I am in such high spirits that I feel as if I must write something. This is the best I have felt in Scotland so far. And it came about for a number of reasons. I hope you've had those days of joy where good-things of all sorts seem to wash up on shore, and blessing upon blessing are heaped on your heart and mind in a grand pile of contentment. My body aches from the labor of the day, but my spirit bows in submission and thanks to the source of all joy.

Last night I stayed at a teammates flat in Elie - a county 20 minutes south of St. Andrews, where we played golf today! St. Andrews is the birth-place of golf to those who don't know, and it is every golfer's dream to at least catch a glimpse of it. I had the fortune to sneak onto the last 2 holes (at least I thought I was sneaking on at the time) and make the walk back to the clubhouse. The air of it all was a bit spooky - to think I was walking on the same ground as the founders of the game as well as Tiger Woods and co.! - today's men who make the trip over to honor the game's history and compete at it's home; but I was mostly in pure child-like awe as I slowly walked the grand stage.

Before this, our team had played at a nearby golf course against St. Andrews' 2nd team, of which we lost, though I won my individual match, which always makes a man happy. I was one of the last golfers to be picked to play, so I was eager to make a good showing and help out the team.

After the match and the walk, we had a burger and chips at a local pub, courtesy of the St. Andrews' team. That struck me as something completely different from home. Our golf team would never go out for a bite to eat with, say, St. John's, after a round. That goes to show the level of seriousness, tottering on being too serious, of the sports in America. Of course I speak generally, but in the end are we not all on one team? Competition in itself is a good thing, yet it can quickly turn nasty as the nest of hate in the other team and solitary pride in your own.

How can I further explain my feelings? I am sitting at a computer in Hillhead trying to think of some symbol or metaphor that might describe it. Does not a good mood make for a more cheerful demeanor, a more friendly attitude? It seems as though we are not called on to always feel good, but to always do good, and in that way and only that way do we have any control over our feelings. We are lord over one thing, our wills; everything else are but the brushes and paints of he who is so good that he gives us a share in his eternal creation.

Cheers!