Soup and Rory

 

Although it was the most beautiful of days, I spent most of the afternoon inside the house yesterday. 

I wanted to watch Rory and especially wanted to see him win the Master's Golf Tournament. 

There were a few moments when I thought I'd wasted all that prime outdoor time, only to see him lose. 

But, by golly, through occasional adversity, Rory remained focused and achieved his dream. 

I think most viewers were very happy to see him make history by notching the final leg of golf's Grand Slam. 

Some may wonder why a non golfer (I've tried and failed like I have at so many sports) would be so devoted to a player and the sport. 

I love witnessing the ultimate of most sports. 

It's the Master's.  

For years and, for no really stellar reason, I've loved watching the annual tournament at Augusta. 

I think a lot of my fascination is that  it's like the Kentucky Derby.  It's held in a gorgeous setting in the spring, and the tournament is thought of as the ultimate for the sport of golf, much like the Derby is for horse racing. 

I've also always liked Rory McIlroy and with our recent trip to Belfast, his home turf, the interest in him as a favorite for this year's Master's heightened, as did the wish uttered by our guide Michelle when we toured Belfast City Hall. 

And, so yesterday, I went to the grocery store to buy a blender and the ingredients to make pureed vegetable beef soup. 

On our first night in Ireland, we ate at a lovely restaurant called the Old Mill.  I chose the vegetable beef soup and loved it so much that I've thought about trying to make my own ever since. 

Unfortunately, I had no recipe so just winged it yesterday while cutting up and cooking carrots, celery, beans and potatoes along with other items. 

This gave me a purpose while keeping myself glued to the Master's, and toward the end of the afternoon of golf, I sampled some of my homemade soup, which wasn't too bad. 

So, even if Rory had not won, the day would not have been wasted, 'cept for maybe some delightful outside time. 

It was worth it to stick with the tournament because the ending was dramatic and joyful, to say the least. 

 Shortly before the end, I texted Michelle in Belfast, and she was quite generous in texting back when not biting her nails with Rory's ups and downs. 

Not bad for the first attempt. 

                                                                    --Photo by Dan Olson

Dan Olson and Rebecca Anthony( Rebecca's parents, Rick and Janet Eakin Anthony grew up in Sandpoint) spent some time in Augusta, Georgia, this week and watched golfers practice for the Master's.  

Dan also took 1,300 photos while enjoying the action and shared a couple with me. 

~~~~~

I've met Rory several times. He is from my home town. 

My daddy knows his daddy Gerry very well. My daddy is a member up in Hollywood Golf Club.  

He is there at the minute.  All the TV cameras are at the club. Let's hope he gets it

---Michelle Quigley, Belfast, Ireland.  She sent this text to me just before Rory won.  Twas well after midnight as she watched the Masters. 

This is Michelle who greets guests and keeps track of the iPads at Belfast City Hall. During our visit she told us how much she wanted Rory McIlroy to win the Master's.  

Michelle and her fellow Northern Ireland citizens got their wish yesterday.  She said she would even show us around the Hollywood Golf Club when we come back to Belfast. 

The folks there were pretty happy, as you can see in the video. 

And so, all turned out well yesterday with good soup, an amazing win by a gifted golfer and, after it was over, even some evening time to mow a little lawn.  

Not a bad day. 

And, today looks like another winner, except no golf tournament so I'll spend more time outside.

Happy Monday.