Persistence Pays Off

Our monthly golf tournament was held today and it was a straight game score minus your handicap. The weather was iffy but we had some 60 golfers register and pay their $15. In my category there were 24 people. Most of the people in my group were better golfers than I but they were not used to playing in less than perfect weather.

As the game proceeded the rain came and three of the members of my foursome decided to quit. I took my bag and waited on the seventh golf tee. Soon a group came along and I joined them. After nine holes two more quit and I was keeping pace and playing my usual game. By the time I finished the eighteen holes there were many men in the clubhouse having a beer.

As I finished my game and added up my score and deducted my generous handicap, I was convinced that I was out of the money. I joined my group and we laughed about the quitters and some said I had a chance since about ten from my division did not complete the game.

As the prize money was announced and handed out, low and behold  I came in third. I won good money and realized that persistence does pay off. Last man standing theory won out again.

Eagles 3, Owls 2

During the last nine years we have been watching several pair of eagles nesting and raising their young. One pair has just hatched their seventieth young ones and the other pair have been having some trouble with establishing their territory.

This pair of eagles built a nest in a beautiful tree and had success in hatching two chicks. The next year the nest took was taken over by a pair of Great Horned Owls. The following year it was eagles again  and this year the owls were there to raise their two chicks. Owls are notorious for being lazy and avoiding the work of building a nest. They steal a ready made nest from eagles or other large birds.

We are always surprised that eagles will give up their nest to owls, but they do. This year it appears to be a good year for the nesting birds but there are some problems with water levels for wading birds. When we keep score for that second nest we have it: Eagles 3 and Owls 2.

Little Visitor

Today we were cleaning up and as I vacuumed the pool Theresa saw a small creature on our screen. I recognized it as a chameleon and approached it so as not to panic the little creature. It moved off the screen to the white support  and it turned a definite whitish color. It is quite amazing how they are capable of turning colour to match the environment. Some people do that when they enter certain professional jobs. They say whatever is necessary to keep their standing with the group. They finally get found out when they have to walk over tartan.

Life is like that - not black or white but rather, a fine mixture of all colours. And real people are able to cope as the chameleon does.

Spring Baseball

Our area is home to two major league baseball teams. The Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.Last eve Theresa and I went to the new Jet Blue ($84,000,000.) stadium and saw a low scoring game won by the Twins.

This new stadium paid for by the taxpayers of the area draw huge crowds to the games and have a very positive effect on the economy. This facility is well built, managed and promoted. The Twins who also play out of Ft. Myers now want equal treatment so their stadium is having a $64,000,000 overhaul  We also have an empty stadium and are looking for a tenant. The Nationals show interest but so far no deal.

We found out that there is danger if you don't keep your eye on the ball. A lady three seats to our left was hit square on the head and had to be helped. She returned later ,bruised and with a autographed baseball for her trouble. During the evening five balls landed very close to our seats. We had box seats out beyond the first base line and were in the direct line of fire .

It was a perfect evening for baseball and we will see another game later in the month.

Missed Opportunities

Being laid up with my battered right leg caused me to miss the club championship golf games. I would not have had a chance of winning, but all of us have a chance to win in our own class. With a 22 handicap and a bad leg I had no chance at all so I cancelled out. Instead of playing I bought a ticket for the club closing which is a dinner dance for Theresa and I. This saves me the embarrassment of having to be at the bottom of the list that evening and just enjoy the fellowship.

This week alone was not a very happy one as I missed Theresa; we are rarely apart. The regular trip to the market, grocery shopping, and other routines which we follow are not really as good without your friend. Being alone is a very good exercise for married people. It gives you the chance to evaluate your relationship and meaning and value in your life.

I was happy to see Theresa share a week with her friend and recapture that spark that keeps the friendship alive. When she returned it was refreshing to hear the special moments she experienced with a person she has known for all her life. Her week was filled with activities, good food, long walks and many laughs. I was happy when Theresa came off the.plane at nearly midnight and to hear here excitement about her adventure as were drove home.

Many of us miss opportunities for an enriched life . We have to be able to discover them and act with complete confidence. The rewards are fantastic.

A Slip In Time

A week ago while Theresa was in Texas, I had a slip that changed my plans. I had planned to do so much while I was alone: gardening, planting a new tree and a general cleanup of the garage and the property. Everything changed when I decided to take a shower before bedtime. I had been fishing all day with friends and smelled of fish and fish bait. I decided to have a hot shower and to just stand in the stream to relax and revitalize my tired bones.

All went well for the 20 minutes under the hot water but I decided to shampoo my hair as well. I took too much shampoo and covered my head and the overflow trickled down to my eyes. This happens on a regular basis but this time my eyes really stung... I rinsed and the shower was covered with suds. I reached for the large towel and started to rub my eyes and hair. As I stepped out of the shower my left foot touched the mat but my right foot reached slippery tile.

With my towel over my head,  the first thing I saw was my right foot flying in the air and I was on my way back. I pulled the towel tightly over my head fearing an impact with the floor. I saved my head but my right hip and knee met the tile with a crack. I was stunned and lay there naked as a jay bird and in no condition to move. All kinds of thoughts came to pass over my clouded brain. Did I break my hip? My knee, was it OK?

I lay there for five minutes and when the pain subsided I reached for the tortured parts and found everything as it should be except there was a cruel pain in my right leg. I rolled over and attempted to get to my knees. I was unable to do so but I reached the door under the sink and eventually to the sink itself and began to pull myself up. I managed to get to my knees and with a special effort made it up on one leg.

I dried myself off and with the help of the wall and furniture made it to the bed and my clothes pilled  up on the floor. I could not reach them so I grabbed my housecoat and with a lurch managed to get to my easy chair. After all the wings were playing hockey and I could not miss that. After a small drink of rum and Pepsi I settled into a sleep in the chair. I missed most of the game but woke up feeling better.

From now on I will never come out of that shower with a towel over my head.

Fishing The Flats With Ron and Frank

Ron and Frank are two fishermen who know the Flats around Pine Island like the back of their hand. With a well equipped boat and their knowledge of how to catch the variety-of fish found on the Flats I was happy indeed to be asked to fish with them.

From the moment we put the boat in the water until we completed the day I was entertained by the wealth of information passed on to me . Everything from the types of bait  to the best manner to retrieve  the cast I became a better shallow water fisherman.

We fished in water which was from five feet to two feet deep.Trout, lady fish (poor mans tarpon),jacks and even a few that were unfamiliar to me. The best keepers were the  mackerel which gave a great fight and are excellent eating.  A lizard fish with sharp teeth and a small catfish were the ones you have to be careful handling as they have spines .

We fished all day under the hot sun but a gentle breeze kept us relatively comfortable.. In spite of the sunscreen we all received more sun than we should have but if I was asked to fish again today I would be there. Fishing Florida waters is so rewarding that every day on the water is a special treat.