TDF (Technical Difficulties Friday)

Honestly it wasn't a hard day, just a long day. Which I should have realized when my work laptop needed a lengthy security upgrade. 

Then I had a meeting about a website launch that I heard 10 minutes before that that I needed to write some copy for by end of day Monday. I was not feeling any Friday vibes.

To sort of cheer myself up, I caught the end of today's Ryder Cup action at the end of my workday. That didn't go as well as I hoped. Let's go, USA!!

After running a few weekend errands in town, I figured I would relax with the remote since hubby's keeping stats at the Royals' football game in Edgar.

Unfortunately after watching Pretty Woman more times than I can count, I realized I used our non-cable remote to watch it on some unknown channel. And it took me a more-than-frustrating hour to figure how to get our TV back to our expensive cable channels. I was ready to throw so many things at the cable box! Life should not be so complicated when it comes to marrying cable and streaming channels!

Disclaimer: Jim considers me the IT/tech expert in the house but it's time to hire someone younger. I especially realized today I have official old person no-patience vibes running through my veins. And I'm not as smart as I thought.

I've also gotten sideline reports from Edgar that our Royals aren't doing so hot. Right now I'm just wishing we all have a great Saturday! 

Saying So Long to 2021

Probably fitting that on the last day of a somewhat poopy year, we lose a favorite icon. Betty White died, just shy of her 100th birthday. And she was feisty and funny to the end. Amazing.

She's had some good quotes over time and I like this one pictured. It epitomizes why my blog is called On the Light Side. Find the humor and the light side of things and it will get you through the dark or just plain dreary times.

Like 2021. For many, anyway.

It was definitely an interesting 365 days. Some challenges, of course. And weird "new normal" things I'm not quite ready to accept as normal just yet. Working from home, for one. Is it ironic in a peculiar way or simply scary way that today marks the 666th day at home? Not even kidding. Uff da. 

Let's focus on some positives instead! Had an amazing trip to Alaska this year plus fun weekends with sisters and friends. Jim and I had a great time at the Ryder Cup and golfed together a few times, too. Mostly, we had our own golf buddies and that was fine.

Somehow, knock on wood, we stayed healthy. Our kids did, too. At least as far as avoiding the big virus. Hoping that continues in 2022.

The one thing we really appreciated in 2021 over 2020 was finally getting to see people again – and actually hug them! It took 'til July but we finally had the first gathering of my family since December of 2019. That seems so unbelievable. Will never take that freedom to socialize for granted again.

We did lose some people in our lives this year – on both sides of our family – and there were a few close calls, too, but thankfully the power of prayer worked in those instances. We also welcomed some new life into our family – again, on both sides (one great-nephew and one great-niece). How exciting that life and love prevail!

We also managed to stay up until midnight two nights this year. Just kidding. It's 11:06 p.m. and I don't think I'll make it. We did have a fun evening gathering after 4 p.m. church in Rudolph with other members of the guitar choir. Lots of food, laughter, and singing to serenade the old year out of existence and ring in the new year. 

Happy New Year!

Our Wins Today

I stepped into the sun. It was a beautiful day today. I noticed because I actually didn't park my butt into the recliner – until noon, anyway!

Before that, I watched church online, uploaded pictures for the school, and went for a 3-mile walk. Nice fall day. I can say that now since it's October later this week!

But yeah, I did watch a few hours of the Ryder Cup finale. Americans set a record by winning with 19 points. As Capt. Strick shows in this photo (not sure who to credit), it was a big W just like when Wisconsin wins! Or we cheer for them and hope for one.

As the Ryder Cup wound down, I was able to catch some of my Vikings' victory on TV, too. Nice to have something in the win column finally. 

That game was just wrapping up when my friend Cindy and I headed to the movie theater. Now that's someplace we haven't been since pre-COVID! But we wanted to see Dear Evan Hansen and figured it would be a small crowd since the Packers are on tonight. 

It was. And most likely they could all hear me sobbing. Such an emotional musical! But we were glad to see it. We both read the book and we were supposed to see it on stage (as part of our Broadway touring ticket package) in June of 2020. Then, thanks to COVID, it got postponed to that August, then spring of 2021, then August of 2021, and now April of 2022. So we do have tickets still and now can't wait to see it next spring.

And we'll be sure to bring Kleenex! 

I should acknowledge that the Brew Crew clinched their division today. Knew several people at that game so I'm sure they're riding cloud 9. Hubby is still hoping for a wildcard slot for his Reds (in that same division). And I know my Twins have clinched the basement in the American League Central Division. 

Guess we'll take our victories where we can. Have a winning week!

An Even Par Day

You may regret returning to this blog and hoping that now that I'm all caught up with my sports photos, that I have something interesting to share. Well, this is it. Here's my list of accomplishments today....

Polished off the last of this yummy Viking Toast Kringle my friend Christine dropped off Wednesday night. A personal delivery from Racine! There's a reason they call it a Viking Kringle – and it's not because the crumbs fall wide right.

According to the O & H website, here's what you'll learn today about the Viking Toast Kringle: As the Vikings explored the lands beyond their shore, they came to experience many beautiful cities, including Paris, France. Now, what would a Viking visiting the City of Light do? Enjoy the vibrant culinary scene of course! In admiration of this visit, we have created this Kringle. We take a buttery maple cinnamon filling and layer it with silky smooth cream cheese, for that classic French Toast flavor. But all Vikings need a little extra uff-da, so we frost this Kringle in a Bourbon Vanilla icing and douse it in cinnamon sugar, for a wonderfully balanced combination of flavors. But you better get this Kringle fast, because, just like an open little café table in Paris, it'll be gone before you know it.

And it was!

