He IS Risen! (Indeed)

Our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, what people who are really uncomfortable discussing religion call Easter, was a fun Springlike day (76 degrees) full of family and friends. Darla fixed a big ham and everyone brought a little something to share from rolls and wine to salad and pies and asparagus. It was a fun day. Darla and I started with church of course. Our pastor, Rick, had an emergency appendectomy this week and was still to ill to preach on Sunday so Bryce Jessup, the dean of the local William Jessup University, a local Christian college pinch hit for Rick. The sermon was "Hope from the Grave" and it was a powerful declaration that Christ did rise from the dead and the proof of which is overwhelming. One of the strongest arguments is that 11 of the 12 disciples died a martyr's death because of their story of the resurrection. Would 11 men choose to die a horrible death to continue to tell a fabrication? I don't think so. It was great to see a man of God so prepared for a huge sermon on just a few hours notice. Amazing.

We had Darla's parents, her sister and her boyfriend, a friend of theirs, our friends (Darren and Marissa) as well as David and Daniel for a late Easter lunch. We played Wii in the afternoon bowling and playing the new Tiger Woods golf game and visited until everyone left about 4:30 PM. I laid down for a quick nap about 5 PM and awoke at 7:30 PM and realized that I had missed my opportunity to wash the Mustang. It is still probably the cleanest car in the parking lot, but that says more about the state of other people's vehicles than it does about mine. I was able to visit with both Jennifer and Dad. Jennifer and John had spent the day at John's Dad's house in Boulder City. Next year will be the start of some fun Easter's with Samantha as she'll be old enough to enjoy the sites and sounds of Easter. Dad and Shirley are still living the dream in Hawaii as they are winding down to their last week on the islands. They have had a great time, but are beginning to get ready for home. Six weeks away is a long time and Spring has broken while they were away. Dad contracted a cough last week from some Bozo at the golf course dining room. There was some guy hacking up a lung on the other side of the room and within three days that guy was Dad. He has since passed it on to Shirley. Dad said that he has worn blisters onto the bottoms of both feet from walking so much and broke a toe smacking it into the furniture in their condo. Looks like just another typical vacation for Dad and Shirley.

I did, of course, play golf this past weekend. In fact, we get very few holidays, but one we do get is a half day on Good Friday. Darla gets every holiday, but somehow passes on this one. I left work at noon and headed to Diamond Oaks. I had a Nike sponsored tournament on Saturday and wanted to get in a practice round. Naturally I shot lights out in the practice round in spite of wind gusts of 20-25 MPH. I used to really struggle with wind back in my "banana" days of an uncontrolled slice off the tee. I looked up alot because I had no idea where the ball was going to go. I have learned to hit a stinger into the wind with a low launch angle that bores through the wind. I shot 40+37=77 and even got on the green on both par fives in two on the backside. I missed both eagle putts, but made birdie on both holes on my way to 37. I was afraid that I'd blown my wad early and on Saturday I was a prognosticator of doom as I shot 42+41=83 for a net 72 to finish out of the money. IF I had shot the 77 in the tournament I would have taken first place and won $100. C'est La Vie.

I did get my shafts regripped at the grip event at the club. I bought new black and blue Winn Rave grips and outfitted my entire set for $70 after my pro shop discount. I also ordered a new navy and black Sun Mountain cart bag. I have the 3 wheeled Speed cart and wanted to get a bag to fit it. I have a Nike cart bag now, but half the pockets always end up inaccessible behind the cart. The Sun Mountain bag is designed for use with the cart and has all of the pockets accessible when the bag is attached to the cart. I also bought all new spikes for my Nike golf shoes and, even after all of the foregoing, I still have over $100 on the books at the club.

Darla joined me this week on a trip to Ukiah. I have one of my big agents in Ukiah and it is a three hour drive from Sacramento. I try to visit at least once a year and it had been over a year and they were starting to give me a hard time. Darla's two nieces, Shea and Taylor, live in the area, so Darla decided to join me. We stayed at a new hotel that has wireless internet and I left Darla at the hotel working on her laptop and went to see agents. We drove in on Wednesday night and hooked up with Taylor for dinner. That is a picture of Taylor and Darla at dinner above. Taylor is going in to the Navy and will be an MP with the Navy for two years and will then get out and join the CHP. Taylor met us at a Mexican food restaurant in Willits, but sat in a booth at the back of the restaurant with her back to us. We were there for fifteen minutes before we realized she was there as well waiting for us. Jeesh. We had a nice visit. Taylor is excited about the Navy and starting her work toward her career. She is 18 and wants to join the CHP, but their minimum age is 20.

Well, it is payroll today and I have to get at it. My assistant, Dinda, is off today so it will be that much busier for me. I'm taking my car in tomorrow to have it serviced. I think I have a vacuum leak because the idle is at 2000 RPM when I first start up the car. I have to let it settle down before I put it in gear so I don't ruin the transmission. I'm taking it to a mechanic versus Firestone or Midas as he comes highly recommended by one of my staff who drives a BMW. Ciao.