How to de-stress while on vacation, Part 2

Bowling

Another way to let off a bit of stress while on vacation, is to spent time chucking large balls down a slippery floor and to listen to the crash of resin on wooden bowling pins. If you go bowling with someone who requires bumpers, your score can artificially be inflated by the subtraction of gutter balls. I think I shall always go bowling with the junior set who requires bumpers, so I feel better about myself. (Sad, I know.)

As after a morning of shooting, Grandmary, Grumpa Max, and Auntie Nettie took Mr. Drew out bowling. Grandmary had often taken Drew bowling during her visit, but apparently this was the first time she actively participated. I don't know the last time Grandmary or Grumpa went bowling, but I know it had been about 20 years since I had been. Grumpa had an advantage though, as he used to take my brothers bowling when they were all part of a league. I was so glad that I had been working on my aim earlier that morning. I did better than I hoped I would.

First we had to get decked out in our fancy attire and check each other out. Drew was sponsored by Pixar and Lightening McQueen, (and was a bit put out that he had to wear someone else's shoes).

Here's Drew on his first approach, and his reaction to his first frame.A 3-5 was about what I got: a 4-5.

I like this bowling technique. If I had that booty, I might have bowled that way too. However, no one would want to see that. TRUST ME! After a close first set, with Drew getting a 71, Grandmary a 106, Grumpa pulled a strike in the last frame, ending up with a 119. He had walked off with Drew to the little boys room and Grandmary had walked off to try and get a lighter ball, so they all missed me getting a strike and a spare in the last frame to unexpectedly win the game with a 121. Grumpa was not amused when he returned. I tried not to gloat ... too much.

The second game had Drew improving to a 74, with Grandmary trying to help herself with a couple of spares. Sadly, the lighter ball didn't help her much, as her poor fingers were suffering. She came in with a 98. For the first five frames Grumpa and I were almost tied, with spares and strikes galore. The 6th frame saw Auntie Nettie getting tired and/or Grumpa getting annoyed and he pulled ahead to win 175 to 145. (Competitive much? Not us.)

It was a good thing it was the four of us. If there had been more family members, or more lanes, it wouldn't have been as de-stressing. It's cathartic to bash bowling pins. And to win. And to beat your parents. I recommend it as a new relaxation therapy.

Reversion Therapy

It's also cathartic to spend time with little peeps and be like a child. It's the little things that you remember to enjoy. Things like feeding the ducks,

Or swinging on the swings. (You'd think Drew was scared that Grandmary was going to push him out of the swing. He should have been scared ... cause I did that sometime after I shot this photo. WHOOPS!)What is it with boys and digging in the dirt? I don't see how that's de-stressing. That just stresses me out.

Drew thinks I'm weird.

I saw that face a lot on this trip. Is it me? Or is it a 5-year-old attitude thing? Can he possibly be too cool to hang with his aunt already? Or is it because I'm annoyingly persistent with the camera when I finally do see him? It's probably that.

Coming up ...

BABY TIME!