We played in the For Pete's Sake yesterday with Ted and David as partners.  It was brutally hot day and we managed to find an open area with a fan blowing on us.  We ended up in a three man pool with the Wops and the Eclectics.
In the first game we played the Wops on the middle court.  We jumped out to a big lead and went on to win 9-3.
In the second game we played the Eclectics on the first court.  We got two points the first frame and then didn't score again losing 9-2.
The third game was played on the third court against the Wops again.  It was basically a win and in game.  We once again jumped out and won by a 9-1 score.
In the forth game we played the Eclectics again.  We played again on the first court but that was all that the same about the game.  We played a lot better and won big but I don't remember the score.  In the final game in our pool the Wops upset the Eclectics giving us first place in the pool.
In the playoff game we played a team consisting of several players we'd played before but not as a team.  I don't remember the name of the team.  The throws we'd been making all day deserted us and we went down to defeat in a game we could have won.  Oh well,
The ac sure felt good when we got home.

Week two was once again played on a hot muggy night.  We played the 6:30 and 7:30 games but the the 7:30 game didn't get started until after 8:00.  Mike and Debbie were in Cali so Ted and Kenny subbed for them.
In the first game we played Muddy Rollers on court 3.  We started off with a three point frame but then it got a lot tougher.  The score moved to 8-7 with them leading when they put a ball just beside the pallino.  We managed to move their ball just enough to put us in for two points then their was ball was short and we pulled out a 9-8 win.
In the second game we played Mag 4 on the middle court.  Lisa put two close to open the game but I made what I thought was a good throw but it knocked her ball into the pallino and gave them a point and that set the stage for the whole game.  They kept one uping us each frame and we went down to a 9-1 loss.

This past Saturday we set out to try Alongis for the first time in several years but on the way there we were waylaid with another idea.  We decided to go to Casino Tavern in West Frankfort then to Clubhouse Grille when it opened at 3.
Casino Grille looked to be your typical small town bar that caters to regulars, at least during the day.  Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the place and the ambiance.  It's run by the same owner as T-Street and S&S in Christopher.  They have food but their cook wasn't there that day.  
We went to Clubhouse Grille a little after 3 only to find out they didn't open to 4 so we had to create an alternate plan.  We finally decided on Split Decisions which allowed for a nice little drive in an area I'm not real familiar with.
We went in and were the only people there.  I ordered a burger with onion rings and Lisa got a wrap.  My burger wasn't as good as when we were there before nor were the onion rings, they weren't bad just not as good.  The burger seemed drier and the rings didn't hold together as well.  Lisa like her wrap.

We've had a busy week so a little catching up.
Last Saturday we went to Bennies for some pasta.  We ordered some bread and oil for the table.  The oil was good and the bread was fine but nothing special.  Me and Lisa split a large combination salad and salsiccian pasta italiana.  I'm not exactly sure what Mike and Debbie ordered.  The salad consisted of lettuce, carrots and tomatoes, a nice plain salad but the house dressing was outstanding.  Probably one of my favorites in the area.  The pasta was okay but needed to be hotter, it was barely warm.
Afterwards we walked up to John Browns on the Square.  We hadn't been there before and the place was much smaller than I expected.  I got a beer, Mike and Debbie got rum and diet and Lisa spent a lot of time at the Bloody Mary bar making her drink.  While we were there I saw the bartender almost smile once but he didn't look happy to be there.
Yesterday we went up to the newly reopened Landmark.  They're in the process of building their menu back and it was still limited.  Lisa got a peach salad with chicken and I got egg rolls with a side of etouffee.  The egg rolls were stuffed with etouffee and were decent.  The side of etouffee was not, no rice and very thin and not that tasty.  Lisa didn't like the balsamic vinegar dressing and got some italian dressing but I don't think it helped much.  She also didn't think it was worth $21 .  I did try the Landmark lager and really enjoyed it.  Overall rough start for a really cool location.

