Can Hardly Believe...

...it's been 20 years already...not sure where the time went, or how it passed so quickly.

But I do know I'm incredibly blessed to have spent the last 20 years with my lovely wife.

wedding day, 2005

And of course, she feels exactly the same about me, right my darling kumquat?

I said, right?

Sweetheart?

Yes...well, she's probably busy counting her many matrimonial blessings, so we can come back to that later.

How did we celebrate?

By returning to the scene of the crime:

The shores of Lake Michigan in the Douglas / Saugatuck area where we honeymooned.

It was a beautiful day, <muy agradable> with just a touch of melancholy, casting back to those times when our love was new and the vigor of youth still throbbed in our veins.

I'm very thankful to have spent these years with the love of my life, and am reminded of God's description of The Virtuous Woman:

"10  Who can find a virtuous woman?  for her price is far above rubies.

"11  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

"12  She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life...

"...28  Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

"29  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

"30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:  but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised."

    - Proverbs 31

Such great memories we've shared, and we're busy making more for the next 20 years.

So what do you think...is TDS* real or not?

My vote is it's so real it's actually dangerous, not just to the half-wits who have it, but also to those around them.

Case in point:

In 2017 Tylenol posted this on line.

Why do we care about this?

Recently the Trump White House, in conjunction with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, <advised against taking Tylenol during pregnancy> due to an increased risk of autism.

Get that?  They didn't say "if you take tylenol while pregnant your baby will have autism".

They advised against taking it while pregnant because some studies have shown a possible link between the two.

So what do you suppose the immediate reaction was among the morons with TDS?

You guessed it: <Pregnant Women Taking Tylenol> went viral.

A part of me doesn't care.

Stupidity is God's way of thinning the herd, so yeah...go ahead, take the whole bottle, destroy your liver, sayonara, and the collective IQ of the world just ticked up a notch.

But - and this is the kicker - there's another life involved here, an innocent one who depends on the brain dead idiot carrying them in the womb.

And you would think if there was even a chance - no matter how small - that ingesting acetaminophen (or any other substance) might harm their baby, they would be - if not smart enough, then at least caring enough about their unborn child - to NOT take it until AFTER they're born.

But no...this is their "wonder of me!" viral moment in the spotlight when they get to prove to the world:

Trump doesn't tell ME what to do!

Imagine the videos we'd be seeing online if he'd told them not to drop acid and snort cocaine while pregnant.

Lord have mercy on those poor babies.

*TDS - Trump Derangement Syndrome

Had another applicant for this year's "Walk Of Fear", due to open for a one night only engagement on Friday, October 31st.

I don't normally agree to interview applicants in abandoned factories at midnight...

...but he showed some real spirit in his application, and time is running short.

Hoping I'd be able to recognize him from his picture, I crossed all 9 fingers for luck and tallied ho.

The place didn't show any signs of life when I got there, and I was a little on edge when I couldn't find him.

Suddenly he just appeared out nowhere and spooked me.

"Well finally!" I said a little too quickly.

"I was starting to think you were ghosting me."

I could continue but it's all downhill from here with me struggling to fit words like "phantom", "wraith", "visitant" and "specter" into awkward sentences.

Suffice to say he and his pumpkin friends are still in the haunt for the job.

Howzabouts we HGU*, pic captions only, just for fun.

teeing off for the last time this year, at least on this course.  the drought was so bad they're shutting it down to overseed and repair.

birdie putt on 2 that morphed into a par

ditto on 5

"I think I'll chip in for birdie," sez I to myself on 7, just before I foozled it into a bogey

birdie putt on the par 5 8th hole that miraculously became an actual birdie

Remaining rounds this year will be with featheries on a local par 3 course which I'll play as par 4's.

More to come...but not too much more...

