NATIONAL CRANBERRY RELISH DAY Foursome

November 22, 2019

NATIONAL CRANBERRY RELISH DAY

Another seasonal holiday staple graces the table each year and National Cranberry Relish Day makes sure you’re prepared. For Thanksgiving Day make sure you’re stocked and ready. Ocean Spray cranberries are currently on sale at Fred Meyer. Plymouth once had a Cranbrook model (Surferino’s first car). One wonders if the Cranbrook flowed into a cranberry bog. Hmmmm.....

Not to be forgotten, today is the 56th anniversary of JFK’s assassination. For an interesting take on the sequence of events leading to the assassination listen to

https://content.production.cdn.art19.com/validation=1574614580,e8e4748d-23e8-5981-9df8-c3f8f7183d36,PMhRKsyHiECboZ8dQjUtLcahF7s/episodes/074a8853-f30c-48d3-aea2-74c066d47819/ac746dfd00b9427b1ba037b8ce580af2816996d67db65f21ea7e2a23a033b74b63bef0afda017b2d402b04e752fc221a9f3e6d10b57f0cf5417bc450ad3dac64/THPP_OneHour-ads-2019_1122.mp3

Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Wick O’Shay convened at Mar-A-Lawno for a 1 p.m. tee off on a cold but clear autumn day. Heavy dew glistened on the long deep green grass on which the traditional course was laid out. Engaging treats were provided at the prefunq. Two rounds were played.

Surferino won both rounds. His killing spree to end the second round was masterful. It was occasioned by Wick’s missing a medium distance kill shot leaving Surferino in excellent position.

The SOD was Mr Wicket’s roquet on Surferino at the fifth wicket. From a lengthy distance, Mr. Wicket sent his ball backwards through the wicket bouncing on top of Surferino’s ball.

Surprisingly, no goofs, flubs or brain farts occurred during play. Perhaps the tasteful music, engaging treats and cold concentrated the minds of the players. It would not be fair to say that Lefty’s absence was also a reason.

 Long live the Cowabungas!

NATIONAL LOUISIANA DAY Fivesome

November 9, 2019.

NATIONAL LOUISIANA DAY

On November 9, National Louisiana Day recognizes the state that brought us such treasures as Jazz, Creole and American Mardi Gras. Also, Randy Newman, who grew up in Louisiana, wrote the song, Louisiana 1927, about the great flood of that year.

Throughout the history of the state, the blending of race and culture have resulted in the Delta’s own unique flair that brings visitors from around the world seeking to taste their food, hear their music, see their style, and get sick drunk on Bourbon Street.

When French explorers first arrived, several diverse tribes populated the area. Many of their population were decimated by disease and war. Who can forget the horror of firing cannons till the barrel melted down. Natchez, Choctaw or Chitimacha descendants still survive today.

In 1803, Louisiana became territory when the United States completed negotiations with France for the 828,000 mile Louisiana Purchase. The first of 15 states to be carved out of the region, Louisiana entered the United States in 1812.

Today, the LSU football team managed to defeat Alabama in Tuscaloosa by a score of 46 to 41. Geaux Tigers?

On a moist, gray, cold autumn day, Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Wick O'Shay and Surferino awaited the arrival of Mr. Balls. They ate special candy and drank beer while waiting. Although invited, Sticky Wicket was unable to attend. Upon Mr. Balls arrival, the players assembled to tee off on the traditional course layout. 

The Mar-A-Lawno grass had been mown and fertilized. Tiny white fertilizer pellets stuck to the wet weather footwear worn by the players. Perhaps affected by the barely clement weather condition, the first game went quickly. Lefty won.

The second game also went quickly. Mr. Wicket and Mr. Balls both became poison and found themselves in a shootout. The game could have lasted longer had not Mr. Balls, beer full, announced that his aged bladder demanded he take an uphill 15' shot at Mr. Wicket's ball positioned on the boundary. To miss, would have meant a short kill shot for Mr. Wicket and possibly embarrassing incontinence for Mr. Balls. But, he puckered, swung and grazed Mr. Wicket's ball for the win.

SOD: Mr. Balls' long distance through the eighth wicket. Great Balls on fire!

DIOS DE LOS MUERTOS EVE Foursome

Dia de los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a two-day festival that takes place every November 1 and 2. Although most strongly identified with Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated throughout Latin America and everywhere with a Latino population, including the United States of America.

