Saturday, September 21, 2019

Happy Anniversary...

wedding day, 2005

...to us...14 years of marital bliss with my Beloved.  She's a saint to put up with me and I'm blessed to be with her.


Spent some time in and around Saugatuck this weekend, including the Fenn Valley winery...
...fruit of the vine...

We honeymooned in Saugatuck lo, these many moons ago, so it was enjoyable to revisit and reflect on that wonderful time.
...and the vines whence cometh the fruit...
We browsed the antique mall where I spotted this 'must have' piece of automotive history...
...for a mere $3,250 this can be yours...
...which temptation I easily avoided...and on the way home Karen got distracted a bit...
...so we had to stop and check it out...they had a couple of interesting fountains for sale, but hardly at garage sale prices...$500+ for the 2 of them.

Thankfully no money changed hands there either, and we avoided any serious damage to our wallets.
On this beautiful late summer / early fall weekend I finally managed to get on the links again...
...where I decided to play a couple of rounds using an old style golf ball called a 'gutta percha'...
These were used in the 1800's up through around 1910...hand made, very low compression, very light...
With my mashie I can hit a modern 'super soft' low compression ball about 150 yards...but with a gutta percha ball that turns into only 100 yards...so my chances to "1 putt for par" are replaced by "1 putt for bogey" (or double bogey).
Even so I enjoyed these rounds immensely.  It's a much calmer, more serene experience and it really helped me relax and savor my beautiful stroll through the countryside.
All 9 fingers crossed for another month, maybe 6 weeks of decent golf weather.
Decided to do something we haven't in many years, namely venture out to the movie theater for a premier...
...and I must say it was a surprisingly delightful experience.

Neither Karen nor I had ever seen the TV series, but we watched a special on the just released movie so decided to give it a go.

Several things amazed me as a "first time" movie goer...and I say "first time" bc it has been 15 or 16 years since I've bothered sitting in a public theater...
...due to the coarsening of our culture and the incredibly self-absorbed behavior we witness in public on a dishearteningly regular basis...and because I ALWAYS watch movies with subtitles due to hearing loss.

So going out to a movie has seemed like a waste of both time and money for quite a while.

But...Holland has a new theater complex...
...and it's nothing like movie theaters I used to frequent.

For one, think upscale...and yes, expensive.

For another, think alcohol...to my surprise they have a bar so you can enjoy your favorite cocktail while watching the movie.

Further, you pick your seat when you buy your ticket, and like days of old they guide you there where - get this - they explain the 'comfort controls'...
...because it has all kinds of recline and massage options.

Crazy.

Ok, I know you're shaking you're head, wondering under which rock I've been living, but truly, I had no idea.

It was all new to me.

But enjoyable...so much so we'll do it again.

Yes, I missed some dialogue on the silver screen but hey, that's a daily experience in "real life" for me and you know what?

I've discovered a fairly large percentage of what's spoken apparently doesn't really matter.

I didn't hear it and yet somehow life goes on, evidently without serious consequence.

Who knew?

Smiling and nodding really is an acceptable substitute for hearing.

And the movie itself was really quite good...
...so good in fact that I've ordered the first 4 seasons of the TV show and Karen and I will catch up on all the doin's at the Downton Abbey.

It's a time period that interests me - 1912 through 1927 - and the setting, costumes and acting are all first rate.

Gotta love the British.

See this movie...you'll be glad you did.
Well folks, this is finally "it"...
...the last weekend of Summer...Autumn officially arrives for us in the northern hemisphere on Monday, September 23rd at 3:50 am Eastern time.

Thankfully this last week has been feeling very summer-like indeed, with temperatures in the 80's and gorgeous sunshine.

Hope you got out in it and were present in the moment because it's going to be quite a while before you'll able to do so again.

Yikes.
For the past decade Holland has staged a Civil War Muster at the Van Raalte Farm...
Albertus Van Raalte was the leader of the Dutch immigration from the Netherlands to West Michigan in the 1800's...
...and he founded Holland in 1847.

It's on his farm where the Civil War muster is staged...
...and they reenact battles that took place in Virginia between Generals Lee of the Confederate and McClellan of the Union armies.
actual cannon used in the Civil War...
This little piece of history is well worth your time...
...don't miss it while you can.
Sights from here and there...
mum's the word at the farmer's market now...



beautiful waterfall on the way to the links...



we did NOT register...



strange doin's in a Holland park...



this balloon tire wonder can be yours for $1,100...




for the cuppa joe lovers...handy map from Starbucks...



