Life up state NY

Having a summer home is neat. I also have a regular home. Living at two locations gives a whole new slant to almost everything in your life. It's as if I have two different departments of existing. Some are similar, others quite unlike. I have a daily meeting in both. But they are not the same. I have projects, daily chores, shopping and all of the mundane minutia. However they take on a new meaning. Is it the place? Is it people? Its hard to describe. Even doing the same thing takes on a strange difference. I actually derive a sense of well being at both places. Some times when I leave NJ for up state, it;s hard to tell if I'm going home or leaving home. I think if I had to chose one or the other as a permanent dwelling, I would be saddened either way. Far too much to give up. I sometimes think I have the best of both. I love my two home existence. I wish you would all come to visit. At either home.

Howie the golf pro

While upstate this last week, I had a unique experience. Jeffrey, our neighbors grandson came to me with a question. Rather sheepishly he said his grandfather told him to ask me if I would teach him how to play golf. He said his senior class was going on a golf outing to Apple creek Country Club. He wanted to have some experience. He' s 17 years old. Six foot plus. The nicest boy you could ever know. He looks slightly athletic. He said he played softball. I said he couldn't learn golf in three days, it would take at least a week.(private joke) Anyhow we commenced. I gave him a nine iron, some plastic balls, lesson one was under way. The stance, the grip, all of the basics. The rudiments of the swing, a short demo by me, go ahead hit the ball. Which he did. He's a natural. Set up a target, real golf balls. He does well. Off to the driving range. Tee up. Nine iron, seven, five, then the five wood. He does amazingly well. The golf pro walks by. I told him I'm helping the lad. He watches. Nice weight shift. Good swing, he'll do fine. Jeffrey is smiling. We went through the large bucket. At home I gave him the nine iron to keep. Plenty of balls, said to practice daily. Felt pretty good myself. Never dreamed he would take to it so fast. I saw him the day we left for home. He said he had been back to the range, and practiced every day. I really felt good about the whole episode. The up shoot, my own swing improved. Moral, if you want to learn something teach to another. I might be a better teacher than a golfer. Great experience.