Fall 2025 season kicked off this past Wednesday with us playing at 6:30 and 8.
In the first game we played Holy Ballz on the third court.  In true Roll'em fashion we started out the season by giving up a four point frame.  We managed to claw back and tie the score at 4-4.  A little back and forth and the score moved to 7-7.  We got a ball in with a chance at winning the game but our last throw drifted just wide and the score moved to 8-7.  Lisa managed to slip a ball behind the pallino and inside Fred's ball.  Fred hit his ball and somehow Ian knock moved the pallino and two of their balls in the corner.  My first shot was just wide and my second shot was on target but the result was the same, a 9-8 loss.
In the second game we moved to the first court to play Dark Side of the Pallino.  Once again we gave up a big frame to start the game but only a three this time.  They did score the next point but we managed to tie the game at 6-6 before losing 9-6.
Big frames and not capitalizing were are downfall.

Yesterday I happen to notice that Smokin Js had a blt as one of their specials.  Smoking Js is a new food truck that sets up a few blocks from out house so why not give it a try.  From their facebook picture we couldn't figure out what the b was in blt.
When I got there I found out the b was for baloney which caused me to waver somewhat.  I decided to go ahead and grab one along with a brat and some baked beans.  
The brat didn't really do anything for me although it had a nice snap to it, it looked like it was a precooked brat but I might be wrong about that.  The BLT was well constructed and surprisingly good especially the bbq sauce.  I would have liked a thicker piece of baloney.  I wouldn't be surprised if packaged baloney was used instead of a full chub.  The beans were hot and awesome.  They reminded me of Old Route 51 beans when they were open.

With limited options yesterday due to it being an Monday we took a little day trip to Shotgun Eddies yesterday.  Mike drove so I got to do a little sightseeing on a very hot day.
Not surprisingly there wasn't much of a crowd when we got there, just a few regulars.  We ordered an appetizer of fried okra and it was really good, not as good as Smokin K's but close.  I ended up ordering the angry pig which is a pork loin with bacon that I'd had the previous time we were there.  Lisa got a grilled chicken wrap while Mike and Debbie got burgers.  My sandwich wasn't as good as I remembered but it was still good.  Lisa like her wrap while Debbie and Mike loved the burgers, Mike said it was the best he'd had in a while.  The chips were okay but needed more seasoning.

Last Thursday we went to Midland Inn aka Middies for the first time in a while.  We took Lisa's nephew and his family there along with her brother Fred and Cathy.  We ordered some appetizers and I ordered catfish.  The mushrooms we got were a lot better than we'd had earlier in the week.  My catfish was once again disappointing, just not as good as when they cut them in strips.  Note to self, stay away from the catfish.  My slaw was okay but needed more dressing on it.  Nicole is a big hushpuppy fan so I gave her all mine and she seemed to like them.  I guess you can't find them very many places in Cali.
On Friday we went to Moonshine Run to "celebrate" Mike and Debbie's engagement earlier that day.  They picked the place which took a while and finally selected a place they hadn't been.  We ordered some fried mushrooms and they were even better than Middies.  I ordered a burger with grilled mushrooms and onions along with swiss cheese and a side salad.  I said to bring the salad out at the same time.  Lisa and Debbie got italian beef and Mike got a plain cheeseburger.  When my burger came out it had fries with it, the waitress said the cook throws fries on everything and that she wouldn't charge us for them. then brought out the side salad.  The salad seemed plain but it was good and not very big.  My burger was good but I think I liked the one we had there first time we went better.  The fries were excellent, hand cut and tasty.  

Yesterday we took out nephew & his wife (niece) on a ride down through Hutchens Creek but couldn't go all the way up due to a downed tree that a fellow jeep driver told us about.  They did get to experience the driving through the creek and we got out and looked around some.  We backtracked and went to the Ware Market.
After we left there I mentioned a place where we could get a drink and appetizers.  They were all about that so we stopped at Sammy's Outdoor Bar formally known as the Revlon.  The three of them got a 32oz bucket of purse snatcher which was some kind of mixed drink with a story to go with it.  I went with beer of course.  We ordered some mushrooms, egg rolls and cheese sticks.  The mushrooms were okay but nothing special.  I liked the egg rolls a lot but didn't try the cheese sticks.  Typical bar frozen appetizers.
Next up we took some back roads and ended up going up 51 to Giant City and then to the lodge.  They had Abita Amber  on draft so me and Lisa had that, not really sure what Jay and Nicole had.  We got an appetizer sampler where the mushrooms were a lot better and I also really like the corn fritters.  I ordered a chicken breast while Lisa ordered chili and a wing.  She really liked the chili but both of us thought the chicken tasted like it had been sitting for awhile.
Then it was time to rescue Mike for their kids but not before Jay swung by DQ for a night cap.