Sadly, it's time for me and all the rest of the highly intelligent staff here at the Atomic Moster Cafe...
...to answer duty's call and get on with the really important things in life we do while we're not entertaining you...
...wish us luck...the arthritis in our thumbs is a real killer.

later, mcm fans...


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Saturday, September 14, 2019

O Say Did You Know...

...on this day in 1814...Francis Scott Key wrote "The Defence of Fort McHenry"?

Mr. Key did so after watching the British bomb Maryland's Fort McHenry during the war of 1812.

In the morning he was so thrilled to see Old Glory still flying proudly above the fort he took selfies with the flag in the background and posted them on instagram.

"OMG!  this is like, so incredible!"

Sadly, there are probably some folks reading this who a) actually think that might have happened or worse, b) would do that today if it happened to them.

What actually occurred was Mr. Key - lawyer, author, amateur poet - was so inspired he took quill in hand (typewriters wouldn't be invented for another 50+ years) and composed his now famous poem.

Unable to force a surrender, the British gave up the assault and Fort McHenry was saved.

Newspapers of the day printed Key's poem, which became quite popular and was quickly set to music.

In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson decreed it should be played before official events of state, and soon it became part of major sporting events as well.

Today we know it as "The Star Spangled Banner", adopted as our national anthem on March 3, 1931.

Yes, its octave and a half range renders it practically un-singable (a real word I just made up) for many of us, but when someone with the requisite pipes belts it out, it still brings tears to my eyes.

So next time you hear it, stand up -
- gents, remove your hats, everyone put your right hand over your heart and give thanks you live in the greatest country on earth.
Speaking of things with national importance, this political season has made me ponder once again the magnificence of our founding documents and especially the Constitution.
What a brilliant work, laying as it did the foundation and mechanisms for our democratic republic to grow and prosper.

Its purpose is clearly enunciated in the preamble - 

Form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare  -and-
Secure the blessings of liberty

Wouldn't it be wonderful if the people who want to run the place actually read this document and took its purpose, principles and proclamations to heart?

After all, whoever wins in 2020 will take this oath as prescribed in article 2 of the Constitution when sworn in as President in January of 2021:

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Yeah, like that guy.
On a more lighthearted note, Karen forced me to pull out the All Hallows E'en stuff to make sure we're ready for the big day:
I of course did not want to and so tried my best to reason with her:

"But dearest," says I, "it's more than a month away!  Plus, I am very busy at the moment, doing important tasks that should not be interrupted."

"You," says she, "are doing nothing more than watching grown men play a silly game that involves running into each other at high speeds for no discernible reason."
"But my darling kumquat," replies I, "this is a very important game and if I do not see the end -"

"- you will watch the highlights on the news tonight," finishes she for me.

"Now up, up, up and do my bidding!"

She might say I am mixing two different events together here...that it was I who wanted to pull out all the Halloween decorations and only later did I use those excuses when she wanted me to move furniture around in the bonus room.

Me, I prefer not to argue about such trivial matters and really, now that it's over, who's to say what actually happened?

As far as I know there is no photographic evidence and even if there was, that can usually be purchased for a reasonable sum to avoid the unpleasantness of court proceedings.

In any event, I say we let the past be the past and focus instead on the important issues...like getting ready for All Hallows E'en.
From the looks, most of the gang is in good shape and will be ready to go on the big night.  Hopefully I will be, too...
Once again, no hickory golf this week...
...too much rain and too many schedule conflicts...dang...I have been swatting whiffle golf balls in the back yard with my hickories but...jes' ain't tha same.

Next week.

For sure.
Bought this gorgeous piece of mid century modern art for our coffee niche...
...from the Retro Lifestyle Company  
Never were truer words written.
Gorgeous fall day at the farmer's market...
...well, this guy was spotted on the way to the farmer's market...
big crowds today...


starting to look very fall-ish there...



gotta love Autumn...

Some parting shots seen 'round the ol' homestead...
honest, I have no idea how he got there...



taking a break from the wood pile I guess...




I admit it; it's a weakness...



no denying, fall is on the way...
And so it is with great sorrow and anguish of soul...
Moron, noun                                        
mo-ron | 'mor-ahn                                   
1) a very stupid person                                   
2) a person with limited intellectual abilities
...we once again reach the terminus, the end point, the last stop along the path of literary greatness before the driver turns around and yells at all of us to get off his bus because he's got stuff to do that doesn't involve babysitting a bunch of crybaby passengers...
...so I say we listen to the man, get off the bus and get on with our lives before he does something all of us will regret...
...like asking Roseanne Barr to sing the national anthem again.

later, mcm fans...

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