Days semi-sans Petanque: Cheers

Half the game is showing up

Days semi-sans Petanque: Pancho and Lefty

Like chess, petanque is a game of strategy. Sure it's the shooting and pointing that get all the attention and glory, but once some basic skills are mastered, it becomes a thinking game as much as a power and coordination. 
I don't think much, ergo, I'm not much of a player without someone to tell me what to do. Lucky for me I take direction pretty well. Most of the time. When I'm in the mood. When I like the person telling me what to do. When I'm not stressed or distracted. Except on Monday through Fridays and weekends. But other than that, you can depend on me.
Tim: This is my last boule. Should I shoot?

———
Poncho needs your prayers, it's true
Save a few for Lefty too
He only did what he had to do
And now he's growin' old

Songwriters: Townes Van Zandt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoKvUYbGu7A

———

I wouldn't be young again even if it were possible, but I am not going to pretend that growing old is all sweetness and light. —Ruth Rendel

To a father growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter. —Euripides

Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven't committed. —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

———

Time is pounding down the door. Best to unsubscribe before he knocks it down.

Days semi-sans Petanque: It's a Jungle Out There

Feed the dog. Feeeeeeed the dooooogggg. —Wishbone

Dialogue

• Samantha Kepler: Now, Wishbone, sit and stay.
  Wishbone: I know: sit, stay, save the day. It's what I do.
• 
  

Wishbone is a television show which aired from 1995 to 1999 in the United States, featuring the dog Wishbone as "the little dog with a big imagination"

Days semi-sans Petanque: The Stuntman

By popular demand

——————————————————————————
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

—"I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack

Days semi-sans Petanque: Fascinating

I always thought there was something vaguely illogical about the whole enterprise. Then someone explained it to me. Their communicators. They were just flip phones. And nothing else. No camera. No step counter. Not even a Pac Man game. It was simply too great a leap of imagination to think they could be used for anything else.




Maybe you are an empath, (Star Trek, season 3, episode 12) and afraid that you will hurt my feelings if you unsubscribe. To which I say, "Be not afraid. My low IQ has blessed me with a sufficiently short attentions span that whatever devastating pain I experience, as a result from the loss of your attention, it will be short lived. An alternative to unsubscribing would be to establish a "rule" in your mail program that send any missives from me directly to your trash bin. That way you would be relieved of any guilt over my anguish and I would continue, blissfully unaware of the diversion of my efforts. 
———
"Live long, and prosper." — Spock Vaslet

As long as it is not at my expense.

"It is possible to commit no errors and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." -- Captain Jean-Luc Picard to Data

Days semi-sans Petanque: The wetter the better

From: Bill <sierrawill@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Days semi-sans Petanque: Surf's up!
Date: May 27, 2020 at 6:54:26 PM PDT
To: Carlos <cnchavez@gmail.com>

I remember those songs and surfed the same break one day with Dick Dale. His buddies tried to chase our young skinny asses out of the water. Bill

Wave machine in Depot Park. An idea whose time has come. I think it is clear we were all watching the finest surfer in Sonoma.




Miserlou · Dick Dale  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKpsuGMeqHI

***Dick Dale - Wikipedia

Richard Anthony Monsour (May 4, 1937 – March 16, 2019), known professionally as Dick Dale, was an American rock guitarist. He was a pioneer of surf music, drawing on Middle Eastern music scales and experimenting with reverberation. He partnered with Leo Fender to test new equipment, later saying "When it can withstand the barrage of punishment from Dick Dale, then it is fit for the human consumption." His combination of loud amplifiers and heavy gauge strings led him to be called the "Father of Heavy Metal"  "There was a tremendous amount of power I felt while surfing and that feeling of power was simply transferred into my guitar". His playing style reflected the experience he had when surfing, and projecting the power of the ocean to people.
Died‎: ‎March 16, 2019 (aged 81); Loma Linda ... Instruments‎: ‎Guitar‎, ‎vocals‎, ‎piano‎, ‎trumpet
Also known as‎: ‎The King of the Surf Guitar Years active‎: ‎1955–2019

———

You cannot stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.  —Jon Kabat-Zinn

You cannot stop the internet, but you can unsubscribe.

These aren't the droids you're looking for. —Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi

Days semi-sans Petanque: Surf's up!

