I don't know how to explain it, but there is something so <em>genuine</em> about living in Georgia.

I've written before about how impressed Nicole was with the people when we were here twice in March 2010 buying our house, but it seems like every week I see some little thing that makes me realize this is a pretty great place to live.

I know I have already mentioned that Griffin -- a city of only about 20,000 people -- has more than 50 different Baptist churches, and I know I've posted pictures of some of the signs I see advertising services. One in particular seems to be pretty good at coming up with different aphorisms.

[caption id="attachment_1132" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Funny church"]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/20110515_18.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1132" title="20110515_18" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/20110515_18-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>[/caption]

Since I'm Roman Catholic, I doubt I'll ever go to a service at Vineyard Baptist Church, but I would like those folks to know they have brightened my day a few times with their sense of humor.

We've been barreling along toward summer recently, with temperatures in the 80s and fairly high humidity as well, but today was a big surprise. It was supposed to rain, and it might yet, but the temperature was only in the mid 60s and it was cloudy with something of a cold wind.

I thought it might be a good day to play 18 holes, and since I didn't want to be caught a long way out on the course walking, I took a cart today. My game has slipped recently, and I'm not sure why. After playing 21 times in 31 days, I've only been out three days of the last seven. I shot a 44 on Tuesday and a 43 on Friday, and I didn't start out well today either.

At the turn, I had a 43 -- three pars and one double bogey.

For some reason, I'm getting a lot less distance off the tee lately, and I'm reaching far fewer greens in regulation. Where I was driving 220-230 yards off the tee, I seem to be down to 170-180 the last few times out. And where I was reaching the greens with my approach shots, I seem to be either coming up short or landing off to one side or another.

But what I now consider bad scores -- 43 or 44 for nine holes -- are scores that once would have been very good for me, so I don't want to get <em>too</em> discouraged.

[caption id="attachment_1133" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Cloudy day"]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/20110515_4.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1133" title="20110515_4" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/20110515_4-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>[/caption]

The course wasn't real crowded, and most of the people I came across were Georgia Nice. We chatted, and since I was playing alone, they let me play through.

After I bogeyed the 10th hole, I started getting it together. A couple of pars and a couple more bogeys left me 10 over after 14 holes, and then I went for the big finish. I did something I've never done before. I parred the last four holes, including rolling in a 23-foot putt on the 17th hole.

I shot 39 on the back nine and finished with an 82.

I didn't realize it until this minute, because I've had at least half a dozen rounds better than that, but 82 is still better than I had ever shot for 18 holes until about two months ago.

I still miss playing with Chuck and Mickey, my two golfing partners for the last 15 years or so in California. Playing alone was strange at first, but as I said, I've gotten used to it and I can actually complete most of my swings now without pulling the headphone wires out of my iPod.

I really do love it here, and so does Nicole. Because she is working so hard on her research, we haven't gotten involved in any activities in the community yet. So it isn't at all surprising for us to go through the day without talking to anyone except each other.

That's OK for now.

In fact, it's better than OK.

We both love it here, and that's wonderful.