New Golf Equipment

Today was so beautiful, I just had to go out and play golf.  It gave me an opportunity to try out the new club I bought yesterday.  The girls on my golf league chipped in and gave me a gift certificate in thanks for running the league.  So,  of course, I felt obliged to go to Carls yesterday, and do some shopping.  I had been considering trying a hybred club, and they had them on sale.  So, I tried a few and settled on a Taylor Made "rescue" club.  And, of course, I saved so much on the club that I had to buy a new golf bag too. Today I tried them both out, and with the cooperation of the weather as well, I really enjoyed my afternoon.

From Weeds To Flowers

I developed a bad habit of not weeding my gardens this year.  I kept telling myself I would get to it when the front patio was finished.  There was a significant weed growing in my front yard that began to look more and more like a rambing rosebush.  Even after the patio was finished, I couldn't bring myself to pull it out.  I can't figure out where it came from, but it may become one of the prettiest weeds I have ever cultivated.  Tonight I transplanted it in front of a trellis that I couldn't ever get plants to climb on. Maybe the two will become friends.  At any rate, now that it is in a place that I want it to grow, it can no longer be called a weed.  Next spring should reveal whether it is, in fact, a rosebush.

Dealing With Homeland Security

I played in a charity outing for the Disabled American Veterans yesterday.  It was at Selfridge Golf Course.  It was a real experience entering a government installation on the day before the anniversary of 9/11.  Security was beefed up, and I was asked to pull over and register in the guard shack when I entered the base.  I was standing in a line of 10 or so people, and was dealing with the red tape just fine, when a couple got in line behind me, with the woman raving at the top of her lungs about the actions of the senior guard at the entry gate.  Apparently he had directed his coworker to do something, and that offended her.  She complained at high volume about how things were going just fine until he opened his mouth.  He overheard her, of course (everyone within a city block did, I swear) and said: "hey are you telling me how to do my job?".  She yelled back: "well, apparently someone has to!"
The rest of us just stood there, trying very hard not to engage, and suddenly there were two uniformed (and armed) national guardsmen removing her from the line and taking her off to the side for a "discussion".  Well, I was cleared just about that time,so I got out of there quickly.  All I could think about was how stupid it was to get into it with federal security officials in this day and age.  I didn't see either her or her husband at the golf outing.  I suspect they never made it on to the base. 
The outing was really fun, though.  The weather cooperated beautifully, and we had a great time.

A Great Day At The Lake

There are those who would argue that this Labor Day weekend was a real disappointment, weather-wise. We lucked out, though, when our friends decided Saturday would be the best day to get together.

It was 93 degrees by the time we left for their house on the lake. We headed straight for the water, and the girls spent the bulk of the afternoon floating, gabbing, and drinking pina coladas.

We topped that off with so many appetizers, I was sure I couldn't eat dinner. But the fried chicken and grilled sausages were more than I could resist. Forgive me, Weight Watchers.

This is the greatest way to bookend the summer...Memorial Day and Labor Day at Kay and Paul's!

The Finished Project

Our new front patio and walkway are all done. And, may I say...they are beautiful! It is very hard to capture in pictures, but here is my best try....

First, there is the walkway from the driveway.

This is the view of our front door....

We paved over the old herb garden, and put the herbs in pots. Now I have room for a table and chairs (when I find one I like....and can afford).

The bricks cover the front steps and the porch...a real improvement from the poured concrete.

And, this one looks out from the front door....

I believe we are really going to enjoy this upgrade. Even if it means more to shovel in the winter.

My First Eagle!

I know this may only appeal to the golfers out there, but I chipped one in for eagle on my golf league tonight. It was a weird round overall. I started playing very badly, and was 12 over par after the first four holes. The eagle came on the 5th hole, then I finished par-par-bogey-par. I was really geeked by the time I finished. I probably could have played nine more, if it wasn't getting dark. Instead, I went into the club house and bought a round of drinks for the girls.
A truly fun night!

They Finally Started

OK...here we go...

I have been waiting for our contractor to start the front patio project ever since the snow melted in March. I had noticed the heave in the broken concrete walk and decided the time was right for the brick paver patio and walkway I have been dreaming about since we bought the house.

Today they broke up all the existing concrete and hauled it out to the street. They are regrading the front and then will fill it all in with brick pavers. I am really looking forward to the finished product. Then I will spend the rest of the season dividing hostas, and reworking the rest of the landscape. I am shopping for the perfect bistro table and chairs for the new patio, but I haven't found them yet. I had moved my herb garden into containers earlier. I plan to set them out in that area also. In the winter I can move them into the garage, and I should be able to harvest fresh herbs through the winter.