One Ball...That's All!

Having just ended my second season of league bowling today, it thought it might be time to express some thoughts on this sport.  Bowling seems to weave in and out of my life.

My favorite thing about bowling is the sound. As soon as I walk into a bowling alley the sound of bowling balls hitting pins make me smile; and the sounds of people cheering and sometimes groaning also makes me look up to see what just happened. I like it that the scores are visible.

I remember going to bowling alleys with my parents when they were in leagues many years ago. One of the alley's they bowled at was the Bluemound Bowl, and it is still there. Just recently I went there to practice and it brought back many memories.

My first experience of league bowling was in high school. We got out of school about an hour early once a week and were bused to the "Rose Bowl". That alley, most recently named AMF West Allis closed last year. Too bad - it was really nice and had a lot of parking.

Once I started working. I joined several teams with the ladies. I also bowled on a few couple leagues with sweetie and one season joined a church league. I also remember a few years bowling on a league that started at 9 p.m., which while late, allowed me to put the kids to bed before heading out for a few hours. Actually, in those days the men's leagues got the prime time and the ladies had to wait until they finished.  A few years ago, my daughter and I joined a women's league and that got me back into the sport. We did several city, state and even a National tournament. I also was talked into the women's Senior tournament; and a couple of "500" tournaments.

So...back to the present. After retiring, I joined a morning ladies league and really enjoy it.  My bowling keeps getting better and I won enough in the City Tournament to buy a new ball.

Next season in addition to bowling in two morning leagues, I'll be in the State Senior Tournament in October; and the State "600" Tournament in November. The National's will be held in Las Vegas next spring - I haven't committed to that one yet.

A Neighborhood Intruder

An ongoing battle with the U.S. Postal Service is with the delivery of my mail. 

Living in the City of Milwaukee with sidewalks, my mail carrier drives their vehicle from block to block then walks from house to house delivering the mail. As is typical in the neighborhood my mailbox is attached to the house next to the front door. 

Since being retired I've noticed a new mail carrier every few days and about half of them do not use sidewalks. Instead they walk from front porch to front porch across lawns; through the snow banks and right in front of windows. I've been taken back frequently when I see a head pop up in front of the front window. 

There is a website that I continue to use every six to eight weeks reminding the "powers that be in the world of mail carriers" that I do NOT want letter carriers to walk in front of my windows as it frightens me. My sidewalks are kept clean and free of snow and ice so they may easily get to and from our house. 

Even though I continue to object and get promises each time it will stop it doesn't. Probably because of the turnover. 

The following is now printed on bright neon yellow card stock and taped to the inside flap of my mailbox so they can't miss it.  We'll see if it helps.

MAIL CARRIER - CAUTION...

TO AVOID BEING MISTAKEN AS AN INTRUDER PLEASE USE SIDEWALK

Watercolor Jewelry

The Tuesday Craft Club teacher suggested we try making jewelry with watercolor paper. The bracelet she made sure interested me.  I missed a class one week due to nasty weather but kept thinking about this craft. After viewing a few YouTube videos I gave it a try.  Here are the results of my first set!

I started with a pendant

Two views of my second piece: A bracelet

Topped it off with a pair of earrings!

It takes quite a bit of time but quite satisfying. If you're interested in learning how - go to Pinterest and look for my "Watercolor Jewelry" board. I've pinned the videos.

Movies NOT nominated for Best Picture

I made a list of 2014 movies I have seen so far, and realized I enjoyed several of these more than the "Best Picture" nominated movies.  If you're looking for a movie to rent or stream consider these.

Chef
Draft Day
The Fault In Our Stars
Foxcatcher
The Giver
Gone Girl
The Hundred Foot Journey
The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay (part 1)
Into the Woods
Jersey Boys
The Judge
Maleficent
Million Dollar Arm
The Monuments Men
The Skeleton Twins
Still Alice
Unbroken
Wild

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child (At Least 3 Violations of 1st Degree Sexual Assault)

Not an easy trial to sit through. A man known as "Uncle" to a now 12 year-old girl was on trial.  Twelve jurors would need to come to a unanimous decision - Guilty or Not Guilty. Defendant is presumed innocent. The State taxed with convincing us without any physical evidence - just the testimony of a few people.

The first half of the trial was heart breaking and tragic. The victim, now 12 years old and cognitively challenged testified; as well as her 11 year-old sister who claimed to witness incidents. These girls were expected to recall incidents going back from January, 2013 through July, 2014.  Their stories were not consistent. Sometimes an incident would happen in a bedroom; another time it happened in a kitchen or basement. They were visibly terrified to be on the witness stand talking into a microphone about "chest" and "private parts" while "uncle" sat watching them.

Their life consists of living in a household with up to ten children and four adults - including "uncle".  Turns out "uncle" was not really an "uncle".  None of the adults claimed to be married - just boyfriend or fiancee. And I'm convinced a fiancee is nothing more than a glorified girlfriend. 

The second half of the trial was less emotional.  A male nurse practitioner and two male police officers and the defendant testified. 

I kept an open mind; giving the defendant the benefit of the doubt until he testified. Twice he was caught lying while on the witness stand. By the time he was finished I had reached my decision beyond a reasonable doubt that he was guilty.

The jury however was not unanimous to start. Yesterday we spent about 40 minutes discussing before being excused for the day. After sleeping on it however this morning in about 1 hour we came to the unanimous decision of Guilty.

This was my first time serving on a jury. I did not enjoy it; do not look forward to doing it again any time soon; but did find the experience satisfying. Perhaps because the deliberation process went much smoother than I expected.  We selected the youngest person to act as our "foreperson".  Turns out he is a senior at Whitefish Bay High School; planning to study Criminal Justice in college. He has been accepted by U.W. Madison. For such a young person he handled himself quite well given the delicate subject matter.  I like to think he'll end up as a judge someday.