Week 2 was played on a warm muggy night with us playing at 6:30 and 7:30 but getting an early start on game one when a team no showed.
In the first game we played Muddy Rollers on the third court.  We started out ahead with a string of one point frames before finally breaking through with a two point frame.  We followed that up with a series of good frames and a 9-0 win.
In the second game we were once again on the third court against Holy Ballz. Everything that went right the first game went wrong in this game, we got behind in the ball count and gave up some big frames and lost 9-0.
I didn't think court 3 was rolling as good as it had this year.  It seemed slower and more erractic.  Oh well.

Lisa and Mike went to St Louis to pick up their sister Jean but were back in plenty of time to start the summer season.  The weather was rainy and muggy until about half way through our second game.  We played the 6&7 games and since there are only 12 teams playing there are no 8 or 8:30 games, hallelujah.
In the first game we played Bocceilism on the third court.  We made some good throws and moved out to a 7-3 lead but they got a 3 point frame and it was game on.  We got a point and they got a couple to tie the game at 8.  They went deep corner with the pallino but we got one close and they missed a knock and their other throws just missed and we got a 9-8 win.
We played Bertha's Ball Handlers in the second game, once again on the third court.  They had played their first game on a different court and had trouble with the speed.  We jumped out to a big lead and cruised to a 9-5 win.
Nice to get started 2-0.

A beautiful day yesterday so we took the tops out of the jeep and went for a ride.  Lisa had done a 5k benefit walk in the morning so she was ready to get some food so we decided on Mases Place.
I got a brisket burger with tots, Lisa and Debbie got italian pork and Mike got pulled pork with tots and hushpuppies.  After we'd ordered we decided on some mushrooms for an appetizer.  The mushrooms were barely okay but definitely nothing special and I liked them better than Lisa or Debbie, Mike of course didn't eat any.  
None of the food was very hot so I wonder if it sat while they gave us time to eat the appetizers.  My brisket burger was a good solid burger and the tots were good, I'd ordered extra seasoning and it really helped it out.  The italian pork was good but as with everything it need to be hotter.
After we left we stopped at Hickory Ridge winery.  We'd been there before but had been hesitant to stop with Mike and Debbie since Mike doesn't like wine.  It was very peaceful and nice sitting outside.  A nice breeze helped keep the bugs away.  We all got sangria and everyone liked it include Mike much to everyones surprise.
We finished the day with trip down to Hutchins Creek and then back home.

Broadway Bayou has been a favorite of ours for several years but for a variety of reasons we haven't been there in a couple years.  I've been wanting etouffee so we headed up yesterday.  While the menu has changed some the things we liked were still on it.  I was concerned about the etouffee because it said veggie and tomato based.  
We told the waitress we would split a large order of it and she would also include two pieces of cornbread.  As we were waiting we got to discussing some things and found out her family was from Murphysboro and I went to school with her uncle Tom.
When it came she said she had put a lot in the bowl and she wasn't kidding.  It was full to the brim and she brought an extra plate for us.  The bad news was that I didn't care much for the tomato based sauce, it just didn't seem like etouffee to me.
When we go back we'll opt for something else like the fried chicken or gumbo.

After the success of Saturdays Waterloo run we tried to duplicate it with a trip to Perryville and the almost always good Mary Janes Burgers & Brews.  Mike drove so I could sight see some and I really enjoyed it.
The first sign that it wasn't going to be the same type trip was when I tried an amber draft and it wasn't the best so I ordered a Yuengling bottle.  It came and I asked for a glass and it wasn't cold.  We ordered some cheese curds and they were once again outstanding.  Once again me and Lisa shared a korean rice bowl but got chicken in it this time.  It was once again very good but the chicken seemed stringy and I could have done without.  Debbies fish tacos looked real good but she said the sauce had a little too much heat.  Mike got a plain cheeseburger with fries.  He really liked the fries.
When we finished we walked down the street to 1930 Perryville, formally known as Jackson street brewery and J street eats.  It's now a bbq type place with nice comfortable seating.  I got a Yuengling draft and it wasn't very cold.  What is it with warm beer, cold is where it's at. 
We left there and went to Stoneys but it was closed so we started back.  We stopped by Salty Dawg for a drink and I finally got a cold beer, a nice frosty Killians.  Not much going on there either so we were one and done.
On the way home we stopped at the Chinchbug for a quick drink and then headed home.
Moral of the story:  Memorial Day Monday is not the day for a day trip.