The day before Dia de los Muertos is Halloween. Four Cowabungas celebrated the hallowed day at Mar-A-Lawno where the wickets were festooned with pumpkin baskets and witches. In honor of the occasion, the black and orange balls were played. A lengthy playlist of themed songs had the players doing the Monster Mash, singing along with the Purple People Eater, Spooky, Witchy Woman, etc. To the song Thriller, Sticky did his shuffle and an odd moon walk.

Two rounds were played on the original course which was deeply green with thick grass, not too damp. Wind was not a factor. Just a bright, sunny but cold fall day. Sticky, Wick, Surferino and a costumed Mr. Wicket prefunqed. Sticky managed to botch his opening shot thereafter remaining well behind.

Perhaps it was luck, the costume or the prefunq, certainly not skill,  Mr. Wicket won both rounds. In game one, a poisoned Surferino killed Wick at the starting wickets and would have had a short kill shot on poisoned Mr. Wicket but for his ball ricocheting off Wick and through the first wicket. Suicide one. In game two, poisoned Sticky attempted a kill shot on Mr. Wicket who tried to hide behind the tenth wicket. Sticky put his ball through the wicket committing suicide. Suicide two. Halloween became Dia de los Muertos much to Mr. Wicket’s amusement.

NATIONAL FARMERS DAY Foursome

October 12, 2019

What is National Farmers Day?

 

National Farmers Day is celebrated every year on October 12. The profession of farming began around 12,000 years ago with the domestication of livestock as hunter/gatherers settled down and started to plant their own food. In short, farming is one of the oldest jobs around. So let‘s take a moment to give some love to all the farmers who work tirelessly to feed us year round. 

Mar-A-Lawno-Magnifico

Verdant green somewhat long grass against a sky partly clouded with intermittent sun breaks greeted Mr. Wicket, Wick O'Shay, Surferino and Sticky Wicket at an autumnally gorgeous Mar-A-Lawno. The lead song on the curated playlist was Season of the Witch by Supersession. The prefunqed crew enjoyed two games.

Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games.Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. Sticky won both games. 

Shots of the Day:

Sticky twice made a difficult comeback shot on the same wicket, using a natural ramp to lift his blue ball over and through a treacherous but cut-to-the-ground flower bed.

Today was the Season of the Sticky.

NATIONAL PUNCH DAY Foursome and Fivesome

September 20, 2019

The signal to all Cowabunga to assemble at 1430 hours was changed to 1500 hours and then back to 1400 hours. Four players gathered at 1400 hours for the first game at a freshly mown Mar-A-Lawno. Lefty joined Mr. Wicket, Wick O’Shay, Surferino and Sticky Wicket for the second game.

On a warm day under high clouds with a light breeze, game one ended with Poison Surferino killing the red ball sitting in front of the eighth wicket but unfortunately traveling through the same wicket. Upon Surferino’s suicide, Mr. Wicket, who had yet to become poisoned, won the game.

The second game saw Sticky persevere for the win. His kill shots mostly occurred around the eighth and ninth wickets. It was a competitive struggle.

There were many good shots and some crappy slice shots. The players exhausted the two hour playlist of age appropriate music. They also enjoyed delicious libations at the prefunq and halffunq and throughout the games. Sticky was the only player not to wear shorts
: a surprising occurrence.

NATIONAL PUNCH DAY

On September 20th, National Punch Day goes in several directions. 

While one perspective suggests honoring tools used to make holes, another points to a day created to throw a few punches at a punching bag. However, we will direct you toward the thirst-quenching version instead. Besides, this delicious, refreshing drink sparkles with celebration.  

A wide assortment of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, fall into the category of punch.  A combination of fruit juice and a carbonated beverage, the colorful, bubbly drink sparkles with party personality. In fact, parties, weddings, and other celebrations serve punch as part of the centerpiece at the beverage table. Large wide bowls known as punch bowls provide a beautiful vessel for serving punch. 

In the early 17th century, punch made its appearance. It’s believed sailors en route to England via India created the drink.  Punch quickly grew in popularity and soon spread to other countries.

The word punch is a loanword from Hindi panch (meaning five). Originally, punch was made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water and tea or spices.  It was called paantsch.

Soft drink manufacturers today distribute many types of “fruit punch” beverages.  Most punch mixes are red in color. However, despite the name, they contain a small fraction of fruit juice. Sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and artificial flavors make up the main ingredients. 

