Nuggets from Dad: 2023

Monday, December 18, 2023

Sad news in Tar Heel land on MiaGM

Hey peeps,

We lost a special member of the Tar Heel family yesterday in Chapel Hill.

Eric Montross was a fabulous player, but read this article to learn about what he meant to his family and to the community.

Here's a great short from the article:

Eric never thought about a legacy. In that way, he was the embodiment of Dean Smith's admonition, "You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do the right thing."

Hope all are making it a great Monday, and doing the right thing!

Go Heels,

Dad

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Make Anything Thursday: Countdown for LuLu and Trey

You can't birdie them all if you don't birdie the first, so they say. And you can't start nuggets back if you don't post on Make Anything Thursday after you posted Woman Power Wednesday: Collins Catherine Wilkinson. Right, Collins?

I know you agree and think it is all about you these days, but guess what? Your Aunt Lucy is getting married in 204 days, 1 hour, and 2 minutes. That's right, gPa made a countdown timer, and you can see it here and on my Blogger site on the right-hand side when on a computer, not a phone.

You can also access Lucy and Trey's well-done wedding website through this link or the blogger site above the countdown. Exciting stuff, Collins. If you want to learn more about how Lucy and Trey got engaged, you might enjoy Happy Birthday and welcome Trey! 💍🎉.

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Woman Power Wednesday: Collins Catherine Wilkinson

About the size of a jumbo peanut

Hello Nugs,

It has been a while, but we have a new nugget. Welcome to the world, Collins! Let's start with your birthday affirmations.

Two for Collins:

1. You are a perfect little angel. 6.5 lbs at birth on the wee morning of the 7th of December.

2. You gave us quite a little scare with your 48-hour visit to the NICU, but in the end, you were okay. You passed your first life test with flying colors.

Medically speaking, after a lovely first 12 hours, you tossed up some green bile, the quickest way to find yourself en route to a different part of Chelsea Westminster. We learned of something called volvulus due to malrotation, or in layman's terms, a plumbing problem. This is an emergency and can be a serious situation. You got the all-clear after two days of testing and excellent medical care.

Sally, Taylor, and baby Collins came home two nights ago, and Collins has settled into a routine with help from her night nurse and namesake, Grandma Peach. Sally also doing well after c-section delivery. Patterns are predictable, and they repeat!

God bless our Collins and her remarkable parents. She can't wait to meet the rest of her family!

Some photos below, plus a poem I wrote titled Collins First Christmas.

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Happy Birthday Taylor

Sally: Happy Birthday to T! I love how Taylor continues improving himself and the world around him. He works hard daily to set himself up for success - professionally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. He does all of this quietly, but it doesn't go unnoticed; he inspires me and those around him daily. Taylor is kind, open-minded, and generous - all qualities I know he will pass down to our son or daughter, and I couldn't be more proud of that. Watching T become a dad will be one of my life's greatest privileges and gifts; we are so lucky.

Cathy: I am so excited that Taylor and Sally will have a baby! Taylor is kind, generous, loving, attentive, intelligent, hard-working, and faithful. He has all the qualities to be a wonderful Dad and role model to his children. Taylor is also very inclusive of our family and means something special to each of us. Thank you, Taylor, for being the man you are. Happy Birthday, and I love you.

Lucy: One thing I love about T is that he loves us all so well - and he doesn't have to. We are his in-laws. But Taylor somehow finds a way to not just tolerate our crazy but really embrace the whole crew. From spending countless hours helping C&P get acclimated to London and navigate the city to allowing the sisters to take over the entirety of his tiny flat and even getting ordained to officiate E&K's ceremony! T is always beyond patient, kind, and loving to us! Taylor, I can't wait to watch you love and raise that baby because if you can put up with us - you can handle anything!! Happy Birthday!

Trey: I love Taylor's attitude toward life and others and look up to him for that. If there's ever an opportunity to lend a helping hand or get to know someone, Taylor will do that. I also admire how hard he works in his career. I know Taylor will continue to be very successful throughout his life. He is a great man, and I look forward to spending many more moments with him throughout the years. Happy Birthday, T!

Emily: Taylor is the perfect balance of an organized planner and is so much fun! He is always down to have a drink when we visit or meet Kyle at the pub. I can't wait to see Taylor become a Dad to little Willy! I'm so thankful to T for being our officiant at our wedding. He was the perfect person for the job. Kyle and I were so comforted by him, and the ceremony was perfect because of his fantastic delivery. Happy Birthday, Taylor!

Kyle: I am so glad we had you officiate our wedding. I have heard nothing but glowing remarks about how well you did from all that attended. It was an honor to have you stand with Emily and me on our wedding day, and I love that I get to have you as a brother-in-law. Happy Birthday, and here’s to many more fun moments together throughout our lives.

gPage: What a joy to have Taylor as a son-in-law. I appreciate how Taylor is always so present when we meet for dinner, whether the four of us or with other friends. He shows up, listens, and shows others he cares. It is a great trait. I also love how Taylor has embraced England. Making new friends, attending sporting events, playing golf, hiking, etc. T is a gamer!