*HGU = hickory golf update

23 Skidoo, y'all...

Photographic evidence cats come when called:

Loki limbering up for the task at hand

biiiiig stretch...there's no rush here

getting the kinks out...it was so comfortable sleeping on the wall

"for cryin' out loud, the things I do for my subordinates.  there better be a big dish of food waiting for me that I can sniff and ignore."

a view from Lake Beautiful where Larry resides

ditto

"These are troubled times" is something that has been said all throughout history.

Pick any era you wish and it's guaranteed to have been punctuated by violence, corruption, greed, war.

We're fallen sinners (Romans 3:23); it's what we do.

So it's easy to get discouraged, but that's a mistake.

Instead of giving in to despair and panic, we should take comfort that God is in control of all things:

"10  Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

    - Psalms 46:10  

later, mcm fans...

How About A Peaceful Scene...

...of serenity and beauty as a welcome change of pace?  

That's a sunrise over the lake at Larry's cottage.

Love the mast splitting the sun and the smooth as glass, mirrored water.

Don't know about you, but I could live in that moment for awhile.

It's a refreshing break from the hateful and chaotic atmosphere that has enveloped us ever since Charlie Kirk was assassinated.

In response to that shocking tragedy, the House of Representatives recently put forth a resolution that:

a) condemns in the strongest possible terms the assassination of Kirk and all forms of political violence;

b) commends law enforcement for finding the perp so quickly;

c) extends condolences to Charlie Kirk's family and prays for comfort, peace and healing;

d) honors Kirk for his life of dedication to the constitution, civil discourse and Biblical truth;

-and-

e) calls upon all of us to reject political violence and embrace respectful debate and our fellow Americans.

The good news?

It passed.

The shocking news?

Fully 58 democrats voted against it...and another 38 simply voted "present", which is the coward's way of saying "I'm a gutless wimp whose only talent is sitting on the fence".

We know from Paul's letters to the Corinthians that sometimes evil comes <disguised as ministers of righteousness>.

You regularly see that in churches claiming to speak for God when in fact they openly oppose the plain teachings of Christ.

But here, in this case, evil is making no attempt to hide.

They're right out in the open about their hatred for peace and civility.

You can't condemn the assassination of a public figure?

You can't offer condolences to a widow and her fatherless children?

You can't reject the culture of violence and embrace civil discourse?

Welcome to the democrat party of 2025.

Trump recently designated Antifa as a terrorist organization.

He should strongly consider doing the same for the party of slavery, segregation, abortion and now, assassination.

Democrats have told us plainly who they are.

We should take them at their word and vote accordingly.

Had another applicant for our upcoming "Walk of Fear", premiering October 31st:

He made no bones about the fact he's hungry for success and really needs this job.

I don't doubt it, he looks like he hasn't eaten in, well, a really long time.

I told him I like his bare bones approach to acting, but there's a lot of competition this year.

"Keep your fingers crossed," I said.

"Don't have any," he muttered as he skull-ked away.

I'd apologize but realistically, this is probably going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

Let's do the HGU, shall we?

Managed a couple of decent rounds this week at my usual early tee time.

Much improved over the disastrous conga line round from last week, no doubt thanks to reviewing Vardon's basic instructions.

just starting to see a little color in the trees on my first round this week

It's actually fairly simple -

(note: do NOT confuse "simple" with "easy")

- once you've got the grip and stance down:

Head still, see the ball, face the target, and remember: 

No tautness in the muscles at all.

amazing the difference a few days make...besides the persistent drought conditions eroding what used to be fairway, you can also see the rapidly changing colors of the season

Definitely wasn't perfect by a long shot, but I was once again hitting pretty well from the tees and fairways.

on in 2 with a chance for birdie; happily settled for a par

End results were 2 wins - 4 and 3, then 3 and 2.

Plus had an enjoyable conversation on my way back to the clubhouse with an older gent (translation: same age as me) about pre-1900 hickory golf.

Starting this coming week, earliest tee times are moving to 8 am, so yeah...the end is near.

Still hoping to beat or at least match my best effort from last year - 5 bogeys, 4 pars.

