Is it wrong that I’m taking great pleasure from whipping my other half in our weekly Scrabble games in the Barn Mahal?
.
.
Round after round.
.
.
Day after day.
.
.
Do I chortle every time it happens? Yes.
But come on… he skunks me at pool. He murders me at darts. I don’t think I’ve ever beaten him at Monopoly, Risk or chess. But when it comes to contests of trivia or anything word related?
I rule.
.
.
And yes, I take perverse pleasure in the victories.
Since the virus apocalypse has killed our beloved Red Sox season this year, it’s been a struggle to find alternative viewing when we’re in the mood for something competitive.
So imagine my dismay when I realized we’d missed an entire day of stellar sporting events….
Damn it!
You know that was a nail biting, edge of your seat good time.
And if it wasn’t bad enough we missed the spitters?
Yes.
We missed that too.
In fact, we missed an all star line up of great competitions.
Living in Maine affords it’s residents numerous opportunities to attend fabulous competitive events. There are lobster trap runs, belt sander races, frying pan hurls, skiing Santa races, rubber duckie races and pumpkin drops. We even host the North American Wife Carrying contest.
But this year I missed a new one.
I missed it!
The social event of the season…. and I missed it.
Who knew you could have so much fun with a zucchini?
Besides that guy.
And okay, maybe her.
But either way, I missed a stellar event and will have to be sure and mark my calendar for next year.
Last month? It was my first time at a barrel racing competition.
If you know me, you know I’m not the yeehaw rodeo girl type. I don’t do twangy Grand Old Opry music and I’ve never owned a pair of cowboy boots. But the sister of a friend…. who is 53 and recently went through a bad breakup…. did what any lonely single woman does at that age.
She got a horse.
To be precise, she rescued a 17 year old horse who was being neglected and half starved at a highly suspect stable.
It’s been a long slow road back to health, but their bond is strong.
And in just 2 years she’s learned not only how to ride, but how to barrel ride and compete…. so we had to show up in support.
Horses and horse trailers lined the field.
And this darling little fellow who lives at the neighboring farm strolled the grounds looking for handouts and treats.
Clearly I wasn’t the only one who thought he was sweet. This man followed him around with a GoPro and went in for a serious close up.
The event was late in starting…
But her horse was chill… and took a nap.
Our dinner reservations were for 7:15 and the normal competition schedule was switched to let the children’s division go first….. so we only got to see one round with our friend.
She’s still learning, and her horse is still underweight… but she’s getting there.
The bleachers crowd went wild!
Okay, not exactly.
There was one bleacher, and the crowd consisted of one family with a screaming child …. but the 4 legged beggar who found some spilled popcorn looked excited.
Still, it was fun….and we hope to go again when we can stay longer.
Although from the decibel level and type of music that plays constantly in the background?
I might need a cooler full of alcohol next time.
Yes, I thought you might….
Where there's only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.