Celebrating Little Things

Category: Sports

Sports Tree

As I mentioned in the Traditional Tree blog, we ended up with quite a collection of sports ornaments. Mom and I are avid sports fans and particularly follow the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. We have been lucky, as all four teams have combined to win numerous championships in the past two decades, and many more prior to that.

Boston Red Sox – 2018, 2013, 2007, 2004 

Boston Bruins – 2011

Boston Celtics – 2008

New England Patriots – 2018, 2016, 2014, 2004, 2003, 2001

That’s 12 championships in 18 years. That’s a lot of parades for Boston. Not too shabby. 

Our tree is funky and quirky. It is an artificial tree, approximately 6′ tall, that I purchased at an after Christmas sale for less than $20. Is is a pre-lit tree, but the lights don’t seem to be evenly distributed, thus having some dark areas. I thought it had coloured lights and this year I was going to add a couple of extra sets but when I plugged it in to check it, I realized the lights are white. 

Funky Quirky Sports Tree

We purchased many of the ornaments on our yearly trips back to the U.S. Many others were given to me by my cousin Norma who was always looking out for unique ones to add to our collection. 

There are ornaments depicting championship. 

This one is made by an Indigenous lady from Waycobah First Nation. 

There are Celtics and Red Sox candy canes.

You will notice in the above picture that I have Red Sox Ribbon as garland. I also have Bruins shoelaces as garland too.

The Red Sox mascot, Wally, sits under the tree along, with an Erik Karlsson bobblehead, that we got when we went to an Ottawa Senators game four years ago and a hockey player nutcracker. 

There are two mascots from the 2004 Athens Olympics; Phevos and Athena.

Although our favourite four teams make up the majority of the ornaments, we do have some others.

I must not forget Mom’s curling rock, a sport she enjoys watching.

And Snoopy also makes an appearance. He is HAPPY just like we are as we enjoy our sports tree. 

This tree is always fun to put up. It is usually the first one to be decorated and the last one to come down. 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our Sports Tree of Fame. 

All photos taken by me.

Finding Golf Balls

What is it about finding golf balls, that I find so therapeutic and rewarding? I learned a long time ago, not to go walking on the local golf course without a bag or two, or a knapsack with me. I just never have enough pockets to pick up all the balls I find. 

As we have been blessed with such glorious weather the past few days, I had another urge to get out and enjoy the fresh air. I decided to hike a few holes of the golf course, in hopes of finally seeing some wildlife, that seems to have disappeared in the last couple of days. With hiking poles, knapsack and camera in tow, I was off for a couple of hours of hiking. 

I had barely started my hike, when I heard a friendly “hello”. I turned and a young man was approaching me, politely inquiring as to what I was doing. I explained I was just walking, hoping to take some pictures and pick golf balls. He said ‘oh, okay then. I thought you were doing a survey of some kind’. He wished me well and told me to have a nice walk. A survey? I’m not sure what kind of survey he thought I’d be doing, but I thought to myself, maybe I’ll survey golf balls. The dimple faced spheres soon started popping up all around me. Some were laying out in the open, making me wonder how they were never found, while others were only showing a dimple or two, making me wonder how I ever saw them. There were the common white, yellow/green, pink, and orange balls, but then I found a very brilliant reddish orange one that was almost harsh to look at, and no sooner did I find that one when an extremely brilliant yellow one appeared. Upon looking closer the word ‘neon’ was on one of them. That was absolutely a perfect name for them. I wonder do they glow in the dark?

I was a golfer for many years, but I didn’t initially take to the game at all. My Uncle Hughie started golfing when he was in his 70’s. He was a lefty and so was I. Many times he tried to persuade me to take his clubs and give it a try, but I wasn’t interested. Finally one day, when I was about 12, I decided to try the sport. After 6 holes, shooting around 120, I looked way up in the distance towards the flag on the number 7 green and couldn’t imagine climbing uphill yet again. I threw the club back in the bag and cut through the woods for home. That was the end of my golfing for many years. Then in 1990 when I started working at the golf course, and golfing was free for employees, I took up the sport again. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed the game, especially when those high scores started coming down. I basically became addicted and would golf at least 9 holes daily. There were days I couldn’t make a bad shot, but other days when I couldn’t make a good one. It can be a frustrating game and so much of it is all mental preparation. I had so much fun golfing with friends, playing in tournaments, especially scrambles, participating in a night-time tournament with glow in the dark balls, making incredible shots and missing tap ins. Finally all that ceased, when I got a ‘grip’ on my game, and gave it up cold turkey, in 1997. I have only golfed, on occasion, in the McCarthy family scramble since. I don’t miss it. I can’t justify the time, money or frustration of chasing a little white ball around a field, or in the woods anymore. But I still have this unbelievable desire to find golf balls. 

Attributed to Mark Twain but no one really knows. I agree with the quote.

Today was rewarding. I came home with 176 balls in no time. I was saying ‘just one more’ from the time I had found 50 until finding my last ball near the parking lot before heading home. It’s like looking for Easter eggs, only I can’t eat golf balls. I love the different colours, although I have yet to find a purple one. And yes, there are purples balls. There are so many colours; navy, black, dark green, aqua, light pink, dark pink, light orange, dark orange, red, purple, neon, pastels and more. I don’t have many other than the normal yellow, pink, orange and white and now a few of the neon ones, but that purple one has continued to elude me and it is the one colour I’d really like to find. 

