Friday

Just a few lines this afternoon before shutting down.  We actually have a decent day here on the weather front.  Mid 40's and the snow is melting.

I've been watching the PGA tournament this afternoon and the Doral Blue Monster course is just tearing the pros apart.  I think Tiger has put four balls in the water.  Its a tough course and the wind is blowing about 30 MPH.  I know firsthand from when we were in Florida last week that the wind there can play havoc with the amateurs.  Same-same with the big boys!

The Donald bought this place a year or two ago out of bankruptcy proceedings and spent a bunch of money to upgrade the resort.  The on-property Blue Monster course was completely revamped.  As of right now, there are only two players under par for two days.  Its a survival contest.

Lots of moving parts in the fam these days.  A modest fff this weekend in Minnesota as 4 jets out to see her niece and nephew...and the Iowa contingent is all venturing up to join the party.  3 got back from London last night...and departs for Hong Kong Sunday night.  She be a travelin' girl, fo' sure!  Get some sleep, Kiddo!

I finally paged through my Winter edition of the ND alumni magazine last night.  This was the cover shot.  I'm not sure whether the ND or the Iowa alumni magazine is the worst for a right-of-center reader.  Its a tight race.  The combination of 1) a preponderance of do-gooder articles and 2) the standard progressive viewpoints of academia limits my reading to a scan-and-pass protocol. 

In another effort to "improve" the human condition, a couple of progressive groups have made recent headlines with their cry for the Girl Scouts to end a partnership with Mattel because of the unhealthy effects of the Barbie doll (made by Mattel).  OK.  Barbie is a little out of proportion.  But really, it isn't always somebody else's fault when things don't work out great for a girl.  Or a boy.

For you baseball fans (and maybe trivia fans as well) Dr. Frank Jobe passed away yesterday at the age of 88.  Dr. Jobe was an orthopaedic surgeon and is credited with the first reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow.  His first patient for this revolutionary surgery was LA Dodger pitcher Tommy John.  The procedure is now known colloquially as Tommy John surgery.  And it has rescued the careers of numerous pitchers in professional baseball.  Arguably, Dr. Jobe is worthy of Cooperstown.

Finally, a couple of tidbits on my fav sideline reporter, Erin Andrews.  Have you made it somewhere when you have made it to the NYT crossword?  Clue: ESPN reporter Erin.  Kind of a Monday puzzle clue if you follow sports.  And secondly, I had not followed the entertainment news to know that she has become the co-host on DWTS.  When did that happen?  I kinda liked the other girl.  Not that I ever watched the show.

All for now.  More from the road this weekend.

BCOT