Sunday morning

I just finished reading Chuck's latest post, where he describes how a trail head is built. Fascinating stuff!

Here's what the newly-completed trail tread looks like ... ...


Beautiful, isn't it?

You wouldn't believe the amount of work that goes into one of these projects. Over the years, Chuck has volunteered to work on over twenty of those. Incredible! This particular one is located in Acadia National Park.

His post is chock full of info (with accompanying photos showing each step along the way) on how the whole thing is created from start to finish. It's a fascinating read and, if you'd like to learn more about it, follow the link at the top.


Let's see, what else is going on? Well, not much. I've been spending way too much time in front of the computer lately playing Bridge Base Online. It's all Rick Barrett's fault, you know, altho it was Marilyn Methvin, my bridge friend from New Orleans, who first told me about this. She plays bridge online - for perhaps an hour or so at a stretch - several times a week, which works out really well for her because she has family members who need her attention. (It was unusual for her to be able to get away for a few hours to play with me at John Onstott's party in May.)

Rick and I hooked up as a bridge partnership just recently. I hadn't seen or even thought of him in years, but chanced to come across his name on the ACBL membership list one day and said to myself, "I should give him a call. See if he's still playing." Anyway, he's gotten me to play bridge with him online some Thursday evenings. At first I was all fumble fingers with it, but I'm getting better.

Then, the other night I pulled danged near an all-nighter with the gizmo. I could barely keep my eyes open at one time, but continued playing because my partner (Chinese) was really good and it was a most enjoyable game - particularly the defense. I hope to partner up with him again sometime.


The toilet's fixed. Hooray! Two different guys from ARS arrived Thursday morning within five minutes of each other, which caused a little confusion at times, but it was interesting! One was here to do an annual inspection of my AC and sign me up for another year of maintenance. He was finished and out of here probably an hour or so before the other guy.

While here, the AC guy was admiring my water oak tree out back. He couldn't believe it was only 30 years old! Says he has a bunch of red oaks on his property and had a whole lot of cleanup to do after Ike ... branches and such, like you might expect, plus a whole lot of dead wildlife (squirrels, birds, possums, skunks, deer). As he was rattling off this long list, I asked him where he lived. "Magnolia", he responded. My goodness! The Renaissance Festival is held very near there. I used to go every year, the last time with my daughter just a few years back.

I asked him how he liked the festival and he answered, "What festival?" Rrvit! Don't you just love it? I told him a little bit about it and how much fun it is and watched as his eyes seemed to light up a bit. Perhaps I have inspired another attendee?

Now that I mention the Renaissance Festival, tho, I'm ready - salivating, actually - to go back again. I wonder how long it's been since my daughter was last there? She reads most of my posts. If she reads this one, maybe she'll call me and say, "Mom, it's been a few years since I've been to the festival. How'd you like to go this year?" Would I?!? You name the date, dear daughter, and we're 'on'!!

Now, as far as the toilet problem goes, turns out that it wasn't just a matter of reseating the commode. One of the flanges had completely broken off. He had to get a new 'something or another' and solder the whole thing back together. ($350) Works fine, altho I was really nervous about flushing it for the first time, not to mention sitting down on it 'to go' later!


My schedule for this week? Well, later on today I'll be watching (on TV) my Astros play against the Phillies here at home. The Stros won the first two of this four-game set against a very strong team. Kind of unbelievable, eh what? But, of course, as I'll be watching, they'll lose. I think I'm somewhat of a jinx for them, as I wrote about here. Then I'll take a nap before heading on over to the bridge studio to play with Julian, et al, on a Swiss Team - my all-time favorite event!

Tomorrow? Well, I'm due to teach another class to my private students Wednesday evening and will probably spend a goodly amount of tomorrow in preparation. Tuesday? I have 'jury duty' scheduled for the afternoon. Whether or not I actually show up will depend entirely on how much I've been able to accomplish tomorrow.

Wednesday? Mentoring at the bridge studio in the morning and teaching a class in the evening. And so my life goes on. Hopefully, I will be able to publish another post (or two) between now and Thursday, but these take considerable time - I like to do 'em up right, if at all possible! - and I'm not going to have much in the way of 'spare' available between now and then. Meanwhile, Examiner has sent me an inquiring e-mail. Oh, well.


News from Jennie? The last I heard was Thursday evening, when her husband sent a "to all" e-mail saying that she could begin receiving visitors Friday afternoon and was expected to be back home Monday (tomorrow). I'll be posting news about her as I hear it. Meanwhile, please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers ...

... as all of you are in mine, dear hearts!