In the first game we played Muddy Rollers who started off the game by getting three points.  We followed up with four points.  It went back and forth for a couple frames and then we pulled ahead and finally won 9-6.
In the second game we played the Punishers and couldn't make any throws.  We had multiple chances to score but we lost 9-2.
Ted with Can't Be Trusted can't play in the league tournament so now Danny and Jean can play with Roll'em and we will be in the tournament.  The Glue will still be in Gulf Shores so the Herbster will fill in for her.  Hopefully we'll play a little better.

We went in to week six needing two victories to make it to the .500 mark on the disappointing season. 
In the first game we beat Mission: Inbocceball but not without a late scare. 
In the second game we beat START.  I thought they were going to "one shot" us where they have three crappy balls and one great ball each frame but we ended up making enough shots to get the win.  Of note in this game is one of their players pushed the pallino further than I've ever seen, it was probably 5 or 6 feet and it stayed on it. 
The last two weeks we started playing better but it couldn't make up for all the poor outings we had the first four week.  It's nice to be done with all the eight o'clock games.

On Saturday the Glue mentioned that pizza sounded good so we went to Load em Up in Royalton.  I'd never heard of it until a month or so ago when I saw someone post about it on the Southern Illinois Eats group on facebook.  I did a little looking to make sure I knew where it was in Royalton and discovered it was on 149 next to the Hwy 149 Bar .
When we got there the place looked small and the door was locked but they'd just forgot to unlock it.  When we got inside it was a lot bigger than it looked.  I'd made sure they had beer and we ordered a pitcher of Blue Moon.  The Glue wanted double decker so we got that with pepperoni, mushrooms and italian sausage.  They only have one size pizza unless you get a personal pan.  Kinda sucks when they're only two of you.
I wasn't real fond of the double crust.  It was crust, sauce, crust and it caused the two layers to slide off each other.  The crust itself was just ok but the toppings were real good.  They put a lot of cheese on it and plenty of the other toppings.
The staff was very nice and friendly.  When we got back we'll probably get the pan pizza.
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St Nicholas had a brown sugar pork chop topped with fried onions special that sounded good so we went up to Du Quoin.  When we got there it was a downpour.  It was hard to see and 51 was already flooded to the point where I kept thinking we might stall.  Lucky we were in the Glue's jeep.
We finally got there and the street in front of St Nicholas was flooded.  We sat in the parking lot for at least 20 minutes and several people waded across the street and the water was above their ankles.  We finally moved across the street to the parking lot beside the building that is for another place but they were already closed for the day.  We sat there for 10 minutes or so before we made a run for it.
I ordered the pork chop and the waiter said it didn't start until 5.  I hate it when a place advertises something then doesn't have it until later in the day.  Of course I hate it when they don't start the dinner options until later.
Anyway the waiter went back and asked and he said they sides wouldn't be ready.  I asked could I sub different sides and he once again went back and asked and was told that would be ok so I subbed brussel sprouts for the twice baked potato and fresh green beans.  The Glue ordered a BLT with fries.
I thought I would only get brussel sprouts with the pork chop but when it arrived it also had potatoes.  I don't think they were twice cooked but more like roasted chunks of a potato and they had a really nice seasoning on them.  The brussel sprouts are one of my favorite things there and they didn't disappoint.  The pork chop was cooked great and had a really good flavor.
It's hard to mess up bacon but they did the Glues BLT.  I confess to thinking she was just being picky but when I took a bite the bacon was burnt.  It took me a while to get the taste out of my mouth.
For mine 🍺🍺🍺🍺
For the Glues 🍷 and that's being generous.
Going home the right lane of 51 was still closed due to flooding so we went by the high school and there were a lot of yards really flooded.

In the first game we took on Big Muddy Monsters in what was supposed to be the 7:30 game but it got started a little late.  The game went back and forth before we pulled it out 9-8. 
The first game took a long time so our next game against the Punishers got a late start also.  Once again it was back and forth and at the end we had three different opportunities to win and we couldn't make the throws.
If anything is an argument for limiting each night to 12 teams it's back to back very long games and not getting done until 9:45.

