The Party´s Over

My golf season--the first league I´ve ever been in--is coming to a close tonight. I´ve suffered from cold weather and a few rainy outings, one or two really hot days, and many nice ones.

I had hoped that, with retirement from everyday toil in the offing, this frequent shot of golf might help me get a little better. As I look back on my skill level, I might, maybe, be a leetle bit more accomplished.

Of course, I'm still in the D flight. To move up to C, I have to:

• Shorten my stroke
• Set up by opening my left foot a little, rather than parallel to my right
• Swing a lot easier
• Put my putting on autopilot, rather than thinking
• Practice chipping for distance
• Avoid lifting my head on impact
• Keep my weight, as Sam Snead recommended, in the saddle (on my heels), rather than toe dancing (ending up tippytoe). Actually, opening my foot seems to help with that.

It has been fun, which is the important thing. And I´ve discovered I´m really accomplished at one hole in particular: 19.

Next I'm heading for Calif., then the Golf Today magazine tournament in Las Vegas at the Suncoast Hotel and Badlands Golf Course. Three days driving to Jamestown, Calif., a few days visiting my mother, one day to Las Vegas, three days visiting my son, his wife and daughter, then three days driving back through the Rockies.

My only concern is my left eye. Since I suffered from Bell's Palsy, that one gets tired more easily than my right. On a long trip like this one, I'll be using drops often, wearing my dark glasses, and being cautious. We'll see. I may have to adjust my distances.

While I'm visiting mom, I'll try and whip my Prowler 31' trailer back into shape. I bought it in 2000 while I worked in San Jose, as a cheap way to live in Silicon Valley on a contract tech writing job. It paid for itself in a year by costing half what it would have cost to rent even a studio apartment out there. Then my brother, while he was in the last stages of colon cancer, was able to stay in it in warm weather. Since 2003, it's been parked on my sister's farm near Jamestown.

I'll have to see whether I can fix various parts on it--the rear door, for example, is ripped to shreds. Wheel bearings will need greasing, at least. I'm hoping there aren't any open seams where water has leaked in. Etc.

If I can get it working, I'll use it for awhile after I retire. If not, I'll have to buy something else. Time will tell. It always does.