Charles Gray

I have been unable to access my blog’s administration panel for a couple months. Everytime I logged in I got a blank page. After searching the web, I’ve discovered that the blank page problem is fairly common. However the solution depends on the situation. I was able to get back in simply by renaming the plugins folder. I’m a bit skeptical about this since I deleted all plugins via ftp and restarted apache without any success long before renaming the folder.

We’ll see how things go. If it remains stable, I’ll upgrade wordpress to 2.6.x.

Wish me luck…

Well, not exactly. But her Mom blogs about her. Lucy contributes. I love the title.

“Lucille means light. We discovered this after naming our little Lucy, and I realized then how much more meaningful her name had become. November had always been such a dark month for us. The sun was fading and the winter was coming on. Lucille is the light that came to us in November of 2007. This is a story about our life with her.”

So go on over and say hi! See what Lucy is up to.

I’ll always remember November.

Lucy has been a complete blessing. My life has changed. Since she was born, I have learned so much about her and about myself. There hasn’t been a dull moment. Everyone said that the months would go by fast. They have.

I’ve tried to take as many pictures as possible and record her sounds. But most of all, I’ve gathered some of the most precious memories of my life. In an odd way, watching her is like looking at myself (of course she is much better looking).

It has been amazing seeing her grow and learn. She loves the guitar. Its my one secret weapon when she gets fussy. She always wants to have a sip from my tea or coffee. She knows her name. She loves being read to. She loves her Mom. She likes to watch Jackson (our cat).

We take her for walks often. In the photo with Jenna, she is watching an old windmill spin at Lapham Peak - that was fun. I think we lost a shoe there. I can’t wait to take her fishing or to the putting green.

I love Lucy.

I started playing golf seven years ago after receiving a set of clubs as a gift. A gift I still cherish to this day (Thanks again Vic). I still use them every time I play. They have taken a beating. I broke the driver and 7 wood. I left my gap wedge up at TImber Ridge. Nevertheless, for me the gift of golf clubs was like getting my first fishing rod.

Over the last seven years I have learned quite a bit about the game and myself. Being able to shoot a decent score has given me more confidence and self esteem.

I wish I had started playing earlier in life which is somewhat surprising since I was a caddie at Brynwood when I was 12 or 13. I never bought my own clubs at that age. I still have my caddie rule book.

I learned the most important elements of golf way back then - etiquette, honesty, perseverance, etc. I learned that I had an immense appreciation for being out amongst the trees and wildlife in relative quiet. I learned that I enjoy the look of sculpted and slopey fairways and greens.

When I got my own clubs, my admiration for golf grew ever stronger. I developed a love for the game that transcended wanting to play on the weekends here and there. I’d play everyday if I could. I daydream about courses I’ve played in the past - some of which each hole is memorized. I’m working on being able to visualize holes and shots - something I have done a lot over this last brutal winter.

Another thing that got me through this last winter was the gift of golf. My brother-in-law Stephen is famous for his Christmas gifts. I’ve been fortunate enough to have been the recipient of his generosity for the last two years.

This year he gave me four rounds at four different courses - Edgewoood, New Berlin Hills, Blackstone Creek, and Hawthorne Hills. All together, they will be part of the Charles Gray 2008 Tour. The gift left me speechless. I also got a new glove, two boxes of balls, and a bag of tees.

I am ready.

I can’t wait to play this year. I look forward to having some great times on the course with you dude. Thanks Steve!!!

2007 was pretty damn good. I went camping. Did some great fishing. Went to San Diego (on business but it still counts right?). I became a father. I also played some golf.

Although I probably won’t get to play as much until Lucy can hit the links with me, I still love to reflect on all the great times and places I played last year. To the best of my recollection, here is a list of Golf Courses I played in “07″

Blackwolf Run - One of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever played. I birdied the 1st (Meadow Valleys). It was downhill from there but what great memories. Thanks again Tom.

Brown County Golf Course - Brown County is one of a few courses I play in Green Bay. Fast greens and scenic holes make for an unforgettable experience. I once played there for Stephen’s bachelor party. What a hoot!

Currie - Currie gets a lot of traffic so I don’t play there often. I was there once or twice last year.

