Are Golf Shoes Essential to Play Golf?

No, they are not, but I feel more comfortable when I have on my golf shoes. Putting on the shoes gives me a feeling that I am now in golf mode. I don’t play better golf than my friend who does not wear golf shoes, but I feel more like a golfer and that is half the game. One day I may get good enough to think about getting a handicap but that day is far down the road. As for now, I play duffer golf, don’t keep score, enjoy the company and the weather.

As for shoes, most people know, there are shoes for virtually every sport imaginable.  There are very few sports that do not have a special shoe that is intended to improve the way you play while wearing them and gold is no exception if you believe the ads. Many of us wonder if it is really necessary to purchase golf shoes in order to play golf well. 

If you are a highly skilled player or even tend to play quite often, you may need to invest in a good pair of golf shoes.  Typically investing in golf shoes will require you to find a pair of shoes that you are actually thoroughly comfortable wearing.  You need to remember that many golf courses require you to do a lot of walking so you need something that fits comfortably.  Something with plenty of cushioning as well as a good fit is essential.

Taking your time to shop around for golf shoes is a very wise idea.  There are dozens if not hundreds of different colours so sometimes selecting the best colour that you like can be a bit of a hard decision.  In addition, not all shoes are created equally.  The shoe that is best for your foot may not be best for someone else.  In addition, there are numerous different material styles that you can choose from, specifically those that are hard materials or even soft materials.

Choosing the right shoes to play in will ensure that you are comfortable, as well as have the traction that you need while playing.  If you are playing a lot of golf, you will quickly see how a good pair of golf shoes can do wonders to help improve your comfort level. My shoes improve my comfort level but have not yet improved my game. I have never discounted the ability of a pair of shoes to dramatically increase my overall performance during a game but to date, it has not happened, maybe the next time.  Taking the time to really try on several pairs of shoes will ensure your final selection is durable as well as comfortable in a style that you like and enjoy wearing and you will feel like a golfer and you may even play like one. A goal I am still striving for and one day…..

Have you ever noticed that some people just like to complain?

I noticed that this summer when we had a heat wave in Vancouver, with the temperature reaching 38°C (100.4°F) with the humidex. So naturally, lots of were complaining about the heat. In addition to the heat, the province had a record breaking year for forest fires and the lower mainland was covered in smoke for about two weeks, so people complained about the smoke. The rains came and for the first day or so people talked about how wonderful it was and how needed the rain was for the area. After a week of rain (normal for the west coast of BC) people started to complain about the rain.

Which is why I really appreciated the fact that someone in my neighborhood,  for some odd reason, decided to turn on the Christmas/ holiday lights on the evergreen tree on their front lawn near the end of the first week of rain.

I saw it as a reminder that winter is coming and that soon we will be having more days of cold rain, then warm rain, but the joy of the season should raise our spirits.

I've dubbed the tree "the complaints department" and I use it as a visual reminder that if I wanted to, I can always find something to complain about - but who wants to go through life like that?

Happy Halloween

Growing up Halloween was a special time. I lived in rural community and Halloween was a big night, we would meet others and then start on about a 3 to 5 mile circle to make sure we hit all of the farms, and homes in the area of the community we could reach on foot.   

Costumes were important, because they showed off our individuality and our creativity. In the time before safety was a big issue, we had fireworks and firecrackers, and we used them to scare the younger kids and to show off. Lucky no one lost a hand or a finger or had their costume catch on fire; although one of my brothers did have a fire cracker land in his pillow case full of candy. I had to share when I got home. 

If someone did not give a treat, then we played a trick, which consisted of toilet paper rolls on hanging branches, very tame stuff.. If you were not in costume, no one would give you any treats, and even if you were in costume many neighbours delighted in having you perform. Sometimes you would tell a joke, or you may have been asked to sing a song. 

At the end of the night, everyone usually congregated at one of the houses where there would be food and always fireworks. So when my kids were little, Halloween was a big deal for us as well,  every year from when my son and daughters were about 3 and 5 we organized Halloween block parties. 

All of the kids were taken around the block for trick or treats and then at the end of the evening, we would congregate at one persons home (alternating every year) where food, drinks for kids and adults. Fireworks were bought by the neighbours and one person would be in charge of lighting the skies.  We were continuing the rural spirit in our block and it worked. Everyone had a blast. As my kids grew older the tradition continued, but we eventually moved and the tradition and the evening changed. 

When my grandson was born in Australia, my daughter decided to revive her early tradition, so she involved convincing cousins and other family in Australia and so for the last four years, my grandson goes to Melbourne and does trick or treats in costume at his uncles house. 

The first year they had to go to all of the neighbours and explain the idea and now they still send out a reminder and those neighbours who want to see the kids in costume, turn their lights on, as we did. So the idea of dressing up and getting treats or playing tricks is alive in one small area of Melbourne and Mansfield. 

