dual personalities

Tag: golf

April 15, 2025

Olive shoots around your table

by chuckofish

Isn’t it nice to be home?

It is lovely to sit on my own patio…

…and contemplate the lush green grass–which won’t last, I know–

…but it sure is beautiful now! Even on an overcast and cloudy day.

I have a lot on my “to do” list this week what with getting the Review to the printer and the house ready for visitors this weekend. We are going over to the boy and daughter #3’s house for Easter, so at least I don’t have to prepare a big meal. Lottie has told me several times that it is a very special Big Deal that we are coming over for Easter. I am most appreciative. We are also going over to daughter #1’s house for my birthday/daughter #2’s birthday celebration. What a blessing to have my sweet family close at hand!

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways!
2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.

5 The Lord bless you from Zion!
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children’s children!
    Peace be upon Israel!

–Psalm 128

I didn’t get a chance to watch any of the Masters this year, but I was happy that Rory McIlroy finally won. He has had a difficult few years and I’m glad he pulled it together! Golf is such a difficult mind-game. I got a big kick out of 4-year old Katie’s reaction to his win:

AP photo

Here are 40 random pieces of advice from Tim Challies which I like a lot. Such as: “Sing loud in church, especially if you are a man. Don’t be content with mumbling as if it’s somehow embarrassing to have a male voice.” I totally agree!

And remember:

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September 3, 2024

Your children will be like olive shoots around your table*

by chuckofish

Look at that blue sky! Our little trip to Laumeier Sculpture Park on Labor Day morning was a success.

Mr. Smith got pretty worn out by the end, and had to be carried part of the way, but we all had fun.

I hadn’t been there in a couple of years. The twins had never been there at all and were introduced to the concept of “Sculpture”.

I don’t think they were that impressed, but enjoyed doing something different and seeing all the other dogs. Likewise Mr. Smith.

We went home and ate bagels and apples and then we watched the end of Ghostbusters, which we had started a few weeks ago. Then we played outside and then they played inside with Legos and then their dad picked them up. I collapsed.

It was a pleasant long weekend. Scottie Scheffler won the FedEx Cup! (He’s had quite a year–It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.)

And I watched a couple of good movies, notably The Undefeated (1969) with John Wayne and Rock Hudson and The Best of Times (1986) with Robin Williams and Kurt Russell.

I felt better after watching both of these movies, which is not something you feel a lot these days, you know what I mean?

Now I am getting ready for the arrival of daughter #2 and her famille on Thursday. Can’t wait to see these little firecrackers…

They’ve sure got the moves.

So, welcome, September! Stay positive! Pet a nice dog, take a walk in the sunshine, watch an old movie.

*Psalm 128:3

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August 6, 2024

One equal temper of heroic hearts

by chuckofish

Today we toast the great English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, born on this day in 1809. He was the Poet Laureate during much of Queen Victoria’s reign. A number of phrases from Tennyson’s work have become commonplace in the English language, including “Nature, red in tooth and claw” (which I use all the time), “‘Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all”, “Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die”, “My strength is as the strength of ten, / Because my heart is pure”, “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield”, “Knowledge comes, but Wisdom lingers”, and “The old order changeth, yielding place to new”. He is the ninth most frequently quoted writer in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations.

So let’s all read some Tennyson poems today!

(From Ulysses, read the poem here.)

And who can forget this classic?

Speaking of heroic hearts, aIthough I am not watching the Olympics and he is a professional, I was happy to hear that Scottie Scheffler won the Gold for men’s golf, coming from behind in a record-tying final round. He cried during the playing of our National Anthem.

“I would say first and foremost I’m proud of the country I’m from. I’m proud to be American. I got emotional the other night watching the gold medal ceremony for the women’s gymnastics. I take tremendous pride in coming over here and representing my country,” he said after his round.

Thank you, Scottie.

FYI it is also the birthday of Lucille Ball, Robert Mitchum, Ella Raines, and M. Night Shyamalan. So watch an old movie! And, as always, look out for bears!

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July 18, 2022

“He who regards the clouds will not reap”*

by chuckofish

I had a busy week. We even went out on a weeknight.

