Sunday, March 29, 2026

Would You Take Driving Lessons...


It probably depends on what kind of driving we're talking about.

If it's this kind...


...then you bet.

There's a lot of hyperbole employed when it comes to Mr. W.

Much beloved by his devoted fans, he's often described as "the greatest golfer of all time".

That is objectively false; in the modern era Jack Nicklaus was better and has the stats to prove it.


Besides his unmatched record of 18 majors, he was the longest and most accurate player on the tour into his 40's.

Give the Golden Bear in his prime today's equipment and he'd be driving the ball to the spot of his choosing the same as he did during his career - except it would be 400 yards away.

But Mr. W is obviously one of the best, and he was without dispute a transformative figure.

Learning today's game from him would be a rare privilege.

However, if you're talking about this kind of driving...

his parallel parking skills definitely need work

...well, you might wanna take a pass.

His most recent dustup with law is the latest in what's getting to be a long list of examples of very bad decision making.

In short, if TW doesn't make a serious change and soon, someone's going to get killed.

He spent the first 15 years of his career polishing his legend; the last 15 tarnishing it.

He's 50 now; old enough to know, do and be better.

So here's some friendly - and obvious - advice from a nobody to a golf $uperstar / billionaire:

Grow up.

Before it's too late.


Happy (?) to report we are 29 days into our Vernal Equinox Death March (read: diet)...


...with only 11 days to go until Freedom!  Sweet Freedom!

Unfortunately - and through no fault of my own - I seem to have stalled out at 195 lbs...about 5 lbs more than I should be.

There are some who might say it's because I occasionally add just a tiny bit of spice...

 
...to my otherwise bland fare of lentil soup and lima beans, but I say that's horse hockey.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go make sure Karen's not trying to steal any of my contraband lima beans.


The 3rd of the highly anticipated "No Brains" rallies took place Saturday, attracting only the best of humanity...


...as they banded together in joyful unity proclaiming the obvious:

There are brainless twits everywhere you look.

Here are the best and brightest from our town right here in Holland, Mi:


In this case "crowds" is a euphemism for "disaffected losers", but you get the idea.

To drum up support for the obvious, some truly big name celebs joined in the fun:


The gray haired creature pointing her bony fingers is none other than Hanoi Jane, reminding us she's been an America hating traitor ever since 1972...


...when she fraternized with our enemies in North Vietnam, even posing on one of their gun boats that was used to kill American soldiers during that conflict.

The American Left:

"Proudly lining up on the wrong side of history since 1861" 


Slim pickings in the 23 Skidoo department this week, so I say let's just skip it.

a hopeful sign of early spring

a less than hopeful sign - a mole, now deceased

deer at dawn

the recent infestation of Aldi Gnomes continues, tucked amongst the flora within the Castle Frankenstein

Of course, it's rare for anyone to listen to, let alone do what I say.


This was a tough week.

As I've done for each of the past 4 years, I once again spent time missing my #2 son, contemplating his life, our time together here on earth and my failures as his father.

It's one thing to bandy about theological terms when contemplating lofty concepts of God and His creation.

But when you bring the ethereal down to where you actually live and put shoe leather on it - then it begs the intimidating question:

What do you believe?

When it's no longer pie in the sky in the sweet by and by -

When it becomes personal because it affects you right now, where you live -

What do you really believe?

I appreciate what Paul wrote to the believers in Rome when he was explaining salvation is based on faith, not on the law.

When speaking of Abraham, the father of the faithful, to whom God promised a son when Abraham was 100 years old and his wife Sarah was 99, Paul wrote this:

20  He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21  And being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

    Romans 4:20,21

When life lands a body blow, we don't let it stagger us in our faith.

We get up, dust ourselves off and get back in the race.

We're called to be strong, knowing God delivers on His promise of eternal life through faith in Christ.

We soldier on.

later, mcm fans...


Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Another Day...


...just like any other; but not for our little clan.

Today marks 5 years since Ryan passed.


Makes me wonder where the time went.

We didn't learn about his death until the next day - a phone call from my oldest son - and pieced together only later from the scene in his apartment that he'd died, alone, the night before.

A receipt indicated his last meal was drive through fare from a nearby McDonalds.

I wonder about his routine that evening; what / who he thought about, if he had any sense that something was different, that he was standing on the precipice of monumental change.

Most likely not; it was probably a typical night until, suddenly, it wasn’t.

There have been many tears since then, and there will no doubt be more in the years ahead if I tarry here.

But the truth is Ryan is with his Lord and Savior now, enjoying the glories of heaven.

