Cheerfulness breaking through

Pandemic Golf

Although I’m not sure what’s going on, the pandemic has been good for my golf game. I broke 80 for the first time! Golf is such a head trip, so it’s hard to know what finally helped me crack the code. One big boost to my game is that I play most of my rounds on a walkable course that is just under 5,000 yards from the forward tees and considered easier than most.

I am not ashamed. You still have to get the ball in the hole.

After walking 18 holes two days in a row, I was whipped and eager for a hearty he-girl breakfast. Dale delivered with sausage and melted cheese sandwiches on my homemade English muffins. I like mine with a little Dijon mustard. Dag, those things are delicious. Good coffee, and I’m ready for anything.

No Wood is safe

The course was backed up when I played Wednesday, and I had time to partake of my surroundings between holes. When what to my wondering eyes should appear but a broken tree limb begging to be decorated with my primitive woodburning technique.

The limb was long but not thick, so I stuck it in my golf bag like a club. It’s funny, no one asked what I was doing with a tree limb in my bag. I got it home and added it to the woodpile. Nothing out there is safe from a girl with a woodburning tool.  

Sewing? Surely you jest

In another dangerous development, I’ve been thinking about buying a sewing machine. This desire is perhaps an extension of my retirement fantasy life as a Bohemian heiress who dabbles in what amuses her.

I learned to sew back in the days when it was a required course for girls in the 7^th and 8^th grades. My mother was an excellent seamstress, and my sister is a gifted quilter and fabric artist. I made a few things as a teenager but generally failed life’s sewing test.

I had a basic sewing machine for years to make repairs but donated it to charity a couple of moves ago. I’ve been thinking about simple things that would be fun – nothing involving zippers or button holes … aprons, masks, kimonos. I promised my sister I would not make a move until I consult with her. When it’s safe to mingle again, I was thinking I could go to her house for sewing camp!

optometrist

Tomorrow I am visiting the optometrist. I badly need new glasses. I’m nervous about it, but I like all the safety protocols they have in place. I also asked for the first appointment of the day. I had a dream I went and had to spend hours and hours there without actually having my eyes examined. They kept coming up with reasons to keep me there.

Misery of the moment

All in all, I’m trying hard not to get caught up in the misery of the moment. I read this morning Trump has finally said what some of us have been expecting for some time – perhaps we should delay the election. It will take several mojitos to process that one. But the answer is no.

So far, I’ve contributed $285 to Joe Biden’s campaign and made a $75 donation to Jaime Harrison, who is running against Lindsay Graham in South Carolina … totally worth your support, if you are so inclined. I suppose they might squeeze a bit more out of me, but I’m close to my limit. I want both of them to win, but in reality, my money probably does more good at the food bank.

Cheerfulness breaking through

Today’s kind of wide open. I need new underwear and might brave a trip to Target. Could I have imagined a day when I would say that?

Making a Walgreen’s list for next week – seniors get a 10% discount on the first Tuesday of every month. I’ll probably burn some wood. It’s hot, so if I’m going to walk, I need to get moving soon. Maybe a nap later. Thinking about dinner, of course.

It’s not all bad out here. I keep thinking about Leonard Cohen, who said, “I’ve taken a lot of Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Effexor, Ritalin, Focalin. I’ve also studied deeply in the philosophies of the religions, but cheerfulness kept breaking through.”