Life’s speed bumps ……

Happens to the best of us.

You know, one of those ‘life speed bumps’ that throttles you for a little while and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

You’ve got things all planned out, whether for a day or week or longer, and wham, life throws you a curve and you have to just stop everything and get through it.

So I’m knocking this missive out as quickly as I can, then I’ll crawl back in bed and before I know it everything will be better.

I got kicked by a stomach bug yesterday, and today it’s a little better and, I’m sure, by tomorrow I’ll be fine.

Just bear with me.

Honestly, I was blind-sided by this episode. I’d been at an all-day class of sorts on Saturday with some fraternity buddies, got through it just fine and everything seemed normal right up to bedtime.

Then something woke me up Sunday morning that wasn’t an alarm clock, if you know what I mean.

Without getting all graphic about it, I’ve had to spend the past 24 hours very close to the bathroom.

I did get to watch Scottie Scheffler pick up his fifth PGA win of the year at Jack Nicklaus’s Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio, and notch his first win as a father, with his wife, Meredith, and month-old son Bennett (Bennie), greeting him at the 72nd hole as he held on to beat Collin Morikawa by a stroke.

It marked the first time in 44 years that a player had won five tournaments before the U.S. Open (coming up this weekend in nearby Pinehurst, N.C.). Tom Watson did it in 1980.

I also managed to see the Boston Celtics top the Dallas Mavericks for their second NBA playoff win in a row and caught most of the San Antonio Brahmas win over the Saint Louis Battlehawks for their XFL conference title (they’ll face the mighty Birmingham Stallions for the UFL championship this coming weekend).

There were a few other, more important things I had to miss, though.

I’d planned to attend long-time friend Jim Beaty’s visitation and funeral.

Though we really lost Jim a while back due to the ravages of Alzheimer’s, he finally met his maker last week after a long and successful life among us.

My heart goes out to his wife, Brenda, and all of the friends and family who loved Jim so much, and his smiling face will be etched in our memories forever.

Hopefully, the current ‘episode’ in my physical existence won’t interfere with some upcoming medical stuff as I continue my recovery from back surgery (which has gone well so far, I might add).

But mainly I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m okay, don’t worry about me and I’ll be back in action in no time, I’m sure.

Just gotta get past this little speed bump and get on with living.