Atomic Monster Cafe: Blunt...

...but oh so true.

I miss the America of my youth.

When I was a kid, we recited the <Pledge Of Allegiance> before the school day began.

We were taught <The Golden Rule> as the foundation for proper relationships in life.

We were raised on principles of faith, family, hard work and helping others in need.

We believed America was…

...a place of opportunity to which people all over the world flocked for a better life.

It wasn't perfect by a longshot - Civil Rights were hard won in a bloody grind, vehemently opposed by powerful democrats.

Surprised?

You shouldn't be.

Brush up on your history and research the 1956 <Southern Manifesto>.

The "I feel your pain" party stood in violent opposition to the Civil Rights movement.

Democrats from both the Senate and the House declared their commitment to "segregation forever", pointlessly delaying cultural change - that was already too slow in coming - for years.

Governor George Wallace, democrat, standing in front of the University of Alabama in 1963, vowing "segregation now, segregation forever"

In spite of these obstacles we believed progress was possible, that we could overcome ignorance and hatred, and by so doing create a better future for everyone.

The zeitgeist, the prevailing "spirit of the age" was hopeful, optimistic, happy.

Why?

Because we believed America at its core was exactly what President Lincoln said it was...

...<the last best hope of earth>.

Far, sad cry from today's dystopian society.

In much lighter fare...

...I once again gathered up the tools of my ignorance and ventured forth to do battle on the links.

Since my gutty playset is still woefully incomplete, I decided to use my 1920's era hickories and Calloway Supersoft golf balls.

And I did so after gleaning a few pointers from the great Harry Vardon's book...

...originally published in 1922 when Vardon was in his 50's.

This is a delightful read, presented with an understated British flair, and covering each club Vardon considered worthwhile: driver / brassie, cleek, mid iron, mashie, niblick, putter.

That's it; when he was in his prime, winning 6 British Opens and scores of other tournaments, he only used 7 or 8 clubs. (He carried 10 or 11; 3 extras, in case a hickory shaft broke during his round.)

I'm no threat to win anything, but my playset today wasn't too far off his standard: no driver or cleek, but I did carry a brassie, mid iron, mashie, niblick and putter.

And I definitely picked up pointers from his book.

One about stance - his was much more open than mine has been - and another especially useful tip about the proper use of the mashie.

That last proved instantly useful...

on in 3, 1 putt for par

...as the 2 pars I managed today were due to what I learned about the mashie.

ditto

That's not to say my golf game has been cured; I'm still quite capable of producing an ugly slice.

I know how to correct it at the driving range - it's almost always failing to roll my wrists over - so I take the next 2 or 3 balls and swing until I get it right.

But it's different on the course, isn't it?

A slice from the tee or fairway is a wasted stroke, and occasionally a lost ball, which hammers that hole.

And if I don't mentally shake it off, or worse, rinse and repeat the next hole - well, there goes another round of golf.

Vardon called that “foozling”: any general incompetence on the links that results in pointless strokes.

Pretty sure that doleful breeze is the collective sighs of foozlers everywhere as they nod their heads in gloomy agreement.

Even so, today's bright sunshine and crisp temperatures helped make this outing exactly what I always hope for:

A little solitude, a little exercise and a delightful stroll through the countryside.

Opened Ryan's Course this past week...

planning to resurface the 2nd hole next weekend

...but have only walked it once so far...waiting for the gale force winds of April to subside - 15 out of 21 days have had winds gusting 25 mph or higher - as they tend to wreak havoc on wiffle golf balls.