He's free, having laid aside "every weight and the sin which so easily besets us" and is running with patience the race set before him.

I'm happy for him; truly.

But I still miss him.

 4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

    - Revelation 21:4


Sunday, March 22, 2026

And Finally...


...Spring 2026.
 

Very pretty, stylized version there thanks to the Farmer's Almanac.

Here's how it really looks 'round these parts now that we've finally arrived at the Vernal Equinox:


Not quite as impressive, hey?  Accent on dreary greys, dull greens and drab browns.

But could be a whole lotta worse...here's what it looks like in Michigan's Upper Peninsula today:


Say 'Ya' to da UP, eh?

Welcome, Spring.

woo hoo!

Some good news: Epic Fury has been a resounding success and is winding down now...


...no thanks to the moral reprobates on the left.

Our military objectives are being met, Iran's leadership, army, navy, air force and nuclear capabilities eliminated, and its stockpiles of missiles seriously degraded.

Yes, there has been some short term pain at the pump...


...about which the big blue Donkeys have been crowing, but that's about to be solved.

Final task is to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz...


...that strip of water through which 20% of the world's oil supply passes.

We don't use it in any significant way, but our allies do.

From our perspective they can fill it in with sand tomorrow and our energy needs will still be met.

Why?

Because under President Trump we are once again energy independent.

Our allies on the other hand, are not - they depend quite heavily on the safe passage of oil transports through the strait.

So you would think, when we solicited their help in clearing the area of Iranian attack vessels, mines and drones, they would be lining up to protect their own interests, wouldn't you?


You'd be wrong.

But then Trump rephrased the question:

How would you like it if once we've achieved our military objectives, we pull out completely...


...and let you handle all the mop up duties with the Strait of Hormuz?


The European helper bees have seen the light and are on their way.

Lord willing, we'll soon be moving forward with a better, safer, more prosperous Middle East.

Stay tuned.


Watched another collapse of a top tier golf pro, leading by 4 in the final round only to drift back into a tie for 5th place.

This time it was <Ludvig Aberg> (pronounced "Oh-berg"), 5 time winner and Swedish phenom, at The Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

In spite of his stumble, Mr. A appears destined for greatness, and is the owner of a minimalist but deceptively powerful swing.

It's aesthetically pleasing to watch and you can't help but think, "how simple!  I can do that!" and in truth, you can.

Well, sort of.

You can mimic his stance:


Erect posture, straight downward arm hang with hands close to the thighs.

His backswing:


High, behind the head with the club not even going parallel.

His downswing:


Smooth, fluid, quick with crisp hip rotation through ball impact.

And his finish:


Natural follow through with chest facing the target.

You just can't get his results.

Obviously.

But weep not for Mr. A and his 5th place finish; it may not have been a win, but it was A) a learning experience on his upward march to future success and B) worth $925,000 samoleans...


...which is about 14x the average annual income here in the states.

Not bad for 4 days of work.

Remember parents, Little Johnny may think he wants to be a football hero...


...but he'll be richer, live longer and still have a functioning body in his 30's and beyond...


...if he's a golfer instead.


If you're a local you probably know about WZZM 13's Weatherball.

(Even if you're not, you still may have heard about it since it gets a shout out in <Roadside America>.)

It began life in 1967 on top of the Michigan National Bank in downtown Grand Rapids...


...and remained there until 1987.

Taken down due to damage from high winds, it languished for years in a K'zoo scrapyard until 2003 when WZZM purchased it and renamed their resurrected version the "13 Weatherball".


So what is it, exactly?

A 16 foot diameter metal ball with 288 neon tubes sitting high atop a 100 ft pole at the intersection of routes 96 and 131.

How does it work?

Simple; the color tells you the abbreviated forecast:

Weather Ball red, warmer weather ahead.

Weather Ball green, no change foreseen.

Blinking bright, precip in sight.

And my personal favorite, Weather ball blue...


...time to 23 Skidoo*:

ain't much, but there are a few hopeful signs that Spring is at least making an effort...

...new grass struggling along...

...future tiger lilies giving it a go...

...greens flags starting to pop up here and there...

...and perhaps most encouraging, management finally getting off its lazy butt to open Ryan's Hickory Golf Course for another season.


* "colder weather in view".


Ever notice how some folks just don't know when the party's over?


Well not us here at the AMC.

We're closing up shop and bolting the doors behind you right now.

As you go on and git, some truth from God's Word:

 9  Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10  So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

    - Proverbs 3:9,10

later, mcm fans...