PRESS RELEASE

After obtaining approval from all local members, the Cowabunga Croquet Club has volunteered to collect water samples at our local beach for Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force. We await approval of our application. If approved, details will be discussed at a prefunq.

You many now return to your confusing and demented lives. 🏄

NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY Foursome

September 6, 2019

NATIONAL READ A BOOK DAY

National Read A Book Day is observed annually on September 6th.  On August 9th, we all celebrated National Book Lovers Day.  While these bookish days may seem similar, National Read a Book Day invites us ALL to grab a book we might enjoy and spend the day reading.  

Don’t keep it to yourself.  Share the experience!  Read aloud either to children or to grandparents.  Read to your pets or to your stuffed animals and plants.  

Reading improves memory and concentration as well as reduces stress. Older adults who spend time reading show a slower cognitive decline and tend to participate in more mentally stimulating activities over their lifetime.  Books are an inexpensive entertainment, educational tool and time machine too!


Mr. Wicket, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Wick O’Shay gathered at Mar-A-Lawno to play three games under high clouds with light winds and warm temperatures. The course was dry, hard and clumpy in spots. The layout was course #1, the original course. A prefunq prepared the players to endure the three game marathon. The curated playlist contained selections by bands many of whose original members are dead. Still, the original songs were vibrant and reminiscent of time past.

Wick O’Shay, Mr. Wicket and Sticky Wicket all won a game. Many great shots were made. The SOD honors go to Wick O’Shay, Mr. Wicket and Sticky Wicket. Each player hit long distance roquets. Poison Sticky hit a kill shot on Wick and caromed a few inches from Mr. Wicket who was dispatched forthwith. Bonehead Play of the Day, BPOD, honors go to Sticky who roqueted his red ball with the green ball. Although not mentioned for a particular distinctive act, Surferino was competitive in each game. All in all, the players seemed to respond well to the dry and hard course conditions.

No children, pets or elderly persons were harmed as a result of play. Several wickets were knocked apart but were reparable. 

INTERNATIONAL STRANGE MUSIC DAY Fivesome

August 24, 2019

A warm and breezy day greeted Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Wick O'Shay at Mar-A-Lawno. The grass was browning and the sod hard. Otherwise, Miguel Miguel left a well manicured but strange fast course. Strange because it was a variation of Layout #2 which had never been played and which could now be labeled Layout17 or so.

A short prefunq prepared the players for the challenge ahead. With a playlist not in keeping with International Strange Music day, but never the less sonorous, the first three players struggled to advance through the starting wickets. Usually, the first few players left themselves open for roquet by the last players in order. Not this time.

As the players jockeyed for position and ascendancy, Lefty took advantage of opportunities and surged ahead. When the half-gallon of Aim he had chugged kicked in, Sticky passed Lefty and became poison. Thereafter, he employed the rope-a-dope strategy of protecting the end wickets.  Lefty tried to hide but Sticky killed him with a nice long shot. Wick and Mr. Wicket began to bunch up out of range of Sticky. Surferino left his ball near the eighth wicket. Sticky shot and missed Surferino who went on to become poison. On his next shot, Sticky scored a roquet on the green ball which had been left behind by poisoned Lefty. Essentially, Sticky wasted a shot. Crestfallen, Sticky did not appeal to the course Marshall for a ruling.

After some tactical maneuvering, Mr. Wicket became the third poison. At some point Wick was poisoned. Surferino was poisoned by a long distance kill shot by Sticky. Mr. Wicket and Sticky sparred until Sticky missed a kill shot leaving his ball close to Mr. Wicket who couldn't and didn't miss.

There were a few nice shots during the game. However, the long distance roquets by Wick on Surferino and Sticky on Surferino were the SOD, Shots of the Day. Congratulations to Surferino for putting himself into position, up close and personal, to see and experience the SOD.

A second game should have been played. But, a snafu in communications left only two players available to play. Damn, a second game would have been big fun.