Just looking for a way to cool off.

I remember living in a small town halfway between Blythe, CA and Wickenburg, AZ, in the early sixties, listening to Walk Don't Run by the Ventures and Wipe Out by the Surfaries on a portable record player with detachable speakers—for STEREO! Neat. Cool.

The ocean was about 300 miles away, but a kid's gotta dream.

Walk Don't Run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owq7hgzna3E

Wipe Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p13yZAjhU0M

———
"Wiping out is an underappreciated skill." —Laird Hamilton
That is true in so many applications.

"Style is a natural extension of who you are as a person." —Mark Richards

And we each have our own. It makes life interesting.

———

Unsubscribe and pray for surf

Days semi-sans Petanque: Open Beaches — Get Wet

I think we should step back. This looks like a pretty big wave. I think Ed probably forget to turn off the drip system.

"Foam is your friend. Don't be scared of it. A little bit of extra foam here and there is good for the soul, and your surfing." —Rob Machado

Unless it's coming out of your dog's mouth.

———

Why don't you check out the sump pump in the crawl space and then if it's all dry under there then you could unsubscribe.

Days semi-sans Petanque: Surfer Dave

Did I say you could play petanque ALMOST anywhere? I guess some of us are more motivated to get out of the house than others.

His shirt's not even wet. What poise. What skill. The guy's got boules!

He said he was just going to the store for milk and bread.

Waves are not measured in feet and inches, they are measured in increments of fear - Buzzy Trent
or Millermeters.

It's A Cakewalk, When You Know How. – Gerry Lopez

I've always been a pie guy.

No Problem Is So Big Or So Complicated That It Can't Be Run Away From. – Miki Dora

———

Unsubscribe and you can stop running.

Days semi-sans Petanque: Thursday—National Burger Day

"The trick," he said, "is to avoid the sesame seeds."

One of the great things about petanque is that you can play it almost anywhere. Except on our courts. In our parks. But other than that, almost anywhere.

——————————————————————————

Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected.  —Charles Lamb

———

Had enough of this nonsense? Want to unsubscribe? Which way did you come in? I'll help you out.

Days of semi-sans Petanque: A cold one on a hot day

Oh for the days of flip flops, a cold Modelo, and the company of friends while sitting on the picnic bench waiting for a game to start. (Sept 30, 2018)

———
If you like jazz, this is a super version of Clapton's Layla. It is accessible even for a philistine such as myself.
Wynton Marsalis & Eric Clapton - Layla https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvNIivHdy0Q

——————————————————————————
"Think where man's glory most begins and ends and say my glory was that I had such friends."
― William Butler Yeats

Days semi-sans Petanque: Sweltering in Place

I think I figures out why it's so hot at the park in Sonoma.



I'm pretty sure after it cools off a bit Peter, Dave and Wolfie will be able to jack hammer it out as long as it doesn't go too deep. If not then Maggie will probably come up with an online work around. No one should be surprised though. California is on the ring of fire, and I'm not talking about the Johnny Cash song.

———
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It7107ELQvY

This one just because I like it.
Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight (Official Live Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUSzL2leaFM

This is one of the comments:
Samuel Lackey (3 years ago)
The song playing the first dance with my would be wife of 39 years.  I lost her six months ago.  I will never forget the dance and the music.  Thanks.

———
If you need a reason to unsubscribe, here it is: Article 4 of the Convention against Torture:The prohibition against torture is universal and covers all countries both regarding U.S. citizens and persons of other nationalities.
———
Forty acres and a mule is part of Special Field Orders No. 15, a post-Civil War promise proclaimed by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman on January 16, 1865, to allot family units, including freed people, a plot of land no larger than 40 acres (16 ha). Sherman later ordered the army to lend mules for the agrarian reform effort. However, Lincoln's successor, president Andrew Johnson explicitly reversed and annulled proclamations such as Special Field Orders No. 15 and the Freedmen's Bureau Act. Some land redistribution occurred under military jurisdiction during the war and for a brief period thereafter. However, federal and state policy during the Reconstruction era emphasized wage labor, not land ownership, for blacks. Almost all land allocated during the war was restored to its pre-war white owners.
"40 Acres and a Mule" is often discussed in the context of reparations for slavery. However, strictly speaking, the various policies offering 'forty acres' provided land for political and economic reasons—and with a price tag—and not as unconditional compensation for lifetimes of unpaid labor.

