The Knees

When did my body go? Actually I've know for a long time that my knees don't like me doing stuff. Like crouching , they've never liked that. Or squatting, that's always been a no-no. And bending over, they creak at that. But bowling! We used to get along just fine bowling. But wait, that was ... several years ago - when JFK was still alive.
Why bring this up?
Spring break this past week. Jerry's granddaughters have been suggesting (quite often) that we go bowling. So we relented and went to what used to be Silver Lanes, remember Kids? Well lit, smokey, open? Now it is Big Daddy's. Casino, dim lit, smoke free, chopped into gambling dens, the lanes are lit with black light, track lights race up and down the lanes. (It's not your grandpas bowling alley any more.)
After my eyes got used to the dark (and my memories stopped flooding in) we found our way to the shoe rack and ordered the requisite "bowling shoes". They have gone from blah tan and maroon to day-glo yellow/green and orange. (No one is walking out in those). And found a ball that would work (Jerry had to have one drilled out for his paws).
Figure out how to enter our names in the fancy automatic score keepers (no more paper and pencil or even overhead projector thingy) and we are set. Up I go, get my stance (it's like riding a bike, right? you never forget) and begin my approach. Thunk. What's up with these knees? They don't want to get into the lunge position for releasing of the ball. They stop half way there and the ball is dropped. (Gumpa is turning over in his ashes). I adjust. Still the thunk. Not the smooth release like the guy in the next lane was doing but at least I stayed on the wood, was able to pick up a few spares, hit the head pin for a strike and end up with a decent 125. I've still got it! Best score of the afternoon. One game was my limit. Time was when I was waning at the tenth frame of the third game not the 8th frame of the first game. I'm out of practice.
Jerry took my spot for the next line. He had trouble finding his groove (well, the shoes didn't feel comfortable and the ball was stiff - and let's face it, it's been a while since he was in a league). He finally got his approach ironed out and almost broke 100.
I really had fun watching the girls bowl and coaching them - aim your thumb at the head pin, don't twist your wrist, end your approach on your left foot, etc. The girls were able to put in four lines. But they are young. I'm sure we will do this again. Hope next time I'll be able to break 100 again just to show the kids there is still life in this old body.