I think the idea of Halloween is catching on in Australia and I am glad. Halloween has changed much over the years, but I have always enjoyed it and I am glad that my grandson and his cousins are enjoying it as well. You never know what can become a family tradition.

Today in History

Every day is interesting and has history, so for fun, lets look at this day in history On July 22, in

1099 First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Jerusalem.

1376 - The legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin leading rats out of town is said to have occurred on this date. 1456 Battle at Nandorfehervar (Belgrade): Hungarian army under Janos Hunyadi beats sultan Murad II

1515 First Congress of Vienna settles issues between Poland & Holy Roman Empire - rise of the Habsburgs influence

1587 - A second English colony was established on Roanoke Island off North Carolina. The colony vanished under mysterious circumstances. 

1796 - Cleveland was founded by General Moses Cleaveland. 

1798 - The USS Constitution was underway and out to sea for the first time since being launched on October 21, 1797. 

1812 - English troops under the Duke of Wellington defeated the French at the Battle of Salamanca in Spain. 

1926 - Babe Ruth caught a baseball at Mitchell Field in New York. The ball had been dropped from an airplane flying at 250 feet. 

1933 - Wiley Post ended his around-the-world flight. He had traveled 15,596 miles in 7 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes. 

1937 - The U.S. Senate rejected President Roosevelt's proposal to add more justices to the Supreme Court. 

1943 - American forces led by General George S. Patton captured Palermo, Sicily. 

1941 - Plans for the Pentagon were presented to the House Subcommittee on Appropriations. 

1942 Warsaw Ghetto Jews (300,000) are sent to Treblinka extermination Camp

1955 - U.S. Vice-President Richard M. Nixon chaired a cabinet meeting in Washington. It was the first time that a Vice-President had carried out the task. 

1963 Sarawak achieves independence from British colonial rule

1965 - "Till Death Us Do Part" debuted on England’s BBC-TV. 

1975 - Confederate General Robert E. Lee had his U.S. citizenship restored by the U.S. Congress. 

1987 - The U.S. began its policy of escorting re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers up and down the Persian Gulf to protect them from possible attack by Iran. 

1998 - Iran tested medium-range missile, capable of reaching Israel or Saudi Arabia. 

2000 - Astronomers at the University of Arizona announced that they had found a 17th moon orbiting Jupiter. 

2003 - In northern Iraq, Saddam Hussein's sons Odai and Qusai died after a gunfight with U.S. forces. 

2003 - In Paris, France, a fire broke out near the top of the Eiffel Tower. About 4,000 visitors were evacuated and no injuries were reported. 

2004 - The September 11 commission's final report was released. The 575-page report concluded that hijackers exploited "deep institutional failings within our government." The report was released to White House officials the day before. 

2009 - The longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century, lasting up to 6 minutes and 38.8 seconds, occurred over parts of Asia and the Pacific Ocean. 

2011 - Space Shuttle Atlantis landed successfully at Kennedy Space Center after completing STS-135. It was the final flight of NASA's space shuttle program.

2011 Norway is the victim of twin terror attacks, the first being a bomb blast which targeted government buildings in central Oslo, the second being a massacre at a youth camp on the island of Utøya.

Raindrops on your tongue

Remember when it was really fun, 
to catch raindrops on your tongue, 

To walk under archways because they were there, 
roll around in the sand at the beach with never a care?

To go all the way to the store for a small little treat, 
Lie on the grass looking for "Magic" in the clouds, so sweet, 

Make scary monster faces in the mirror? 
To wink at the  stars without feeling fear?

Remember counting the flowers in the garden by the door, 
and watching your puppy play on the floor? 

I'm happy to inform you, fun, most of it still is
If we still think of ourselves as happy little kids 

Memories!

More fun on a Wednesday in the dark days of winter. 

This nostalgic trip  crosses generational boundaries at times, and is designed to show nothing is permanent but change.Changes in society and technology affect our lives in huge and small ways. While places, societal norms and things become obsolete, for many memories remain. 

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow and So It Goes.. A Diamond Film

Brenda and Betty

Thanks to Patti for this

Two 90-year-old women, Brenda and Betty,  had been friends all of their lives.

When it was clear that Brenda was dying, Betty visited her every day.

One day Betty said, 'Brenda, we both loved playing softball all our lives,  and we played all through high school. Please do me one favor: when you get to heaven, somehow you must let me  know if there's women's softball here.'

Betty looked up at Betty from her deathbed and said, 'Betty, you've been  my best friend for many years. If it's at all possible, I'll do this favor for you.'

Shortly after that, Brenda passed on.

A  few nights later, Betty was awakened from a sound sleep by a blinding flash of white light and a voice calling out to her, 'Betty, Betty.'

'Who  is it', asked Betty, sitting up suddenly. 'Who is it?'

'Betty -- it's me, Brenda.'

'You're not Brenda. Brenda just died.'

'I'm telling you, it's me, Brenda,' insisted the voice.

'Brenda! Where are you?'

'In heaven,' replied Brenda. 'I have some really good news and a little bad news.'

