The weather was too crappy to golf yesterday so we took a little road trip to Stonefort to try out Bucketheads.  Never heard of Stonefort?  Neither has Siri.  When I somehow missed a turn in Crab Orchard, the town not the lake, we ended back on Route 13.  When the Glue asked Siri for directions to Stonefort she got various options including a place in Tanzania.  We finally got directions and took a variety of backroads before coming out a few miles away from Stonefort.  There's not much in Stonefort so it was easy to find.
They don't serve alcohol at Bucketheads which had been the main reason we hadn't been there a couple years ago.  We did find out that they will allow you to bring your own in as long as you "don't act like an asshole".
They have several interesting things on their menu from cajun, bbq and catfish.  I was going to order the catfish but decided to split an order of fried alligator tails, a pulled pork sandwich and gumbo since they weren't serving etouffee yesterday.  Since we were sharing they were kind enough to put the gumbo in separate bowls and cut the sandwich in half.  When the gumbo came out I had serious reservations about it because it didn't look like any gumbo I'd ever had.  When I dug in it wasn't the best gumbo I've ever had but it was good.  We both had a few alligator tails that were chewy but overall they were good too.  The surprising thing was how good the BBQ was and also the house made BBQ sauce.  l think they'd smoked the pork and then put it on a flat top to crisp it up.
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Once again I missed a turn coming back in Goreville but this time Google Maps got us back on track.  Who would have known that it was Main St. in Goreville but Goreville Rd. just outside of town.
We stopped in Honker Hill for the first time, mainly because both of us had to pee.  I was surprised there were quite a few people there and by the time we left it was crowded.  We both ordered a wine slushy that was real tasty but got pretty sweet by the time we'd finished.  They had music starting at three and a bagel guy set up outside. 
I missed a final turn on the way home and ended up on Spillway Rd. instead of Grassy Rd.  I really didn't want to go through carbondale but we turned it to our advantage by stopping in Buckwater Brew Works.  They really didn't have much we liked on tap but we got a Kona ale which wasn't real great but when we sat down we saw there were more taps that we couldn't see.  We both ordered a Fat Tire and the bartender offered not to charge us but it was our fault and settled up for half price.  Buckwater is a really nice place on the inside and I'm really looking forward to when they brew their own beer.

Wednesday the weather turned our nice after some morning rains so we took a little trip to Sparta to one of our favorite places,  Broadway Grille.  The last time we were there wasn't a good experience but they redeemed themselves this time.
I ordered alligator etouffee and the Glue ordered sauteed shrimp.  My etouffee was real good but I think I like the crawfish version better.  The Glues shrimp were very good.  We both also got salads and while they were very good the Glue found a hair in hers which was the only downside to the trip.
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Sparta also has a new meat market, Bricktown,  which is also on the way I was planning to go home so we stopped in there.  Really interesting place and worth a stop in anytime you're in the vicinity.

After the bocce tournament on Saturday we decided to grab something to eat.  We had a miscommunication with Fred and went to Middies first but decided to leave and go to the Marina mainly because it was such a nice day and the view at the marina is awesome.
We got there about 4pm and were disappointed when we found out the dinner specials started at 5 not 4 as I thought.  Of well, at least they have draft beer now so we both ordered Blue Moons.  I ordered a catfish sandwich with chips and the Glue ordered a chili dog with fries.
My fish was real good and the chips were seasoned much and were only so-so.  I added salt and pepper to the chips and they were good then.  The Glues fries were good but she was indifferent about her chili dog.  She scraped the chili off and just ate that after awhile so I tried the hot dog and thought it was good.
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This would have been higher except for really wanting the dinner menu and the chips lacking seasoning.

 On a great day we had high hopes especially when one team in our pool didn't show up and another was playing with three players
Our first game was a forfeit so when we played the Ringers in the second game they'd already played a game, not that it matter.  Big Mike held his own against the Glue and Clutch while neither me or Herbster could get anything going and wound up losing 9-4.
A win against the Eclectics would still put us in the tournament but once again we lost and hopes of moving on were gone.
We played both games on the middle court and it was very fast and we couldn't adjust to the speed.  Not much more needs to be said about this disaster.

We went into week 8 needing two wins to solidify our standing and make the season ending tournament.  We played Boccezilla a team I hadn't seen all season but with having back to back games and sixteen teams there were a lot of teams I didn't see.
The first game started close but we quickly pulled away and won 9-3.  There was a good chance this was enough to get in the tournament but another win would secure it.
In the second game they got two points in the first frame and if that wasn't enough they turned around and got four in the second.  Once again we were down big but only 6-0 instead of 7-0.  We worked our way back to 6-6 and then got two points on a long wall shot.  They followed with a single point and then we finished with another long wall shot on the opposite wall for a 9-7 win and a for sure tournament bid.

  Yesterday for the first time since the seventies I was carded and denied an alcohol purchase.  Walmart always cards now and my drivers license was expired.  Even though it was expired it still had my birthday on it but the guy wouldn't sell it to me.  I didn't realize it was expired and have bought beer there several times in the six months since my birthday.  When the guy asked for my idea I said it was a good thing I'd just turned 21 and after a pause I said several decades ago.  I'm pretty sure no one thinks I look under 21 so ultimately the guy was being a dick. 

