Summer's drawing to a close

I've always loved the change of seasons because the change reminds us that we're still alive. Although there are a lot of things to do in the summer, there are other things I don't like to put up with and two of those are the sometimes oppressive heat and the bugs that seem to be everywhere. Fall is my favorite season because it gets rid of both those things without imposing on us the wind, cold and snow of winter. In fact, as I write this, I see that we dropped below freezing for the first time this season and when you walk out on the deck and breathe the cool air in deeply, it delights the soul.

I had a quiet summer, quieter than any summer I can remember in fact. I stayed pretty close to home and played golf about every day. I used to go to concerts and ballgames in the summer but that's when I had unmarried or, at least, uncommitted friends who would go with me. They're all hooked up now with the women of their choice and so there's nobody left to go with and I don't like to go places by myself. I've never even been to a movie by myself because it would just seem too strange for me to do such a thing.

There are pros and cons to being alone I suppose. I get to do what I want to do, when I want to do it without having to get someone else's permission or have them do it with me and that's liberating to a degree. I can watch what I want to watch on television, listen to the music of my choice and go to bed when I want to go to bed. But I have to do those things alone and one of the great joys in life is sharing something with other people, especially people you care about.

Some people get on to me for not having that special someone in my life but that pretty much falls on deaf ears because I did once upon a time. She was perfect for me in every way but it didn't work out and the chances of finding another diamond in the rough at my age are pretty close to zero. I always enjoyed being in a relationship. I liked loving somebody and being loved back. It meant a lot to me that there was someone else in the world that cared about me and how my day was going; someone that cared whether I lived or died; someone who chose me over everyone else to walk hand-in-hand through the uncertainties of life with. But we can't command that to happen. We can't demand that someone else loves us. And to settle for second best in love has never been an option to me. So I'll take whatever life gives me and try to make the best of it.

I'll be playing in my last golf tournament of the year this Sunday out at Heritage Hills in McCook. It's the annual 8-inch cup tournament and it's always a lot of fun. The hole is cut twice the size it usually is but golf course superintendent Bill Bieck always puts them on the most difficult areas of the green so if you miss the putt, it costs you dearly. I'm sure we won't win anything since me and my three partners are all about the same skill level but the weather's predicted to be pretty close to perfect and we'll have a lot of fun regardless of what score we shoot.

Nebraska's a nine-point underdog for the first time in a long time as they travel to Madison, Wisconsin, today to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin has a super-star playing quarterback that transferred there from North Carolina State, so it's going to be the toughest game the Huskers have played in a while. I never count Nebraska out of any game they play, but they'll have to be on top of their game to win this one.

A brand new two level deck is now open at the Coppermill Restaurant and Lounge and it's really something to see. It extends the length of the club on the south side with a great view of the golf course. A sound system provides constant musical entertainment and recessed lighting on both the upper and lower levels helps to insure you won't trip and fall once the sun goes down. Two large fire pits are also located on the lower level to keep patrons warm when the weather cools down. It's quite an addition to an already outstanding venue and congratulations to Adam Siegfried for putting it in.

Life is good, although it could always be better. But I'm happy to still be in the game.