International Strange Music Day on August 24th encourages people to listen to a type of music they don’t usually listen to. It’s also a day to discover strange and bizarre kinds of music.
Experiencing various types of music benefits us in many ways. Listening to different kinds of music helps to broaden horizons. Also, it promotes seeing things from a different perspective. Some people call this “listening without prejudice.”
Studies prove that different genres of music affect the mind and body in different ways. For instance, smooth jazz is known to relax the body. Pop music helps to improve endurance. Metal music provides a stronger sense of identity. Of all the types of music, classical has the most positive effects. Classical music fights depression, sparks creativity, relieves pain, and supercharges brainpower but sucks on a croquet course. However, one study has shown hip hop improved the flavor of cheese.
Besides different genres of music, there are other kinds of music. There’s music made by whistling, blowing into a kazoo, or banging pots and pans together. Some music is just downright bizarre, like clucking chickens, farting and deep-sea creature sounds.
HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalStrangeMusicDay
If you only listen to heavy metal, you might want to try country music. You might be pleasantly surprised by how country music has changed over the years. Maybe you’ve never listened to jazz music. Today’s the day to jazz things up a bit and give it a try. If you really want to go all out on International Strange Music Day, you may want to give some of these odd genres a try:
Mathcore
Chiptune
Spacesynth
Sticky Shuffle
Epic doom metal
Russian Chanson
Or, you may want to stick to more familiar genres like hip hop, folk music, or gospel. Just make sure it’s a type of music you’ve never experienced before. Go ahead and test the theory that music affects people in different ways. How do you feel when you listen to country music? How about music by 80s hairbands?
Another way to observe International Strange Music Day, besides a prefunq, is to search the internet for bizarre kinds of music. You could even create your own strange music. This is a great day to celebrate with kids. It’s the perfect opportunity to share with the music you listened to as a child. Chances are, they have never heard folk music!
No matter how you choose to observe this day, be sure to share #InternationalStrangeMusicDay on social media! Nah, word of mouth is just as effective.
INTERNATIONAL STRANGE MUSIC DAY HISTORY
New York City musician, Patrick Grant, is credited for creating International Strange Music Day in 1998. Grant is a graduate of Julliard. He believes that when you broaden your spectrum of music, you change the way you look at other aspects of life.

MOON-A-LAWNO Fivesome

July 20, 2019
In celebration of the Apollo 11 mission, five Cowabunganauts converged upon Mar-A-Lawno. With excellent blastoff conditions, they prefunqed, fueling themselves for the challenging course ahead. Prior to launch, they were given the flight coordinates of course layout #16, a never-before-played course. Pressure mounted.

Mission Control had prepared a logarithmically curated playlist of "moon" songs designed to space in, not space out, the Cowabunganauts. The playlist included a clip from CBS news with Walter Cronkite in 
which 

 

Neil Armstrong famously said, “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind”.

Two rounds were played by Lefty, Wick O'Shay, Sticky Wicket, Surferino and Mr. Wicket. The first round was won by Wick who evidently consumed a can of aim coveted by Sticky. The second round was won by Lefty. The SOD honors went to Lefty for his long range shot through the 8th wicket. 

One giant leap for croquet?

NATIONAL PERSONAL CHEF DAY Foursome

NATIONAL PERSONAL CHEF DAY

Each year on July 16th, National Personal Chef Day recognizes the dedication and hard work of personal chefs across the United States.  

There’s a difference between a personal chef and a private chef. A private chef usually works exclusively for one client and typically lives in a person’s home or on the property. A personal chef may have many clients, run their own business, or work for a company.

The services a personal chef provides may include preparing meals in the clients’ homes or delivering meals already prepared. They may also create a meal plan according to dietary needs or the client’s preferences. Clients then follow instructions provided by the chef for heating up the meals. Some personal chefs offer catering services as well.

Since being a personal chef is a competitive business, experience, and training is necessary. While not all personal chefs attend a culinary program, they do have years of experience and have honed their skills in the trade.

The days can be long, including shopping, preparation, and clean up. A dedicated chef with several clients will spend long hours on their feet. The day acknowledges the hard work and often long lonely hours a chef will put into their craft. Often their days require additional research for clients with allergies or special diets. However, their passion for cooking and bringing nutritious, delicious meals to the table keeps them striving to keep creating in the kitchen. The celebration is dedicated to personal chefs with the drive to keep growing their skills.

