Swish

Swish! I love that sound as the basketball snaps through the net. Swish! There it goes again–nothing but net. The only problem was I was not making the net swish, Josh and Michelle were! We were in a tough game of cutthroat 21 in the back yard and I was getting creamed. I know that might sound unlikely, maybe even astounding, but it was true. First game–Josh won, Michelle was second, and I was last. I started analyzing my attack and noticed a little something that might be affecting the outcome: When I jumped, it was just like raising my arms fast, when Josh jumped his feet actually went considerably above the ground. He was in the air for his jump shot. What a novel concept! Not only did he have me by a couple of inches in height and reach, but this airborne stuff was an additional advantage. He not only shot well, but when I shot he would often block it. Michelle had an alternative strategy-–she set up on the perimeter and made her shots. (I will have to give that a try sometime.)

Anyway, back to the games.

After three games I had won zilch, zippo, nulla, niente. I either got tipped back to zero or eleven or just got out shot. At the free throw line Josh was also devastating. Michelle seemed even a bit happy that her dad was getting his clock cleaned. After she left to go to her bridal shower, I figured it was time to buckle down to work. If I couldn't out jump, out shoot, or out rebound Josh, perhaps I could out maneuver him. Slowly, a little at a time, I managed to build a lead. I lucked out on a few shots that had no right going in but did anyway and I found myself at the free throw line with 19 points and tied with Josh. I knew that it was now or never. (And the way Josh had been playing I was fearful that it might be the latter.) I took a deep breath, eyed the basket and swish. What a beautiful sound! Now I was 20. Everything was on the line–if I made it I won, but if I missed it I would go back to 11 and Josh would likely whip me again. Still at the line I took a breath. I wondered, "Should I hold my breath or let it out?" Wait a minute. What was I doing? Why was I thinking about anything but the net? Okay, lets try again. Deep breath. Dribble once. I could feel the texture of the ball in my hands. One smooth motion, as I raised the ball over my head and waved good-bye to it. It sailed through the air almost slow motion, just like in the movies: Rotation perfect. Arc superb. Air calm. Still holding my breath. Then-–you guessed it, and the crowd went wild!

After Michelle's Shower:


Not one to pass up an opportunity to capitalize on extra manpower (and womanpower) I persuaded (coerced) Michelle, Josh and Mary Lee to help Steve Pettingill and me frame the shed. We had picked up the materials while Michelle was at the shower. (Josh had joined her at the Ballantyne's at the end so he could meet everyone there.) So, we had 2x4s, nails, joist hangers, sill plate, a new hammer for Josh, and great ideas.



Steve cut the members to length, Josh and Michelle nailed them together, and I measured, pointed, directed and encouraged. (You know the really important and hard jobs.) We began at about 2:45 and were determined to be done in a couple of hours. The four walls went together pretty quickly then we noticed that the east and west walls were slightly shorter than the north and south walls. Who could have made such a dumb mistake? Of all the idiotic, nonsensical, worthless, no good, poor excuse for . . . oops, er . . . I had not allowed for the sill plate.

Fortunately, we just added a couple of 2x4's on the top of the east and west walls and voila' they were perfect! We put them in place. Nailed them together. Admired our work and went for a dip in the pond.




Perfect way to cool down and it was only a little after 5:00. Right on time in construction parlance.

So what do you do when you have just had a great day of basketball, framing, pond dipping, and gourmet barbequed salmon? Easy. You eat an exquisite home-made apple pie. Michelle made it as an early Father's Day treat. Boy was it great. I called her the next day to complain, however, that it disappeared. Somehow it evaporated. Pieces seemed to fly out of the pan. I don't know how such a thing could happen, but it sure enough did. I think she needs to work on pie that lasts longer or has more pieces. It was delicious. (Hmmm, I wonder if Mary Lee got any.)