Time is running out...

And speaking of the end, let's 23 Skidoo:

some more peace and serenity imported from "up north" courtesy of Larry

ditto

ibid

Loki doing that cute thing again

don't get me started on the Jimmy Kimmel whiners...1st amendment free speech doesn't mean "no consequences for blatant lies told with ill intent over the public airwaves".  Trump didn't suspend that lying sack of unfunny bat guano, ABC and Bob Iger from Disney did.

91 year old Pat Boone had the wisest take on this tempest in a teapot:

“Jimmy….you’re still perfectly free to say anything you want, anywhere you choose, but freedom isn’t free as you’re finding out…there is a responsibility with it and consequence from its’ misuse and that’s why it’s so precious.

“So shout, shout on! Speak your views publicly in the streets without fear, but don’t expect to be paid millions when you bite the hand that feeds you.”

It's disheartening to see so much blatant evil in the world...people rejoicing over the cold blooded murder of a good man who invited open debate.

But this is exactly what the Scripture foretold:

"1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

"2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

"3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

"4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

"5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away."

    - 2 Timothy 3:1-5

"From such turn away."

Good advice.

later, mcm fans...

How Would You Like To Be Shot...

...for standing up and inviting open debate?  

Unless you're living under a rock, you know that Charlie Kirk, conservative Christian activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was murdered by a gutless left wing radical -

- on Wednesday, September 10th.

This animal is in a cage now.

Apparently he's so stupid he actually believed he'd get away with it.

All his devious planning and subterfuge, arranging a drop point for his weapon, his craven deed, then slithering away like the snake he is.

Elapsed time from his murderous act until his incarceration:

33 hours.

So much for his brilliant plan of murdering an innocent man in front of thousands of witnesses, then quietly slipping away to a blissful life with his trans lover.

We're talking an IQ hovering somewhere around his shoe size.

I'd list his name here but it doesn't matter; he's a dead man walking at this point.

"The coward" will suffice until he's executed, which in Utah - appropriately - can be by firing squad.

Charlie Kirk was at the Utah Valley University campus holding one of his immensely popular "Prove Me Wrong" rallies - 

- where he invites people who disagree with him to ask questions and challenge his beliefs.

A born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, he valued responding to people directly - eye to eye - about their doubts, disagreements and questions, and used these interactions to spread the gospel while encouraging civil debate.

It was in this setting that Charlie was murdered in cold blood.

The coward's intent was clear - not just killing one man, but silencing the viewpoints of all conservatives who agreed with Kirk.

To put it mildly, <he failed>.

Spectacularly.

Instead of silencing us, he unleashed a tidal wave of Charlie Kirk videos online, proclaiming the gospel of Christ;

and an outpouring of support, of love, of commitment to continuing Kirk's ministry.

It has been 6 decades since a <high profile political activist> has been assassinated in this country, and it's certain this will be remembered as a watershed moment:

How appropriate is that?

A Turning Point.

I'm reminded of what Jesus told His disciples as the time of His sacrifice approached:

"24  Verily, verily I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

"25  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."

    - John 12:24,25

Evil fails; God prevails.

Rest In Peace, Charlie Kirk.

What a week.

Right after an assassination, we're gut punched with the 24th anniversary of <9/11>.

Never Forget.

In a faint hearted effort to take a swing at normalcy, here's the essence of this week's HGU:

Almost, but not quite.

With my summer 3 day weekends now in the rearview, I'm scrambling to fit in hickory golf whenever I can.

So I uncharacteristically booked a 4:30 pm tee time; never again.

It was like playing golf in a conga line, and I let the distractions of waiting for people ahead of me and being pushed by those behind me throw me way off my game.

Nothing went well; nothing at all.

When I got home I went back to the drawing board, aka Harry Vardon's book, and studied his swing:

Harry Vardon, circa 1913

That's about 3/4 speed, so slower than real life.

But what do you notice about his swing?