Yesterday was the league tournament and it was brutally hot.  We did get a good pool since none of the teams played on Wednesday night.
First game we won 9-5 against the Naturals on the first court.  Both teams struggled with the court.
In the second game we lost 9-0 to Whiffleboys once again on the first court.  They made some really good throws while we once again struggled with the court.
In the third game we played Knocking on Bocce Court once again on the first court and we once again struggled with the court once again losing 9-0.
I really dislike the first court.

Thud.  That's the sound of Roll'em crashing in the summer 2o25 towel tournament.  I'd say burning too but the weather took care of the heat.
We played Boccelism on the first court.  We had to wait for a court to open and court one opened first.  To start the game I had a pretty easy shot for a point but it came off my hand wrong and gave them two points.  They followed that up with a four point frame and the route was on.  We did score three points before the game ended but it was a weak effort.
We reverted back to our wide open frames, not taking advantage and getting behind in the ball count throwing.  
At least we got out of the heat quick but that's all that was good.

A little catching up.
On Thursday we made a return trip to Moonshine Run.  Lisa wanted to try the buffalo cauliflower so we had that as an appetizer.  We decided to split a ribeye with a baked potato and onion rings.  The buffalo cauliflower didn't really hit the spot, way too much buffalo flavor for me.  At one point the cook came out and asked if since we were sharing our steak could he cut it in half so it would cook faster.  I said sure just make sure it's a big one.  When it came out it turned out he had cut it long ways instead of how I thought he meant.  The steak was still solid but I think it would have been better left whole.  We'd requested extra seasoning and it was a good flavor.  The baked potato was just okay, nothing special and while the onion rings were good they had the same batter as the buffalo cauliflower and probably all other fried things.
We hadn't been to New Kahala in a while so we picked it up Friday on out way home from Carbondale.  Lisa got beef rice noodle while I got twice cooked beef with extra broccoli.  Both dishes were what we expect from there, very good.  One thing I noticed is it really isn't worth the extra money to get more broccoli or probably any other veggie.
Yesterday after a pool day for Lisa and a golf day for me we ordered from Whiffleboys.  We ordered pepperoni and mushroom and finally got to try their pan crust.  Both of us really liked it possibly because we've had so much hand tossed a change was nice but it was a good pizza.

The summer '25 regular season concluded last night with 6:30 & 7:30 games.  In addition to one forfeit because of scheduling mess up there was another team who didn't bother to show up.  Unfortunately we didn't get any of the forfeits.
In the first game we played Blue Collar Ballers on the middle court.  We started out with a pair of two point frames but they followed with a series of one point frames to tie the score at 4-4.  We got a couple more points and the got one to make it 6-5.  They left a wide open shot and with us having two points I shorted the third and game point to make it 8-5.  The next frame they got a three pointer then put a shot close to the pallino and we lost 9-8.  Tough game to lose.
In the second game we played Boccelism on the first court.  We hung with them for a few frames but they made shot after shot and we lost 9-3.
Very disappointing night with none of us playing particularly good.

Tanya and Paducah have been posting pictures of Cajun food they've been having so naturally that got me wanting some of my own.  There's not a lot of places serving it around here but Smokin K's isn't that far away so off we went.
Since they didn't have etouffe we decided to split a bowl of gumbo and of course some fried okra.  We'd already paid and decided to get a single bone of ribs to try that out.  When the food got there they gave us two ribs because they were small.  I'm not much on full spare ribs but these were close to fall off the bones but still had enough texture to get a bite.  The tips were nicely done too and it was easy to get the little bones out of the way.  Nicely seasoned.
The gumbo was very good with the exception of two bones that were in it, not sure what happened there.  The fried okra was exceptional as always.

