Meet Jack, and Letting Go

Meet Jack! Rachel sent me this photo of him to add to my blog. He's so sweet and precious. We took the 75-minute drive to visit Rachel and her family a week ago. Tammy was in her happy place as she held Jack and rocked him. I love that for her. Cliff was at daycare, so we missed seeing him, but we video chatted with him a couple of nights ago. Hearing him say "Hi Gampa" makes my entire body smile. 

My golf game has been in the dumps for the past few years. I'm not playing up to my potential, and it's become more frustrating than fun. I went in for a club fitting a few weeks ago, mostly to get away from the stiff shafts of the Callaway clubs I've been using. I no longer have the swing speed needed for their stiffness. 

I bought some Ping G440s. I asked the fitter about senior flex, but he encouraged me to go with regular flex instead, and that it should suit me for at least the next 5-7 years. I've played with them a couple of times, and while I didn't score well, I can definitely tell that I'm hitting these clubs better than my Callaways. 

A bigger issue for me than the stiff shafts I'd been playing with is the stiffness in my lower back from golfing. It began last year when I was limping around the course after knee surgery, and it continues today. A golf instructor I've been working with suggested a more upright finish to my golf swing—something more forgiving for my back. I've not had a chance to try this new swing at the range, but I will. 

I finally got my road bike out last week—twice! It felt nice to ride it again, but since riding mostly gravel the last 7 years, I'm not as comfortable on the road as I used to be. Because of my osteoporosis, I have to be extra careful not to crash on the hard pavement. 

One of my road rides last week was a west loop to Jordan—a usual route of mine when the wind is from the west. It's a nice distance at 55 miles (88 km). I'm still lacking in form, but this was a decent effort, even though my legs began to tire after about two hours of riding. 

It's in the upper 80s with high humidity today. I opted for an indoor trainer ride. 

Tammy and I traveled to Mankato last week to see Brit Floyd, a British Pink Floyd cover band. They were excellent! We've seen Australian Pink Floyd and also some local bands covering their music, but none of them put on a show with the level of talent of Brit Floyd. Here is a link to an Instagram upload I made. 

I mentioned in a recent blog post that I felt disconnected from my siblings. It's not something I dwell on, but I do go through phases where it occupies my thoughts, and I seem to be in one now. I was pondering our collective dysfunction last night and came to realize that they have zero intention of including me in their lives again in any meaningful way. October will mark ten years since my sister Jackie banished me from her life because I'm a vocal critic of Trump. Ten years of near-zero contact because she can't accept that I disapprove of a man who has shown no ability to lead our nation; a man who is, frankly, a con.

I have nothing left to lose, it seems, and so last night I sent this message to them in what felt like a last-ditch effort to put a halt to this nonsense.

I’ll trouble you just one last time. I was hoping that we could come together as siblings after rallying around Tammy last summer, but I was wrong. I thought, how nice it would be if Jackie and I could resume our weekly phone chats. I phoned you from Duluth last December to talk and begin the process. I stopped hoping you’d return my call a while ago. I was also hoping that Keith would take me up on my offer to golf together at some point. I got tired of inserting myself in your Sunday outings and instead waited for an invite that has yet to come. Perhaps you’re injured and not playing.

I feel like we’re at a place where there’s no coming back to anything resembling what we once shared. I recall the audio tape from Thanksgiving 1984 at Mom and Dad’s in Farmington (that someone posted to the Insiders), and the laughter and friendly banter. That’s all gone now. Every last bit of it. How sad. 

And for what?

We’re getting older, and there’s no telling how much time any of us has left. For some of you to put up barriers around yourself - to protect yourself from me, I guess - because of your allegiance to a most corrupt and vile man, truly saddens me deeply. You have no idea. I don’t know what you’re listening to that led you to this place, but I sincerely hope you take some time and do some self-reflection about what it is you’re supporting; because that’s what this is all about. 

I never saw this coming.

The best to you.

None of them replied. I'm fine with that and will make no more attempts at mending fences with them. My heart is no longer in it.

I participated in the Heywood Ride in Northfield last month. The ride is hosted by Marty, Mike, and Ben, who do a great job of putting on a welcoming event! It's my favorite organized ride event on the calendar.

I'm going to begin posting my blog posts on my Substack account, in case anyone wants to follow me there. Here's a link.

That's all I've got.