Happy Anniversary...

...to us!   21 amazing years - on the first official day of Fall, no less -

- so we threw a big shindig at Alley's in Douglas...

...but no one came.

Could be because we didn't send out invitations; we had fun anyway.

We enjoyed some great pizza, then knocked around the Saugatuck / Douglas area - returning to the scene of the crime where we tied the knot lo, these many years ago.

Here's to 21 more!

Turning now to current events:

You'll never guess what happened after the state dinner Trump hosted for China's Xi Jinping.

<click here> to get the full, behind the scenes story; you won't believe your eyes!

And if you're looking for a reason get all teary eyed, I've got just the thing for you:

Justin Verlander pitched his last game for Detroit.

Grab a tissue, and <click here>.

Uninspiring HGU this week; only got out once - on Monday - and scratched out a sloppy 5-4 win.

Won the match with a bogey on 7, giving me a 3 and 2 win (read: up by 3 holes with only 2 left to play, so I won).

BUT - I played the last 2 holes (of course) and managed to make a hash of things.

In spite of a good tee shot on 8, followed by a better fairway wood, I then foozled a lofting iron to the green, eventually losing the hole.

And on 9 I botched my tee shot, so it was over early.

When I straggled off the course, my paltry 5-4 victory felt like most of the Lions wins I've watched recently...

...an escape from a burning building.

Yep, made it, but what a mess.

Then I moved my 2nd round to Friday, since I had to get a shingles shot Thursday morning.

Alas, I forgot about the fun side effects of that vaccine: I spent the next 36 hours combating fever and head / muscle / joint aches.

But tomorrow I'm trying something I haven't done in decades:

Golfing with a partner.

One of my former coworkers and his wife stopped by yesterday, and apparently he and I tossed back one too many sarsaparillas...

...because he's meeting me tomorrow at 7:45 am for an 8:03 am tee time.

He likes golf, but has never played hickory before, so I'm outfitting him with a 1920's hickory playset...

...and I'll use my pre-1900's.

Stay tuned.

Let's put an end to this pointless palavering and 23 Skidoo:

bought a trail cam and installed it near the bird feeder...mr. G made an appearance...

...and even faced the camera for his portrait

ever get that strange feeling...

...you're being watched?

hate it when that itch is just out of reach

nothing like mowing the lawn on a cool fall day

spotted this guy on our anniversary, lounging around lake michigan

last daisy of the summer

speaking of lounging around...

A little while ago I shared a post...

...about <a pastor friend of mine>.

Sadly, his wife recently passed and so they held a Celebration Of Life, remembering and honoring her many years of faithful service to the Lord at her husband's side.

I saw Peter in the church, surrounded by dozens of his friends and family, all there to show their love and support in this time of loss.

He's a strong Christian man and I know he'll soldier on as he always has, but heaven's gain is his earthly loss, and it won't be easy.

I'm reminded of David's assurance in times like this:

¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

    - Psalm 116

There will be grief and tears, tempered by the certain knowledge his wife is now enjoying the glories of heaven with Christ her Savior.

later, mcm fans...