Monday, May 28, 2018

3 Day Weekend

It has been a nice weekend at home.  Despite hot temperatures, I did get some fun things done.  Saw the new Solo movie, 4 stars on Southlandview.blogspot.com.   I also played 16 holes of golf.  We skipped the last 2 since the sun was going down.  Hot, windy and lots of glare, Timm and I agreed that added 2 shots per side. 

I've had the flag flying all three days.  George and I went for a swim in the pool this morning.  That was a fun time.  Then I cooked out some burgers and dove from my last hunting trip.  They turned out great.

Back to work tomorrow.  I had an appeal brief due June 14 that my client said "Don't wait until the last minute."  So I plan on starting in earnest tomorrow to get 2 of the 16 hours that I anticipate it will take.


Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Piano Lessons

While playing golf with my 71 year old friend Bill, his fellow player Charles asked him in a snide manner "Do you have a piano lesson tomorrow?"

It reminded me of how my "friends" growing up thought of my piano lessons.  Many times, I'd have to come in from outside playing for a piano lesson.  I took lessons from age 8 to 16 so I had a lot of teachers.  Some better than others, we moved several times so there was always a new one.  Some men, some women.

Of course not all other kids appreciated that, including me.  When I was able to make the decision myself, I stopped such lessons.

Now I'm back playing on my own. I enjoy it and have a good base.  But hearing that snide remark brought back a LOT of memories.

I asked Bill "do you really have a piano lesson tomorrow?"  He said yes, that he wanted to learn to play his mother's piano. 

So I'm glad I know how to play.  Even if it was not so easy to learn back then.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Gray in the Temples

When I was just out of college living in Washington DC, back in 1987,  I enjoyed browsing at some fine men's clothing stores.  I admired the clothes but could not practically afford them since I was barely getting by.

I do remember buying a pair of shoes for 50% off due to a strange size.  I wore those proudly.  I recall the original retail was $160 which would probably be $400+ today.

At the time I had bought them there was also a suit for sale.  It was a nailhead pattern, very distinguished, charcoal grey, maybe even double breasted, in the right size.  I had tried it on and it looked good!  But it costs about $600 then, even on sale.

I recall that the salesman told me "You probably need a little gray in your temples to wear this".  So that was the end of that.  I was 22 years old!

Advancing now to the eve of my 53rd birthday.  I was looking in the mirror today and noticed that Gray in my Temples.  I'm in!  But now I live in a near tropical climate, no one wears suits much in this day and age of casual days, I have one suit which is enough for now, and that store in Washington DC is now a forgotten name that is likely long out of business for the same reasons just stated.