1. Location: Mar-A-Lawno Magnifico
2. Conditions: abundant sunshine, 70%+ humidity, breeze
3. Course: Course #5
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty.
5. Games: Two
6. Order of Finish Game One:1) Mr. Wicket, 2) Sticky Wicket 3) Surferino, 4) Lefty
7. Order of Finish Game Two: 1) Mr. Wicket, 2) Lefty, 3) Sticky Wicket, 4) Surferino.
8. SOD: Surferino’s two long distance through the wickets and a long distance roquet on Mr. Wicket.
9. Misc: Prefunq. Curated playlist contained many seldom heard oldies, including a Tiki Lounge goodie.   Despite lucky kisses from his Schmookie, Sticky got no luckier. 

Croquet Tuesday at 3

Make a wish

Cowabunga Checkers Club

NATIONAL BARBECUED SPARERIBS DAY Fivesome/Foursome

Get the charcoals ready as we observe National Barbecued Spareribs Day across the nation annually on July 4th.

One of the most popular days to barbecue and grill, July 4th will have the back yards, patios and beaches heating up with the flavors of spareribs. While steak is great, these inexpensive cuts of pork or beef ribs can be seasoned with spice rubs and sauces.

For the best barbecued spareribs, follow these tips for tender, delicious ribs every time.

Barbecue Tips

• Select the right meat – Choose ribs all over the bone. Fat is ok, just make sure it’s balanced, too. When you find ribs that have fat at one end, walk on by.
• Get enough – Nobody likes missing out. Half a slab per adult should be enough.
• Use a dry rub – Rubs vary. Use one that meets your family’s preferences. Apply the rub before you put the ribs on the grill, but there’s no need to let the ribs marinate in the seasonings for long.
• Low heat – The temperature of the grill should be around 200° F.
• Indirect heat – Whether you’re using charcoal or gas, the important thing to remember is to place the ribs opposite of where the coals or burners are lit.
• Use tongs – Forks will pierce the meat, letting the juices out. Turn the ribs every 20-30 minutes.
• Add sauce – When there are about 40-45 minutes of cooking time left, add the barbecue sauce. Again, use the sauce that best fits your family’s preferences.
• Rest the ribs – 15 minutes will let the meat absorb the juices that heat has forced to the outer surface. The end result is a juicer, more tender rib.

When eating spareribs, don’t wear your Sunday best. While some manners go out the window, try to maintain some decorum. Eat this sweet and messy deliciousness with your fingers, but carry plenty of napkins. Wiping your hands on your shirt is a no-no. The better the ribs, the more napkins you will need.

1. Location: Mar-A-Lawno Magnifico. 
2. Conditions: Verano; clear, breezy, warm. No finer day possible.
3. Course: Traditional.
4. Participants: First game, Mr. Balls, Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty and Wick O’Shay. Second game, no Wick O'Shay.
5. Games: Dos.
6. Games winner: Lefty.
7. Highlights: Each wicket was adorned with an American flag representation secured to the wicket cross bar. Also, the stakes featured a red, white and blue eagle affixed to the top. A stirring patriotic song led off the curated American themed playlist. Had he been present, Sticky would have marched to the martial music, perhaps presenting arms with his mallet. Corky, Mr. Balls ' comfort animal, left a dark stringy poop near the fifth wicket. Perhaps it was an editorial comment about the quality of play.When informed of the course desecration, Mr. Balls immediately went on poop patrol saving the specimen in a green bag. In an outstanding display of sportsmanship, Mr. Wicket politely pointed out to a dazed and confused Surferino that the red ball being considered for play was, in fact, not Surferino's blue ball.
8. SOD: Surferino's reverse through the wicket roquet on Mr. Wicket's red ball salvaged an otherwise poor lie. 
9. Misc: The poster shown above perfectly captures the spirit and tone of the Prefunc. It was good to see  Mr. Balls. The midfunc reading material was outstanding. Dick Weiner's graphic novella drove each reader nuts. 

Let the games begin

NATIONAL JERKY DAY FIVESOME

June 12, 2019

NATIONAL JERKY DAY

National Jerky Day is observed annually on June 12th.  National Jerky Day was created to celebrate the rich history, immense popularity and nutritional benefits of dried meat snacks.

“In many ways, jerky is an ideal snack. Naturally packed with protein, jerky will keep you satiated between meals; but since it’s low in fat, calories and carbs, it won’t sabotage a healthy diet,” said Jeff LeFever, director of marketing for Jack Link’s® Beef Jerky, the No. 1 U.S. meat snack brand.

This nutrient-dense meat has been made lightweight by drying.  A pound of meat or poultry will weigh only about four ounces once it is made into jerky, and it can be stored for months without refrigeration because most of the moisture has been removed. Salt is added to the meat before it is dried, to prevent bacteria from developing.

