Return of Lefty Foursome, December 6, 2018

1. Location: Groomed and damp Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: 40+ degree weather with sun breaks
3. Course: Traditional
4. Participants: Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty and Wick O’Shay.
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Mr. Wicket hung back avoiding the logjam ahead of him. Ultimately, he won. 
7. Game Dos Results: See Game Uno Results. Poison Surferino committed suicide while trying to score a roquet on Mr. Wicket.
8. SOD: Wick punched his ball over the harvested flower bed and scored a roquet. Great shot.
9. Misc: Prefunq = yes.
10. Los Straightjackets made the playlist. Groovy.

National Meth Awareness Day Zerosome Nonevent

No croquet has been played today nor for many previous days. No prefunq. No curated playlist. Mar-A-Lawno is waterlogged. Players are chambered trying to make the best of a gray, cold, wet day, suffering CWS (Croquet Withdrawal Syndrome).

NATIONAL SCRAPPLE DAY Fuorsome, November 9, 2018

NATIONAL SCRAPPLE DAY

National Scrapple Day is observed annually on November 9th. Scrapple is arguably the first pork food invented in America. For those who are not familiar with scrapple, which is also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name “pon haus,“ it is traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal, wheat flour and spices.  (The spices may include but are not limited to sage, thyme, savory and black pepper.)  The mush is then formed into a semi-solid loaf, sliced and pan-fried. Yuck!

1. Location: Cool and damp Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Partially cloudy, cold in the shade, warm in the sun, little wind.
3. Course: Traditional.
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket,, Wick O’Shay.
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Beer infused Surferino killed everyone for the victory.
7. Game Dos Results: Cherry Pie enhanced Sticky smote everyone for the win.
8. SOD: Sticky’s long distance through the wicket shot earned SOD honors.
9. Misc: Prefunq = oh yeah. Both games went rapidly due to the cool conditions.

November 7 Croquet. Three games, three different winners.

                               

Preparing for November Croquet

Preparing for November Croquet

Preparing for November Croquet

Stay tuned......

National Candy Corn Day Threesome, October 30, 2018

NATIONAL CANDY CORN DAY

National Candy Corn Day is observed annually on October 30th. It may be the sweetest National Day of the year.

Candy Corn was created by George Renninger of Wunderle Candy Company in the late 1800s to represent the bright colors of corn kernels.   Originally, Candy Corn was yellow, orange and white, but Is now popular in many other colors as well.

Originally made by hand using corn syrup, sugar, water, marshmallows, fondant and carnauba wax (a wax made from the leaves of a palm tree), Candy Corn is now produced using machines but still with the original ingredients.

1. Location: Autumnal Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Hazy, damp, light breeze, mown grass.
3. Course: Traditional mostly.
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket.
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Suferino won.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Surferino missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket leaving Mr. W a medium close kill shot for the victory.
8. SOD: None.
9. Misc: Prefunq yep. No music today, just the sounds of life. Mallethead made a surprise appearance with a very young croqueteer in tow. Mr. Wicket handled the youngster admirably winning the admiration of the get-off-my-lawn crowd. 

National No Beard Day, October 18,2018

Location, conditions and players same as yesterday.

Game One: Mr Wicket killed Wick for the victory .

Game Two: Lefty won by killing Surferino.

SOD: Wick’s long distance toques and kill shots. Surferino toques which continued through the first wicket.

Misc: perfunc included Gummy Bears. Whoppie.

National Mulligan Day, October 17, 2018

Locationn: undisclosed California State Park with good surfing action.
Conditions: dry, dry and not wet, abundant sunshine sustained winds, and the smell of a swell in the wind.
Player: Wick O’Shay, Lefty, Surferino and Mr .Wicket.
Games One Surferino won with style and panache.
Game Two: Surferino won when Lefty, also poison, went for a kill shot but went through a wicket.
Misc: excellent perfunc.

NATIONAL NAME YOUR CAR DAY – October 2, 2018

1. Location: Majestic Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, tshirt warm in the sun, sweatshirt cool in the shade.
3. Course: Traditional except for relocation of the wicket next to the deck due to grass reseeding.
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket,, Lefty.
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Without becoming poison, Mr. Wicket survived for the win.
7. Game Dos Results:  Lefty missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket and conceded. Mr. Wicket won. 
8. SOD: (Shot of the Day) None. 
9. Misc: Prefunq = Yes. Both Lefty and Sticky died unintentionally. Lefty hit a poison ball. Poison Sticky knocked his ball through a wicket. Players were able to hit through the flower bed throughout the games. Sticky is the only player with a named car, “The Taco.”

