Yesterday was Bucks annual wild game feed.  A lot of people I didn't know but there were plenty I did know.  We both had a really good time,  It didn't seem like there was as big of a variety as in the past but that's fine with me, most of it I wouldn't have eaten anyway.  I ate a lot and I mean a lot of catfish.  I also had a deer  steak and it wasn't bad.  Later on I tried some fried squirrel but wasn't a big fan.  I also tried some wild turkey and it was really good.  Not game but there was some lions mane mushrooms and they were tasty.
Also there was rabbit and it was done a couple different ways and also some turkey nuts, not my thing.  I probably forgot a few things plus there were plenty of sides and desserts.
Best things was seeing some people I don't see very often anymore.

Wednesday we went to one of our favorites, New Kahala.  I ordered a buddist delight with extra sauce and veggies.  When I started eating it I realized I'd forgot to say no tofu.  I'm just not a big fan but this time it was actually pretty good.  The rest of the dish was up to New Kahala standards. 
Yesterday we took Mike for his first visit to Joe's Pizza in Herrin.  I was worried about the crowd because of Herrinfest so I asked my cousin Joey about it.  He's on the Herrinfest committee and he said it shouldn't be a problem.  I don't see Joey very often so I invited him to lunch with us.  He had to eat early so we just met him there after he'd already got his food.  We ordered Chicago style meat pizza.  I really didn't expect Mike to like it that much to both our surprise he did. 
We had a really great visit with Joey while we were there and it was all around a great time.

The spring season finally wound up last night with the Wednesday night towel tournament.
Roll'em played the first game on the first game against No Beer, No Bocce.   We started up with a four point frame and followed up with a two point frame for a 6-0 lead.  We followed that up with a three point frame and a rare three frame 9-0 win.
In the next game we switch to the dreaded third court and played against Bocce & Brews.  We started hot again and gradually built a 7-2 lead.  Once again disaster struck when we gave up a three point frame to make it 7-5.  This got them started and they either put the first ball on the pallino or made a money throw with their last ball and they ran out the last four points for a 9-7 loss and an end to our towel hopes.
Congratulations to long time Wednesday rival Muddy Rollers with what a appears to be their first towel, way to go.

We headed down to Andrews yesterday for their annual crawdad boil.  The do this on Blessing of the Bikes and there seemed like a lot more bikes than normal.  On the way down we got behind an amish wagon.  It finally pulled over only to get behind another amish wagon.  They too pulled over and once again we got behind another amish wagon that ended up turning, when I looked in my mirror there was a horse and buggy right behind and gaining.  Never had that before.
The crawdads were really good and they had some pans that were mild instead of spicy.  I had a couple spicy and think I could have done those.  The sausage was really good too but the shrimp was lacking.  I couldn't find any corn in any of the pans.  It was really hot so we went to Andrews porch after a walk through the park.  There was a band playing that made it nearly impossible to hear anything down there.
After we left we took the back road into Hutchins Creek area (Rhine road).  It was a nice change and another dip through the water.  I thought the water looked down but when we went through it was still up some.  When we got to the top we decided to go down snake road.  We hadn't been in a while and it was another nice change.
On the way home we called in a couple cheeseburgers and an order for fries from 17th St.  The fries weren't very warm but the cheeseburgers really hit the spot for both of us.

With a league tournament berth on the line Roll'em took to the courts determined to make the tournament.  Debbie was gone so Bob took her place.
In the first game we played Holy Ballz on the third court.  Not wanting to do anything easy we gave up five straight one point frames to fall behind 5-0.  Not wanting to miss out on the tournament we mounted a comeback with a point in the next frame.  That was the extent of our comeback losing 9-1.
In the second game we played Mission Imbocceball on the middle court.  We scored the first two points of the game before our captain (me) knocked us out of a point and them into one.  We scored the next four points to move ahead 6-2 but then we gave up a three point frame and the score was 6-5.  They tied the game before we moved ahead 7-6.  That was it and they scored the last three points to win 9-7 effectively ending our chance of a tournament berth.
That was confirmed this morning when the final standings came out.  😭😭😭

Roll'em If Ya Got'em has a couple big games tonight.  The way it looks we will have to win one game to make the tournament.  We play Holly Ballz and Mission Imbocceball, tough assignment. 
Because we are using this week to make up last weeks games our towel tournament will be played next Wednesday.  Not my favorite solution but there isn't any perfect solution.
We'll also be playing without Debbie since she's out of town.  Bob from Boro City Rollers will be subbing for us tonight and for the tournament if we make it.
Just win baby.