Days semi-sans Petanque: Socially distant

I'm pretty sure that rainbow ended at Depot Park.

Eric Clapton - Over the Rainbow (with lyrics)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwlFTYT2Fdw

Our next club house. What do you think? Only $3M. We could do a fund raiser.

March 17, and we were already socially distant. Ahead of our time. It's a guy thing. Afraid to show our emotions. No touchy feely. 

High fives. Boules and bubbly. Those were the days.

"The bad news is nothing lasts forever,
The good news is nothing lasts forever."
― J. Cole

"Nothing lasts forever,' Richie repeated. He looked up at Bill, and Bill saw tears cut slowly through the dirt on Richie's cheeks.
'Except maybe for love,' Ben said.
'And desire,' Beverly said."
― Stephen King, It

"Top 15 Things Money Can't Buy
Time. Happiness. Inner Peace. Integrity. Love. Character. Manners. Health. Respect. Morals. Trust. Patience. Class. Common sense. Dignity."
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Make that 16: Carreau.

———

No reason to get excited
The thief he kindly spoke
There are many here among us
Who feel that life is but a joke
But, uh, but you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us stop talkin' falsely now
The hour's getting late, hey

Songwriters: Bob Dylan
All Along the Watchtower lyrics © Audiam, Inc

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along The Watchtower (Audio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY
———
Hendrix never died. Earth was just part of his tour.

blake dreher: 1 month ago (edited)

———

Do you think it's too hot to unsubscribe? If you think this is hot wait until tomorrow.

———

Something that would never have occurred to me:

What is with these people?

From: Ed Clay <edclay@edclay.com>
Subject: Dumpster

I've been leaving the lids of the dumpster open because, if I don't, people throw stuff over the wall and then I just have to clean it up. I'm not sure if it's the wind, or our club members who are closing the lids, but please do not to close the lids on the dumpster. Thank you.

-- 
Valley of the Moon Petanque Club

Days semi-sans Petanque: Hand Jive

What can I say? It was a different time.





Eric Clapton - Willie And The Hand Jive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRTvQd-CHbg
Johnny Otis - Willie And The Hand Jive (1958)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvOuTInrue0
Willy And The Hand Jive, Levon Helm, and The Band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfe4haVpu2k

Grease (1978) - Born To Hand Jive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz74b5a7Csc
———
"And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon."
― Edward Lear, The Owl and the Pussycat

"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."
― Alan Wilson Watts

———
We danced when we could. Maybe now is the time to unsubscribe and have a little rest.  When the time comes around again, we'll be ready.

Days semi-sans Petanque: Happiness is a …

Schon: Can you give us a minute here?
Ed: Listen. That's my gun. Only one of us can wear that gun.
Schon: You got that right and I'm wearing it.
Ed: But. But. Look at the poster. I'm wearing it there.
Schon: Oh sweetie, that''s only photoshop. Now step back and give me room to shoot.
———
"I foresee no possibility of venturing into themes showing a closer view of reality for a long time to come. The public itself will not have it. What it wants is a gun and a girl." ― D.W. Griffith

"Guns, she was reminded then, were not for girls. They were for boys. They were invented by boys. They were invented by boys who had never gotten over their disappointment that accompanying their own orgasm there wasn't a big boom sound." ― Lorrie Moore, Like Life
———
If you were really fast on the draw you could unsubscribe before she shoots. After that I'm making no promises.

Days semi-dans Petanque: Father and Daughters

From: debra king <dj2out@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Days semi-sans Petanque: Sunshine and Lollipops

Date: May 24, 2020 at 5:15:06 PM PDT

I was out there finishing Consolante  Point 27 (I sucked) with Mags on video. Wolfie and Casey came to do Wolfie's final, pointing. Won't be going there this week 90s-100s, but out again when the heat breaks.

———
Looks like I missed the hard core pros again. But I did catch Ted and his daughters, Maisy and Emilee, (not sure of the spelling on either one) for a spirited game lesson. You can see them in the photo post above. There was another family under the eucalyptus as well. Must be the beat the heat motivation getting them out.

Be cool. Stay cool. Don't drool.

