A Game Afternoon

(Just a quick note:  If you are landed here because of a comment I left on your book blog, you might be more interested in my review blog, Carstairs Considers.  But you are very welcome to stick around here, too.)

A couple weeks ago, I got a text from my former roommate Josh.  (Second former roommate Josh for anyone keeping track.)  We'd texted recently that he and his wife had bought a house back on my side of town and they'd like to hang out sometime.  But this text was inviting me to a monthly game afternoon.  I hesitated for a few reasons, but I decided I really wanted to go.

And I had a great time.  They were the only people I knew when I arrived, but that wasn't really an issue.  We played a couple of different games that were fun.  I even was on the winning team twice.  Plus, it was fun to catch up with them.

This is going to be a monthly thing they are hosting, and I'm already looking forward to going back next month.

A Festive Fourth

(Just a quick note:  If you are landed here because of a comment I left on your book blog, you might be more interested in my review blog, Carstairs Considers.  But you are very welcome to stick around here, too.)

I had a good 4th of July.  Of course, I'd gone paddle boarding that Saturday.  (So far, haven't missed a weekend).  I would have had to pay to park and launch if I went on a holiday, so I skipped that on the holiday itself.  But my friend Ginger invited me over to hang out with her family and friends.  It was mostly family.  And it was nice.

Nothing too exciting.  Mainly just hanging out and chatting.  It was chilly for us for the 4th (mid-80's), but people still got in the pool.  I'll admit, I didn't spend long in there.

Since I go to a small church, I've known most of her family for years, but it's been nice getting to hang out with them more.  This is the third time I've gone over there on a holiday this year, so we are building more friendships than just saying "Hi" in church.

On Board with Paddle Boarding

(Just a quick note:  If you are landed here because of a comment I left on your book blog, you might be more interested in my review blog, Carstairs Considers.  But you are very welcome to stick around here, too.)

I don't think I've talked about paddle boarding much here.  I might have mentioned it last year when my friend Ginger first invited me to join her just about a year ago.  I loved it.  Not that I'm surprised.  I've always loved the water, and often wished to do something like that.  I went with her again last fall, then a couple of times in the spring.

But here was my problem.  I wanted to be able to go more often, and she had other friends who liked going as well.  So, I bought my own.  I arrived just before Memorial Day, and I've been out on it every weekend since.

There's a lake about 30 minutes from my front door, and that's where I've taken it so far.  I do a loop of the lake, which takes about an hour if you are paddling steadily, or longer if you take some breaks to enjoy it.  I bought the parking and launch passes, so I'm set for the year.

So far, I'm more of a sit down paddle boarder, although last weekend, I did kneel most of the time I was out there.  My lack of balance comes into play when I try to stand.  I really only did it once, but I wound up in the water pretty quickly.  Others, I've gotten half way up and started to wobble, so I went back down.  We'll see if I wind up standing more or not.  I'm more interested in the paddling and being on the water than in standing.  I want to have something in my life that is just fun and I'm not trying to get better at.