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July 8, 2006
Turkey
While in New Jersey a couple weeks ago my buddy's son suggested we go bowling. So off we went.
I had not bowled in 20 years or more and the last time I'd bowled I wore a size 12 or 13 shoe. The shoe size is important only because there are more people wearing that size so the shoes are one more feet and more lanes more often and the shoe bottoms glide better on the lane surface due to having more wear.
At least that's what I think. What I know is that my shoes -- size 14 -- looked almost brand new and they'd stick during my delivery.
During the first frame I picked up my ball with loose-fitting finger holes and approached the pins. As I started my delivery I said, "I haven't bowled in 20 years." I released the ball as the shoe stuck a bit ... and I got a strike. An impressive pro-bowler one -- the pins exploded; they had to close the lanes on either side to clean up the pin shrapnel. 
My second ball ... another strike.
During my third delivery I brought my arm across my body funny and while it had the right spin it was obviously not going to hit the pocket. That is, until it kissed the rail (yes, we were using bumpers) and shot back between the 1 and 2 pins for strike number three.
The automatic scorer had no idea that the ball was originally on its way to the gutter and gave me a turkey. And, I may have had enough spin to keep it out of the gutter without the bumper. That's what I tell myself.
It really doesn't matter.
What does matter is that the next day -- or maybe that evening -- I was sitting in my buddy's sun room when I caught motion out of the corner of my eye. A mobster was dumping a body in my buddy's backyard.
No. Two Wild Turkeys were walking through the backyard. (And a Captain Morgan.)
By the time I'd gotten my camera ready the turkeys had moved into the neighbor's yard and the shot I had at a photo was less than perfect.
In the interest of honesty and clarification: After further reflection it occurred to me that I had bowled about 5 years ago. Also, while I bowl right-handed my ball travels down the lane from left to right with a clockwise spin; I've never been able to throw a ball the other way.
Posted by delmer at July 8, 2006 9:43 AM