Last Day of Summer Fivesome, September 21, 2018

1. Location: Heaven on earth,  Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Partly cloudy, dry, short grass, fast track.
3. Course: New and challenging.
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Wick O’Shay, Lefty
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Sticky Wicket won.
7. Game Dos Results: Sticky missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket who didn’t miss his close kill shot on Sticky for the victory.
8.  SOD: (Shot of the Day) Mr. Wicket’s long distance backward through the wicket setup shot was going to be the SOD. But, Sticky Wicket’s down chopped spinner through the last wicket to become poison was a marvel to behold. Sticky snatched a win from apparent defeat. Of course, Sticky’s having been granted a do-over after playing Lefty’s ball tainted the SOD and his ultimate victory. 

New croquet layout

National Wiener Schnitzel Day Foursome, September 9, 2018

NATIONAL WIENER SCHNITZEL DAY

National Wiener Schnitzel Day is observed annually on September 9. A traditional Austrian dish, Wiener Schnitzel is made with veal. Wick will not eat it.

A law in Austria requires this dish to made strictly with veal. Wiener Schnitzel is made by tenderizing a thin slice of veal which is then lightly salted and breaded.  It is then deep-fried in clarified butter.  The term “Wiener Schnitzel” was first used in the early 1830s, though similar recipes appear earlier.

Wiener Schnitzel is traditionally served with lettuce salad, cucumber salad, or potato salad. Some people serve it with parsley potatoes. A slice of lemon may also be served with the schnitzel. Rice, roasted or mashed potatoes and French fries have also become popular side dishes to Wiener Schnitzel lately. Sticky will eat it anyway you cook it.

Variations of the dish exist in many cultures throughout the world including making it with pork rather than the traditional veal.

Definition of cowabunga in English:

informal 

• Used to express delight or satisfaction.

  ‘Cowabunga! It's an actor's dream’

Origin

1950s: first popularized by a character on the US television programme Howdy Doody (1947–60). It later became associated with surfing culture and was further popularized by use on the US television cartoon programme Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987–96).

1. Location: Beautiful, autumnal, mega-bitchin, national treasure,  Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, short grass fast, bee permeated.
3. Course: #3
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Wick O’Shay
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Surferino was the Wiener, hot diggity dog.
7. Game Dos Results: Surferino missed a kill shot on Wick leaving him a short kill shot. Wick killed Surferino to wear the Wiener’s crown. 
8. SOD: (Side of the Day) Southside
9. Misc: Prefunq = Yes. Play outlasted the playlist. Searching for Surferino’s errant hedge shot, all searchers sustained scrapes but the blue ball was found by Mr. Wicket, the tunnel rat. No feelings nor animals were hurt during the intense competition. We missed you Lefty - not. Sticky went shirtless in the sunshine becoming true to his name. Surferino, going first the first game, seemingly had a senior moment when he left his ball in front of the seventh wicket instead of the third wicket. This unplanned strategy thereafter resulted in his getting roquet shots on a group of targets enabling him to streak out to the fifth wicket en route to the Wien.

Probability of croquet this afternoon:

National Waffle Day Fivesome, August 24, 2018

National Waffle Day

“The first United States patent for a waffle iron was issued to Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York on August 24, 1869. 

In honor of this anniversary, National Waffle Day is observed each year on August 24th.

‘We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work, it doesn’t matter. But work is third.’ ~ Amy Poehler

Eaten throughout the world, a waffle is a leavened batter or dough that is cooked between two plates that are patterned to give a characteristic size, shape and surface impression.  Waffles come in many forms.  Depending on the type of batter or iron used, the resulting waffle varies by consistency, size, shape, and flavor.  

Waffle irons and waffles originated around the 14th century.  An anonymous husband penned the first known waffle recipe as a set of instructions for his wife.  According to the manuscript, Le Ménagier de Paris, each of the four recipes began: 

Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour, and mix. Then fill, little by little, two irons at a time with as much of the paste as a slice of cheese is large. Then close the iron and cook both sides. If the dough does not detach easily from the iron, coat it first with a piece of cloth that has been soaked in oil or grease. 

