Scout "Tiger" Johnson

I like to play golf....and I mean PLAY because I will never make any money doing it. Golf is a game in which you are always playing against yourself, your last round, your last hole. In golf you do not have to be faster or stronger or bigger than anyone else. Even though you may play on a team you are still out there by yourself, performing to your best ability.

My middle grandson, Scout, and I went out two weeks ago to a driving range. I wen to work on my slice/hook/topping/drives and everything else that happens when you attempt to hit a small ball with a specifically designed club. Scout went because he is interested in maybe playing. After the first three or four bad hits he started to improve enough that I think with lessons he could be a good golfer. The owner and golf pro said that Scout had the right poise and posture when he was addressing the ball and could also develop into a good golfer (much better than me). As a proud "papa" I started thinking of him getting a golf scholarship and maybe one day turning pro and winning the Master's and one day buying his Papa a house on the beach. But that is still in the cloudy future. But for the day I got to spend time with my grandson, passing on what I knew about the game and instilling a good feeling about golf. I also enjoyed it that he thought I was good when the ball went 125 yards. I also explained how you can have the worst day on 17 holes, slicing or hooking, all the things that can go bad and want to almost throw your clubs in the first water trap you can find. But then on the 18th hole, when you tee off and everything goes like it should and you par the hole...that makes it a good day.

So Scout, football is fun to play and you have to function as a team with precise timing, almost function as one heart and mind. In golf you are there on your own and when you make a bad hit (which happens more often than not) it is because you did something wrong. But when everything is in sync; the poise, the swing, follow through, the hit and the ball flys thru the air straight to where you wanted it to go...it is a great feeling. It makes you want to play again or come back the next time and do it again. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed spending the time with you. In my life it was another GOOD day! Thank you Scout

Nick, Football and Homecoming

Tonight Spain Park put a double whipping on Thompson. First the Spain Park Freshmen Team beat Thompson's Freshman team by 21 to 0. Not to be out done, Spain Park's JV beat Thompson's JV 28-0. So tonight was a good night for Spain Park all way around. The best part for me was watching Nick, my oldest grandson, play.

Nick plays full back, which surprised me when he first told me because I always thought full backs were like nose guards, big and build like a fire plug. When a full back is not carrying the ball he is expected to be a blocker and Thompson's defensive line looks bigger than Nick, but when you add in his heart he gains 30 pounds. He ran for a two hard fought yard gain and blocked the defense trying to get to his QB many times. He did a good job. And I am so glad I was there to see it.

After the game we spoke about homecoming and his plans. Nick has a friend that I believe is now more than just a friend. He asked her to be his Homecoming date in a very cool way, with a song he recorded for her. He played the guitar and was singing when right in the middle he stopped and asked her to go to homecoming with him. I have to admit that was pretty cool. He also told me the idea came from his dad, Kevin, and that he would be listening to him for advice from now on. Good move Kevin!

I trust Nick, he has earned it, so tonight I asked if he wanted to use my Mustang Homecoming night. If they are going with a group the Mustang is not the best choice because the back seat was designed for carrying small kids or small pets but nothing bigger than that. He thanked me for trusting him with "Baby" (what I call my Mustang Convertible) and said he would take care of "her"...but I already knew that.

So tonight was a good night for Spain Park and a good night for Nick.....and a good night for me because I was there. Thank you Lord.