USSO :: Day Five

Well today was the most unexpected day of the week yet. I know. After seeing famous legendary golfers up close and getting a birthday photo with an NHL hot shot, how could it get any better?

You've heard the phrase that even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. Well, even a frisky fox finds a golf ball sometimes. And once in awhile, even a nearby photographer captures it – and people end up liking it!

I didn't even share in yesterday's blog that the morning anchor from one of the area TV news stations asked if it was OK if they used my picture from Tuesday's U.S. Senior Open of the fox trying to fetch the golf ball in the practice round. I sent it to her and didn't think anything of it.

Then on my early morning social feed, I see they shared it. By end of day...

Yup 5,000 likes or loves or Wows on their Facebook post – plus 1,000 shares. That's why one of the evening anchor dudes tracked me down today. He said my picture was blowing up their Facebook page and they wanted to hear my story behind the picture. Well, you got the inside scoop on Tuesday, so I told it to them.

There is a story on their website at Fox Hole Story. But no video, which is fine, after what aired at 9 and 10 tonight.

Just a little crazy, right? On the flip side, I'm glad they're giving a ton of coverage to this tournament.

Even my cousins appeared on TV, upper right. Pretty sure our house isn't large enough for more than one big head. Sorry, guys!

Thankfully, I had time to wander the course a bit between morning tee times. Here's a few snapshots from the rest of the day...

Retief Goosen chips in on the 10th hole. Yay!

Here, The Big Easy makes it look effortless and easy.

Saw another player I appreciate, Bernhard Langer doing well, too.

Ran into my bestie, too, who was there with her father!

Padraig lines up a put.

After my short walk-a-bout, I went back to media area. Got to esscort Jerry Kelly to interview area where he shared his excitement and appreciation for support.

After that, I hustled home and went to Rudolph to listen to Southbound and enjoy fireworks. Pretty full day with fireworks of my own!

Be careful out there  this holiday weekend!!

Dateline :: Friday

Raise the Roof: We slept under a new roof last night. No, we didn't go anywhere. Just got a new "cover" on top of our humble abode. Since hubby is editor of a metal roofing magazine, we had to go metal or else! It looks nice. If it ever gets sunny (or just NOT raining), I will get some pictures. I'm looking forward to an energy-efficient home this winter without any leaks when it's icy. Yay!

Rained Out: Speaking of rain.... It rained again all day. Poor Jim had to drive to Chicago and back today for work. He was just glad it wasn't snowing like north of here! Carter was supposed to have soccer practice. We did last time it rained so I booked it home from work only to find out it was called off. I'm secretly glad. (Well, not too secretly.) Not like it would have mattered to me since I would have been one of the wimps in their cars. Tomorrow is his last game so we'll see what the weatherman brings.

School Closings: No matter what happens this weekend, there has already been a decision made to close one of our junior highs on Monday. Our district has a threshold of a 30% absenteeism rate to consider closure. So far, the elementary schools are doing OK with the dreaded Swine Flu. Maybe Carter really did quit kissing the girls. I wonder what's going on at the junior high, though...

Birthday Boy: My dad turned 82 today. Amazing to think of what he has all seen and done in his 8+ decades, isn't it? I still haven't gotten ahold of him so either one of his other generous children (who live closer) is taking him out to eat -- or he found a birthday "treat" at a casino that was irresistible. Hmmm. Kids these days. They don't let anyone know where they are!

Chocolate Cravings: Since Carter just finished the book Charlie and Chocolate Factory this week, I promised him we'd rent the Willy Wonka movie. I didn't want him to watch it before he tested on the book since movies and books don't always jive. I made sure we got the old-school Gene Wilder one instead of the newer one with Johnny Depp. Nothing wrong with spending 2 hours with Johnny Depp, mind you, but you can't beat Gene Wilder's sarcasm in the original. Love it! Of course, now we're both craving chocolate!

At least we'll have sweet dreams.

Bloggin' Along...

Blog fever seems to be running rampant in the Austin household.

I let Carter write one "guest blog" last week and now he's willing to fill in at a moment's notice. I now know that if my day is ho-hum boring, Carter will definitely have something exciting and adventurous to write about. He could probably just have his own blog called "Recess Rules!" by the sound of it.

Will hubby be next? I doubt it. Currently Jim is blogging for work already. So if you want to know everything about metal roofing, if you are Mad About Metal, click here. I'm sure if he had his own personal blog, you'd find it quite entertaining. He's an excellent writer and would possibly enlighten you that there are two sides to every story!

I recently came to realize how challenging it can be to try to blog almost daily for a work blog and a home blog. I'm doing some occasional blogging for one our publications and, although the content is quite different from my personal blog, the mere act is sapping my creative thought process. Thus, the need for my chief backup blogger.

Many of you will be happy to know I will probably "assign" Carter to blog once a week this summer so he won't lose his writing or typing skills. I won't tell him it's an assignment. I'm sure he'll just view it as an outlet to share the latest ice cream flavor he's tried at Shivers.

Did I mention that's open for the season? Hmmm, that reminds me, I've got someplace I gotta be...