•  1911 – First electric waffle iron introduced by General Electric.
• 1953 – Frank Dorsa’s Eggo Frozen Waffles are sold in Supermarkets for the first time.
• 1964 – Belgian Waffles debut at New York’s World’s Fair.”

1. Location: Beautiful, ultra-fabulous, national treasure,  Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, breezy, short grass syrupy fast
3. Course: #4
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Wick O’Shay
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: In a display of bare-chested, laser-guided, Cherry Pie fueled brilliance, Sticky, much like sea lions at Cascade Locks, went on a killing spree. He quickly and decisively sent all opponents to the sidelines for the dominating victory.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Surferino (again) missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket leaving him a nudge shot for the victory.
8. SOD: (Sequence of the Day) Sticky’s killing spree.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Cherry Pie for all. A special 1960’s music playlist took the assembled boomers down a potholed memory lane. Finally, a definitive ruling regarding an object ball’s being sent through the wicket striking the stake. Upon such occurrence, at the player’s next turn, if not roqueted by any other player in the interim, the ball may be placed a mallet head from the stake for play as usual. Thanks to the law firm of Drinken, Stinken and Nodd for the precise explanatory language.

National Aviation Day Fivesome, August 19, 2018

NATIONAL AVIATION DAY

National Aviation Day is observed each year on August 19th.  This day is dedicated by Presidential Proclamation to those who helped pioneer aviation in the United States.

Two American inventors and aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers are credited with inventing and building the world’s first successful airplane and making the first controlled powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight on December 17, 1903.

HISTORY

Established in 1939 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, this holiday was issued a presidential proclamation designating the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday to be National Aviation Day.  Born August 19, 1871, Orville Wright was still alive when the proclamation was issued and went on to live for nine more years until his death in 1948.

Proclamation USC 36:I:A:1:118 allows the sitting United States President to proclaim August 19 as National Aviation Day each year.  If desired, the President’s proclamation may direct all federal buildings and installations to fly the U.S. flag on that day and may encourage citizens to observe the day with activities that promote interest in aviation.

1. Location: Beautiful, ultra-fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Hazy, dry, breezy, short grass
3. Course: Traditional
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Wick O’Shay
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Lefty won.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Surferino missed a kill shot on Mr. Wicket leaving him a nudge shot for the victory.
8. SOD: Every player managed to overshoot the Crocosmia bed to reach the upper lawn. Usually, the flower bed swallows balls and kills momentum. Not today!
9. Misc: Prefunq = big fun for those who dared. Today’s curated soundtrack included music based on the Marx Brothers, including Slim Harpo for example. Nice job Mr. Wicket.

No secret. Today at 3......

Left Handers Day Event, August 13, 2018

LEFT-HANDERS DAY Event

"Left-Hander’s Day is observed annually on August 13th.  In a right-handed dominated world, left-handed individuals claim August 13th as their own.

Approximately 10% of the population is a southpaw.  Scientists don’t know why a person will be left-handed, but it’s more likely a child will be left-handed if one parent is. Parents of left-handed children used to force them to use their right hands. Left-handedness was considered evil and parents feared their communities would shun their children. While we accept left-handedness more readily than days gone by, its occurrence hasn’t increased.  

Sometimes, a lefty will seek to blend in because they will stand out soon enough. Their unique quality makes them feel awkward, bump elbows or seem like a klutz. However, in a world designed for the right-handed, those who are other dominant have adapted quite well. For example, eight United States presidents were left-handed, including Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. Would the Sistine Chapel and the Mona Lisa stand the test of time if Michaelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci had been right-handed? 

Left-hander’s Day recognizes the uncommon individual who throws, catches, writes and uses a fork with their left-hand. They view the world just a little differently. At a restaurant, they seek out the seat that will place their dominant elbow on the outside of the booth. Right-handed athletes groan a bit when the southpaw shows up as an opponent on the roster. They present a challenge right-handers aren’t always sure how to handle due to lack of practice. Lefties square off against righties all the time."