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Happy Birthday and welcome Trey! 💍🎉

Congrats Lucy and Trey! What a day, what a place to get engaged, and what a gift you have landed: Lucy May Singletary! And on your birthday, no doubt!

(Welcome to your first birthday affirmations from your new peeps.)

Lucy: There is so much to love about Trey! But one of my favorite things is that he is a man of character. He has so much integrity; he is honest and full of faith and kindness. He is so steady in his goodness and treats everyone the same way. Everyone wants Trey on their team! He is a great friend, a great question-asker, and a great person to do life with! I am so grateful for his easygoing attitude that makes it easy to move across the country and backpack worldwide! Happy 23 Trey!!

Cathy: Trey has figured out how to manage the Singletary clan. He quietly listens but pays attention to what he can say or do to make each of us happy. I appreciate his kindness, patience, and humor and look forward to spending more time with him. The future is bright for Trey and Lucy!

Emily: Trey is such a kind and fun guy! Not to mention, crazy athletic. Watching Trey run a marathon was incredible. I will miss the frequent Austin visits from Lu and Trey, but I love that they have started a new adventure together in Chattanooga! Can’t wait to visit.

Sally: I love that Trey is so thoughtful and considerate to all of us. He is always thinking ahead of what he can do to help out or say that will be encouraging and kind. Every time I turned around during the wedding week, Trey was doing something to help without causing a stir and with a smile on his face. I hope you have a great and memorable birthday. Welcome to the family, Trey!

Taylor: I am impressed with Trey’s quiet dedication. It’s been fun to follow along vicariously as he runs his half-marathons and prepares for even bigger races on the horizon. I love the fact he constantly challenges himself. I hope to one day do a half marathon myself and know I will have a good coach!

Kyle: The best things in life come from taking risks, and it’s great to see you do that in your life so early. Moving to a new city takes courage and is never easy, but so many great things will come from it. New friends, new careers, and new paths in life. I love and respect that you’re already taking these risks; it will pay dividends later in life.

gPa: I am so impressed with Trey and his zest for life. He knows how to let the game come to him and is going places that will be fun to watch. I recently have been thinking about this quote from Henry David Thoreau, and it seems appropriate to share here, as I think it speaks to the man who is Trey:

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms...”

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Dear Harvey: Chasing Scratch (in Cornwall) 🏌️‍♂️⚓️⛳️⛵️☀️

Harvey on the practice tee at Austin CC

Dear Harvey,

[See all my letters to Harvey at the bottom of the post, plus some other 'golf' scribblings.]

Okay, let's be honest. I'm not getting to scratch. I came to the game too late (age 42), and even so, I would need to be a better athlete.

My current goal is to return to single digits (where I was before moving abroad). I've managed to creep back up to a 12. I'll cut myself some slack, as I had little opportunity to practice the first year in England. This letter should be titled 'Chasing 9 Again.'

Thanks to a recommendation from Nick Lloyd, a talented assistant professional at The Richmond Golf Club, I've started thinking of the course in this manner. Make nine pars on the nine most scorable holes (handicap holes numbered 10-18) and make no worse than bogie on the nine most challenging holes (handicap holes numbered 1-9.) If I score better than what is needed on a hole, file that extra shot away for when I go over the limit on another hole. Play golf like that, and you become a 9 handicap.

Managing the golf course and keeping double bogies off the card is critical. I know you agree. The other key is to identify where I need to improve. And being realistic about how much time I can put toward each 'fixable' component. I'll share more about what I am working on soon. I am interested in your take.

Cathy and I made our second trip to Cornwall this past Bank Holiday weekend. It was as enjoyable as the first.

Dear Harvey: Trevose Golf & Country Club (Cornwall) 🏌️‍♂️⚓️🦈

Dear Harvey: St. Enodoc Golf Club - Church Course (Cornwall) ⛳️ ⛪️ 🎢

We took the train from Paddington Station to Truro and rented a car. We loved having our oldest daughter, Sally (pregnant and doing well), and her husband, Taylor, with us.

The plan was for the boys to play Trevose on Saturday morning as a two-ball and St. Enodoc on Sunday afternoon with my friend and Assistant Greenskeeper, Neil Robinson, and his son, Oban. The girls would hike the coastline and explore the villages. Great dinners at night in our base of Padstow.

The weather was outstanding on Saturday at Trevose and sunny on Sunday at St. Enodoc, but the winds kicked up from the non-prevailing direction. The Church Course, often referred to by Neil as the 'old girl,' showed its teeth.

In Neil's words:

"It was our pleasure to take you both out on the tough links at St Enodoc. The golf course really showed just what a tough old girl she is to score on. I think on this occasion a little home advantage and certainly on my part being used to the raging winds that we can get on the North Cornwall coast worked in our favour. Taylor was a real pleasure to meet, and there is a very fine golf game in his armoury on another day for sure. I hope we get a chance to play again soon on a more benign day. I certainly saw enough good strikes from you to suggest a tight game in the future. But all great fun regardless of the match outcome."