Besides different colours, there are, of course, different makes of balls; Nike, Taylor Made, Callaway, Bridgestone (yup, they make more than tires), Top-Flight, Maxfli (my favourite. My only hole in one came using a Maxfli Master), Titleist (the one ball I hated. No matter how good my shot was, it took on a path of its own, never going where it was supposed to), and others. In my pursuit of the purple ball, I’m also finding newer brands like Srixon, Volvik, and Noodle. 

Getting back to the original question, just what is it about finding balls that is so pleasing? I have no idea. When I’m walking the golf course, I am totally oblivious to anything happening in the world. I may have great intentions of passing the time while walking, thinking about things, but I totally lose all concentration and become obsessed with finding balls. And I get this little thrill with each ball I find. I sometimes turn them over in my hand and see symbols, messages or someone’s initials. I try to think of who’s balls I’m finding, especially if there are initials. For instance; DJ. – Dustin Johnson, W.G. – Wayne Gretzky (keeping it in the family), S. C. – Santa Claus, BB – Big Bird. Now that would be quite a sight, seeing Big Bird golfing. That one made me laugh out loud. The best haul I made today was bending over to pick up a ball and finding six, all within arms length. And seeing two more very close by. It can also be a hazardous pastime. I just can’t let a ball go, so I find myself climbing up or down embankments, that I really have no reason even thinking I can navigate, let alone actually trying. Or hanging over a fallen try reaching, stretching as far as I can, only to realize my feet are no longer in contact with the ground and yes, I’m taking a header just for one little dimple faced orbit of plastic, elastic and rubber. But the reward of grabbing the ball, and stuffing it in a jacket pocket, is so worth the dangerous predicament. 

This is an odd colour. it is white, but it seems it has an outer layer of clear coat.
This one looks like a soccer ball.
Many have symbols on them. This one is breast cancer which seemed a popular find today.
Two blue dots beside the 3 to identify this owner.
AF who could this be? I’m betting on my friend Alex Forgeron.
People use interesting ways to identify their balls.
Maxfli – In my golfing days I loved a Maxfli Master.
This was the last ball I found. What a great message for 2021!!! It was perfect. HOPE

What will I do with the 176 balls found today? Add them to the stash of thousands I have already found. Maybe I’ll have a roadside kiosk, on weekends, next summer and make a few bucks. Hmm….would that be taxable income? Maybe I’ll start crafting with them. Snowmen and snow-women maybe….likely not. 

I guess the answer, to the question is that it can be thrilling, exciting, dangerous in a fun way, relaxing, surprising, an escape from every day thoughts, a workout, adrenalin rush, calming, rewarding, satisfying, and unsatisfying, until I find that purple one. The search will go on. 

Bike Ride Observations

Linden, my bike. Named after the street I lived on, as a child, in Brookline, MA.

I’m a bicyclist.  I began riding again, about 7 years ago, after not owning a bike since high school.  I became addicted quickly.  It is one of the few things recommended for my wonky knee, because biking is non-weight bearing.  I love nothing more than riding along the Bras d’Or Lake, early in the morning, listening to the birds sing, watching the cloud formations, being attentive to wildlife and viewing the water along most of my ride.  I’ve had close encounters with rabbits and deer, from time to time.  I’ve had a tern hit me in the chest.  For the most part I’m given 3′ by drivers of motor vehicles.   The worst encounter was with a motorcyclist who crowded me until I was nearly in the ditch.

Terns

One of the best parts of riding is that I often pass by the MacDougall property, my Dad’s birthplace and where he grew up.  I always think of him when I ride by.  The present owners are the MacLachlan’s, who are beautiful people.

The home my Dad was born and brought up in. I ride by it often.

I have a Trek road bike, which I named Linden, after the street I lived on as a child, in Brookline, MA.  Last week, as I returned home from a 15km ride, and as I was coming up my driveway, my chain broke.  At first I thought it just slipped off, but when I looked it was nowhere to be seen.  It was about 6′ behind me.  Oh dear.  I booked an appointment with a bike shop to have it repaired.  I was then without my bike for almost a week.  I was lost, even though I have a recumbent bike in the basement, but it just isn’t the same.  The scenery never changes.  It’s all good now and Linden is back home, but the weather wasn’t co-operative today, so I’ve not been out on it yet.

This past week, I was reminded of this poem I wrote a few years ago.  No offence to Harley owners.  This has also happened with loud trucks as well.

Bike Ride Observations

Seagulls soar

Eagles perch

In a tree, high above.

Ducks float

On a ripple-less inland sea.

A deer hustles

Through the woods.

A gentle breeze, rustling of leaves

Songbirds sing

Melodic music to my ears.

Foxglove, Mallow

Morning Glory, Daisies

Sweet Peas, Clover

Wild Roses

Mixed sweet scents filling my nostrils.

Purple thistles

Remind me of my ancestors

A simpler way

Their home, Scotland

A land I long to see.

Peaceful, serene

Pristine, a dream

Until…..

A poisonous, obnoxious Harley

Awakens me, from an otherwise perfect ride.

View from the hill at Katherine Farm

Scotch Thistle

Wild Roses

Variegated Weigela

Lupine

Lupine

Heather

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