1. Location: Beautiful, ultra-fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, sunny, breezy, tall grass
3. Course: #6
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty.
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Lefty won.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Sticky missed a kill shot on Lefty and his ball went through a wicket causing his untimely death. Lefty won. 
8. SOD: SOY: SOD: Shot of the day and shot of the year and shot of the decade. After striking Sticky's ball for a roquet, Lefty attempted to send Sticky's ball beyond the nearby wicket. Lefty placed his foot on his ball and hit it. All that was missing was Sticky's ball. In effect, Lefty hit an air ball. Although Lefty does have big feet, the fact that Sticky's ball was not present to be struck should have been apparent. Must have been the prefunq. Sticky fell to the ground, laughing and waiving his legs like n overturned beetle. The rest of us guffawed. Despite the gaffe, Lefty went  through wicket with his second shot, charging to the lead and ultimate victory. So funny.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Lefty’s usual. Gummy drop for Sticky and Surferino. After suffering a bee sting, Surferino was not able to locate M. Avenatti to pursue a claim. 

National Lasagna Day Event, July 29, 2018

1. Location: Beautiful, ultra-fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, sunny, breezy, perfectly groomed fast grass
3. Course: Traditional
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Droner, Lefty and Wick O’Shay.
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Surferino got focused and won.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Mr. Wicket nailed poisoned Wick
8. SOD: From a great distance, Mr. Wicket killed Wick and was victorious.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Lefty’s usual. Lefty surprised all by wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat with chin strap thereby protecting his well abused skin from the neck up. However, he did shed his shirt. Go figure. Despite receiving a pregame kiss from his Schmookies, Sticky was off his game. 
10. Safe travels Droner. May the wildfire that ravaged your community, but spared your house, be extinguished.

Coming Soon

National Hot Dog Day Event, July 18,2018

1. Location: Beautiful, fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, sunny, breezy, perfectly groomed fast grass
3. Course: #3
4. Participants: Sticky, Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Droner
5. Games: Two
6. Game One Results: Sticky won.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Mr. Wicket killed Sticky.
8. SOD: A amazing long distance shot by Sticky. Mr. Wicket's ball was in front of the first turn-around wicket on the upper lawn. Sticky was between the hedge and the Crocosmia bed. With a sumo-like swing, Sticky launched his ball which struck Mr. Wicket knocking him through the first wicket. What a shot!
9. Misc: Prefunq = Voyager 32 plus maybe Vietnamese. 

National Give Something Away Day, July 15, 2018

1. Location: Beautiful Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, sunny, breezy, perfectly groomed fast grass
3. Course: Traditional. 
4. Participants: Sticky, Lefty, Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Wick O’ Shay (one game only)
5. Games: Two
6. Game One Results: Lefty killed Wick for the win.
7. Game Dos Results: For the win, Sticky attempted a kill shot on Mr . Wicket, but missed. Mr. Wicket murdered a very close Sticky.
8. SOD: None.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Voyager 32. A splendid hot afternoon resulted in a shirtless Lefty and Sticky, as usual. Wick departed after game one. To celebrate National Give Something Away Day, both Wick and Sticky gave games to Lefty and Mr. Wicket. Finally, Sticky’s status as a northsider has been confirmed. Since he lives north of First St., he falls into the traditional division of the community as determined by the late B. Horsman. You a northsider now, Sticky.

National Pina Colada Day Shootout, July 10, 2018

1. Location: Beautiful Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, dry, sunny, breezy, perfectly groomed grass, quiet
3. Course: #13 A rarely deployed course with an unusual configuration confused Sticky once, much to the amusement of others.
4. Participants: Sticky, Lefty, Surferino, Mr. Wicket
5. Games: Two
6. Game One Results: Surferino won. Mr. Wicket, attempting to pass through the eighth wicket, caromed off and struck poisoned Surferino, perishing.
7. Game Dos Results: Lefty won.
8. SOD: Surferino scored a loooog distance roquet on Lefty at the seventh wicket.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Voyager 27 or 32. A splendid hot afternoon resulted in a shirtless Lefty and Sticky.