Just how bad was it. Well, let me introduce you to a British golf term and one I prefer to never hear again! A 'Dog License.' When the winning margin in match play is 7&6, the victory (or defeat) is called a dog license. In Great Britain, until 1987, dog owners bought a license for their pet which cost 7/6d (pre-decimal currency = 37p). Ouch, but hats off to Neil and Oban, who showed Taylor and me how to play golf in the wind. The video below gives you a good sense of what we were up against, both the force of Mother Nature and the level at which Neil can play. He shot 76 on the day!

Practice green at Trevose. Another warm welcome to the club from Head Professional Gary Lenaghan was much appreciated.

Not a bad view for a post-round beverage after golfing the links of Trevose on Saturday

After golf on Saturday, we hiked to The Pig and their backyard Lobster Shed. Such a cool hotel.

The sea, the sand, the grasses, and the sheep. What is there not to like about hiking or golfing on the North Cornwall Coast

These stone walls are cool and everywhere! Not born yesterday.

Our 4-ball on Sunday at St. Enodoc.

View from the second tee.

Love these little paths between holes on links courses.

Pausing on the 10th at the Church. Great Tom Coyne article on Golfers Journal about this hole.

Good smash factor by young T here. The more important news, though, was Oban outdriving his dad (for the first time) on 18!

The smile of a victor on 18 green. Congrats Oban and Neil!

Over post-round beverages, Taylor and I settled our bets with the European side and were joined by Sally, Cathy, and Neil's lovely wife, Skye. Then, I learned two more things about the Robinson family, which we have in common. One, the best golfer in the family, is actually Skye. (Best in our family, of course being Emily.) Neil met Skye when he was teaching professionally, and at their rehearsal dinner, Skye's father explained how Skye told him shortly after they met that her golf lessons would start costing a lot less money. We also learned that Oban's drive on 18 was good for a one-time allowance bump of £100, much to the chagrin of his twin sister, who is a fabulous athlete but has not taken to golf as of yet, and thus is missing out on all the bonus money coming Oban's way. Sound familiar, Sally and Lucy May?

Keep in touch, Harvey P!

gPage

Letters to Harvey from The Kingdom:

Other 'golfy' scribblings:

"Millions of people were charmed by the homespun golf advice dispensed in Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, a sports classic that became the best-selling sports book of all time. Yet, beyond the Texas golf courses where Penick happily toiled for the better part of eight decades, few people knew the self-made golf pro who coaxed the best out of countless greats -- Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Betsy Rawls, Mickey Wright -- all champions who considered Penick their coach and lifelong friend." - Kevin Robbins, author of Harvey Penick: The Life and Wisdom of the Man Who Wrote the Book on Golf.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Stay Whole Tuesday: Be a thriver, not a survivor

Hey nugs,

Yesterday we celebrated Jim Herndon: Make it a Great Monday: Remembering Jim Herndon.

Today, I am reminded of Jim again when reading this incredible story Uncle Ricky shared from The Washington Post: My neighbor lived to be 109. This is what I learned from him.

This opener will grab you and make you want to learn more about Dr. Charlie White:

"My new neighbor was washing a car. In my memory (this detail is a matter of some disagreement around the neighborhood), it was a shiny new Chrysler PT Cruiser, the color of grape soda pop. It belonged to my neighbor’s girlfriend, and I couldn’t help noting that the vehicle in question was parked in the same spot where she had left it the night before. I deduced that a Saturday night date with the glamorous driver had developed into the sort of sleepover that makes a man feel like being especially nice the next morning.

My neighbor was bare-chested, dressed only in a pair of old swim trunks. With a garden hose in one hand and a soapy sponge in the other, he flexed his muscular chest with each splash and swirl, his wavy hair flopping rakishly over one eye.

This was Dr. Charlie White. Age 102."

For more on Stoicism, my UNC bud, Dr. Jack King shares that we need to read A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine.

Check it out if the spirit moves you.

Love,

Dad

Monday, May 22, 2023

Make it a Great Monday: Remembering Jim Herndon

Good Monday morning all,

Thinking of Jim and, of course, Mikey this morning from London. Today is Jim's full military burial service at Arlington Memorial Cemetary. What an incredible honor for serving our country so well for many years.

Here's today's schedule, and Jim is the leadoff hitter.

Celebration of Life: James Dewey Herndon (1931-2021)

Godspeed to a dear friend and neighbor,

Dad

Friday, May 19, 2023

FaaFF: BARCH sessions and grass court tennis

Howdy nugs,

Five mornings of BARCH training this week and two nights of grass court tennis. So easy on the joints and legs, and nice clean bounces of the ball. The grass is fantastic.

Fit as a Fiddle in Richmond!

gPa and Peach

P.S. The electric toothbrush has officially been put in the lineup. Using it each evening for a nice daily electric clean!

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