

In our backpack will be the following:

Our completed sample ballots

Water bottles

Energy bars

Reading material

Crossword puzzle books

In addition, we will sling over our shoulders the portable golf chairs we've had in our closet now for a few years.

Mr. Fairway thinks I'm nuts to go to all this preparation, but, having seen on TV news the long lines in states with early voting, I'm not taking any chances. Not even a line around the block will keep us from casting our ballots this Election Day. I'm hoping to help make history on November 4th and nothing will stand in my way.

Is It Over Yet?

2008-10-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Mr. Fairway and I went golfing this morning...anything to escape the political drivel that's been haunting us now for months and months. Enough is enough.

I almost always have a cable TV news station on in the background when I'm working around the house or sitting at my computer...not these days. My political wonkiness has finally reached maximum overload. How many different ways can these supposed political pundits say the same damn things?

And I pity our poor letter carrier. Every day our mail box is filled with political mailers from both major parties. Mr. Fairway refuses to change his party affiliation even though he hasn't voted for a Presidential candidate or most any other candidate for state and local office from his registered party since the late '60's. His rationalization is that, by getting all the flyers from "his" party telling him which candidates and causes to vote for, he can then go out and vote against each and every one of their recommendations . Go figure...

Thank goodness our state is decidedly for Obama which basically negates the need for robocalls from the McCain/Palin forces. In fact, so far we've had very few political phone calls of any kind this election. Of course, the election is still a week away so you just never know who might be at the other end of the phone line when the phone rings from now until next Tuesday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

Comic Economics

2008-10-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

I readily admit I know very little about the topic of Economics...me and John McCain. So this morning I was listening to Alan Greenspan speak before Congress and the subject of "derivatives" was mentioned. Derivatives? What the heck are derivatives? I asked Mr. Fairway who at that moment was reading the Comics section of our local newspaper. He started to laugh and called me into the kitchen. "Here," he said, "read this."

So now I know what "derivatives" are all about. Whew!

Sarah...Never Pay Retail

2008-10-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

So let me get this straight...the Vice Presidential candidate who likens herself to "Joe Six-Pack" and "just a hockey mom" has had nearly $150,000 spent on a wardrobe for her and her family since the Republican convention. Here is a breakdown of the purchases for Sarah Palin as reported by the New York Times:

• $75,062.63 spent at Neiman Marcus on Sept. 10.
• $41,850.72 to Saks Fifth Avenue in New York on Sept. 10.
• $7,575.02 to Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis on Sept. 10.
• $5,102.71 to Bloomingdale’s in New York on Sept. 10.
• $789.72 to Barney’s New York on Sept. 10.
• $4,396.94 and $512.92 at Macy’s in Minneapolis on Sept. 10.
• $4,537.85 to Macy’s in Minneapolis on Sept. 22.
• $349.50 to Lord & Taylor in New York on Sept. 25.
• $4,902.08 to Atelier New York, a men’s clothing boutique, on Sept. 10.
• $98 to Pacifier, a high-end baby store in Minneapolis, on Sept. 10 and Sept. 25.
• $98.50 to Steinlauf & Stoller, a sewing supply store, in New York on Sept. 25.
• $133 to the Gap in Minneapolis on Sept. 25.

Now maybe it's me but I'm thinking that most women, who live on the "Main Street" that Gov. Palin passionately refers to, do not parade around in such extravagant clothing. And I don't know about you but it's difficult to picture Gov. Palin as "one of us" when not one article of clothing in my closet was purchased at any of the stores mentioned above.

So I'm offering my services as a "Personal Shopper" to Governor Palin. All she needs to do is send me her sizes and I'll be happy to shop for her at the stores here on Main Street. You know the ones...T.J. Maxx, Marshall's, Ross Dress for Less...

You Know You're Old When...

2008-10-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

As we got into bed last night, I opened the bedroom window and innocently remarked "fresh air." At which point, Mr. Fairway said to me "Times Square." It took me a moment but then I replied "You are my wife" and so we began to sing the theme song to "Green Acres."