In his book, "The Gist Of Golf", he says "...there should be no tautness in the muscles at all".

That's what I see in his swing:  complete relaxation and an easy rhythm.

He doesn't look like he's trying hard to crush the ball.

He's not gripping the club tightly and swinging for the fences with all his might.

Quite the opposite; he looks smooth, relaxed and rhythmic, almost unhurried.

Vardon toured the U.S. back in 1900 and was largely responsible for the rapid growth of the game here in the states.

He was met with large and enthusiastic crowds everywhere he went, all wanting to watch and learn from the world's best golfer.

After one particularly good shot, a fan rushed up to him and asked, "Which arm did you use to do that?"

Vardon recounted this incident with amusement, because in his mind there was no distinction.

Once you have the correct grip and stance, the club is simply an extension of your body.

Left arm, right arm, club - they form one unit, moving smoothly back then forward to strike the ball, like a balanced machine.

You can clearly see that in the video, but in my world that's very difficult to mimic.

It sounds oxymoronic, but I have to consciously take a breath, loosen my stranglehold on the club and force myself into a relaxed and rhythmic swing.

When I do achieve this state of golf nirvana, the improvement in my game is amazing.

At least while practicing.

We'll see how it goes on the links this coming week - Lord willing - at my usual early morning tee time.

We've staggered to the end of this somber week; let's 23 Skidoo:

lazy evening at the command center

a reminder from Larry that his views are better than mine

Silas Scarecrow, auditioning for a spot in our Walk of Fear

a walk through a local park revealed these guys escaping the muck pond

not a great pic, but that's a blue spruce we planted in 2018...

...and that's our baby today

It has been discouraging to see the sickness in our nation bubbling up like overflowing sewage in the septic tank of the internet.

That there are so many sub-humans actually celebrating and cheering the assassination of Charlie Kirk is disturbing, to say the least.

Even a relative posted online that while they don't approve of his assassination (really?  you don't approve of murder?  how noble!) yet they're happy his voice has been removed from the public realm.

Translation:  sorry he was murdered in cold blood, but yeah...not sorry.

What was the cause of this relative's ire?

He'd watched a deceptively edited video online that appeared to show Charlie using the racial slur "chink" toward an off camera Asian person.

Only problem?

In reality that off screen person was this man:

Uygur is a well-known leftist and creator of <The Young Turks>, a "progressive" podcast, who regularly calls Trump and his followers nazis.

Since his first name is pronounced "Chenk", the quick jump cut made it appear Kirk was a racist.

This relative readily believed the intended deception - because it agrees with his leftist world view - and without any actual research into the life and views of Charlie Kirk, pronounced his murder justifiable.

Let's be clear - you cannot cheer the result of evil and distance yourself from the act of evil.

In that case you have no moral high ground.

You’re not just part of the problem, you ARE the problem.

The irony is people like our relative who celebrate Kirk's death are precisely the ones Charlie invited to debate him publicly.

Do you see the glaring contrast here?

Charlie was so strong he welcomed their dissenting viewpoints in a free exchange of ideas.

He gladly handed them the microphone and gave them their say in public, then shared his Bible based viewpoints on whatever their issues happened to be.

Tragically, they're so weak they can't tolerate any views other than their own and so resort to violence.

As always, darkness hates light, and so they did their evil worst to extinguish that light.

They failed, of course, though they did inflict a grievous wound on the collective psyche of our country.

We are grieving, not just for the loss of Charlie Kirk, but for the sobering realization that kind of evil exists and in some quarters is even celebrated.

So, does time heal all wounds?

As a wag once countered, time wounds all heels.

Let us hope so in the case of the coward who assassinated Charlie Kirk, and yes, for all those who cheer and approve of this dastardly deed.

Praying that justice will be both swift and sure.

In the meantime, we soldier on.

How?

By heeding the encouragement of Jesus to all who follow Him:

"33  These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

    - John 16:33

later, mcm fans...