Yesterday we made a long anticipated trip to Waterloo.  Mike had been wanting to go there since he saw a picture of a sailor Jerry statue at Hopskeller so that was our first stop.  The statue had been broken a few years ago but they said there was one down the street at the RRR.  We both had the amber beer and neither of us were wild about it.  Mike and Debbie had some pineapple forward drink that was really sweet.  My plan was to have appetizers there but it didn't happen..
We headed down the street to Uncle Johns RRR bar.  It was loud inside but nice once we went outside.  Mike got to see the statue but was somewhat upset they didn't have Sailor Jerrys rum.  I think he settled for Captain Morgans while we had Yuengling drafts.  Very interesting outside with a downstairs that looked like an old pool.  A "interesting" person stopped by and talked with us, it was obvious he had got an early start.
Next up was Stubborn German a couple doors down.  It was nice out so we sat outside.  We both go their octoberfest beer and it was really good.  We also got a bag of kettle popcorn that was made locally and it really hit the spot.
Final stop in Waterloo was Vintage Wine Bar.  We walked in and the place was dead but we went outside on their patio and it was hopping.  Two guys were playing guitars and singing my kind of music.  We had a couple Yuenglings and listen to the music.  The most fun place we stopped.
I didn't want to be out too long with it being Memorial Weekend so we headed down to Red Bud to eat.  I didn't have a plan and didn't get much help so we stopped at Tulaynes, a small bar on the main drag.  I got a burger while Lisa got a chicken sandwich.  No one was wild about the sandwiches plus mine came with cheese that was that looked like a velveeta slice, yuck.  The fries were pretty good but overall nothing great.  They did have the smallest bathroom I've been in, barely wide enough for me to fit.  The pot and sink were so close you didn't have to move to wash you hands after peeing.
The Waterloo portion was awesome.  Every place we went was within two blocks of each other and there were a couple other bars we didn't make it too.  I'm sure we'll head back soon.

We went to Southpaw for lunch yesterday.  We'd been there for a beer before and Lisa had gone there with friends but I hadn't been there to eat.  Lisa had brought home a sandwich for me when she went there but by the time it got home it was hard to tell how good it really was. 
Our waitress wasn't the most attentive especially with how many people were in there.  There were a few tables finishing up but hope they get a better crowd soon.  I ordered dry rubbed chicken wings while Lisa got the bbq sandwich with chips. 
The wings were nice big wings and were cooked really well, smoked then fried.  They were different than others I've had in the area and I really liked them.  Lisa's bbq was different then most around and I thought it was good.  I really liked the crisp pickles on it.  The chips were really crisp but needed seasoning, I added some salt that helped. 
Really nice to have a place that is a bar and has food.  Murphysboro hasn't had that in a while.

Yesterdays excursion took us to the Eagles Nest in Addieville.  When we arrived there were a lot of cars so needless to say they had a big crowd but we were able to get a table just inside the door.  It was very busy and I think our waitress was new not only to the place but to being a waitress in general. 
Lisa and I had Blue Moon drafts while Mike had captain and diet and Debbie was a good girl with water.  We ordered a half chicken all white with slaw and subbed out fries for onion rings.  The got chicken also but with fries and subbed out chips for the slaw.  Mike got his usual chips for the table also.
We didn't have to wait as long as I expected but Mike's chips for the table came out about the same time as the rest of our food.  We didn't get our slaw and Mike only got one fry so something got messed up.  I wasn't real worried about the slaw because the chicken was so good.  Very moist and well cooked.  The onion rings were also very good but the breading fell off easily.  The chips were crisp but didn't seem to have much seasoning on them.  Overall an awesome stop, best chicken I've had in a while.
On our way home we stopped at Coon Dogs outside of Coulterville.  Not a lot of people but a good time and a nice place.  One guy had beef jerky that was really good so I bought a bad.  The also had a claw machine with ducks in it so we played it some, guess who got a duck on their first try, me!

We went to Aces & Eights yesterday.  It's a very small place with a small menu close to the Pyramid State Park.  I'd been wanting to go there for a while.
I was torn between a BLT and a burger so when Lisa went with a BLT I opted for a cheeseburger.  Both of us got fries and a Yuengling.  There were a few other people in the place eating and a couple more came in when those left.  Not crowded but it could be with a few more people.
The burger was handpattyed and really big but was missing something, maybe seasoning.  The BLT was very good.  The fries were your standard crinkle cut frozen fries but were cooked very well.  If and when we go back I'll probably go with  BLT.
They've open a place in Oakdale and a gaming place in Nashville.

