Women’s Golf Blog: SURPRENDRE! – Penn State Athletics Official Athletics Website

When I was growing up my Mom would often make lists of chores for my sisters and I to complete. There were five of us to divey up the work. They were typically chores for a Saturday and Sunday which of course meant, no play time until they are completed. I would love when she had them posted ahead of time so I could plan my strategy for speedy completion. Nothing felt better than to be done and out the door to play with my friends. I loathed the days she forgot to make lists. Those were the days we would have to complete a task and go ask for another one. Basically, you never knew when you were done, not the surprises I looked forward to. The best times of all were when you came up with your own chore without being told, like cleaning the garage or organizing your messy closet. I remember how happy my Mom would be and excited that you took it upon yourself to get a job done. Not much different how I feel when I see one of my players practicing on an “off” day! 😊

When you travel with a team to various places around the country, there are always surprises. Take for instance this past weekend while at the Big Ten Championships in Pittsburgh, we were looking for a local place to eat, which is no surprise. We found a place called Ladles, an Italian restaurant “off the beaten path”, as they like to say. A small run down, yellow shack with homemade décor flanking the walls.  We walked in and heads turned immediately as if we were something or someone they have never seen in this place. Which wasn’t far from the truth. It’s the type of place where people in the neighborhood walk to and everyone is related, both staff and patrons. I am pretty sure “Mary” our server was just called in as a favor to help out, on a busy night. The kind of person you just love who calls it as it is, doesn’t bother with flowery words and who probably never lied in her life! When I asked her what on the menu is a favorite she said, honey I only eat chicken, but it seems we sell a lot of salmon! 😊 When one of my players asked if the chicken on her pasta was fried, she said I have no idea. When she brought her dinner out she said, I told the chef not to fry anything on this plate, so I think you are good. The food was delicious, the people simply real, and the décor looked like it was made from the local arts and crafts class. The chef was outside having his smoke when we left the restaurant. A short statured perfectly round, older man with his apron on. I asked him, did you…