GOLDEN GIRLS ~ GG55's

February is a great month for a trip to Florida, even if I have to fly. The senior softball Tournament of Champions was being held Feb. 11th - 13th in Lakland, home of Tigers Spring Training.
The first day of the tournament was a bit chilly and overcast even by Florida standards. The fields were in a very rough looking part of Lakeland. Our first game was against our sister team GG60, which we spotted five runs. The bats rocked and we won 22-10. The second game was against The Village Vixens (55's), a rival we played last October at the Villages, Florida. We were trounced in October by their super hitting and fielding. Not unlike October, The Village Vixens were a tough opponent and despite our hitting, we were defeated 17-14. That left us 1 - 1 for the day!
Aunt Phyl, who lives in Florida, was our #1 Fan for the weekend! Each day, she ventured to the fields to root us on.
The evening activities included a dinner at the Fantasy of Flight Museum. Unfortunately, it was only about 50 degrees and the crowd was enormous. After listening to a few of the speakers, it was time to head out to a restuarant for a warm dinner.
Saturday began with a game against the youngsters of Sunny Beaches, Florida. We like to call the youngsters the Title 9 Teams. Needless to say, we lost, but gave them a run for their money.
Once back into double elimination play, we were able to come back and beat the Village Vixens by a score of 7-2. We had a knock-down drag out game with our sister team and it was Cheryl's single that broke the tie and we ended up on top.
Sunday, we were rooting for the GG60's to beat the Village Vixens for the chance to play us again. We watched an awesome game, with our sisters coming out on top!
We were very pumped for a "sisters" game. We had to spot them 5 runs again, but we managed to pull it out 16-7. We were all winners!!!
A wonderful group of gals and a most enjoyable weekend!
(I am in the back row, third from the left)

Spring Training

The training facility is called "Spring Training" and it's about an hour from the house. There you can throw, hit and field to your heart's content. This winter, I was fortunate enough to be involved with the trainer and receive lessons in softball. Sounds a bit strange at my age to be taking lessons in softball, but it has been invaluable.

This week, I leave for sunny Florida to play in a tournament. Our team, called The Golden Girls, based out of Virginia plays in the over 55 bracket. I am hoping to put my recently acquired skills to the test. I'm learning to be a "rotational" hitter and put the power to the ball...sound impressive, let's hope it works!!!

Fire

The day of the big snowstorm, a friend lost her home to fire. The family lived on Groveland Road in a lovely log home some 1000 feet from the road, nestled in the woods. According to the local fire department, the cold weather held the smoke down near the ground and it was not easily visable. By the time a neighbor saw smoke and the fire department arrived, which was only minutes, the home was fully engulfed by the fire. It was a total loss.

Thank God, no persons were in the house, but their two beloved dogs were missing and presumed killed in the fire.

I never have personally known someone who has lost their home and pets to fire. I have investigated fires, found charred remains, yet this really made my heart ache
for the family.

No cause has been determined and that might take some time, if a cause can be determined at all. Often the cause of a fire will remain a mystery.

BOB CAME OUT

HE CAME OUT! We went out to put the chains on the Kubota tractor and when I went in to check Bob's burrow, he had moved the stick in front of his entrance! He had even gone to the other entrance and moved one of his toys too.

Bob is smart enough to realize that we have a severe winter storm warning in effect and tomorrow, he would need his shovel to dig his way out to see his shadow. So, why not check it out today? I wish I would have seen the Bobster come out, as I miss him so much during the winter hibernation. That little turd (affectionately) is so much fun and I just can't wait to see him in the spring.

(The picture is a felted Bob, made for us by a gal in California)