Our Spring 2025 season wrapped up last night with the towel tournament.  The weather was warm and muggy but not too bad.
We drew Dark Side of the Pallino on the center court for our first game.  We scored a series of one point frames along with a two point frame and all of a sudden we were up 7-0.  We closed it out with a two point frame and a 9-0 win.  We did a great job of staying ahead in the ball count and making them using multiple balls each frame.  We also didn't give up a big frame and took advantage of opportunities when they were there.  By far our best game of the year.
In the second game we played Mission: Imbocceball on the first court.  We had some trouble with the court change and fell behind 3-0 but a three point frame tied it up.  It was all downhill from there.  With the score 5-4 I made a coaching mistake that caused them to get a three spot and they finished it up from there.
So ends a disappointing spring season but in spite of only winning 5 games we were only outscored by 6 points on the season.

We got a late start yesterday because of Greysons little league game.  Carbondale and Marion were out because of SIU graduation so we decided on Split Decisions, a relatively new place that has been Ten Pin Alley and Backwater Pub and most likely others in the past.
We parked in front which seems to be the entrance to the bowling alley, the entrance to the restaurant part is on the north side of the building.  The don't have draft beer yet but they did have Yuengling so we got that.  Mike got his captain and diet while Debbie was good and had soda.  We got a an appetizer of onion rings which was the main reason I wanted to go there and also a plate of pretzel bites and beer cheese.  Mike and I got burgers while the girls both got BLT. 
The onion rings were very hot by the time they got to the table like they'd been sitting for a while but they were still awesome.  They were hand breaded using red onions, I don't think I've ever had and onion rings with red onions.  I thought the pretzel bites weren't all that great, I'm not sure why but something was missing.  The burger was excellent, it was also hand pattied and cook really well.  Mike had gotten fries and they were nicely done too.  I didn't try any of the BLT's but did have a strip of bacon and it was really good. 
I hope they continue making the food by hand, it really adds something.
We finished the day with  stops at River Rats and the Elks.

Spring 2025 regular season wrapped up last night with 6&7 o'clock games or so we thought.   
In the first game we played Rolling Thunder on the first court.  We started out down 1-0 but came back with a three point frame.  For a good portion of the game I thought we were going to get biotched with them making one great throw in each frame but we managed to get another three point frame and walked away with a 9-4 win.
In the second game we moved to the middle court and we all struggled with the faster speed.  The game was a back and forth game with us moving ahead 8-6 but they came back with a two point frame.  We used all out balls to get in on a easy throw on the wall but they missed and were down to their last ball.  For the second week in a row we were beat by a ping pong ball that barely hit a front ball and took our ball out of the point and them in for a 9-8 loss.
Not one of our better seasons with a 5-11 finish.

We went to Sergios for Cinco de Mayo yesterday.  The chips and salsa were good but I really like the gauc that Mike got for the table.  I ordered the Delmar seafood platter.  I'd had it before but it seemed even better this time with a lot more cauliflower and broccoli.  I didn't eat much of the rice or salad since there was so much of the seafood and aforementioned cauliflower and broccoli.  Very very good dish.

Yesterdays adventure took us to Lisas Market Street bar in Prairie du Rocher.  I took an interesting wrong turn and we ended up going by Pierre Menards home.  We didn't stop but it looked interesting.
Once we finally got to Lisa's we weren't sure it was open.  It was just not much happening there.  We split a half fried chicken all white with beer battered fried and cucumber salad.  The fried chicken was great, probably right there with Bottoms Up.  The cucumber salad was really good but I like a thicker cut on the cucumbers.  The beer battered fries weren't that great, Mikes regular fries were much better.  I think the beer battered would have been better if they cooked longer.
We walked down the street to the Rocher Pub and there were several people in there having drinks on a rainy crappy day.  Me and Lisa had been there before but Mike and Debbie hadn't.  After a beer it was time to move on.
We stopped in Evansville and the street was blocked off.  We went in the Sand Box but it was way too crowded and loud.  We walked out and talked to the owner.  They were supposed to have a street party but the weather moved it inside.  He said there was another bar named Billy Bobs about a block a way so we went there.  It was an old place but had a small but interesting menu.  While we were there the barmaid told us of a bbq place called Wallys in Ellis Grove.  We finished our drinks and had a nice cold walk back to the car.  But wait, there was a small town market that we stopped in.  It reminded me of the markets we had in Murphysboro years ago.
Last stop was at Wallys.  I'm always very skeptical of bbq places, too much competition bbq.  We decided to get the sampler with brisket, ribs and pulled pork.  For sides we had mac and cheese and baked beans.  Color me impressed.  The ribs were bite through and very good.  Best we've had since Hicks closed down.  The brisket was also on point and possibly the best around.  Pulled pork was okay but if you can't make pulled pork don't open a bbq place.  Everyone said the mac and cheese was good but it's not really my thing.  The beans needed work, not really that much flavor.  Overall a great place.