We went into the night knowing we would get a split at worst because we had a bye our first game.  With that in mind Usual Suspects agree to play us at 6 instead of 7 and everyone really liked the change.  The weather wasn't as hot as last week but was still plenty warm.
We played our only game on the 2nd court.  We started off with a bang and got a three point frame followed by a one point frame and a 4-0 lead.  We stretched our lead to 6-0 before they got a point.  We got a couple more points and then some strangeness occurred.  They were out of balls and thought we were in and the game was over but they were confused and thought we were green instead of red.  We ended up measuring and they were in, luckily none of the balls had been moved.  They ended up getting another point and cut our lead to 8-3 but on the next throw they couldn't get inside a ball about a couple feet away from the pallino and we got a 9-3 win.
We did a good job of staying ahead in the ball count and not giving them many chances to score.

We stayed close to home yesterday and ended up at Southpaws for lunch.  After some confusing questions and answers I finally decided on the belly burger but got swiss instead of american cheese.  
It was a giant sandwich, half pound burger with bacon and to my surprise it also had pulled pork on it.  Really good sandwich but be careful, it came be sloppy.  I also ordered fries but didn't eat a lot because the burger was so big, the ones I ate were really good though.
While we sat there we had a conversation with one of the managers who said they are adding to their menu.  The last time I was there me and Greyson split some wings with dry rub and the dry rub was a little to thick and spicy for him.  The manager said I could request light rub, good to know.

Lisa has been in the pizza mood but wanting something different and that sounded like a plan so yesterday we went to Deep South in Mcleansboro.  I've been wanting to try it out for quite some time but to try the catfish instead of pizza.  We got on the road and I made a wrong turn in Benton and we went a little out of our way but we finally made it there.  Nothing like I expect and McLeansboro isn't as big as I thought, population of 3000.  It gives the impression that it is a bbq place but we didn't see anyone order any kind of bbq.  Several fish plates and they looked good.
The had jalapeno poppers and Lisa ordered some for her and Debbie.  I tried a bite but not really my thing especially with cream cheese in them.  Me and Lisa split a pepperoni and mushroom pizza while Mike got a burger with hushpuppies and Debbie got a fried chicken sandwich with fries.
Our pizza was great and exactly what I was looking for, something a little different and the crust was hand made.  Mike said his burger was good but it didn't look like anything special to me.  He wasn't wild about the hushpuppies, they had corn and he didn't like that.   Debbie like her sandwich and both of them really liked the fries.
Nice place with very nice people.  Too bad it's so far away.
On the way back we stopped in Pheasant Hollow for a drink, mainly to show it to Mike and Debbie.  Not much happening there.
We also stopped at Aces & Eights once again to show it to Mike and Debbie,.
A nice trip to an area we don't go to very often.

Wednesday we went up to DuQuoin to check out the Corner Pocket.  I'd heard good things about it so why not?  We had trouble finding the place mainly because there aren't any signs saying Corner Pocket, it appears there used to be one but it isn't there anymore.  
We walked in and there are at least six pool tables but it still had a restaurant vibe to it.  The menu is a pub type menu heavy on fried stuff.  I decided on a pork tenderloin with mustard, onions and pickles and a side of slaw.  Lisa went with an italian beef with fried cauliflower.  I haven't had a fried pork tenderloin in quite a while.  This one appeared to be of the frozen out of a bag type but it still was done very well and quite tasty.  The slaw was mayo based but was homemade and very good.  Lisa seemed to like the italian beef but I thought it needed more juice or at least some au jus on the side.  The cauliflower was really well cooked and good.   
Overall a good place but not one we have to get back to soon.

Hot.  Humid.  Moist.  This describes the weather as Roll'em played it's week 4 games last night.  We played the 6:30 and 7:30 and did I mention it was hot.
In the first game we had a rare opportunity to play on the first court against Dark Side of the Pallino.  In the first frame their last shot knock us up into a point and we were off from there.  We never pulled away but we stayed steadily in front but with a chance to win I made two bad shots but Debbie picked me up with a ball that wasn't that close but they couldn't get inside it.  I think the score was 9-5.
In the second game we moved back to what seems like our normal court, the third.  We played Beers and Bocce.  The scored a single in the first and then they made a great shot that somehow eluded our balls and hit the pallino back for a three point frame.  The pushed the score to 7-0 before we finally got on the board.  We followed that up with a four point frame to move to 7-5.  We got a couple points and they got one to move the score to 8-7 but their leadoff player got one close and we couldn't get inside it for a 9-7 loss.
Hot was the word for the night.  It was brutal.

