This week I thought it would be fun to go and visit the Country Clubs that are in Lakeway. Not that I would join any, but I thought it would be fun to go and see what they looked like.
The first is named Yupon. Here is a shot of a fairway with some golf carts on it.
This is the outdoor eating and drinking area. The practice tees are in the background.
This is a shot of the clubhouse lounge. (A step back to the ’60s for sure.)
Here is the pro shop.
The next is Flintrock Falls. Unfortunately, I was stopped at the gate and couldn’t enter. W. C. Fields comment came to mind. “If a club would have me as a member, it’s not worth joining.” Maybe this one is worth joining.
The next is The Hills of Lakeway. This is a shot of the putting green.
This is a photo of the entrance.
Looks like a wedding later.
A shot of the bar and casual dining area
The fifteenth tee.
This water lies between the 18th fairway and the green. I imagine there are a ton of waterlogged balls in there.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. I have to quote Linda Hill exactly on this week’s prompt. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “open book, point, write.” Pick up the closest book to you when you sit down to write your post. Close your eyes, open the book, and place your finger on the page. Whatever word or phrase your finger lands on, write about it. Enjoy!” I have to run off and find a book.
So there you have it. If you would like to join in visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.
To prove my intent here is a photo of the exercise.
“What was that whole point to the book thing you just did?”
“Part of a prompt. Linda made me do it.”
“And if she said to jump off a cliff.”
“Long way down. It would make a good story, though.”
“So what are you going to do with the word Cubans?”
“I could have cheated and said I hit on Cubans from Miami.”
“But knowing you, that is not possible.”
“So I could talk about cigars.”
“Are they legal yet?”
“You can bring them in for personal use, but they are not available in the US.”
“So a story about running cigars might not be that interesting.”
“Yeah. I could also talk about a sandwich.”
“Oh. A good Cuban sandwich can’t be beat.”
“But how much can you say about a sandwich.”
“How about rum.”
“How about ho-hum.”
“Good point. Maybe a discussion about the island itself.”
“Could offer some interest. You know Trump just put the kibosh on travel there.”
“Yeah he did kill the cruise line business there, but there are still a few other ways.”
“Maybe you should talk about them.”
“Well, there are eleven categories still allowed. Most everyone would fit the one that calls for support of the Cuban people.”
“What’s that?”
“You have to promise to stick to people-oriented events and not support the government or military events.”
“That seems easy.”
“It remains to be seen. Don’t forget cruise lines could deliver thousands of folks to the island at one time. Now all those folks will have to find there own way there.”
“How we supposed to ruckus tied up like this, Lucy?” “The Boss wants out feet to stay out of the mud Little One. A couple days and the ground will be dry again.”
Friday has graced us with another visit to usher in the weekend. We finally got to see the first iteration of the landscape plan. We didn’t have any significant adjustments. Next week the architect and foreman will be taking a close look at access and amount of work so an estimate can be put together. We, of course, are anxious to get the mud covered but need to allow the process to move forward at its own pace.
Here is a shot of the plan.
I know it’s hard to see, but you can get the idea that there is an area of patio to the left and an area of grass to the right. The patio area features crushed granite and black star gravel stone borders. The grass is pretty much grass so the dogs can run.
Today’s John Ku talks about what makes a house a home. I hope you all have a delightful weekend.
“There are some stairs so we can get on the bench that’s there.”
“Harrumph. Never met a bench I couldn’t jump up on.”
“But I can get up and look for deer.”
“You better be careful, Little Potato. You know what Mom and the Boss feel about barking at deer.”
“Ugh. These stars are too soft for me.”
“I remember about the deer. It doesn’t hurt to look.”
“That’s true. Hey, there are no deer out there.”
“We have to wait.”
“For heaven’s sake. I have better things to do than wait for deer. Besides they come later. Let’s go play.”
“Okay, Lucy. You always know what’s best.”
“The moral of the story sweetheart is to wait until the dogs get bored then calmly walk down the drive.”
“How long till they get bored, Mama?”
“Oh, maybe three minutes is all.”
“Maybe there will be deer this afternoon, Little One.”
“Yeah, maybe. I did think I could detect their essence though.”
“Phantom olfactory response, Twiggy.”
“I guess. It seemed so real.”
Seventy-five years ago today the invasion of France to free Europe took place. We should remember the greatest generation who gave so much for the freedom we enjoy today.
“Twiggy. Where are you?” “Mmmmm. Waiting for Friday.” “On the couch?” “Where else?”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were glad to see Larry had stopped the thugs trying to kill Andrew and him. Since he had to use lethal force, Larry was very concerned about how the local police would react to the shooting in their jurisdiction. Larry took some time to brief Andrew and to caution him to tell the truth. Larry did get hit, and Andrew gets him to lay down. We could hear the sirens in the distance. We better get back as there seem to be three patrol cars arriving on the scene.
“They are here, Andrew. Remember no lies.”
“Got it.”
“So what ‘s going on here.”
“Hi, officer. My name is Larry Dunfee, and we work for the Boston police department.”
“The police department, huh? What role do you play there?”
“I’m a detective in the homicide division, and Andrew here is my associate.”
“Got any ID?”
“Yeah, it’s under my gun on the hood over there.”
“Okay, I have it. And yours if you would be so kind, Mr. uh.”
“Cummings. Andrew Cummings. Here is mine as well.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cummings. I see you are a doctor.”
“That’s right. A forensic pathologist.”
“So, you’re a ME.”
“Used to be. I retired.”
“I see. And Mr. Dunfee. You are active duty with the Boston PD?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Mind telling me what you are doing in Reno besides shooting people I mean.”
“I didn’t get your name, Officer.”
“Oh, excuse me. Sergeant Thomas sir.”
“Well, Sergeant Thomas, Andrew and I are following a homicide case. One of the persons of interest spent some time in South Lake Tahoe, and we were headed there.”
“I can see you are going to need medical attention, Mr. Dunfee. We have called for an ambulance. Before you leave though I wonder if you could tell me the circumstances around how those two guys in the turned over SUV came to be shot.”
“The short story is while on the freeway, those guys pulled up alongside and started shooting. I got hit. We pulled off and slid down the berm to the access road.”
“That was no small feat. Go on.”
“We were here when that SUV came at us. I felt that we were in fear for our lives, so I opened up on them.”
“Yessir. I would say you are a pretty good shot. You use the Glock on the hood?”
“Yes, I did.”
“You armed Mr. Cummings?”
“No. No, I’m not.”
“Here are your ID’s gentlemen. I see the ambulance is here. I have one more question before you go.”
“Yes, but before you ask. I need to tell Andrew to follow in the car.”
“Okay, Larry. I’ll do that.”
“Also, Mr. Cummings, please do not leave the area without letting us know.”
“Why’s that officer?”
“This is an active investigation, and you are a material witness.”
“Oh, I understand.”
“You had one more question officer.”
“For right now. I’ll be talking to you again in the hospital.”
“What’s the question?”
“What makes you think the occupants of that particular SUV were trying to kill you?”
“It looked like the same one that started shooting. It was coming straight for us.”
“They didn’t shoot as they were coming?”
“No. I felt they were going to though.”
“You felt?”
“Look, officer. Those thugs for reasons unknown were trying to kill us. Did you see the semi-automatics in the vehicle?”
“Not personally, no.”
“Well go look then.”
“The other officers have the scene secured. I don’t have to see them.”
“At least talk to them. I don’t like your line of questions.”
“It’s my job, