A Co-Worker...

...had the temerity to send me <this link> .

An indoor golf simulator?  Are you serious??

As if I'd ever pay thousands of dollars just to be able to golf indoors during the winter!

It's insanity, of course...besides the price tag, you need 12' ceilings and a specialized enclosure to accommodate the projector, landing pad, hitting mat...

"Who's got the space or the wallet for all that? " I muttered to myself.

"Why, you'd have to be living in a McMansion, or else put it in a barn...or maybe in the garage..."

It was right at that very moment - just as that last thought skittered across the neural network that passes for my brain - that I heard Marilyn's sultry siren call...

"Gentlemen prefer blondes, don't they?" she whispered seductively.

"Why don't you step inside and check it out?"

Like a man in a trance, I obediently opened the garage door and gazed upon the familiar scene with fresh eyes...

"Hmm," mused I tentatively, "needs some cleanup...some insulation...a heat source of course...but it almost looks like there's enough room here...I wonder if...?"

A few moments later...

No, I did not hit that Callaway Supersoft with my Majek 3 wood into Santa and his reindeer...but there actually is enough room...

Now all I have to do is convince Karen that:

a) she should park in the other stall  -and-

  

b) we should spend beaucoup bucks converting her side of the garage into a golf simulator for 5 months of the year -because-

  

c) it really is a very wise investment.

I mean, c'mon, how hard can that be?

Meanwhile, back in the real world...

the view from the 6th tee, 153 yard par 3

...after a week of cold, windy, rainy November like weather...

my birdie putt...that I missed of course, and so "settled" for par

...the sun came out, temperatures soared into the 70's, and it was suddenly September again.

Naturally I headed for the links, thankful for a few more chances to swing my hick-  oops - I mean my hybrids.

Just doesn't have the same ring to it, and after today's dispiriting outing it's tempting to go back to my hickories.

Hybrids in hand, I managed to lose 3 balls.

By the time I dragged my sorry carcass off the 9th hole, all my newfound confidence from my hybrids had been shredded by my dismal effort.

Proof that even the best modern technology is no match for lack of talent, I guess.

On a slightly more positive note, we took advantage of the great weather, and after visiting the Farmer's Market, embarked on a mini-color tour:

The last week of unseasonably nasty weather seems to have pushed us just past peak.

Even so it was an enjoyable ride with some beautiful scenery along the way.

We're just about a week away from Halloween and preps are underway to welcome the trick-or-treaters.

Big Frank is standing guard over the front yard...

\

...with a little help from his friends.

We've been putting treat bags together...

...and installing batteries to bring members of this year's Walk Of Fear back to life.

All we need now is some decent weather and a good turnout.

Alright, that's it...

...you know the rules, no loitering, move along now.

As you do, always remember...

later, mcm fans...

Happy Anniversary...

...and Happy Autumn...a two for one deal.

On the 21st we mourned the last day of summer; the next day we celebrated our wedding anniversary and welcomed Fall.

It definitely felt like fall when we returned to the scene of the crime...

...where we honeymooned lo, these many years ago.

Such an abundance of great memories!

wedding day, 2005

toasting our happiness at Fenn Valley

our backyard oasis in the early days

Pierre Jouet champagne and anniversary cake

Serenity Cove wine featuring Karen on the label

Here's to making many more wonderful memories together.

Did you know "Coyote Joe" Biden has welcomed over 4.9 million illegal aliens into this country since he began squatting in the White House in January of 2021?

In less than 2 years he's created an unprecedented invasion at our southern border.

In fact, if we gathered all of the people he's encouraged to cross our borders illegally into their own state, it would have the 25th largest population in our country.

They'd be right behind #24 Alabama that has 5 million people, and ahead of these 26 states (in order):

Louisiana, Kentucky, Oregon, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Utah, Iowa, Nevada, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kansas, New Mexico, Nebraska, West Virginia, Idaho, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maine, Montana, Rhode Island, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont and Wyoming.

Brazen, Lawless, Corrupt: Coyote Joe.

Had a bit of crisis on the hickory golf scene recently...

...and no, it wasn't related to argyle socks.

In fact, it's too boring to go into the details (yes, you should thank me), but while working through a problem with my swing I decided to give bowling a try again.

It's been several months since I last touched a bowling ball, and the 1st two games showed it.

However, I then took an unexpected detour into luck / competence for my 3rd game and rolled that 215 you see above.

And I say "luck" because at least 2 of those 6 strikes were Brooklyn, but hey, I'll take it.

Had a recent visit from a world famous cartoon character:

Introduced in 1945 by Looney Tunes...

...it's Pepe Lew Pew, who's always in search of true love...

...and Purina Seafood Sensations, evidently.

I wouldn't mind him hanging around, if he didn't tear up my lawn, but he does.

And oh yeah, he stinks.

As happens so many times in life, it appears we've crash landed...

Lost In Space, anyone?

...another excitin' edition of the AMC.

Assuming the atmosphere on this strange new planet is breathable - highly dependent on your proximity to any blue anon aliens - you are free to exit and get on with your life, such as it is.

One more thing as you flee the premises...

Today is the day we turn the corner on daylight / darkness...it's evenly split at 12 hours each...but starting tomorrow...

Read it and weep.

later, mcm fans...

A Somber Day...

 

...when a way of life was lost forever. 

There is of course a new generation - those born post-9/11 - who've never known anything but the America in which we live today.

But for those of us who grew up in pre-9/11 America, the difference - the loss - is staggering.

Pray for our nation.

On this day especially, pray for families and loved ones of the victims of this senseless tragedy, and those who gave their lives trying to save them.

 “If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”

  - Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

Turning to happier themes, a couple of weeks ago we invited some friends over for an afternoon cookout…

...and commemorated the event with this picture from my SX-70.

Despite the questionable weather forecast, we had a truly delightful time together.

Karen did her usual fabulous job of meal prep, the rains held off, and we enjoyed a relaxing, late summer afternoon of good food, great company and lively, interesting conversation.

The meal included burgers  on the grill, brisket, potato salad, garden salad, veggie pizza, cucumber sandwiches (don’t laugh; they’re really good), cole slaw, watermelon, and blueberry nut squares for dessert.

That and a cooler full of summer refreshments made for a delicious repast.

Looking forward to doing it again.

It's definitely starting to feel like Fall is coming...

...with cooler mornings now and temps topping out in the high 70's.

Hate to sound like a tourist, but here goes...your leaf peeping schedule for 2022:

Don't say I never did nuthin' for ya.

Time for a leisurely stroll through the Parting Shots department...

Larry's got a good eye...

...a quality camera...

...and some gorgeous scenery to photograph

a friend and his beautiful wife hiking in the Zion National Park recently

recent pic of West Virginia coal miners pushing an electric vehicle with a dead battery so it can be charged up at the coal mining facilities.  gotta love irony.

some might say better

a dose of truth on your way out the door:

later, mcm fans...