———

"God, it was hot! Forget about frying an egg on the sidewalk; this kind of heat would fry an egg inside the chicken." ― Rachel Caine

———

Seems like you've lived another day in your totally awesome life. Why not cap it off with an unsubscribe?

Days semi-sans Petanque: Sunshine and Lollipops

It's all sunshine and lollipops. Temps are predicted to be in the 90s this week so today might be the last comfy day to play for a while. I have to work this morning but will try to swing by this afternoon to see if there is any action. Of course for Higgins anything under 100 is sweater weather.

What are the chances of getting the new VOMPC club house? Plus it looks like there is room for several more courts to hold in reserve for big and bigger events.





Because, you know, there's nothing else going on and we need something to think about.
———
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." ― Terry Pratchett, Diggers

"To paraphrase several sages: Nobody can think and hit someone at the same time." ― Susan Sontag, Regarding the Pain of Others

"Whoever controls the media, controls the mind" ― Jim Morrison
———
I'm thinking today would be a good day to unsubscribe.
———
With a Little Help from My Friends, Joe Cocker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wG6Cgmgn5U
Cocker died from lung cancer on 22 December 2014 in Crawford, Colorado, at the age of 70. He had smoked 40 cigarettes a day until he quit in 1991.

Days semi-sans Petanque: The Soap Box

Dave Katz has been campaigning on the club's behalf since before this began. Rest assured that the more activist members of the club continue to press our our perspective with the city and our intended compliance with restrictions. We are all eager to return to those halcyon days of yore, but not before some reasonable risk of infection is obtained. I for one would be happy to risk a game or two, but I am wary of bringing the virus home to Sheila. To risk yourself is one thing. To put others at risk—is reckless and irresponsible. Unfortunately that seems to be the de facto response to much of the self centered portions of our population. And it's nothing new. Think of all the parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. We have an effective vaccination against the flu and a third of the country still does not get vaccinated against that. Who thinks that's a good idea? I wouldn't mind if they only risked themselves. Their demise would probably raise the average level of the country's intellectual capacity and make the world safer for petanque. And that would be a very good thing.

But I digress. Let me get down off this soap box before I fall off—or get pushed.

Maybe it's just a matter of bad timing, but once again, the courts look like the day after the rapture and all petanque players are lifted to heaven.



———
Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent. —Billy Graham

I wouldn't mind any of that stuff if they just served a small glass of wine while I wait. Something light, fruity but with a little bite.

———

Crush will be here before you know it. Best to unsubscribe now while you have the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCTunqv1Xt4

When I'm Sixty Four. If only.

Days semi-sans Petanque: Thus Spake Matty Lackey

From: Matty Lackey <mattylackey@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, May 21, 2020 at 8:57 AM
Subject: Re: one guy's opinion
To: valleyofthemoonpetanqueclub@gmail.com <valleyofthemoonpetanqueclub@gmail.com>

This is what I'm not understanding, the tennis courts at Maxwell Park our packed, with people who are obviously not family members playing each other and touching the exact same ball every 45 seconds and that's seems to be just fine, we play a game where we don't touch boulles and can kick the pig, hell, most of us want to stay 6 feet from each other anyway, haha, so what's the problem with us?

And the reply which may have been sent to full membership. I can't tell.

From: Joe LaTorre <latorrej@aol.com>

Subject: Re: one guy's opinion

Date: May 22, 2020 at 9:46:02 PM PDT

Hi Matty, I completely understand, and share, your frustration. I feel sure that resuming play with adequate precautions is as safe or safer as reopening outdoor restaurants. We have expressed this to the City, and I think they are in fact sympathetic. 

They are not, however, willing to defy the County's health orders, which are very specific about limiting outdoors activities to individuals and family groups. So their requirements for the petanque courts are the same as the County's.

I can't speak to the situation at the tennis courts, but I don't doubt that noncompliance with the City's rules is common - not only there, but also using picnic areas, etc. Presumably those individuals are willing to take the risk. 

The difference for VOMPC is that the City leases the courts to us, and expect us to follow their restrictions. If we don't, they would have every right to terminate our lease. We are not willing to risk that. We have to restrict our club's activities accordingly, and tell members to follow the City's direction. If they don't do so, we are all at some risk of losing the courts.

