A View From The 17th Fairway

Back To Our Old Digs!

Yes, we're headed back to PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Our close friends, Steve & Marga Montanino, will be celebrating FIFTY years of marriage in mid-August. Their beautiful daughter, Mona, is hosting the anniversary party at their home in PGA Village.

We're very excited to be returning to the community where we previously lived. We made several close friends there that, over the years, have become more like family. In addition, the PGA Village courses (three plus an affiliated course) are world-class. We love the spacious lots in our new community, but we truly miss the meticulous fairways and manicured greens of PGA Village.

 PGA Village is a unique community for golfers. In addition to its' immaculate courses, it also hosts a golf museum and a school for aspiring golf professionals. All those 'extra's' make for a super-fun place to golf and live.

Fortunately for us, the Mainstay Hotel is onsite in the Village. They also allow pets, so Bailey and Brandee will be enjoying the vacation along with us. They were very well behaved during Sunni & Kevin's wedding, so they deserve a special trip, too.

So, we'll be packing up and heading south for sun, fun, golf and friends! Can't wait!

El Campeon...The Champion

Mission Inn is located in Howie-in-the-Hills, Florida. The El Campeon ("The Champion") course was designed in 1926 by C.E. Clarke of Troon, Scotland. David and I will be playing this course tomorrow with our friends. We're very excited as this course features rolling hills, peninsula greens and tee boxes up to 85 feet in elevation! We've had a lovely lunch at Mission Inn, and now we get to play the course!

Golfing with Nancy...

Lopez, that is...After my doctor's appointment on Monday, David and I took our 'rain check' from last year and headed out to the Nancy Lopez course. It's been a course I've wanted to play every since I exchanged greetings with Nancy herself at a recent lunch at her casual restaurant, The Legacy.

We had a delicious lunch in a covered patio part of the restaurant. The waiter was more than attentive. David devoured his gourmet burger and I loved my lobster bisque. Other favorites include: Chicken Marsala, Warm Lobster Salad and Beef Stroganoff.

Pleasantly surprised at finding our neighbor behind the desk at the Pro Shop, we got good advice on which of the three nines to play. Each nine is named after one of Nancy's three daughters, Ashley, Erinn & Tori.

Click here for a flyover of the course. Click on your back arrow to return here.

Off we went! Still working with my new hybrid clubs, I hit my drives well, made some good short shots and had a few putts that had David scratching his head (in a good way!) David played well, as usual and had a great time.

We arrived home tired but happy with our day together.

Rainy Day Tuesday

Rainy days (not hurricanes, now! )always energize me. They're comfy & cozy and renew my spirit. The last thing I felt like doing was golfing in inclement weather. Especially when I'd much rather be dry and enjoying the weather from the comfort of my living room or even patio. But a commitment to a Tuesday group of lady golfers got me up, dressed and out the door with a few minutes to spare before tee time.

Although the skies were still threatening, the rain subsided. Surprisingly, only one of our twelve-women team showed up to play! We waited until finally, we could wait no more. Sure, we could have headed back home, but we were ready to take on the course with enthusiasm!

Jane & I headed out. It was an unusual opportunity for us to play with each of our balls, and use a second uncounted ball for practice. We played seven holes, when two friends drove up and asked to join us. We finished our round with all the usual fun, banter and frustration that makes the game of golf...well, golf!

Today's rainy day was full of pleasant surprises. And weather wasn't even one of them!

Air Conditioning & Other Life Musings

Our air conditioner went on the blink Friday night. In a normal environment, that wouldn't be a catastrophic situation. After all, who even HAD air conditioning fifty or sixty years ago? But here, in Central Florida's summertime in the 21st century, cool air really is critical.

Although I must say, I consider myself a 'trooper.' During the hurricanes in 2004, the eye of the storms, Frances & Jeanne, hit a mere fourteen miles from our home on Florida's East Coast in the city of Port St. Lucie. An eerie and unusual situation unfolded. Two hurricanes hit in almost the exact same spot three weeks apart. (Five hurricanes hit the State of Florida that 'mean season'.)

