Cosgrove’s Golf Goodbye

“Fear not the words of a simpleton. Just don’t lend him money”

Let me announce today I have ended my 50 year relationship with the game of golf. After years of worshiping at the feet of the Gods of Golf it is over.

No more will I gild the pockets of the evil rulers of the game with $150(US) putters, the next foolproof cavity irons, overpriced Callaway drivers or shoes which are touted to improve my “game”. Titleist 1 golf balls, Tiger Wood shirts; I don’t need them anymore.

I tried to win your love. New clubs. Lessons. Videos. Hours on the practice range. You played me. A few ups, many downs. Like a girl on a first date you didn’t deliver. You lured me away from my family. You dominated my discussions with friends and business associates.

You piqued the optimistic side of my brain. I believed money and practice would win your love. Once I went without sex for a month on the nights before heading out to golf. No help. I dreamed of a pill that would do for my golf swing what Viagra did for erectile dysfunction.

So it is goodbye you bullying bitch of my futile search for par and happiness. You were the sand in my trap of life. The divot of my dreams for a five on number one. Get your evil jollies off watching someone else hitting balls into the water on number six.

There are others who will continue to worship blindly at your feet. I wish them well and leave those brave souls with these words: Don’t look up.

Ken Cosgrove

Disney Cancels Mazatlan Stops

by Leah Zanolla
Jan 5, 2012

Due to “the changing environment in Mazatlan,” Disney Cruise Line has canceled all stops at that port during early 2012 7-Night Mexican Riviera sailings. According to a thread on the DISboards, guests booked on these cruises in January through March are being advised that the stop in Mazatlan will be replaced with a second day in Cabo San Lucas.

There has been no official announcement regarding how long Mexican Riviera itineraries will be affected or where the second day at Cabo San Lucas will be inserted. This story will be updated when more information is made available.

Update: This change will affect 7- and 10-night sailings through April 2012

Happy New Year (by Lisa)

Christmas Thoughts from Jean Murr

Well, we made it through Christmas.  How about you?  Was it the “best ever” as my son-in-law says?  Did you eat till you had to go stretchy pants comfy?  Knock back a couple of drinks to keep you from thinking of the cost of this little production?  Did you strap the camera around your neck so you wouldn’t miss the cherished candid shots that littered the room like the piles of wrinkled up wrapping paper?  Are you a collector?  You know, one of those who can’t quite throw away the “already used” wrapping and bags and bows?  But please tell me you’re not one of the grabbers.  Grabbers are Christmas marshals, that I believe are planted in homes for tidyness control.  They grab the wrapping paper before it even hits the ground, and shove it into garbage bags or a box, and if time allows, they will work with the “collectors” to sift through and save the “good stuff” from the trash bound waste.  And let’s not forget my favorite, the “bohemian”, they are the let it fall where it may type.  These folks, let embellishments and wrappings mix with gifts until the area around the tree looks lofty and bigger than life itself.  The “bohemian” exalts in the amount of mismanaged clutter they can achieve in the Christmas present opening area.  Be careful walking, this is a cat favorite,  and always check your big boxes for children before discarding them, greatest play area ever!  How’s the house appearance overall?  Still festive looking or are you tired of red and green?  or the newest holiday color, purple?  Be honest have you thought about tearing it all down and boxing it up and being done, or have you actually done it????!!!!.  So is Christmas OVER at your house?  Are the boxes of reminiscent ornaments packed up and back in storage and is the tree folded up and squished into it’s box until next year?  And for some is there a Charlie Brown skeleton of a tree resting in a snow bank in the front yard where the trash truck stops?  Are there even real trees sold here in the states anymore, or did I miss that being that I didn’t get out during the big holiday push of December?  Did you know that real trees are sold in Mexico and I know a few homes in Mazatlan, that have them adorned and on display and aren’t worried by the needle fall?  I will probably leave my little tree up through New Years at the least, for the extra lighting and gaiety it adds to the room and our lives.  Also, it was quite a challenge for me to get it set up and bedazzled in the first place, and I can’t wrap my head around the tearing down process right now.  It seems this year I collected ham bones.  Don’t you love to fix a ham and have those wonderful piggy leftovers.  I happen to love anything from pig.  I also love that I then have great soup options.  This year I was gifted with a few other “left over” ham bones and it will be the “Soup Kitchen” this weekend at my house. The navy bean soup of old, fabulously colorful pea soup and South West Black Bean are my three bubbling bountiful favorites that will be steaming on the stove top.  Next year call first before donating a ham bone, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This year Jerry was working what felt like all the time.  He worked Christmas Day but was off Christmas Eve. So he did the drive to Colorado Springs to visit his family, while my daughter Jill and her husband, brought their two little Christmas angels over for a morning of presents and playing and movies and of course, the ham dinner.  There were smiles and tears and arms full of wiggly loving grandchildren to relish.  I drank in as much as I could til about mid afternoon when I hit the wall, as I say.   I think I turned my glazed over eyes to Jill and she new the party was over.  I sadly let them leave knowing it would be another long period of time before I would be able to cuddle and connect with them in this fashion.  Because… I have ONE more session of chemo left !!!  So that’s one more period of quarantine, and one more term of fatigue, and one more battle with pain in my ass, and confusion in my mind, and nausea screaming through out my body.  I have to say, I won’t miss the bloody noses, or achy feet and legs, or sinus problems, or chest pains, or irritating fingernails and toenails.  These are just some of the small side effects that I will be able to say goodbye to.  I can cleanse my body of poisons again after this next and last treatment.  I may have to make the garden bigger again this year!!  In a couple of years Jerry there will be no grass to mow at all.  I will work to treat myself with healthy natural foods and  continue to care for myself and respect the days, and months and years that I have to live a blessed life with all of you.  So, this New Year’s when you make that toast, throw our names in the mix and know I appreciate you and love the support and friendships you’ve given me.