Yesterday we took yet another ride in LaRue-Pine Hills.  Our intent was to stop for appetizers at Mases Place but they looked crowded.  I was afraid of that because of Mothers Day and SIU Graduation weekend.  So we drove on past.
Once again we took the road down to Hutchins Creek.  This time when we got to the bottom there was a tree or big branch across the road.  Mike jumped out and went and started moving it out of the way.  Lisa got there and helped too and I was on my way when the tree moved enough I could get around it.
Neither of us are big on taking the Jeep off road but there are a couple spots on Hutchins Creek road that can have water running over it and we both really like that.  The first one wasn't too bad but the second one was a little higher and faster.  There was a big tree down that had been cut so that vehicles could pass.  I could feel the current pushing the Jeep a little and I had to pay a lot of attention to the cut tree so I didn't get to see as much as usual.
After got out of the Hutchins Creek area and turned down to go to route 3 we came upon a wreck that had just happened.  Obviously we stopped which apparently isn't as obvious as I thought according to a responding police officer.  A mini van type vehicle was down in the ditch and I saw two females one who was saying talk to me.  When I got closer I saw a third female on the ground not moving.
I immediately call 911 and gave them the information.  Lisa went right to the girl on the ground and started talking to her and holding her hand.  Mike got the driver who was bordering on hysterical away.  Both of us walked her some to try and calm her down.
Luckily the girl on the ground could respond to Lisa and move her hands and feet.  The third girl seemed okay but may have been concussed.  A family in a golf cart stopped and then left to get the forest ranger who just lived down the road and he responded first.
When we left the girl on the ground was in the ambulance and they were trying to get the other two to go to the hospital.  Most people slowed down and made sure things were under control but a few didn't including one guy in a panel truck who didn't bother to slow down and he was most likely speeding.
Anticlimactic but we stopped by Bottoms Up for chicken.  Our favorite waitress/cook was there but not working.  When we sat down we talked her into cooking for us which was nice of her.  The wings we got were great with a lot of talk about the wreck.`

Yesterday after we Derachio Dax left we decided to run out and checkout how much the spillway was coming over.  Hint: it was a lot, not the most I've ever seen but a lot.  We walked up and sat on one of the concrete picnic tables and talked and listened to the water.  Nice relaxing time.
While we were there Lisa mention that she wished we could drive around the lake like Giant City.  That settled it we were off to Giant City to see how the water was there.  I don't think I could ever say a trip around Giant City was a disappointment but there wasn't much water running.  Really surprising.
It was way past time to eat so we ordered Dales on the way out of Giant City.  We didn't time the order very well cause it appeared to be waiting when we got there.  They really appreciate call ins so we need to remember that.  I ordered a rueben and got the bigger one while Lisa ordered a cheeseburger with pepper cheese.  And of course huge fries extra crispy and salty. 
The fries didn't appear extra crispy like we've had but that could have been since they'd been waiting too long.  We ate some and then decided to take the rest home and put them in the air fryer.  It helped some but just not what we were hoping for.  My rueben was big, too big in fact.  I got the 1/2 pound but need to remember not to get stuff that big.  It was big enough there was over half left.  I tried Lisa's cheeseburger and holy shit balls it burned me up.  She found out later it was ghost pepper cheese.  I doubt she gets that again.
Overall a nice trip but Dales wasn't as good as normal, not bad though just high expectations there.

15 years later May 8th again gives us some intense weather.  There were several rounds of storms including some tornado warnings and some tornados that touched down.  In view of the elevated bad weather chance the MBC decided to cancel the May 8th games to help ensure the safety of it's members.  Wise move in my opinion.  Making up these games will be hard with next week being the coveted towel tournament. 

I haven't written much lately partly because we haven't done much different but mostly just lazy.  Yesterday we went to opening day at MBI to see Greyson & Brinley play.  It's the first year they've been on separate teams.
After we finished we both thought sitting home sounded good but then I mentioned talking the tops out of the Jeep and going on a ride.  Lisa was all in so off we went.
We decided to stop in Pomona Winery to have a glass of wine.  Neither of us are big wine drinkers but we like supporting local places and the owners of the winery place bocce and are really nice.  We had a glass of Orchard Harvest out on the deck.
Off again we took the road to Hutchenson creek road and went down that.  We haven't done it much so it's still something different.  We lucked out yesterday and the creek was over the road in a couple places so we got to go through the water.  It's not very deep but still pretty cool.
After we finished we went down to Ware Market.  A small place with an old school feel.  We picked up some tomatoes, cheese curds and candied pecans.  The pecans are dangerously addictive.
After leaving we headed home.

Last nights game was nice and warm, and humid of course.  We played the 7pm game but there was a forfeit ahead of us so we got started a little early.
We played the first game on the dreaded third court against Mission: Imbocceball.  The game started out as a back and forth game until we gradually pulled ahead 6-3.  In typical Roll'em fashion we gave up a three point frame and let them tie the game.  This time was different though.  We traded points then made a really tough throw to move up 8-7 and then put it away on a good bank shot, winning 9-7.
We really needed the win and then got a forfeit in the second game for a much needed sweep.