What is in a name...

When one thinks of bringing a child into the world, there are many pleasant thoughts which inevitably come to mind...

• Fake Labors that you can laugh about after the fact...
• Bringing the beloved child home for the first time...
• Buying all those cute little outfits at Baby Gap, which will be worn for almost 3 months before they are outgrown...
• Coming home to the smiles & giggles...
• Starting the child on course to become the next Tiger Woods or Michelle Wie...

...just to name a few.

On a side note, if you are serious about this, there are two books that are an absolute must. Read them & re-read them. Commit them to memory...

• Ben Hogan's "Five Lessons": It is amazing the knowledge that this man held. This will be more valuable than any college text you ever spent entirely too much money on at the campus book store, & it costs under $10. Every golfer worth his salt should own a copy & read it at least once a year. I do...
• "Think Like Tiger": Other than his natural athletic ability, Tiger Woods' most remarkable asset is his mental edge. Granted, Tiger's father is a retired Lt. Colonel in the US Army, but most of the tactics he used can be employed by the average doting father (& to our friends, you can rest assure that your child will be receiving a golf club for his/her 2nd birthday). However, whether for your child's future career or for your own game, gaining control of your mental stability on the course & continuously improving your mental toughness will serve you more than a lifetime of driving range lessons. Take it from the classic 18-hole head case... (you'll need Quicktime to view this link)

There is one thing, however, that no one ever really warns you about. One lingering problem that effects all who dare to venture into the realm of parenthood. It plagues every would-be parent without fail (I presume that there are, in fact, a few exceptions...but do you really know any?)...

Deciding on a name for your expected child...

The mere thought of it breeds fear in the hearts of men all around the known world (much like the fabled Amazons or the incredibly large angry woman). Whether it be the pressure to name the child after a parent, knowing that it could make you the one grandchild favored above all others, or trying to convince your wife to love the name that you decided on back in your college days, it effects us all. Just know that it's coming, accept it, & move on...

Now you must understand...I've done my homework. I've even developed a list of names (if you are prompted to login, enter my email address & surname...this will bring up my list of names), for either gender, which I would not mind naming our little girl (yes, I think that it will be a girl). I tend to lean towards names of Celtic origins myself, but my favorite is of Welch origin). If you have previously read "The Opening Verse" (my original post), you already know the name of which I speak.


No matter what my gorgeous wife says, "Morgan" is a beautiful name. As I sit here in my bright orange t-shirt, paying tribute to perhaps the greatest televion show ever created, I cannot fathom how thinking of little Morgan does anything but bring a warm smile to anyone's face. Granted, I am on my second glass of Red Bull & Bicardi (which are stronger than I let on to KLG), but I still think that I've covered all of the bases with this one...

My theory is this...we name our darling baby girl, who will undoubtedly get her good looks from her stunningly beautiful mother, Morgan E. Goodwin (the "E" being on a need to know basis only). During her younger years, or if my future M.I.L.F. is more comfortable with it at first, we can utilize her initials & call her "Meg" (an idea for which I must give due props to the family of the lovely Stacey O'Connell...who by the way, is the best thing that ever happened to my oldest & dearest friend...& I will bitch slap him if he ever forgets it). It's cute, she can go by either one she chooses, or even go by one in her younger days & then change to the other when she gets to college. How many other people have options like that given to them? Of course, I know that this is yet another one of the many battles that will inevitably be lost, but it will be a valiant battle.

Admit it...you like the idea, don't you...

And who doesn't think that The Dukes of Hazard was one of the best shows ever?