The OM got to use his office’s (air-conditioned) suite at the ballpark so he invited a group of friends and clients to watch the game. I had not been to a Cardinals game in many years, not since my flyover university used to sponsor nights at the ballpark. Also I lost interest in the redbirds when they fired Mike Matheny in 2018 (sigh). Anyway, it was fun to watch a game right on the third base line.

The little bud made a new best friend, who taught him how to yell, “You’re a bum!” to the manager. (Our manager is a bum, so it’s okay.) We had a 6-0 lead through seven innings and then lost the game because we have no relievers. C’est la vie.

After my busy week, all I wanted to do was chillax and watch the 150th Open at St. Andrew’s. I did get to see a little, but since I went to church on Sunday I missed the end. (Congrats to Cameron Smith who to me always has a disconcerting Nathan Bedford Forest vibe.)

We celebrated the OM’s birthday with a little party after church.

(The pictures of our birthday parties always look the same, don’t they?) Mr and Mrs Crypt Keeper–c’est la vie.

I’m impressed the OM blew out all the candles with one breath. (So was he.)

The French Silk pie was from Tippins and a big success. I made a tater tot casserole which was also a hit.

Here’s hoping this week will not be so busy and maybe it will cool off a little. It has been a hot summer, but that is par for the course and I am not complaining (as long as the electric grid holds out.)

And here’s a bonus picture of precious Katiebelle doing her chores:

*Ecclesiastes 11:4

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March 22, 2022

“But my heart is always standing on its tripod, ready for the next arrow”*

by chuckofish

The Florida room is open for business! Come on over!

In the meantime, today we remember Jonathan Edwards who died on this day in 1758. His words resonate today.

Though Christian fortitude appears in withstanding and counteracting the enemies that are without us; yet it much more appears in resisting and suppressing the enemies that are within us; because they are our worst and strongest enemies and have greatest advantage against us. The strength of the good soldier of Jesus Christ appears in nothing more than in steadfastly maintaining the holy calm, meekness, sweetness, and benevolence of his mind, amidst all the storms, injuries, strange behavior, and surprising acts and events of this evil and unreasonable world.

Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections

Today also marks the 88th anniversary of the first Masters Tournament in 1934 (held March 22-25) at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. The winner was Horton Smith who hailed originally from Springfield, Missouri. He won the event with a 20-foot birdie putt at the 17th hole (now the 8th hole), and finished at 284 (−4), one stroke ahead of runner-up Craig Wood. Smith served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII. After the war, he became the golf pro at the Detroit Golf Club in Michigan, where he remained until his death. The Masters is coming up April 7, so stay tuned.

We also wish a happy birthday to William Shatner (1931), Orrin Hatch (1934) and Billy Collins (1941).

And a shout-out to daughter #2 and Baby Katie who are on spring break.

*Billy Collins, Aimless Love–read the poem here.

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October 27, 2020

Tuesday mish mosh

by chuckofish

Today we toast Theodore Roosevelt on his birthday.

Roosevelt in 1885, the year he moved to his ranch in the Dakotah Territory.

I think I will watch The Wind and the Lion (1975) in honor of our 26th president. This film, you will recall, is about an international incident being (almost) triggered when an Arab chieftain (Sean Connery) kidnaps an American widow and her children. President Theodore Roosevelt (Brian Keith) deals with it American style–He sends in the Marines.

It is also the anniversary of the day Rebel Without a Cause debuted in 1955, 65 years ago! James Dean had just died less than a month before in a car wreck at the age of 24. It is hard to imagine that this story of teenage angst and rebellion was viewed as being quite shocking back in the day, but it was. It seems quite innocent, even sweet, to our jaded eyes.

And, hello, how did I miss the fact that American golf legend Tiger Woods attended the grand opening of Payne’s Valley Golf Course at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri (near Branson) on Tuesday, September 22. Named after Ozarks native and fellow golf legend Payne Stewart, it is the first public-access golf course designed by Woods. The 19th hole at Payne’s Valley, we are told, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about golf holes in the world (see below). “Nature golf” looks kind of like miniature golf for grown ups, but who am I to say.

Mid-MO makes the the Big Time.

Finally, here is a great version of the classic Townes Van Sant song “Pancho and Lefty” performed by Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan. (Also, I spy with my little eye a young Marty Stuart on mandolin.) Check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd41cVwl9FY&feature=emb_err_woyt

Enjoy your Tuesday. Keep going.

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