Options on Sundays are somewhat limited around the area so we decided to go to Route 51 Brewery.  I was hoping the smoked amber they have is similar to 17th Street one but it was way too smokey for us.  We both ended up getting a brown ale which was ok but nothing outstanding.  I ordered the smoked meatloaf patty melt and the Glue ordered pulled pork nachos.
The meatloaf patty melt came on toasted marble rye and the meatloaf was wrapped in bacon and topped with grilled onions and peppers.  I really enjoyed it.  It comes with fries and they were also really good but I wish they you could sub something else in.  Of course you can but you will pay full price and then however much the side costs.  The Glue said her nachos were also good.
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Afterwards we took some back roads and came out on 127 like I thought we would so we drove up to Pyramid State Recreation Area.  Neither of us had ever been there and it was a really nice driving around the area and seeing all it had to offer.  They have a lot of different picnic areas and there were quite a few people fishing in the different lakes.  Once you get to the end of it you have to backtrack which isn't that bad but I'd prefer a different exit point.
We took some backroads as we worked our way back to Murphy and ended up going through Oraville an hour of so before they got hit with a storm.  When we got back to Murphysboro we stopped in at Molly's Pint for a beer.  They had a couple I'd been wanting to try and we both got the Scottish Ale.  Outside of their Irish Red it's probably my favorite beer they have there.

 On Saturday I once again came home from golf and found the yard mowed so once again I told took the Glue out to eat.  This time we went to Mase's Place thinking afterwards we could take a ride up in the LaRue-Pine Hills area.
I decided to get a brisket burger and seasoned tots.  Originally I was going to get a salad instead of tots but wavered.  The Glue got their 1/3 pound burger and fries.  Both our burgers were real good but neither the tots or fries had very much seasoning on them and I probably should have gone with a salad.
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The ride afterwards was really nice as always.

Yesterday morning was a rainy morning which we were in dire need of.  Since it was raining we decided to go to Swamp Tales outside Posey Il.. 
We didn't want to get there too early so we went by the Blue Room but I couldn't find a parking spot so we decided to go to Carlyle and find a place to have a drink.  When we passed Swamp Tales there were quite a few cars there. 
When we got to Carlyle I randomly turned down a couple streets and saw a couple beer signs but they didn't appear open.  We saw a sign that was promising a little further down the block and stopped in at Schleichers.  It's really more of a restaurant but they have a nice bar but only three stools to discourage too much drinking.  They weren't crowded so we had a couple Amberbocks and talked to what appeared to be the owners.  Really nice people.  They brought out burgers to a table and they looked great.  Hand pattied and big.  They hand make their onion rings, pork tenderloin and most other things.  I wish it wasn't so far so we could got back and try it out.
Next stop was Swamp Tales.  They really nice interior and an outdoor area that looked real nice.  We finally decided to go all in and ordered etouffee, gumbo and fried alligator that came with fries.  We upgraded to cajun fries for fifty cents.
The ettouffee was excellent, as good as any we've had.  The gumbo mediocre and mostly rice.  The alligator was really good.  We didn't really want the fries but they were so good we were glad they were included.  Once the waitress got our order and brought out the food she was no where to be found and I had to call over a different waitress to bring us some water and later to indicate we wanted our bill.  Our original waitress brought the bill and redeemed herself when I mentioned the gumbo was mostly rice.  She took it back to the kitchen and had it filled to the top with gumbo and no rice. 
🍺🍺🍺🍺 just missing out on the 5th 🍺 because of the gumbo and waitress.
On the way home we stopped at the Blue Room for a beer.  They had a fire and have repainted and it was a lot brighter.
We then stopped at 127 Lounge in Nashville.  It's a typical dive with all regulars who were nice but not outgoing to new people.
Last stop was at the Fuzzy Duck for one.  As we were sitting there a couple Murphy guys came in, who would've thought.

The big news from week 4 was the area got some much needed rain.  As for bocce it wasn't our night.
In the first game we played on a bumpy and erratic third court.  We kept it close at the beginning but missed opportunities led to a 9-6 loss.
We moved to the second game and once again missed opportunities which led to a 9-6 loss.
Just not our night with no one throwing overly well.