Croquet

We would visit my grandma and grandpa in their small paper-mill Wisconsin town every summer while I was in elementary school. I think that's the last time I played croquet - in my grandma's backyard. But a couple months ago when my soon-to-be husband and I were at Target registering for gifts, I saw the yard games and got super excited about the croquet sets! And lo and behold!

Tonight I pulled the plastic (yuck, not the heavy stuff I remember) container out and set up the game in my yard. My partner won't get home till about 10 tonight and I couldn't think of any neighbors who'd be able/care to come over and join me. So I played a solitaire game. The grass is freshly mowed but still kinda long since my husband (who has recently been doing the mowing) likes it long in order that the clover have a chance to be spared. I don't think Brinker, the dog, quite understood the loud cracks periodically coming from me and my stick. Speaking of sticks, boy those mallets sure are a lot shorter than I remembered!

But I requested the croquet set because I look forward greatly to the Schuppe clan with their four marvelous incredible kids visiting us and playing a few rounds, or perhaps a tournament, in our yard. Seth (my link for life) also got inspired to ask for an outdoor game - a horseshoe set. I love being outside, doing outside. I love live, low-instrument entertainment. In some ways, I sometimes wonder if I missed my century - really being drawn to live entertainment. I can imagine happily listening to friends sing or play or rhyme during a typical evening social visit.

Alright, I gotta go beat my score now!