The communication we have had with the City has helped them understand how we can comply with social distancing, and even could influence decision making at the County level. I hope that it isn't too long that we will be able to resume, but we have no way of knowing. We will, of course, let the club know immediately if we hear good news.

Joe LaTorre

The best music is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with. —Bruce Springsteen

That best portion of a man's life, his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. —William Wordsworth

Days semi-sans Petanque: Live and in color

I looked it up. A year ago the world was still in color!

We could wear long pants or shorts. Wear shirts with long sleeves or cut them off. wear our hats with the bills facing forward or back. Stand in the sun or the shade. Wear boots or flip-flops. Choose which court to play on by the flip of a coin. Get in someone's face—close up—and point out how they had lost all touch with the real world.




Now I don't know if anyone out there is even alive unless I drive to the park and wait to see if anyone comes by. Sometimes it's a long wait. Who knew the apocalypse would be so boring.
———
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

———

You could end it all by unsubscribing but I'm not sure that would change anything.

Days semi-sans Petanque: Another brick in the wall

It's kind of relaxing in a very sad sort of way. Mild temps with the barest hint of a breeze. A perfect day for petanque. But there's no one around.

Rob did stop by while out on a bike ride. He's taken on a heavier work load as a result of changes in the company he works for and just needed a break and a little fresh air. We had a little chat. He's so reserved, you'd never know what a brainiac he is.

Maggie said she and Casey and Wolfie played for about half an hour yesterday afternoon. When was the last time you only played petanque for half an hour? We used to spend that long measuring or waiting in line for the shed.

But all was not quiet on the western front. Tim has torn rocks from the earth with his bare hands and with spit and elbow grease terraformed his back yard. Thor has nothing on our mountain of a man. If I were you, I'd think twice about looking crosseyed at him on the courts.



Stone walls confine a tinker; cold iron binds a witch; but a musician's music can never be fettered, for it lives first in her heart and mind. —Charles de Lint

———

We were like the stones on that wall. No two alike, yet each one comfortable together and supporting one another. Each one alone with our own weight and shape, but when fitted along the wall, a thing with rhythm and flow, a song we never sang alone.

———

Unsubscribe at your leisure. 

Days semi-sans Petanque: Park it right here my friend

People. People. People. I stopped by the courts again this afternoon on my way to the grocery store. Caught Bill Miller on his way home. He practiced ALONE on the Depot Park courts. Ok. Social distance I understand. But the entire park to himself? This is insanity. I mean if Bill gets an entire park to himself, I want one too. There's a regional park in Glen Ellen. I'd be happy with that one. Or maybe the Jack London State Park. That would do.

What about you? Want your own park? Which one? Have I got a deal for you.

———
"If you have found a quiet bench in a quiet park and sat down, be sure you had a very profitable day!"
― Mehmet Murat ildan
———
Silicon Valley, grant me the time to read the emails I want, 

the courage to unsubscribe when I can
and the wisdom to empty the trash folder

Days semi-sans Petanque: Re: Update on Courts

What about ghosts? Memories? Parallel universes? Guardian angels?

Do I understand that it is ok for us to put our bags with boules down on the concrete benches but not on the picnic tables? When I was there yesterday, there was a guy, by himself, sitting at one of the picnic tables eating pizza. Could he be sent to prison for that offense? In my experience, it is not so much the rules, which were probably enacted in good faith, it is more the problem with those charged with enforcing the rules. They are sometimes not blessed with a surfeit of common sense. Either that or the rules themselves do not allow them to exercise what common sense they hold in reserve. And they may fear, with good reason that our judicial system is guided by the letter of the law and not the spirit which may have inspired the legislators who wrote the rules and thus act in a CYA manner.

In times of fear, it is reason that is surrendered most quickly, and empathy that is given short shrift.

So Millermeter Bill plays on—alone. Sort of. Maybe.



Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. —Psalms; Bible; King James Version

Ok, there's a violation right there. Can I see some identification?

———

"Now I know what a ghost is. Unfinished business, that's what."
― Salman Rushdie, The Satanic Verses

———

Unsubscribe and be free. Free at last!

On May 21, 2020, at 8:51 AM, VOMPC <valleyofthemoonpetanqueclub@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Members,

Here is an update on use of the Depot Park Petanque Courts.