For the first time since Monday was added as a league night and maybe the first anyway I've played on all the league nights.  Not a big deal for some folks who already do it but I'm of the once a week is enough players and it looks like the tue-thu subbing might last the whole season.  Luckily I haven't played on all four nights in a single week.  It's been long enough since I've played on a non Wednesday that I don't know many of the players and that's been nice meeting and playing against them.  We've been on Wednesday so long it's become kind of routine, same teams same players.  Anyway it's been nice to check out the other nights.

We went to Sams yesterday and our original plan was to go to Smokin Ks but opted to try out Moonshine Run in Johnston City.  The interior is setup real nice with a bar in the middle and tables around it and booths against the wall.  The menu seems limited but with a lot of interesting choices.  
We ordered mushrooms while we were deciding and they were great but totally different than the mushrooms we had earlier in the week at Gabbys.  Lisa initially went with an italian beef only to find out they were out of it.  She finally went with a cheeseburger with a side salad.  I decided on wings and onion rings, shortly after the waitress came back out and informed us they were out of wings too.  We then decided to split the cheeseburger but keep the onion rings.  The salad was a typical side salad and was solid.  The cheeseburger was very good, it had a really nice crust on it that tasted great.  I would have liked to have it better seasoned but that's me.  Finally the onion rings were great too but appeared to have the same batter as the mushrooms.  I won't order both of them again since they are so similar and both are heavy.
After we left we stopped by Lineman's Lounge, a name that will bring shivers to the members and wives of my old softball team.  About 40 years ago we played in a tournament in Johnston City and it got rained out after our first game.  For some reason none of the wives or girlfriends went on this trip so we all ended up at Linemans Lounge.  We proceeded to drink up our entry fee and about every dollar that we had.  There were several near divorces and breakups over this trip so needless to say there were wives or girlfriends at every tournament after this.
Anyway it has changed a lot from what I remember from all those years ago.  It is a much nicer place and has a patio that is very very nice but one was enough just in case.

On a warm muggy Wednesday Roll'em once again took the court for our week 3 games.  We played the 6&7 games and ended up on the third court for both.  Greyson opted to come down instead of go to Brinleys ballgame so he was our ball boy.
In the first game we played Money Balls freshly attired in their very green shirts.  Nothing good to say about this game.  None of us could get close to the pallino and we lost 9-1.
In the second game we played Mag 4 and once again got down early with them taking a 6-1 lead but a three point frame put us in the game again.  We kept pace with them until the score reached 8-7 when they inched in front of out point on their last throw.  Down to one ball with the game on the line Mike managed to push his ball just hard enough to get a point and have his other ball measured.  It was in and we managed a 9-8 win.
Not a great night for any of us really especially me and Lisa.

We went to Gabbys yesterday for the first time in a while.  It was Jeans last day in town before leaving today so a get together was in order.  First for lunch and then later on at Mike's.
We got fried cauliflower and mushrooms for an appetizers.  The cauliflower was good but the mushrooms were excellent.  I kept thinking catfish but didn't really want the full meal deal so I ended up going with a catfish sandwich.  I wanted slaw but they were out so I ended up getting chips, I should have chosen mushrooms.  The chips were cold and not very seasoned, even salting them didn't help.  The catfish sandwich came out and there was a piece of fish on a bun, nothing else.  I asked for tartar sauce and even after putting it on it was lacking.  I was about to ask for pickles when I noticed Jean hadn't eaten her pickle from her bloody mary so I put that on my sandwich along with the pickle from her second one.  That really helped the sandwich.  The fish itself was good but I'm not sure I'll get it again.
Needless to say Dax entertained everyone throughout the lunch.

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.