National Waffle Iron Day Event, June 29, 2018

1. Location: Beautiful Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Wispy clouds, dry, sunny, breeze, perfectly groomed grass.
3. Course: #16. This new course designed by Miguel Miguel required study of a diagram replete with crisscrossing lines and arrows. Ultimately, all participants successfully navigated the course.
4. Participants: Sticky, Lefty Surferino, Mr. Wicket
5. Games: Two
6. Game One Results: Sticky won.
7. Game Dos Results: Sticky stuck it to them again. 
8. SOD: Poisoned Sticky defending the finishing wickets stung a perfectly setup Lefty with a long distance roquet.
9. Misc: Prefunq = Voyager 27 or 32. Sticky did his classic whoop whoop and shuffle upon completing his sweep. Another totally bitchin summer day. Lefty suggested the hedges adjacent to the club house be sculpted into either a croquet or surfing motif. He made it clear that he is an idea man not a hedge sculptor.

National Hydration Day, June 23, 2018

1. Location: Fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
2. Conditions: Clear, sunny, breeze, mown  grass.
3. Course: #8
4. Participants: Sticky, Wick, Surferino, Mr. Wicket
5. Games: Two
6. Game One Results: Surferino won.
7. Game Dos Results: Surferino won again. 
8. SOD: None
9. Misc: Prefunq short. Sticky sunbathed in his short shorts. No between the game funq. Totally bitchin summer day. A participants stayed hydrated in honor of the day. 

Branching Out

National American Eagle Day Flight

1. Date: June 20, 2018
2. Location: Fabulous Mar-A-Lawno
3. Conditions: Overcast, cool breeze, tallish grass, migrated pink flamingos.
4. Course: #6
5. Participants: Sticky, Wick, Lefty, Surferino, Mr. Wicket
6. Games: Two, dos, II
7. Game One Results: Sticky prevailed commandingly.
8. Game Dos Results: Mr. Wicket claimed it.
9. SOD: Lefty's long distance roquet at the middle wicket.
10. Aroma: The smell of hot, grinded metal coupled with pungent slash burn smoke suffused the course like patchouli at the Oregon Country Fair on a hot July day.

Ready?

Soon?

Croquet Convergence June 2, 2018

With Mr. Balls rolling into town, five Cowabunga's, Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and the aforementioned Mr. Balls,  assembled at 4 p.m. to play two rounds of croquet at the fabulous Mar-A-Lawno. Miguel Miguel arranged the traditional course, enhancing it with the addition of two pink flamingos guarding the upper lawn. A colorful curated selection of age-appropriate music was enjoyed by all.

Near perfect conditions greeted the players who basked in the afterglow of the prefunq. Under an unclouded sky with moderating wind and abundant sunshine, the grass seemed greener, the music fuller, the lawno chairs more comfortable. The nearby pounding of a hammer and squealing of an impact wrench defiled an otherwise idyllic scene.

With two consecutive victories on his permanent record, Lefty took a commanding lead in the first round and cruised to a third win. Wick O'Shay and Mr. Balls tied for SOD with skillful shots that ultimately did not affect the outcome. Wick scored a long distance roquet. Ballsy aced a tough wicket shot. Surferino suffered a lapse of concentration and wasted a roquet by shooting at the wrong wicket.  
Later on, Surferino sent Mr. Wicket to an early death by missing an easy roquet setting up a poisoned Lefty for two kill shots.

The second round saw Lefty easily take the lead and become poison. Despite Lefty's defending the end wickets, Surferino managed to sneak into position and make a difficult short tap shot to become poison. Lefty's consecutive streak was ended when Surferino took him out with a short kill shot. Well positioned after the roquet, Surferino killed Mr. Wicket (again) to win the round.

Be there or be down south

Warning

Memorial Day Foursome

A fine afternoon at Mar-A-Lawno for croquet. The north wind cleared the sky. The afternoon, late spring sunshine made for t-shirts and thirst. The number 4 course was deployed by Miguel Miguel. The grass was high and dry. The ball required a more powerful impact to drive it a long distance.

The four Cowabungas in attendance included Sticky Wicket, Surferino, Lefty and Mr. Wicket. Evidently, Mr Balls will be visiting this week to take his semi-annual beatings.

Lefty twice killed Surferino to win the two rounds. In game one, Lefty hit the SOD (Shot of the Day).   He hit Mr. Wicket near the wicket to earn two shots. Deciding to send Mr. Wicket’s ball beyond the wicket to be available for  another roquet, Lefty barely moved Mr. Wicket’s ball. With one shot left, Lefty applied his billiards technique smacking the object ball and his ball through the wicket. He again hit Mr. Wicket for a second roquet.

