Our first afternoon of the Kewaunee Ladies Golf League got underway last Thursday, with an icy wind out of the northeast, right off the icebergs that must still be floating around in Lake Michigan. At least, that's what it felt like.

But it did feel good to be on the course again. And I was surprised it was in very good shape. Usually the first few nights of league, it's pretty wet. But not Thursday.

This week may be a little different because as I'm writing this, it's been raining all day. But there are a few days before we play again. So it has time to dry out.

I can say that watching golf on television the last couple of weekends did not benefit my game at all. This getting-older thing is definitely not for sissies. Thursday on the course, I wore two long-sleeved shirts with a lined spring jacket over them and I was none too warm. The wind still penetrated and my game reflected it. At least, I hope I can blame it on the weather. Time will tell. 

I used to play a decent game, but that's changing fast as the person swinging the clubs gets older and weaker. I'm just happy I can still be out there trying. A lot of people didn't have that chance, including my mom. She must be up above thinking about me, because she has been on my mind a lot lately. It's been 50 years since she passed in 1968. Hard to believe it's that long. So, to everyone who still has their parents, appreciate them while they're here.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now.

School is winding down with only two weeks remaining and the kids will have three months off. When we were kids, summers were spent at the Lake Michigan beach. I would come home with blue fingernails but didn't feel cold. Today, I have absolutely no desire to get into that cold water.

There was a diving board out at the end of the pilings and we'd swim out there, climb up on the diving board and dive into that icy cold water. There was a lifeguard on duty every day, but I don't remember anyone having any problems. We just had fun.

I remember swimming across the channel where the car ferries came in and it was a lot wider than we thought. When we we finally got all the way across the channel, there was nothing to hang onto, and I had to turn right around and swim back. I think I only did that once. I don't recommend trying it.

I don't know if today's kids still swim in the lake or not. I'll have to take a ride down and see, after it warms up some.

So much for remembering and reminiscing about the past. Have a great week, everyone.

Barb Ludlow is a former Kewaunee County reporter. Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Ludlow: Despite weather, it felt good to be back on the golf course