“Jerky” is a word derived from the Spanish word charqui, which came from the Quechua (a Native South American language) word ch’arki, which means to burn (meat).   

Traditional jerky is readily available in nearly every convenience store, gas station, supermarket, and variety shop in the United States.

Due to its light weight and high level of nutrition, since 1996, jerky has been selected by astronauts as space food several times for space flights. 

HOW TO OBSERVE

Snack on your favorite jerky. If you make your own, give a shout out. The process is satisfying and the results often bring friends and family clamoring for more. Use #NationalJerkyDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

National Jerky Day was created by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky in 2012.

1. Location: Mar-A-Lawno Magnifico
2. Conditions: scattered high clouds, abundant sunshine
3. Course: Course #8
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty and Wick O’Shay
5. Games: One
6. Order of Finish: 1)Wick O’Shay, 2) Lefty. 3) Surferino, 4) Mr. Wicket, 5) Sticky Wicket
7. Highlights: Sticky’s numerous consecutive roquets. 
8. SOD: Sticky’s scoop shot. 
9. Misc: Prefunq in the clubhouse. Nothing was damaged as a result of play. Word on the course was that Mr. Balls would be visiting, possibly twice, in July. 

NATIONAL COGNAC DAY FIVESOME

June 4, 2019

NATIONAL COGNAC DAY

National Cognac Day is observed from coast to coast each year on June 4.

A well-known variety of brandy, Cognac was named after the town of Cognac in France.  It is produced in the wine-growing region which surrounds the town from which it takes its name.

Certain legal requirements must be met within the production for a distilled brandy to bear the name Cognac. The use of a particular variety of grape is one requirement along with the need to distill the brandy twice in copper pot stills.  The primary grape used is Ugni Blanc. The brandy must also be aged at least two years in French oak barrels from Limousin or Troncais. Most cognacs are aged much longer than the minimum legal requirement.

There are close to 200 cognac producers.  According to one 2008 estimate, more than 90% of cognac for the U.S. market comes from only four producers.

The following are cognac-based drinks:

• Grand Marnier – made from cognac and distilled essence of bitter orange
• Pineau des Charentes – a sweet aperitif, composed of eau-de-vie and grape must
• Domaine De Canton – cognac-based ginger liqueur
• Dutch brandy (Vieux) – Dutch imitation cognac, usually containing some cognac

1. Location: Mar-A-Lawno Magnifico
2. Conditions: Coolish, clouds with sun breaks, wind not so much
3. Course: #3
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty and Wick O’Shay
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Wick won.
7. Game Dos Results: Just another typical ending to match two. Mr. Wicket played Wick’s ball. Sticky killed off Wicket and Wick. Then Sticky had Lefty in his sights but instead of hitting his target went through a wicket. Lefty wins. End of story.
8. SOD: Sticky’s kill shots on himself.
9. Misc: Prefunq in clubhouse. Today’s playlist courtesy of Apple Music. Sticky did a short happy dance for some reason. The day Sticky does not do his happy dance/shuffle will be truly newsworthy.

NATIONAL SPEAK IN COMPLETE SENTENCES DAY FIVESOME

May 31, 2019

NATIONAL SPEAK IN COMPLETE SENTENCES DAY

National Speak in Complete Sentences Day is observed annually on May 31st.  This day is dedicated to using proper sentence structure while speaking.  In fact, you could celebrate the day while texting as well.  So no LOL or ASAP on May 31.  So if you must Laugh Out Loud As Soon As Possible, you will need to say or type it completely. Usually, Cowabungas cannot speak in complete sentences after the prefunq.

1. Location: Mar-A-Lawno Magnifico
2. Conditions: Overcast, windy, longer mown grass.
3. Course: Course #2 
4. Participants: Sticky Wicket,  Surferino, Mr. Wicket, Lefty and Wick O’Shay
5. Games: Two
6. Game Uno Results: Sticky won.
7. Game Dos Results: Mr. Wicket won
8. SOD: Mr. Wicket’s loooooonnng distance wicket scoring shot was the Shot-Of-the-Day
9. Misc: Prefunq yep. Today’s playlist prompted many questions, asked in incomplete sentences mostly, about the identity of the performer(s) or name of the song. Sticky did a short happy dance for some reason. Surferino attempted to play Mr. Wicket’s ball once. Numerous balls were hit into the Crocosmia Lucifer bed requiring search and rescue. During game two, Sticky got stranded on the upper course and experienced extreme loneliness nearly requiring a Schmookies intervention. All in all, a good time was had by everyone.

