IX: The Black

Oh my gosh, where did the days go? It's been weeks since an update! Let's get down to business.

A few years ago, an article was written titled "U.S. Open Fever Begins On Long Island." Here is an excerpt:

"The 2002 U.S. Open won’t begin until the first golfer tees off at Bethpage Black on June 13, but Long Island is already caught in the midst of championship fever. For the first time in history, the Open will be played at a daily-fee public course that is accessible to the average golfer. Fans on Long Island are thrilled that the most prestigious tournament in golf will be played on their home turf, on a course that hosts more than 35,000 rounds a year....Getting a tee time at Bethpage can be so difficult that people literally sleep in their cars in the parking lot. In many ways, this passion is not surprising. Bethpage regulars are some of the sport’s most dedicated golfers, willing to go to great lengths few others would consider just to get in a round. Every evening, scores of players arrive in the parking lot and spend the night sleeping in their cars."
Well, last Saturday, I played a round on that course. With the help of a co-worker, who is a NY resident, a group of us were able to secure a tee-time and play the famous Black course, where Tiger Woods won the 2002 US Open. Because of the demand, our tee-time was late in the day, 4:27 to be exact. Just starting the round was quite an operation; it included showing photo ID and wearing a wrist-band to prove you were in fact the one that was supposed to be golfing at the appointed time. We played 16 holes before sundown and I shot an 89 for those holes. I had pars at 6, 10, and 13....

"Jim, hun, excuse me, sorry to interrupt...."
"No problem, Reege, what's up? I'm in the middle of the update..."
"Yeah, I see that, and, well, it's about the update, actually."
"What's up hun?"
"Well, they don't want to hear about golf."
"No?"
"No."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Ok.....kids stuff then?"
"Good idea."

Ok, so the kids are doing great....
The biggest news recently is that we broke down and invested in a pool. Crazy huh? We had heard all the horror stories about maintenance, and only getting to use it a few times a year, but what the heck right. We went with an above ground model, and so far its been great. As for maintenance, it only took about 5 minutes to blow the thing up with an air compressor, though it does take about 10 minutes to fill up with the hose. But seriously, Jimmy and Maggie are having fun with it. Jimmy likes to take a 20 yard running start and jump in, all preceded by the "look out here I come!" Naturally his landing displaces half the water in the pool. Maggie then follows suit with "yuook out here I come" followed by a 20 yard waddle-run, a complete stop at the pool's edge, and then a dainty entry, one leg at a time.

Annie is not allowed in the pool because we would never get her out. Her average bath lasts 20 minutes and only ends because she has splashed all the water on to the one who is bathing her. I'm pretty sure Annie's picture of heaven is a steak sandwich with a side of chicken, a glass of milk, served to her while she's sitting in a full bathtub.

Contrast Annie's love of food with her finicky sister, who, when recently asked what she wanted to eat, replied "I can't want a hamburger."

Reege and the kids are meeting all kinds of new people, and Jimmy has some new buddies up the street (Sam seems be the favorite right now). Jimmy and Sam are already conspiring against their mothers for dinner invites and sleep-overs, another sign that the kids are growing up. Good thing I'm not getting any older.

Sam was over yesterday with his little brother, Ben, and it started to storm. Ben, who is three, started to get a little nervous. Jimmy calmly sat him down and said "Kid this is easy...you know who God is? He's just bowling with the angels." Not sure if they got into any more theology than that, but it probably bears mentioning that Ben and his family are Jewish.

One other thing before I go. You will all be happy to know, that my wife might be the handiest woman around. When we purchased the house here in New Jersey, it was missing a very important component...air conditioning. So, my wife took it upon herself to install two window units. She had some help from her friend Jenny, and I'm sure she could tell the story much better than I...but point being, between this and the guy cutting our lawn, I think I'm going to have to turn in my man badge.

In a few days we are expecting Jeff and Mary Watson and family and I'm sure there will be stories to tell.

Hope you all are doing well.