Last night was a nice warm night but with a threat of thunderstorms as we played our week 7 games.  We played the 7:30 and 8:30 games and it's well known how much I dislike late games and I'm not the only one.
In the first game we played Usual Suspects on the middle court.  We started out with a point but game up three before scoring a couple to tie it at 3.  We traded a couple points before they moved ahead 5-4.  We got our last ball in but they had two left.  The first one missed.  I'm still not sure what happened but on their last ball they managed to knock our ball out and move the pallino into a cluster of their balls and we walked away with a 9-5 loss.
In the second game we played Ball Busters, once again on the middle court.  We got an early 3 point frame and cruised to a 9-0 win.
Once again a big frame and getting behind in the ball count killed us but overall we played decent.

We met some of my cousins yesterday at Faye.  We had Dooter so he got to go too.  I ordered a turkey club with avocado on the side.  Lisa got half BLT and half strawberry salad while Dax got a sheet pan egg and sausage. 
My turkey club was very good.  Dax ate Lisa's strawberries but not a lot of his own stuff and also got a big brownie that the twins finished up when they got off the bus.
It was a really good time talking with them.

On Saturday we played in a Wrestling benefit tournament.  Several old wrestlers and a few current wrestlers played along with some of the usual players.
In the first game we beat the Edwards team 9-3.  In the second game we played a team that featured my cousin Roberto.  We couldn't hang with a pretty loaded team losing 9-3.  In the third game we played a team made up with mostly current wrestlers so we didn't have much trouble with them.  In the fourth pool game we played a win and in game against a team headlined by CJ.  We just couldn't make throws when we had too and lost a game that wasn't overly close.
After the game we decided to go to Quatros.  We split a salad and small meateaters pizza.  While we were waiting long time friend Big Gay Al walked in so we went over and talked with him and his some Jacob.  The salad was good but the croutons weren't anything special and there was a lot of them.  Their french dressing is some of the best I've had.  Finally the pizza came and it was very good and looked like Quatros pizza is supposed to look.  Mike and Debbie got a medium pepperoni and it was thin similar to ours the last time we were there.
I hope they get things worked out and back to what Quatros is supposed to be.

We played a triple header last night, making up a game that was postponed.  Great night for it too with nice warm weather.  Riverside was really hopping too with bocce, softball and an easter egg hunt.
In the first game we played No Beer, No Bocce on the middle court.  We jumped out to a 4-0 lead but back they came.  The court was fast and we had trouble adjusting.  We finally lost 9-6.
In the second game once again on the middle court we played Boobs, Booze and Bocce. We started out strong and kept going winning 9-3.
In the final game we played Boccelism once again on the middle court.  They adjusted a lot better and we were down 8-3 but had a chance to get back into it but our throw hit their ball and limited us to one point then they closed out a 9-4 loss.
We struggled all game with speed of the court and once again leaving wide o

We had a lazy Saturday so we decided to pick up New Kahala, something we hadn't done in a while.  One of their limited time specials caught my eye so I decided to get a pork chop over rice.  Lisa also tried something new, noodles with Peking sauce.
The pork chop in mine was nicely done except the coating fell off anytime I cut it.  The rice was good and there was a ton of it.  I'm not a big hard boiled egg guy and didn't really care that much for brown egg.  I probably won't get it again.  Lisa's was good but was spicy, I couldn't have eaten much of it and there was a lot.

We took a very nice ride up into Larue Pine Hills even stopping to check out inspiration point.  Mike went out to the point but the rest of us stayed back.  I don't trust my balance that much anymore especially having some vertigo episodes lately.  We too Hutchins road but not much water was flowing over the road.  We ended up at Ware Market which is always a cool place to visit.
On the way to Bottom's Up Lisa said I could take the jeep up Happy Hollow rd, at least until it started to touch the sides of the jeep.  No problem, we made it all the way to the top.  Mike had been wanting to show Debbie the view and it was awesome.
Lastly we stopped at Bottoms up.  I ordered 1/4 fried chicken all white while Lisa got a grilled chicken breast.  With my two sides I got slaw and a dinner salad for Lisa.  Mike and Debbie got their standard 1/2 chicken with double chips along with double chips for the table.  Everything was great as always but Lisas chicken looked small.
Pictures to come.

