Missed It

Due to family business with my father I missed the last lunch at the casino, and with Miss Emma's birthday this coming Thursday I will miss the opening at the club.  I'm sure Dr J will be there early so he can practise rolling the bones.  He doesn't remember he is still on triple secret probation and not eligible to win the first roll of the new season.

There was a nice crowd for the Friday night gathering for drinks and dinner.  There was a lot of discussion about golf the next day even though it was too wet for carts.  Unfortunately I was busy replacing a sump pump, but noticed a number of cars in the parking lot on my way home from Menard's.  I didn't see any walkers.  Therefore I'm not sure whether they were playing or just sitting in the grill drinking coffee.  This week looks much better and carts should be allowed.

The new sump pump is installed and working great.  Actually this is one of two pumps in my system.  I've replaced both pumps in the last three weeks.  The pump I installed yesterday is actually the primary, so I decided to upgrade to a pump with a lifetime warranty and a higher rating.  Surprisingly it didn't cost much more.  After I got everything hooked up and turned on Iwas surprised by the amount of water it pumped in a two hour period.  I think I dodged a bullet since I didn't realize how much it rained on Thursday.  I'll give the staff at Menard's credit.  They are really knowledgeable and helpful.

Great basket basket ball games thru Saturday. The final four should be really fun to watch.

See ya,

CC

March Madness

Each year we run a family bracket pool for basic bragging rights.  Everyone seems to have their own method to select teams, and after the first two rounds the standings are fairly close.  This year it seems like the world is turned upside down.  If you look at my bracket it looks like a blank sheet of paper in one region and not better in the others.  Others are similar, but one (Miss Emma's) stands out above the rest.  I'm not sure what method she used to select teams (one year it was mascots), but she is leading the pack by a comfortable margin.  And, she has a better than average chance going forward.

I don't know if you saw the late games last night, but if not you missed to great finishes.  First NIU lost a 12 point lead with less than a minute to go and lost in double OT to Texas A&M.  Second Wisc. makes a three point shot at the buzzer to beat Xavier.  I didn't have "a dog in either fight" but sure felt bad for the losers.  I'd much rather get blown out than lose like that.

The course is starting to green-up and the tee markers and regular pins are out.  Can carts be far behind?

See ya,

CC

Almost Time

It's almost time to move back to our seasonal home.  Dr. J has been chomping at the bit to roll the bones but doesn't realize he's still on triple secret probation.  I think next week will be the last lunch at the Casino.  Don M has mixed feelings about the move back to BCC since has been on a winning streak on the poker machines, yesterday was no different.  He was up $100.00 plus before lunch and decided he would just go home versus putting the money back in,  The rest of us figure it will be much cheaper to if we go bacck to BCC and start playing golf.  A cart plus $5.00 is cheaper than a good run at the slots.

If you missed the St. Patrick's Day buffet at the club you missed out on the best corned beef in the area.  Pam (yes Pam) really knows how to fix it.  Says she learned from Chef Stahl.  And we thought Chef Kiel was one responsible.  Good to see a full house in the dinning room.  Thank the SD the next time you see him for the grat print now hanging on the wall by the waitress station.  He and the Mrs. donated it to the club.

Keep your fingers crossed for dry weather so we can get on the golf course.

CC

Got Me Again

The Nurse told me we were going to see Brad's Paisley last night.  I thought it rather strange, but guessed it was something new in the pro shop.  You know like "Loud Mouth Pants" that John Daly promotes.  What she really said (and I'm probably going deaf) was we were going to see Brad Paisley (in concert).  The last time this happened we went to a Rascal Flats concert when I thought we going to a new golf course.  Now I'm not a total country fan, but do appreciate the fact country concerts are always entertaining,  and the celebs are big supporters of the Country and our troops.  And, the crowds are pretty conservative and not all that politically correct.  No exception last night.  Good music, great videos, and a packed house.  I'm not a total convert yet, but did have a good time.  It was pretty loud, and I'm glad I took ear plugs ( they really helped).  I've said before, and will say it again we are fortunate to have the Huntington Center.   

Lunch yesterday was pretty much the same.  Good crowd, lots of talk and no resoultion to world problems.  Maybe that will happen at Happy Hour tonight , but I doubt it.  And for once Don M didn't won any money before lunch.  He had been winning a couple of hundred before lunch for the past several weeks.  And not once did he offer to buy lunch for the rest of us losers.

The grass is starting to green up.  The GWH has opened his course and the SD was ready to start the season this week there.  Hope always sprinfgs ertrnal at the beginning of the year before reality sets in.

See ya,

CC

What A Tease

That's what yesterday was.  When it hits 70 degrees you know you have to get the sticks out and play a few holes.  So that's exactly what I did, and even took my 6 iron with me.  I was surprised at how dry the course was (at least holes 2 and 3).  Not much roll but I attribute the lack of distance to lack of playing more than anything else.  The best part was being out in the fresh air, not being bundled up like an Eskimo.  It was almost hot, but that was the result of not knowing how to dress.  I actually saw someone playing in shorts and a short sleeved shirt.  Go figure. 

When you get the opportunity to play I'm sure you'll notice some trees missing.  I know most people think of trees like their grand children and can't imagine losing them.  But, the grounds crew has been busy this winter.  You'll find some fir trees gone,  heavy pruning in some areas and dead trees removed.  I don't know what the overall impact on play will be, but I do you still have to execute.

See ya Thursday.

CC

Last Gasp???

Let's hope that's what this latest snowfall is.  The weather forecast is calling for much warmer temperatures next week and beyond.  Can carts on the course be far off?  Let's hope not.

Lunch was well attended (as usual).  Twinkle Toes was back from his "bike" trip through Florida, and was basking in his accolades over the TV interview on his volunteer work with babies at the hospital.  We're all still trying to figure out how he passed the background and security checks.  But the accolades are well deserved.  You can see the video by going to the link provided in the SD's email.  The rest of the lunch conversation seemed to center around the upcoming election, or rather the Republican primary.  About the only thing we all agreed on was that it is really like nothing we have ever seen before.

The new Kroger Marketplace on route 20 is open.  Wow!!  What a difference from the old store.  You really do need the store directory they were handing out.  The only thing they need is a dry cleaners.  I really miss that aspect of Giant Eagle.  Go check the place out when you have a few hours to spare.

See ya,

CC