'Tell me the good news first,' said Betty.

'The good news,' Brenda said, 'is that there's women's softball in heaven.   Better yet, all of our old buddies who died before me are here, too. Even better than that, we're all young again. Better still, it's always Springtime and it never rains or snows. And best of all, we can play softball all we want, and we never get tired.'

'That's  fantastic,' said Betty. 'It's beyond my wildest dreams! So what's the bad news?'

'You're  pitching Tuesday.'

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Life  is uncertain - Eat dessert first!

The Black Bra (as told by a woman)

The Black Bra (as told by a woman)

I had lunch with 2 of my unmarried friends.

One is engaged, one is a mistress, and I have been married for 20+ years.

We were chatting about our relationships and decided to amaze our men by greeting them at the door

wearing a only black bra, stiletto heels and a mask over our eyes. We agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes..

Here's how it all went.

My engaged friend

The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, 'You are the woman of my dreams.

I love you.' Then we made passionate love all night long.

 

The mistress:

 

Then I had to share my story:

        (you are going to love this…..)            

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"What's for dinner, Zorro

My thanks to Patty for this gem

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When my husband came home I was wearing the black bra,

black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes.

When he came in the door and saw me he said,

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Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing a raincoat, under it only the black bra, heels and the mask over my eyes. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but he started to tremble and we a most exciting night.

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On Maui

We drove to the summit of the Haleakala volcano and the day was bright and sunny as you can see from the picture of myself and my mother-in-law. I was struck by the raw beauty of the site and of the awesome power of nature, and could appreciate the views of the ancient people who saw the top of the volcano has a sacred place.

As Mark Twain wrote, "I went to Maui to stay a week and remained five. I never spent so pleasant a month before, or bade any place goodbye so regretfully. I have not once thought of business, or care or human toil or trouble or sorrow or weariness, and the memory of it will remain with me always." I have to agee with his analysis and I will be back.

Friends

We are all social animals. Not many of us think about prisons. Why is prison life a punishment? Because you cannot move around and meet people. With friendship, we break the barrier that stops us sharing our life with others. During early childhood, only mother is enough. But observe the pain on the face of a child who has no friends to play with, and you will realize why friends are so important? Why does even a small child need friends? He/she can surely play with parents and enjoy life? Friends are needed because most of them are from the same age group and we relate better with people of our age group. Give it a thought.


Many of us carry a childhood friendship in our adult life. That gives us an opportunity to share memories of the childhood spent together. That is why, when we meet a old childhood friend after a long time, we love to go back to our memories. We go back to those days, when things were much better. One is also known by the friends one keeps. What does this mean? This means that people of similar taste become better friends. That is a big advantage of friendship. To share thoughts about things of common interest.

Many times, some things in our life, some incidents etc. cannot be shared with anyone but friends. A friend will understand our problem and not lecture us about mistakes. A friend will be with us and will always be for us. That is friendship. Good friends share every thing in their life including the intimate details, and one who has such friends is very lucky. To share is very important. To talk, to discuss, to exchange ideas, to smile, to laugh and to cry together, we need friends. If we have good friends, we should always take care of the friendship and make the bond stronger. A friendship lost is a very big loss. We cannot go back to childhood days and make friends again. Value friends, and value the friendship as a treasure.

Connect with friends with love and care. Send them some ecards from time to time to share your care. Build and share your friendship. Treasure it.

Some interesting links for fun

Talking cats

Talking cats two

Crying dog and baby.

Half a horse.

Kid who thinks he is a cat.

New mama and sneezing baby

When needing a cheer up

Innovation, solving problems with word lists

To creatively solve problems you need to get your mind looking in new directions. You can systematically do this by using a list of words, primarily adjectives, to create "what if?" scenarios. You start with the question, "what if it was..." and then insert a word from the list. The "it" in the question is the problem you're trying to solve, or the solution or situation that exists now.

Using "What If" To Solve Problems

An example will help explain the process. Assume your house is too crowded because you're running your business from it. You ask, "What if it was..." and insert from the word list, "smaller." The house is already too small, but could the business be smaller? The word "divided" might give you the idea to keep the business in just one part of the house.

Most words on the list won't help, so you can go through the irrelevant ones quickly. Don't automatically dismiss them, though, without a few seconds consideration. "What if it was hopeless?" may seem like a useless question, or it may make you realize that you just can't keep the business in the house any longer.

As with most problem-solving techniques, it's important to allow ideas to flow without judging them initially. Don't stifle the creative process. Evaluate your ideas later, when you're done with this part.

The Problem Solving Word List

You can create your own list of words. Use adjectives, descriptive phrases, and words that can change your perspective. These could include the following:

What if it was... larger, smaller, farther away, closer, sooner, later, easier, more difficult, higher, fat, rich, short, black, certain, hopeless, newer, boring, casual, subtracted from, cheaper, common, divided, more interesting, extravagant, subtle, or fun?