 On Saturday we teamed up with Fred and Cathy to form S & M Rollers and play in the Relay for Life tournament.  The weather was cooler than expected.  The Glue fixed Garlic, Jalapeno & cheddar and sweet italian sausages and they went over great.
In the first game we played a team that had never played before and they snuck in a few points but we beat them handily.
In the second game we played the Bootleggers.  They only had three and I thought we were in trouble but we crushed them 9-0.
In the third game we played they Calandro family.  Mick & Jann have a lot of experience but their daughter and her friend didn't and we handled them easily too.
In the last game of pool play we played Bocce Bandits.  A win would put us in but a loss would have made things too interesting.  It was a close game and Donna was on fire for them but in the end we got the win 9-8 to move into the championship round.
In the first round we played Big Muddy Monsters.  They jumped out to a 3-0 lead and we answered to make it 4-3 but they gradually moved away and were leading 8-6.  On their last throw they put a ball a few inches away from the pallino but we had three balls left.  Fred went for a kill shot and hit the pallino knocking it way back against the wall with his ball being closest for a point.  We had about 15' to work with for the win but Cathys throw gave us a few anxious moments but it settle short of the back wall.  Fred capped off the win nicely and we were in the championship.
We played a team made up with a couple who'd never played, one who'd played a little and one who had some experience.  They were never in the game and we won 9-4 to win the championship.
It was a very fun day for a good cause.

Last night we took on START on the new court.  We were tied in the standings and really needed a sweep to position ourselves for possibly making the tournament.
We got out to a small lead in the first game then they made a small comeback.  We answered and I had a chance to end the game but the ball slipped when it came out of my hand and it was short.  On the next roll The Glue got close but they got closer.  On their last throw they tagged their ball and we got the win 9-4.
In the second game they jumped out to a 2-0 lead and had the point on their last throw but once again tagged their ball and we got the point.  From that point on it was all Roll'em and we got a 9-3 win.
After starting 0-2 we've finally got above .500 and have a chance at the tournament.

On Friday we went to one of our favorites T Street Pub in Chrstopher.  We hadn't been there for a while mainly because it doesn't open until 4 and I wanted to wait until it stayed light longer. 
When walked in the door I noticed that one of the specials was all you can eat catfish with slaw, hush puppies and fries for $10.  Hard to beat that deal.  I asked the waiter if I can switch the fries out for a side salad and he snottily said no that's what makes it the special.  After throwing around a lot of ideas the Glue got a cheeseburger and side salad and I stayed with the catfish.  Their salads are big and real good.  Their house dressing is good but not as good as Broussards.  The Glue wasn't real wild about her burger but when I tried it I thought it was solid.  I'm not real big on hush puppies so the Glue took those and she said they were just ok.  The catfish was cut in chunks which I like but I wasn't impressed with them nor with the tartar sauce.  The slaw was ok but I didn't eat much of it.  The fries were good though.  The waiter didn't help matters.  He seemed more interested in hanging with the waitresses and it was our privilege when he waited on us.
Really our first substandard meal there.
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Yesterday we went to the newly reopened Kinkaid Marina.  The didn't have any draft beer yet and we were a little too early for the bigger dinner menu.  I ordered a Kinkaid burger and fries even though they would let me sub a side salad.  The Glue finally decided on lobster bisque and a grilled cheese.  My burger seemed overdone and dry without much flavor.  The fries were real good.  The Glue said her bisque was good but too cheesy and her grilled cheese probably had too much cheese on it too.  We should have waited a week or two to let them get back on their feet but oh well.  On our way out the owner stopped us and talked as he usually has done and we had an interesting exchange.
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Last night we took on Magnificent 4 without Clutch who had to work late.  I expected another cold night but it wasn't too bad.  We played the second game and got started a little late but not too bad.
The first game was nip and tuck until they pulled away and took an 8-5 lead.  The Glue threw the pallino deep.  Her first ball banged the back wall so she had to throw again and put it inches away from the pallino.  They threw a couple short then banged one off the back wall.  On their last throw they were once again short and it was wide open for the Herbster.  We've had a lot of trouble capitalizing on these situations but Herbster came threw with two more points to even the score.  It was Herbster's turn to walk and he threw the pallino a couple feet from the right wall.  His first throw was left of the pallino but a good pace and ended up around two feet to the left of the point.  I thought it would be easy to get inside of us but they shorted all four of their shots and we won 9-8.
In the second game they jumped all over us and for the second week in a row we found ourselves down 7-0.  I jokingly told the Glue that this was our score.  Lo and behold we started getting one and two points a frame and got back into the game.  With us leading 8-7 Herbster got his first ball about a foot away from the pallino and they failed to get closer on their attempts so for the second week in a row we came back from 7-0 to win.
I don't think Roll'em If Ya Got'em has ever beaten Mag 4.

We went down to Cape Girardeau yesterday in part to look for a new kitchen table but mainly to go to Broussards.  It was still early for us to eat when we finished looking at tables so we went to Minglewood for a quick beer.  We both decided on Civil Life brown ale.  I liked it for about half a glass then it wore on me, it would have helped if it had been colder.
It was still a little early so it was up the hill to our must stop Katy Oferrels.  We both got the House Irish Red which we both really like.  There wasn't a lot going on and the bartender was pissy and not very friendly so it was back down the hill to Broussards.
The Glue normally gets Amberbock there but they didn't have it on tap anymore so she joined me in having Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan.  We decided on the half and half plate with crawfish etouffee and fried alligator tails.  It comes with a salad so we opted for the house dressing.  The Glue said it might have been the best salad she ever had but that was because we haven't been having salads much lately, that has to stop.  The plate of etouffee was very large and it was ringed with fried alligator tails.  The etouffee was it's normal great stuff and while the alligator tails were good they were getting soggy where they touched the etouffee.  Next time we get this we need to remember to request them in separate plates.
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On the way home we took a scenic tour in the LaRue/Pine Hills area.  When we reached the place were we turned to head home the road was closed so we had to take a detour which took us around to where I'd wanted to go anyway.  We got home pretty early which was the plan so I could watch the NFL draft.