Staying The Course

Sitting here at one of my favorite spots in the whole world; the club house patio overlooking hole number 18 of the Brandon Golf Course. There’s a day-long tournament going on so I can’t play but sitting here is just fine. It’s just a perfect place to find soothing solace if you’ve had a rough day on the links or an ideal locale for celebrating a good round with friends. Today, I’m here in search of blog inspiration. The view is…well, I’ve got my camera along..see for yourself.

 Dang it,  my laptop is flashing low battery. I’ll need to move into the lounge and plug in. Damn…I forgot my charger at home. Check with Zane..see if he has one in the office. Nope. Oh, well, guess I’ll take a cart down the hill and hit a few balls on the practice range. “Sorry, Doug,” Shelia says, “every cart is in use.”

Walking down to the range isn’t bad but climbing the steep hill back up is, for a fat fellow, just askin’ for the guy wearing a black hoodie robe carrying a scythe to call your name.

Home again.. tethered to the outlet getting recharged; my laptop with electricity; me with cranberry juice and vodka… reflecting on the weekend just passed.

Had a fine time Saturday evening watching the Sioux Falls Pheasants kick the crap out of the Lincoln Saltdogs. My cousin had a pair of extra tickets and invited us to the ballgame. We  haven’t been to the stadium for a few years and were a bit surprised by a couple things; 14 dollars for two small beers and some peanuts and the rather sparse attendance in the stands. We speculated about what needs to be done to attract more people to the ballpark agreeing that a key factor is putting a winning team on the field. The Pheasants are off to a pretty good start in that direction this season; hopefully, it results in big cheers from bigger crowds as the summer goes on.

Linda and I passed on church Sunday.

 The pastor, Marlin Haugrud, who has been the inspiration for our faith renewal, turns 65 this year and is leaving full time ministry to go into semi-retirement. I know, I know..church shouldn’t be about the person in the pulpit but, truth is, that’s often the case. Lutheran preachers must learn in seminary that it’s not good for a congregation to get too cozy with their pastor so most of them “get the call” and move on every few years. I remember how traumatic it was when preachers came and left First Lutheran in Volga when I was growing up. I recall each one: Hovde, Halbakken, Bergland, Schmitt, Olering and Hulberg.  

Linda and I feel that same sense of angst and sadness now that Reverend Haugrud is leaving our little country church; Springdale Lutheran. But, we’re so grateful for his loving spirit and friendship over the past five years. He is the epitome of what “grace” truly is. We wish him God’s peace and happiness as he and Ellen find more time for each other and their growing number of grandchildren.

So, while we were skipping church, the Grand Falls Casino was hosting a car show made up of Corvettes and Camaros. The little devil on my shoulder said you ought to go over there and check it out. I mentioned this to Linda who said that would be fun…plus, as long as we’re there, maybe she could go inside and make a donation to the Sioux Falls Jaycee fireworks show.

It was such a nice day; almost as if God was endorsing our house of worship truancy.

 Here it is, Tuesday Morning. A new day and time to head back over to Brandon to meet up with my golfing pals and hope the time spent on the patio after my round will be one of celebration and not consolation.