On the fifth day without electricity, we finally high-tailed it ninety minutes North to Orlando, where electricity (and air conditioning) was in abundance. I don't think a room service dinner, hot and generous, ever tasted that good.

But the experience taught me a little bit about survival. Without a working electric stove, air conditioning, lights and television, even in ninety degree heat, I can toughen up and get through it. Not a permanent situation, and not the worst that can happen. After all, no one in my family was hurt (although many lost their lives) and our home was still intact. Many of our immediate neighbors did suffer some damage.

But I summoned up all of my reserve (whatever was left after the experience of hearing the 'train roar' in the early morning hours) and made it through. Those kind of Life-altering experiences give you a sort of armor that you can call upon in other circumstances. And I have! So last Saturday morning, David sent me out to play golf with my girlfriends. He found an electrician to repair the power cable that had blown outside of the unit and paid the exhorbitant Saturday fee without much grumbling. Here's to all those strength- and faith-testing situations that make us stronger and appreciative of all things - including air conditioning! More pictures of our Hurricane Francis experience here.

Terrible Twos...Not!!

Easy for me to say as a simple guest at our friends' birthday party for their two year old son. Dr. Seuss was the theme of the evening. We were treated to games and food from Whoville (did I get that right??)

The piece de resistance was the incredibly accurate leaning hat-cake straight from the pages of Dr. Suess' latest story. Congratulations to both Jennifer and Patrick for hosting a fun party, and of course to their two year old son, Cohen.

Girlfriends...A Recurring Theme

Lately, some wonderful women have come into my Life. Or maybe, I've just been more aware of the lovely women that surround me. Last week, it was an inspiring Thai lunch. Yesterday, it was an eighteen hole round of golf with three good golfers. It wasn't so much about their great swings, or talented turns (which they had in abundance). It was more about the encouragement, comraderie and sense of well-being that I enjoyed in their presence.

Already feeling somewhat inadequate due to my high handicap, I added an extra-element of concern with my new hybrid clubs. Not wanting to spend an additional $400 for the classy Adams set, I opted for a less-expensive set  (company still owned by Adams) suiting my current ability. And I still got the new hybrid technology.

The girls immediately put me at ease, prioritizing FUN as our overriding goal. The rest of the round was filled with the usual ups and downs associated with this manic-depressive game. But through it all, laughs, support, acceptance and shared experiences was indeed the order of the day.

Female friendships have a special and warm place in my heart.

Feast One Hundred & Ninety Five

 

Friday's Feast!

Appetizer

What is the weather like today where you live?

A bit overcast with splats of sunshine thrown randomly in...

Soup

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?

These days, less than zero. Five and more years ago, about a 12 on a ten point scale.

Salad

What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?

I tend to be allergic to fabrics; hence very little material covers my windows. Mostly cornices or nothing to maximize a beautiful golf course view.

Main Course

Name something that instantly cheers you up.

Big sloppy kisses from my pekingese dogs...and my husband!

Dessert

How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?

None anymore, thank goodness...

Good Friends and Thai Food

Today I was treated to a 'girls' lunch' by a close friend. It made me realize how valuable female friendships are. When we speak to one another, we really listen and we really share. Both the listening and the sharing part is so heartfelt, full of common experience and mutual caring.

Noticing, encouraging, supporting, remembering...actively engaged in one another's life. Today was extra-special - and the Thai sweet and sour shrimp was a delight!

A Chance to 'Just Be'

Now that the wedding is over, and I've returned from New York, it's time to 'Just Be.' I felt very let down by the pendulum-stress swing from 'wedding & new beginnings' to 'parental life issues' in just two short weeks. Now, it's time to come up for air and appreciate my many blessings. My husband, my children, my home, my dogs, my health and my life are all things I never take for granted. Especially now. Every minute is precious and is a joy.

And speaking of joys, I have re-committed myself to learning to play better golf. The benefits are obvious - exercise, fresh air and Nature. David so loves the game, that sharing it with him takes us into the activity & enjoyment together. To that end, my new technology hybrid clubs will help my struggle. And a beautiful pair of Ecco's found on sale, help brighten my quest for a better game. We each take from the game what we need. Good shots are thrilling, but a new pair of golf shoes provide much more reliable satisfaction!