And I was just sitting there eating a Kringle. I was watching Ryder Cup and drinking Pumpkin Spice coffee. I may or may not have spent at least 6 hours in the recliner today. And it's not even Sunday!

Between sessions, I went to the scrapbook store and they happened to be doing a free make-and-take today. So I made this lovely card! And found kayaking paper for my fall scrapbook weekend in less than a month!

I also accomplished getting my pictures ordered for that and started organizing whatever else I'll need. This is my only wide open weekend to get stuff done. And knowing there's a good chance I'll tune into some more golf tomorrow, I better get back to it!

Oh and can't forget my biggest accomplishment...

I successfully turned kitty into a spice girl. She enjoyed some of the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard that Jim brought home for me tonight.

Here she's either saying "Thank you, lesser human" or "Did you know I just licked my butt before I licked your ice cream?"

Still tasted fine to me! I guess I'm ahead going into tomorrow's competition. Actually if it involves ice cream, we're all winners.

Your Personal Ryder Tour

Welcome to your personal Ryder Cup tour. I'm Robyn and I'll be your guide. And if you don't care anything about golf, go ahead and skip today's blog. I won't be offended.

The tour started early Tuesday morning. Actually, it started 2 years ago when I was waiting in a virtual line to get tickets. And, by the time I got to the front of the line, they only had practice days left – no competition days. I was bummed but then was excited because practice days are more relaxed and we spectators have more freedom – including bringing our cameras.

It was a good Valentine's Day gift in 2020 and worth waiting for.

We arrived in one of the parking lots around 8 a.m. Knowing the players couldn't start practicing until 9 a.m., we decided to walk around. Jim golfed at Whistling Straits years ago and was excited to show me. But it didn't look at all the same.

Large TV screens and spectator stands were everywhere. Somewhere among them, was a gorgeous course alongside Lake Michigan. Definitely close as we could feel the 20 mph wind on occasion. Thankfully we dressed in layers. And didn't need to take our light jackets off. Ever.

We saw a few people we knew, plus made a point of seeing some friends we hadn't see in ages. Here's Jim with Rob, Rapids native who lives in Arizona now but writes for wisconsingolf.com. 

And here's me with my former pastor Josh, who is the Green Bay area now but I haven't seen in 6 years. Oh the amazing power of Facebook and cell phones to stay connected!

Now onto golf...

The European team literally arrived Monday so they had to get their team photos and individual photos taken before practice. That's the first thing we happened to stumble upon, being in the right place at the right time. And yes, just 6 or 10 feet away. So cool. And I'll say that another dozen times, I bet!

Well I'll just get this out of the way now. I had a crush on Sergio (left if you don't know) when he was first on tour. So you may or may not see too many pictures of him. 

The usually very stoic Ian Poulter was so entertaining. Just a clown. He was hilarious.

Wait, Sergio again. Ha.

Little windy.

Lake views. See what I mean about structures causing obstructed views?

And then there's Rory. So talented and little cutie.

Captain Padraig Harrington.

Lots of seating set further down the fairway. This is where we sat later to watch the action on 9 right there and could see 18 green, too!

They're actually facing a mass of cameras. Those professionals. I'm just standing on the side of the ropes with the other amateurs.

Ooooh. Can I take that home?

After spying on their photo session, we headed over to the putting green and driving range. That's where the Americans were warming up.

Captain Steve Stricker taking a picture for social media.

See? Not kidding! Now let's watch some warmups...

Patty Ice in the sand.

Some words of advice from the coolest golfer on the planet: Freddy Couples. 

And here's my buddy Harris chipping. Why yes, he IS my buddy...

Not fake.  This was this summer. He's that tall – 6'4" I think – plus I'm that short. 

So some players are more interesting to watch than others!

Brooks is one, too. Only because of an alleged feud with his teammate. But you'll see in a few photos down that they actually did talk to each other! And I captured it.

I have JT's autograph from when he won the Sentry Tournament of Champions in 2019. So many connections. 

Wouldn't you love to hear this conversation?

Or this one? Hmmm.

Mixed company on the putting green.

Another convo I'd love to have heard. Something with the belt buckle or pants?

Oh, it's Sergio! Getting interviewed.

Thank you, zoom lens!

Neat to see Lefty, another longtime icon.

All day I wished I could have Tommy Fleetwood's hair!

Westy is another legend and gentleman.

Now for actual practice! Each team had 3 foursomes that also included plenty of caddies and captains tagging along. The USA team did the front 9 and Europeans took the back. They only did 9 holes but at each one they really practiced the holes – like lining up lots of putts they expect to face this weekend. Slow pace but it worked well when we were sitting down for a bit and could watch action on both the 9 and 18th greens.

So here are action shots. I don't know if my blog limits the number of photos, but I'll add them here and hopefully they're self-explanatory! We started on back 9 just on hole 10.

Lake views.

It definitely seemed like the Europeans were having more fun and just enjoying themselves, while our guys were all-business.

And back to the American crew finishing up on the 9th hole.

And turning ourselves to the left, we could watch the Euro team finishing on the 18th. Quite a finishing hole!

We interrupt this practice for a fairway crossing. What do you think it is – muskrat, otter, fisher, marten, what?

The out-of-state visitors sitting behind us thought squirrel. But they didn't have a zoom lens. And they're also the ones who referred to Lake Michigan as an ocean.

My turn for a hug, say blog author.

I don't know about you, but having an American eagle fly over the European team sure seems like a good omen to me! For that and so many reasons now, we'll really enjoying the action on TV this weekend. We'll be warm and in comfy chairs AND some of these boys will be larger than life!

Even without a zoom lens.

Thanks for coming along on my tour. For golf nuts like us, it was a really fun experience!