When we were done with our less than stellar rendition, Mr. Fairway told me that, on the golf course Monday, he was wearing his big floppy straw hat secured tightly under his chin because of the gusty winds. At some point he turned to his fellow golfers and remarked that he was about to have a "Sister Bertrille" moment.

Did they even understand the reference? You betcha! They were of a certain baby boomer age too!

Mid-Day Migraine

2008-10-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Don't you just hate it when you're out running errands and something like a migraine just gets in your way?!?! Today was supposed to be a "me" day since I'd made absolutely no plans with anyone to do anything. I was going to drink my morning coffee, read the newspaper, play on the computer a little and then go out and do a little shopping. Mr. Fairway was off to the YMCA to exercise so I had the whole day to myself.

Everything seemed just fine. I dropped a letter off at the Post Office and then went into one of my favorite discount stores in the neighborhood. Coming away empty-handed, I proceeded to drive on over to yet another discount shop a few miles away. There I was walking through the aisles when suddenly I began to see the all-too-familiar kaleidoscope light show right before my eyes. Oh, oh!

I have to say I've been a pretty lucky person as far as migraines go. They started when I was in the 7th grade and I've had very few through my life...certainly less than one a year. And, unlike some people, mine only last a few hours and then disappear.

But lately I seem to be having more than my usual share....I guess you could call them migraine clusters. Thankfully, they are still short in duration but they do leave a residual feeling like I'm wearing a beanie too tight on my head. That's where I am right now. I managed to drive home, took an aspirin and went to bed for a while so the really booming headache is gone. Now if I could just get over this too-tight beanie feeling, I'd be just fine.

More Signs of the Times

2008-10-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday two friends and I went to an annual crafts fair that plays host to a number of small businesses. We've been attending this fair for many years and have come to look forward to buying products from several specific vendors. So I look on the printed directory of booths and, to my disappointment, discover that my favorite "soaps and lotions" person is not there this year. We wandered the fair and I did buy a number of things but nothing that would take the place of the lilac lotion I was hoping to buy for my two cousins. Damn!

I was still fretting about things when I got home so I decided to email the company to find out if they were planning to attend another one of the craft fairs scheduled for early December. Within a few hours I received a response letting me know that they had pared down their attendance at these fairs to the "bare minimum" because of the price of gasoline and their relocation to Northern California....yet another example of how the economy has affected the small business person.

And then this morning I wake up to read the headline in the Los Angeles Times announcing the closure of all Mervyns stores. I'm telling you...soon we'll be down to one department store.

Ring of Fire

2008-10-14T07:52:00.001-07:00

Welcome to autumn in Southern California. On Sunday, we were planning to go to the golf course we like to hit some golfballs at the driving range. When Hubby went out to get the newspaper early in the morning, he turned to the east to see a huge plume of smoke in the hills right near the golf course. That was the end of our practice plans.

Then yesterday I took Mom to the YMCA Arthritis Aquatics class we go to once a week. While in the pool, we all turned to the plate-glass windows to see big plumes of black smoke floating westward. Soon people were coming in to the pool area letting us know there was a second fire in the hills just north of the "Y." Since most of the members live in the area affected by this new fire, there was a fast exit from the pool.

Thankfully, we live in the flats a fair distance from any of the current fires. Still, it's unnerving to see friends frantically getting dressed in the locker room in hopes of finding their homes still standing when they get there.

Our notorious Santa Ana winds, with their accompanying high temperatures and low humidity, kick up each year at this time and wreck havoc on our lives. Three years ago, a fire which started fairly close to the current one marched many, many miles to the southwest and was stopped only blocks from my sister's home. I still remember hurriedly driving over there just in case they had to pack up and evacuate. Her house and the neighborhood were spared thanks to the heroic efforts of firefighters from across Southern California.

What really scares us is this is only the very beginning of "red flag season." We still have many more months of high winds and low humidity to deal with. Hopefully these events are not the beginning of a very long and active season.

Sign of the Times

2008-10-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

In today's mail came a letter from our homeowner's insurance company. Did I mention that it is (or was) an arm of WaMu Insurance Services...yes, that WaMu.

