Thoughts and Non Thoughts

Getting out of a greenside bunker can be sometimes daunting. What seems to work is making sure you keep the clubface open -- by not releasing the clubhead. Keeping your spine angle and finishing with the right palm skywards, and keeping the lower body steady throughout the swing seem to be key. A firm grip allows the arms to stay in front of your chest as you turn towards the target. Making a cutting stroke -- outside in, or by pulling at the grip end -- may give that added guarantee, but the path of the clubhead on the follow through is important in keeping control. Releasing and not releasing the clubhead is also the difference between a controlled pitch (with back spin) and a full swing that has some roll -- and about 30 yards.

In Isaiah, God described the love of a mother by asking, "Can a mother forget the child that she has borne?" And He also described His love by saying, "Even if a mother forgets her child, I will not forget you... I have engraved your name on My palm." You have gone back to your Creator; He has given you rest.

At 8:08:08 pm of 8/8/08, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics begins. What a spectacular show. China's coming out party. At the same time, the headline at yahoo is about America's fastest-dying cities. It's the turn of the century.