Dretzka - I like Dretzka. I have seen wild turkey out there. It always plays longer than I remember. No major roadways border the course giving it a more secluded feel.

Eagle Springs - I love this course. Despite the fact that the par 3 - 2nd can be intimidating, I like playing there. Great scenery and the staff is friendly.

Grant - Sort of a staple for me since I live on the south side. Too bad there aren’t more views of the lake. The course has an odd hole or two but I always have fun there. I saw a fox on the 17th not too long ago.

High Cliff - This course was adjacent to a campground overlooking Lake Winnebago. I played there with Jim and Jeff. I seem to remember some rain…

Highland Ridge - This is a course I play in Green Bay. I often play there and elsewhere with my Father-In-Law yet it feels like we don’t play enough. When we do its always fun.

Ironwood - Easily one my favorite courses. I have had some great times and great golf out there.

Kettle Hills - Another favorite course. I probably play out there more than anywhere else. The staff is very nice and the course boasts 45 holes - a huge plus during busy times.

Lake Golf Course - A local pitch and putt. Great place to practice the short game except for putting. The greens are too nappy.

Ledgeview - Formerly Mystery Hills, this Green Bay course is scenic and fun to play.

Lincoln - A 9 hole county course located near the office. Too near. Lincoln sees a ton of traffic.

Madison Park - The first course I ever played back in the spring of “02″. I played with my friend Scott and Kenny. I learned right away to play at a good pace. Kenny can be a slow player and we ticked off the group behind us. I grew up close to the park but the only thing I ever did was walk across the course with my brother to get to the swimming pool. Madison is my sentimental favorite par 3 course.

McCauslin Brook - I played up there with Jim a couple times while up in Lakewood. Loved it. Absolutely loved it.

Mee Kwon - One of Ozaukee County’s municipal courses. I like the layout.

Muskego Lakes - Played it once. A fun course from what I remember. I played 18 with Dan, Paul, and Joe and then an additional 9 with Dan. Crazy. It won’t be the last time I play 27 or 36. Not even close.

Oakwood - I like playing there. A Milwaukee County course, it is located fairly close to my house. I played it only once last year since part of the course was having the drainage system upgraded.

TImber Ridge - This course is special. I played it for the first time last year while on a fishing trip with Dan. Timber RIdge is located in the north woods and is a good place to get lost. There is something great about playing when you are on vacation and not so worried about rushing back home. As a result you relax and probably play better golf.

Warnimont - An 18 hole par 3. This is the longest of the par 3 courses I’ve played.

West Bend Country Club - I was invited to play out there last year by Jim Dhein. I was so excited that I played pretty poorly. But I had a great time. I’d love to play there again.

Western Lakes - The site of the annual Player Invitational . I have some fantastic memories from there. The only bad thing is its the only time I get to play with my friend Mike. A cool course, a great outing, and an even better cause.

This is our daughter Lucy. She was born a couple of weeks ago and has made Jenna and I enormously happy. Its hard to put into words, but I’m sure those of you who are parents understand the life changing effects of having a child.

The last two weeks have been great. Lucy is healthy and doing well. Even now, I can see her personality emerging. I can see how she looks like her Mom and her Dad. I can see past generations of our families living through her.

We have so much to be thankful for. She is special.

This year Jenna and I planted 10 tomato plants. It didn’t take long before the vines were dominating the peppers, cucumbers, and assorted herbs in the gardens.

Over the last few months I attempted to train the muscular vines over cages and trellises, but it was hopeless. The resulting tomato jungle has provided hours of enjoyable harvests and meals.

Part of our success is due to the mixture of topsoil and compost from the folks at One Yard at a Time. For the last two years we filled the garden beds with a few yards of this rich fuel. In addition, we spread a bunch of our own hi-octane compost. Now we have healthy plants that in many cases have grown well past my head. The best part is they haven’t even peaked yet.

Last night, Jenna, Katie, Vivian and I enjoyed bruschetta and a great pasta dish that Jenna prepared. You can’t beat fresh vegetables in the summer.

One Yard at a Time
3202 N 97th St
Milwaukee, WI 53209
(414) 247-1444

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