Here is to Happy New Years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Throwdown Results!

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It was a beautiful evening!  The dogged wind moderated and we had an enthusiastic crowd, or maybe group, of carolers. Our first stop was at condo 117 where the Lyster home was admirably decorated with hundreds of (incandescent) lights. Baby Jesus slept away in his manger through the whole thing. Incredibly, Dale arranged for Santa to make an early appearance!  Those Canadians have more pull than normal folks, I guess. Santa entertained us and the Lysters served cookies and beer. Judges received extra chocolates.

Then it was on to one of the newest owners in La Lagunita, the extended Cosgrove Family, was treated to possibly the best chorus of Christmas carols of the evening. They seemed to be very appreciative as we admired their lights and their beautiful indoor Christmas Tree. After this, the chorus moved on to the McGuire residence where the Norfolk pine on the patio has been glowing gently all season with state-of-the-art LED lights.  The tree was flanked by a stork, also decked with LED lights, a Santa hat and a saddle made of shining balls. Refreshments consisted of brownies, champagne and cranberry-grapefruit punch. The judges got chocolate and an extra Santa hat.

The next stop was somewhat subdued as the “crud” that has been going around got there first. We sang a single song and admired the variety of lighting on the trees surrounding the Anders home. Lacking Rudolf, we used some flashlights to guide the way down the fairway to the McCormick home. The backside lighting display was wonderful!! All the balustrades and trees were brightly lit with incandescents in coordinated colors. There were no refreshments or bribes, however, a fact that reflected poorly in the scoring. I don’t think they got the memo.

Our “finale” was at the home of Debbie & Jack. Not only were we invited in for a tour of their magnificent home, we were offered hot chocolate and cookies of several descriptions. Gille turns out to be an excellent pianist and he serenaded us with show tunes as well as Christmas carols.

Now, for what everyone has been waiting for…. drum roll please.

Placing 5th – With a score of 54 out of 150 possible points.  Tom & Sally. (Bribes… you gotta do bribes!)

Placing 4th – With a score of 57.  Heather & Kim.( Hope Kim is feeling better)

Placing 3rd – With a score of 75. Dale & Lynda. (the incandescents did you in)

Placing 2nd – With a score of 76. Kris & Dick (the Santa hat & the LEDs did the trick!)

Far and away placing 1st!! – Deb & Jack with 79 out of 150!

Beware of Identity Theft

Border Alert!

The US Border Agency is asking citizens to keep on the lookout for a red 1951 Chevy that they suspect is being used to smuggle illegal immigrants from Nuevo Laredo , MX to Laredo , TX , through the Rio Grande River .

If you see the vehicle, and have reason to believe that it is the suspect vehicle, you are urged to contact your local police station.

Once in How Many Years?

Check out the calendar for this July. Note that it has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. It happens only once in 823 Years… so enjoy!!

Calendar for July 2011  July

Sun  Mon  Tue  Wed  Thu  Fri  Sat  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22  23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31

Is It Something in the Air?

Last week, the newspaper reported several bee attacks in the mountains above Mazatlan.  Apparently, a man bumped into a hive and the bees swarmed out and attacked. The man and another woman were badly stung and needed medical attention and a nearby corralled horse died from the subsequent attack. Yesterday, the guards on the back nine here at Estrella reported swarms of butterflies that insist on alighting upon anyone birdying the 13th hole. So please exercise caution. Just lay up or take the three put. It’s just not worth the risk.

Karmageddon

It’s like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right?  And then, like, the Earth explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer……like