As you may be aware, the current Sonoma County Order specifically calls out the use of bocce courts, and, by inference, Petanque courts and states "they may only be used by individuals alone or in a group comprised solely of individuals from the same household".

Board members have been in contact with the Sonoma Public Works Department to seek clarification when these restrictions might be eased.  First, they confirmed that Petanque is specifically subject to the order, not just bocce.  They also confirmed that there is no plan to further relax the terms of the existing order, and it seems the Sonoma County Health Officer wants to wait to see how the community behaves in response to changes in the rules before considering additional changes.

So, alas, normal club play is still not allowed under the current order, violation of which is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.  Picnic and barbecue areas remain closed to public access.

Please be patient, and continue to abide by current County Order and keep an eye out for changes.  We will be sure to let you know if we learn anything about when the restrictions might be relaxed, which we all hope will be sooner rather than later.

-- 
Valley of the Moon Petanque Club

About dogs—not petanque

"The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door, the scream of fire engines, or the realization that today is the Monday which on Friday night was a comfortably long way off.

A dog's wet nose is not strictly speaking the worst of the bunch, but it has its own peculiar dreadfulness which connoisseurs of the ghastly and dog owners everywhere have come to know and dread. It's like having a small piece of defrosting liver pressed lovingly against you."
― Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

Days semi-sans Petanque: Practice, practice, practice

Stopped by the courts today. The only one there was Wild Bill Miller. He practices nearly every day. I think the plan is to leap frog everyone else while we huddle in place. It was kinda weird standing there on the deserted courts on a sunny afternoon, blue skies, the very slightest breeze, and only Bill, his bike, and his boules in sight.

I did see the the circles and lines where a few days before pointing games were played on the so called pro-court. I'm sure it will show up on YouTube any day now.

Stopped by Sonoma Market for supplies and saw these two at the bike racks.

No masks. And definitely not social distancing. Should I have turned them in?

I hear that after a year or so dogs begin to look like their owners. I guess that means she'll be going blonde.

———
"Meow" means "woof" in cat." ― George Carlin
———
My tax attorney tells me that unsubscribing will not affect your credit score. And you know he can be trusted.

Days semi-sans Petanque: We Boule

I know this cower-in-place is a pain in the butt. And that when we venture out with masks. gloves, booties and hand sanitizers at the ready to shop in stores that limit the number of toilet paper packs of twelve to one per family per day, when the next panic buying frenzy after yeast will probably be toothpicks for testing when your home made corn muffins are perfectly done, you think to yourself, "Oh my God. How could it have come to this apocalyptic catastrophe in my lifetime?", even then, even now, we should remember that we still live in a time and place of tremendous abundance, where grocery chains compete with farmer's markets for offering fresh fruits and vegetables, where we can still choose between fat free and a2 mild, and between jumbo grade AA and organic omega-3 eggs by the dozen. It might help to remember that 90% of the world would switch places with us in a heartbeat if only we had a different president. But I say to the world, Joe will not be president forever. So do not lose heart. 

We may yet be able to play a convivial game of petanque in the afternoon sun, with a glass of wine or a cool beer in one hand and a Puttin' on the Ritz cracker with Kevin's flaked salmon on the other while trash talking and jive walking our way to the circle. It is just a matter of time. Time and money. Well, time, money and when the stock market will fund our retirement dividends. All that and when our benevolent overlords decide to open the parks for full use. But even then, it will be only a matter of time before the next big bad thing comes along so best to take a deep breath and appreciate the blessings we enjoy, for they are many, and look each other in the eye and shake hands and say "Bonne chance." Just be sure to use the sanitizer afterwards.

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"Sure, everything is ending," Jules said, "but not yet."
― Jennifer Egan, A Visit from the Goon Squad

"You're Hell's Angels, then? What chapter are you from?'
'REVELATIONS. CHAPTER SIX."
― Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

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If the internet is still up it's not too late to unsubscribe. 