Of note, the second game resulted in everyone’s becoming poison.

National Brother Day Event

The fabulous Mar-A-Lawno was the venue for two rounds of croquet. Miguel Miguel configured the course to baffle the sensibilities of the five Cowabungas, Surferino, Wick O’Shay, Mr. Wicket, Lefty and Sticky Wicket, who played.

Under a partly cloudy sky and in gusting winds, Surferino won the first round. Mr. Wicket won the second round. Although there was no SOD, there was a POD (Play of the Day). Mr. Wicket, after roqueting, repositioned his ball incorrectly generating much guffawing.

All players enjoyed the bench positioned on the upper level of the course. A fine place to sit and sip and harass others, much like Spike Lee at a Knicks game.

The mantra is, “Ask Miguel.”

Wick Wins 4 out of 6 at 3 SB Courses!

Happy Birthday Sticky Wicket

Do the Sticky shuffle. Howl into the wind. Rejoice in being one of the youngest Cowabungas. Celebration time, come on!

Mission Santa Barbara Open

Three Cowabungas, Mr. Wicket, Wick O'Shay and Lefty, traveled to the Santa Barbara area recently. They went there to surf and also to play croquet. The Cowabunga Croquet Club has a travel set that has visited numerous venues throughout southern California.

A grassy expanse at the Mission Santa Barbara served as the venue for two rounds of croquet. The weather was favorable for shorts and t-shirts or no shirts at all. Evidently, Wick O'Shay and Mr. Wicket were winners. No other information has been reported.

National Truffle Day Contest

With a cool breeze keeping the grass damp and under a sunny sky, Mar-A-Lawno welcomed four Cowabungas including, Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicket, Wick O’Shay and Surferino. The number 13 course was laid out by Miguel Miguel. There was a slight delay when it was discovered that Miguel had forgotten to deploy the outside speakers. With some difficulty, this means you Sticky, the speakers were located and installed. The Cowabungas grooved to the music.

Game one was taken by Sticky whose kill shots were few and deadly. He seemed to have benefited from the prefunq. Wick dug for truffles when he attempted a mighty long distance shot. The lawn will heal.

Game two was won by Mr. Wicket whose long distance kill shot on Surferino was the SOD. The players enjoyed the warmth of the emerging May 2 sun. All that was missing was Lefty’s wisecracking and complaints. Soon Lefty will be back from the island.

Prepare

The National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day Results

As the four Cowabungas, Wick O’Shay, Mr. Wicket, Surferino and Sticky Wicket, gathered to celebrate National-Pigs-in-a-Blankets Day by playing two rounds of croquet at Mar-A-Lawno, Groundskeeper Miguel Miguel was heard to say, “It is more excellenter today for playing.” Indeed, the conditions for the third consecutive day of play were SPF fantastic.

Cruising through the first round, poisoned Sticky killed Surferino and Mr. Wicket. A struggling Wick lagged the field and was positioned near the middle wicket when a strutting Sticky arrived for the kill shot. With a quick stroke, Sticky sent his ball through the middle wicket committing suicide. A stunned Wick was humble in victory.

Surferino won the second round. His long distance kill shot on Mr. Wicket was the SOD. In front of a seated Mrs. Sticky who was drinking champagne, Surferino lured Sticky into taking and missing a medium distance kill shot that left Sticky’s ball inches away in the kill zone.

Southsiders won the day!

Post Earth Day Throwdown Results

Players included Sticky Wicket, Surferino, Wick O'Shay, Mr. Wicket and a guest. The number 3 course was laid out. Two rounds were played in the finest conditions of 2018. The warm wind nearly necessitated installation of misters.

Surferino won the first round. Mr. Wicket won the second round. Surferino and Mr. Wicket shared the SOD. Mr. Wicket's winning kill shot on Wick O'Shay qualified him for SOD. Surferino's reverse through the wicket shot on Wick earning two more shots salvaged was might have been a disastrous situation.

The Cowabungas took frequent advantage of the guest's ball when he got in range of the pack.

Earth Day Ramble Results

The deep green of Mar-A-Lawno attracted four Cowabungas, Sticky Wicket, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Mr. Wcket, who played two rounds on the number 2 course layout. As usual, groundskeeper Miguel Miguel prepped and sited the course with great care and artistic effort.

