penandpatience

MAY 2014 MONTHLY MUSING

Writers Words: Behold the Golfer, he riseth up early in the morning & disturbeth the whole household.  Mighty are his preparations. He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is spent, he returneth, smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him.

–Anonymous

GOLF – A SPRING PASSION SPRUNG

Ah, spring– at last; a time to forget the horrendous New York winter and turn to outdoor passions and pursuits. For those readers who have not taken the time to read the “About Me” page on the blog, listed below are my four passions:

1) Family and friends

2) Writing, golf, and gardening

First and foremost, I’m most passionate about my family and friends. However, I arranged writing, golf, and gardening together on the same line because my passions for them are equal.  I could not list one above or below the other— each one has the same special meaning in my life.

I’m a “digger.” I dig with my trusty garden trowel planting flowers and dig divots in beautiful grass (sorry!) with my golf clubs on the course; there is always a pen and pad in my golf bag, purse, car, with others scattered all over the house.  But as I sit here enjoying the warm, spring breeze wafting through the downstairs sliding glass door, I have to face the possible loss of one of my passions—golf!

I love golf and due to many years of chronic back issues and a recent, painful medical experience, I knew that my new golf hat and shoes would remain in the closet this spring. Participation in two women’s golf leagues– cancelled. As my grandkids might say– “Bummer.”  So what does one do when hopes are dashed and things don’t work out as planned?

There are the clichés, platitudes and inane expressions—“When God closes a door, he opens a window.” “When Life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  “Adversity makes you strong.” Etc., Etc., Etc. After indulging in a “Woe is me” pity party, I needed to find a way to move forward from this setback hoping at a future time I might again screech “FORE” on the course.

A Writer writes. Over the years, I’ve heard and witnessed many bizarre tales and happenings on a golf course. There are players that cannot accurately count strokes, expect a “gimme” instead of making a two foot putt and attempt to make improper drops from various hazards (professional/amateur golfers excluded—I love fellow-lefty and  two- time Masters Champion, Bubba Watson.)  And I’m still a rabid Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer and Phil Michelson fan.

So, in this interim period, you will find me sitting in the clubhouses overlooking the lovely 18^th hole greens, my new tan golf hat with birdie pins tacked in the brim on my head, a cold glass of white wine and a writing pad on the table waiting– just for you.

Come on over or write(E-mail)– tell me your story – the good (a birdie on the 9^th), the bad (a drive wiffed three feet off the tee), and the ugly (two sand traps on the 6^th, water on the 10^th, and triple bogey on the 18^thJ

“It is good sportsmanship not to pick up lost golf balls while they are still rolling.” – Mark Twain