Weather Permitting

Mar-A-Lawno Reopening Fivesome

One game today under light rain, sun breaks, wind  and mist. Players included Mr. Wicket, Lefty, Sticky Wicket, Wick O’Shay and Surferino. With a specially curated playlist for Sticky, Lefty won. He also had the SOD when he scored a roquet  on Sticky from a long and challenging distance.

Although wet, Mar-A-Lawno was well groomed. The new bed on the upper level of the course was visited by three players en route to the turn around wickets. Modelos only cost $3.75. What a great afternoon.

Flying high

The Last Day of April Threesome

With Mar-A-Lawno closed for the foreseeable future, Wick O’Shay, Sticky Wicket and Surferino took the travel croquet set to an undisclosed south side location near Wilson Park. The uneven surface of the ungroomed course proved challenging for the wooden ball shooting threesome.

Three rounds were played. Surferino won the first round. Sticky won the second round highlighted by his kill shot on Surferino who was trying to hide behind a wicket. Sticky nudged Surferino’s ball without fully going through the wicket. The third round went to Surferino who killed poisoned Wick with a long distance drive.

Shot-of the-Day went to Wick who became poison as a result of a scorching long true shot. Well done Wick.

Wedge Mallet

Two Tier Wicket

The two tier wicket offers two scoring possibilities. Going through the lower part of the wicket scores one point. Two points are scored by going through the upper part of the wicket. A wedge mallet offers the easiest way to score two points.

Suppose a two tier wicket was placed mid course at Mar-A-Lawno. Suppose a wedge mallet was made for use by all. Sticky would be all over it. Just saying.....

The Official Beer of

a Cowabunga until the six pack is finished. After a sunny day of surfing lined up waves, strumming the Uke and looking forward to the Sweet Sixteen, Surferino enjoys sipping a cold, tall Swami’s IPA. It’s the beer that is not as good as the can art.

As Brett Kavanaugh says, “I like beer.”

When Irish Eyes Were Smiling

The date: St. Patrick's Day

The course: the original, freshly mowed and
somewhat fast.

The weather: sunny, warmer as the wind backed off.

The music: A variety with Van Morrison leading the way.

The attire: Some attention to wearing of the green
with Mr. Wicket resplendent in an emerald U of O
t-shirt honoring not only St. Patrick but the Pac 12
Champion Ducks.

The winners: Wick O’Shay took out Mr. Wicket for the
victory in game one. Sticky did the same to Wick in
game two although the gallery became restless because
it took soooooo long.

DNP: Mallethead up the road, Surferino on the road.

And I say it's all right

STAND DOWN repeat STAND DOWN

SNOQUET has turned into MUCKQUET. Should conditions change for the better, that is for more and lasting snow, watch this space. Until then,

STAND DOWN!

SNOQUET

The inaugural SNOQUET event could be held this weekend.  Anyone willing to brave the weather? Since it is doubtful that Mar-A Lawno will be available, perhaps the south side venue could be used.

January 26, 2019 Results

Croquet balls displaced water as they travelled through the deep green, freshly mown Mar-A-Lawno grass on a cool January afternoon. Sticky, Lefty, Surferino and Mr. Wicket, fueled by a perfunc, wore their water shedding footwear and completed the first two rounds of croquet this year.

Oddly, parts of the course were sodden and parts were dryish. The top lawn was fast. The flower bed was easily jumped. The starter stake and wickets were placed in a confined corner of the front lawn. The outdoor speakers were easily and clearly heard since no vegetation covered them. The playlist was wryly curated and included Los Straightjackets and young Bonnie Raitt and Steely Dan. Tasty tunes for all.

There was no shot of the day nor play of the day. Surferino kept one of his New Year resolutions by not reminding Sticky that he had not gone through a wicket thereby invalidating Sticky’s roquet. Lefty took advantage of Sticky’s error by scoring two roquets allowing him to surge to the lead.

A thinner Lefty won both games. Sticky found his favorite missing skull cap deep within his pack. No injuries were suffered. No damage was done.

Croquet Possibility?