The first round went to Sticky who's accuracy was amazing. After stripping layers of clothing, Sticky's stroke became more fluid and deadly. He made the  SOD (Shot of the Day) by hitting Mr. Wicket with a long shot knocking Mr. Wickets' ball through the middle wicket earning two shots. Sticky used the shots to go through the same wicket. His long approach shot to the last wicket left him well placed.

The second round was won by Mr. Wicket after Surferino's kill shot missed, leaving a gimme wining tap for Mr. Wicket. Turning the table on Sticky, Surferino hit a long forceful kill shot on him before missing the kill shot on Mr. Wicket.

The same participants agreed to play again on 04/23/2018 in the Post Earth Day Bash.

Green light for tomorrow

Looking good

Mar-A-Lawno Groundskeeper Questioned

The meticulously groomed course at Mar-A-Lawno has attracted the attention of the Croquet Union Dispatch (CRUD), the nation's premier croquet news and views outlet. CRUD's senior correspondent, Scooperino,  contacted us and asked that eight questions be posed to groundskeeper Miguel Miguel.
Mr. Wicket, who knows him better than any Cowabunga, met with Miguel x 2 this week and obtained answers to the following questions.

1. When did you start working as a croquet course groundskeeper?

     The earth is round.

2. When were you hired at the world famous Mar-A-Lawno?

     My earliest memories involve mustard.

3. What are the greatest challenges for a croquet groundskeeper?

     Moles, Sticky, beavers......in no particular order.

4. How often do you change the course?

     Every 3000 miles.

5. Do players pick up after themselves?

     You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose. I forget the last part.

6. Do you play the course to get a better feel for its needs?

     Of course.

7. What advice do you have for other croquet groundskeepers?

     Don't quit your day job.

8. Are you paid a living wage?

     What is time???

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Time will tell

Perhaps this weekend?

I think I've had enough rain......

Alternative uses Part 2

Alternative uses for Mar-A-Lawno Part 1

Things to do while waiting for croquet......

Question of the Day

If golf clubs are kept in a clubhouse, shouldn’t croquet mallets be kept in a mallet house?

Daylight Savings Time Season Opener

The clocks and watches have been adjusted. The weather has moderated. The mid-afternoon has become the best time of the day. Mar-A-Lawno has been groomed to perfection. So, the DST Season Opener had to be and was held today.

Honoring Ernie Banks famous statement, "Let's play two.",  five Cowabungas played two rounds. The first round was won by Wick O'Shay. Mr. Wicket won the second round. Leftie had the shot(s) of the day, SOD, with long roquets. As usual, the second round was replete with out-of-turn shots. No animals, plants, windows or personal property was damaged by play.

Tuesday Results: SOD Mallet Head, Winner Wick O'Shay

Might happen......

Take Your Pick

Upcoming event

Waiting for the return of Wick O'Shay

Anything is possible......

The return of Wick O'Shay

Take it easy......

Stay tuned......

Get Well Wick

ROAD TRIP

More sightings......

Coming soon

January 13, 2018 Result

Mallethead, Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Sticky Wicky, Surferino and Wick O’Shay played one looooooooong game today. The Mar-A-Lawno course was damp under a weak winter sun. The strong east wind was dry. Sticky was visited by his schmookie during the round and pleaded for kisses to help his game.

The first to make poison, Lefty employed the spider-in-the-web defense, staying close to the last wickets and stake. Eventually, others tried to make poison but were deterred by Lefty. As the game stretched on, players starting taking high risk shots, missing and falling into Lefty’s web. Ultimately, Lefty went on a killing spree and won the game.

There was no SOD. There were a number of good shots. The perfunc was enjoyed by all but Mallethead and Sticky. It was a great treat to play croquet on a warm winter day.

Cowabunga does Guadalajara!

Quite possibly......

North by Northside

The future becomes clearer

Ubiquity

It has been uttered by many characters, used by numerous commercial entities. It is the om of stoke. The essence of Spiccoli. A blessing to those who experience its manifestations. It describes the sacred and the profane. It is the flavor of the discriminating. It works when nothing else does. A sacred incantation for those who embrace it wholeheartedly.



                                                       COWABUNGA



                                                        COWABUNGA

                                                       


                                                         COWABUNGA