bowling

We had gone bowling, the boys and I, last weekend. I had made a rule, no hard gloating or rude comments about any one's game. It was a good rule as Riley played really badly. He had more gutter balls than he took pins down. It had been an arm twist to get Riley to go. Last time we went, he had found gum in the holes of a ball. It had really grossed him out. I told him his Dad could show him how to improve his game next time.

Tom is a really good bowler. He had been in a league in his younger years. When He lived in Eugene, we had a couple date nights at the bowling alley. To be honest bowling is a great inexpensive date, and really fun. Its a great way to hang with strangers and get to know them without just standing there with nothing to say or do. I shot my best game of 145 on one of those dates. Tom on a bad day shoots that score.

So Trevor asked could we go bowling again. Riley didn't want to go unless his father went. Tom was supposed to do Taxes. He said he needed to do the taxes and Trevor and I should just go. I weighed my options, he left the decision in my hands. He said if he went I was not to nag him about the taxes. Between family and taxes, I chose for him to go bowling with the family. In these times of pressure and stress, having a fun family outing is huge.

I was right about Tom's ability to show Riley how to bowl better. After the first couple gutter balls, he pulled Riley aside and whispered secrets in his ear. Riley started throwing spares and strikes with only a few gutter balls thrown in for excitement. The scores were close, the boys were neck and neck. None of us but Tom Broke 100.

He made a bet with us that he could beat our total scores added together. The next game we blew him away. Riley threw two strikes in a row and picked up two spares. Trevor stayed even with his brother but only through spares and high pin counts, matching up with Riley's occasional gutter ball.

Tom was really pleased. He enjoyed immensely watching Riley turn his few tips into a real game. Trevor also received a few pointers. My game also improved. Though, none of us, but Tom, broke 100. The next two games the boys were in the 90's.

Tom's game is rusty, which is the only reason we pulled off our wins. Another couple of family bowling outings and unless the boys keep getting better, Tom will blow us out of the water. The bets will change. Next time it will not be total scores added together, once they took Tom's tips and started using them, he would have to shoot an almost perfect game to beat them. He glowed with parental pleasure. I glowed with pleasure also. Not often can we pull off a whole afternoon of not a single harsh word and everyone is happy, while not plugged into the TV or game cube or computer.

I am now on the hunt for bowling balls. Tom likes a 10 pound ball, but often has a hard time finding ones with big enough holes. It was one of the reasons he didn't want to go with us, not being able to find a lighter ball that fit his fingers. I told him there was plenty of selection. The place had been crowded at first so he played with a 12 pound ball, But a young group left after our first game and I found in their selection a 10 pound that worked for Tom. Riley and Trevor would also like their own bowling balls. So if anyone has a 10 pound bowling
ball with big finger holes. Or not, I can always find some one to re drill the holes, please let me know.

I personally like an 8 or even a 6 pound, if anyone has that.

Our taxes are not done, but there is plenty of time. We can do them next weekend. Family is more important.