I REALLY DON'T REMEMBER WHO WAS GOOD, BAD, OR UGLY

Though I would expect Eastwood to be the good one. There are so many thoughts that come to mind when I think of that old movie title. They can be used in a variety of situations from my fantasy baseball team--The Flying Chaucers, to my golf game yesterday, to the Cardinals' baseball game, to the morning news, though as usual with our media, you have to look a little closer for the good than the bad.

My topic today is to make an application of the movie title to Snowbirds. In an area devoid of much industry, Snowbirds are an integral part of the greater Phoenix area. April 15 marks just about the last day for Snowbirds returning to the northern climes. But they're missing some of the absolutely best weather of the year from April 15 to June 15. But that's for another blog on another day.

The good of course comes from all the money they spend here. And, it's not as if there's no place to spend it out here either. From the FBR (nee Phoenix Open) to the Safeway Classic at Superstition Mountain for the ladies, golf is abundant. With over 175 courses in the valley, Snowbirds should not suffer from inactivity on the links. With the Arabian Horse Show to the Barrett-Jackson car auction, there are some serious big-time events. Spas, shopping, restaurants, Spring Training baseball games, ASU baseball and basketball (new coach next season--watch out), Phoenix Suns and Coyotes, Glendale Arena for concerts, mountain hiking, horseback riding: the list is nearly endless. Oh, I almost forgot--the weather. It's awesome. If you can't find something to do, it's your own fault.

The bad of course is when they have to leave. Also, the traffic. The brown ribbon of pollution that ruins the city view and chokes its denizens. High prices for just about everything. Especially golf. One hundred dollar rack rate rounds are common. Waiting lines abound in restaurants. Some days it's even cloudy and cold.

The ugly is the drivers. Man, they are the worst. Period. There are simply no drivers in the valley who are courteous. Even when I leave my Bible Study Fellowhip class at 9:00 PM on Monday nights, if I don't watch carefully, a man filled with the Spirit of the Lord will run me down. A Snowbird friend of mine has said, "The drivers in Phoenix will kill you for half a car length." Also, and I know I repeat myself if you are a frequent reader, my daughter 's greatest fear when we moved out here was that I would get run over because I don't drive fast enough. And I'm no slowpoke.

The good, the bad, and the ugly, yup Snowbirds have to put up with two negatives to enjoy the one positive. It must be worth it for our population is booming. So, thanks for the moneries, ugh, memories. We'll see you in the Fall of 2006.