Not feeling the best at last nights bocce so everything is kind of fuzzy.  Short sleeves to start and then a hoody so the weather was okay.
In the first game we played Mission Imbocceball on the third court.  I don't remember much about the game but we lost 9-7.
In the second game we played Bocce and Brews once again on the third court.  We got an early lead but they came back.  With the score 7-6 them we had a chance to win but shorted our final throws making the score 7-7.  Next frame our last ball was next to the pallino but they hit is and got two easy points for the win.
We're staying with teams but need to start closing them out when we have a chance.  We did get a win on one of our makeup games when Berthas Ball Handlers said they aren't going to make the game up so even though we lost both games we outscored our opponents.

Playing as Rolling for a Cure we played in the Relay for Life tournament yesterday.  There were 12 teams divided into 3 pools.  Once again we ended up in a brutal pool but that's the way it goes.
In the first game we played the Punishers on the 3rd court.  We outplayed them most of the game but gave up two big frames including one that closed out the game losing 9-8.
In the second game we played a Thursday night team we'd never faced before but I don't remember the name.  We had played against a couple of their players before.  We jumped out a to a big lead and rode that to a 9-2 win on the middle court.
In the last pool game we took on Holy Ballz on the third court.  They had Mike playing in place of Fred.  We had an early lead but once again gave up a big frame allowing them to catch up.  The score got to 8-7 and we had a point but our next throw hit their ball and moved it closer.  Our next throw did the same thing and our last throw was way off.
We continued playing better but have to quit giving up big frames and do a better job of taking advantage of the other teams bad frames.
Lisa made chili and polish sausage for the event and they went over great.  A lot of kind words but for some reason people usually thank me.

Week 3 was canceled due to some really bad weather so we took to the courts last night after a two week layoff.  We played the 6:30 and 8:00 games but we finally got some weather that wasn't bad.  Cool but not cold.
In the first game we played Mag 4 on the third court.  We once again flipped ends with Mike and Debbie with me and Lisa playing on the east end.  We started the game by giving up four straight one point frames.  We managed a comeback by scoring a couple one point frames and a two point frame to tie the game.  Both teams got a point to tie the game at 5.  We got a two point frame followed by a single point frame to take the lead 8-5.  We didn't have anything close until Mike put a throw next to the pallino and their three attempts to knock it out missed and we got off the schneid with our first win of the year.
In the second game we played Holy Ballz once again on the third court.  We traded a couple points but then we went ahead 5-3 before they got a two point frame to tie it 5-5.  We traded single point frames and with the score tied 6-6 they knocked our ball out and got two points.  On the last frame they got one close and we couldn't do anything about it.  9-6 loss.
Overall we've started playing better.

The grandkids had a combined birthday party at Ultimate Gymnastics yesterday.  It was rainy and has been for several days, I'm talking historic rain.  6" and up in most places.  Why is that related?  All the kids there were ready to cut loose and they did.  Bailey was worried about people showing up but I said there wasn't anything else to do.
Afterwards we decided to go to Sergios in Carbondale.  We talked about Bottoms Up but were worried about roads being flooded.  I was in need of one of their big beers when we got there and it was nice and cold.  Three of us ordered birria tacos and Mike got street tacos.  I also got a side of rice while Debbie and Lisa got rice and beans.  In addition to the standard chips and salsa that most Mexican places set out we got an order of guacamole for the table. 
The guac was chunky which I don't think I've ever seen before but it was really good.  The tacos were also really good and I the dipping sauce (au jus?) was a great addition.  It was also good poured over the rice.  Everyone seemed really pleased with the meal except Mike wasn't wild about the chunky guac.
By the time we were finishing there was almost no room on the table with all the different dishes.  Note to self, next time skip the rice.  I felt like the michelen man when I left.

We decided to pick up from Pats last night.  We hadn't been there in quite a while mainly because we don't get BBQ out very often for a variety of reasons.
Anyway we almost got a rack of ribs but went with a pork steak for me and rib tips for Lisa.  I also got slaw.  I had trouble finding an up to date menu and it would be nice if it was a little easier to find.
My pork steak was great, probably the most tender I've had.  I would have rather had the sauce put on it the last few minutes it cooked but not a big deal.  Lisa didn't really care for the rib tips but I thought they were good.  The slaw was a vinegar type and it was also good,
Interesting pork steak story (at least to me).  When I was a senior in high school I would go home for lunch on football game days and dad would have a skillet pork steak with mashed potatoes and white gravy waiting on  me.  I'd have that then get back to school and wouldn't eat anything else until after the game.