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"Time has come today." The Chambers Brothers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEKp5smqxHQ

Now the time has come (Time)
There's no place to run (Time)
I might get burned up by the sun (Time)
But I had my fun (Time)
I've been loved and put aside (Time)
I've been crushed by the tumbling tide (Time)
And my soul has been psychedelicized (Time)

Days semi-sans Petanque: American Pie

I think this Shelter-in-Place thing is stressing me out. Yesterday I bought a slice of apple pie to share with Sheila. Today I ate it. All. By myself. I've always known that deep down inside I'm a bad person.
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"We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie." ― David Mamet, Boston Marriage

"Before there was wedding cake, there was bride pie."― Janet Clarkson, Pie: A Global History

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Sometimes I think, "This has gone far enough." 

Sometimes I think, "Now you've gone too far."

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"It is hardly surprising that to this day New England is considered to be the pie capital of America, whose inhabitants traditionally eat (sweet) pie for breakfast. Apple pies in particular became deeply embedded in the history of America - associated with the old country, the new country and the pioneering spirit, and indelibly identified with the sense of nationhood and patriotic sentiment."
― Janet Clarkson, Pie: A Global History

Yup. That's me just being patriotic.

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American Pie · Don McLean https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX_TFkut1PM

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You could unsubscribe now and be done with it once and for all.

Days semi-sans Petanque: Stripes

Days semi-sans Petanque: Balls

"Girls have got balls. They're just a little higher up, that's all." ― Joan Jett

Days semi-sans Petanque: Tower of Power

Da

"Inconceivable!"
"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
― William Goldman, The Princess Bride

"Why do you wear a mask and hood?"
I think everybody will in the near future," was the man in black's reply. "They're terribly comfortable."
― William Goldman, The Princess Bride

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While no one knows what the future holds in store. I'm pretty sure it won't be like the past. Not that everything was perfect in the past. Not that there may not be moments of grace in the future. It's just that I found so much to be thankful for on a daily basis. And you all were/are a very large part of that.

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If you unsubscribe today I can only say I have loved every moment we've shared. Thank you.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency of the VOMPC. Examples of analysis performed within this article are only examples. They should not be utilized in real-world analytic products as they are based only on very limited and dated open source information. Assumptions made within the analysis are not reflective of the position of any VOMPC entity

Days of semi sans Petanque: The garden grows

Days sans Petanque: Pepper

Days sans Petanque: Gaga

Went by the courts today after showing a property Empty except of a couple at the bocce alleys.

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"You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes."
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Days sans Petanque: Abbey Road

Dec 1963: "I Want To Hold Your Hand" is released in the U.S. and goes to number one where it remains for seven weeks.

Can you imagine a song like that being number one now? It was a different time, maybe we were a different people.

By March of 1964, the Beatles have songs in the top five positions of the Billboard's singles chart. This is a first for Billboard. The songs, in order of their charting position, are: Can't Buy Me Love, Twist and Shout, She Loves You, I Want To Hold Your Hand, Please Please Me.

President Kennedy assassinated in November.

1964: The Civil Rights Act signed into law. Elizabeth Taylor marries Richard Burton. The first Ford Mustang is made. Nelson Mandela sentenced to life in prison. U.S. Surgeon General reports that smoking may lead to lung cancer.

1967: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band released in U.K. Number one for 27 weeks.

Average Cost of a new house $14k. Average year income $7k. Gas per gallon 33¢

Evil Knievel motorcycle jumps 16 cars.

World's first heart transplant.

1968: Beatles release White Album.

Assassination of Martin Luther King and Senator Robert Kennedy.

Average price of a new car $2,822

Anti Viet Nam war protests

London Bridge sold for $1M. Re-errected in Arizona

Pope Paul VI bans Catholics from using the contraceptive pill for birth control

Hong Cong flue epidemic begins in Hong Cong

Black Power salute in Mexico Olympics

1969: Lennon leaves the Beatles. Abby Road is released

Neil Armstong steps onto the moon

Woodstock 350,000 attend

Draft lottery for Viet Nam war

Wal-Mart incorporated

1970: McCartney leaves the Beatles

Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix die. Both are 27

1980: John Lennon is killed

Mount St. Helens erupts

Rubics Cube

Post-It Notes

2001: George Harrison dies of cancer

Apple releases OSX

World Trade Center attacked

Shoe explosive aboard American Airlines

2010: Beatles music catalog released on iTunes

Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform explodes

WHO declares H1N1 influenza pandemic over

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Just when you thought it was safe to stop holding your breath, you realized you'd forgotten to unsubscribe.