Anyway, the letter was sent to announce to us that WaMu has sold its existing "Personal Lines" insurance policies (oh, is that what we have) to a "leading American brokerage." Why does this scare me? And, of course, this follows the selling of our automobile insurance company a few months ago to AIG...yes, that AIG.

We used to laugh about some day having only one bank, one insurance company, one department store, one supermarket available to us. I'm thinking that day is approaching much sooner than we thought.

Oops, I Meant to Say...

2008-10-07T07:01:00.000-07:00

Hubby and his three friends are off this morning to play in a golf tournament benefiting a local children's charity. Their chances of coming home with one of the trophies are nil. The chances of them coming home with one of the many raffle prizes given out at the after-tournament dinner are good. Now, if only Hubby can come home with a prize that we can actually use, that will be a welcomed surprise.

Tonight is the 2nd Presidential debate...a town hall type of set-up. With Hubby still at the tournament for dinner, I'm planning to go out, bring something home to eat and park myself in front of the television to watch the "fun." I have to admit that these "live" events make me nervous. One never knows what mis-spoken gaffe a candidate might make and how it might affect the electorate. And, despite the fact that I have strong feelings about this election's choices, I hate to see anyone make a "slip of the tongue" which is then analyzed to death by the after-debate pundits. As a blathering idiot at times, I know from personal experience that sometimes it's very easy to put one's foot in one's mouth unintentionally.

Sunday Doings

2008-10-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

Hubby and I had our monthly golf lesson this morning. We've been taking lessons from the same teaching pro for maybe 20 years. Hubby's game has improved remarkably over time and he can outdrive young men less than half his age....I still tell golfers we're paired with at courses that I'm a novice which then explains the round of golf they see me play.

We came home after our lessons, read the paper and had our required cups of coffee. Then I went off to buy three CD/DVD zippered storage binders that I'd seen the other day at one of our local discount stores. Hubby is a DVD addict and we currently own more than 300 films which take up more space than we actually have. I've told him that, if he wants to continue his passion for owning DVD's, he has to find a different method of storing them. I'm hoping these binders do the trick! I'll let you know.

Now I'm off to see if I can find a birthday card for our friends' son who is in his mid-20's. I went to a card store earlier today but just couldn't find one appropriate for people our age to give to someone young enough to be our son. You wouldn't think it would be so hard but somehow it is. Sigh...

Real News for a Change

2008-10-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning, sat down with my coffee and opened our Big City newspaper to see that O.J. Simpson was found guilty on all counts in Las Vegas. What surprised me most about this news story was its location on the front page. Thankfully and surprisingly, the editors chose not to make it the headline story. Yes, the story was front page news but, instead of the glaring headlines of 13 years ago, this article was placed in the left-fold margin column. Yep...the powers-that-be at the newspaper actually showed some restraint.

What was the headline of the day? Rightfully so, the current economic mess was front and center. There were several articles, graphs and photos related to what is really important to this country right now. There was analysis and detailed coverage of the "whys" and "hows" related to the topics of the bailout bill, job loss, potential recession...certainly important issues during these frightening times.

I'm happy to know that, when I want real news, I can still turn to my local newspaper. I was beginning to think that the print media had abandoned us for tabloid-like, dumbed-down stories. Whew!

In the Beginning...

2008-10-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my world. If you are expecting a blog devoted to all things golf then I have only one word for you...

Yes...I do play golf. Yes...you will see posts now and then mentioning my very occasional rounds of golf. But I do not define myself by my time on the golf course. No...I am much more than that and I hope to reveal myself to you as time goes on.

Here's a start. I was a public librarian, for too many years to count, until I happily retired four years ago. My Hubby (the truly passionate...OK...obsessed golfer) and I have been together for 25 years and are child-free by choice so there will be no stories, no photos of children and grandchildren here. We do, however, have family who live nearby including our moms (who are both now 87 years old) so you may discover an extended cast of characters as time moves along. And I musn't forget our circle of friends, all of whom will probably make an appearance here at some point.

So that concludes the prologue. Now stay tuned for my life beyond the fairway...it outta be an interesting journey.

Coming Soon To A Blog...

2008-10-02T15:01:00.001-07:00

Stay tuned. I'll be with you shortly.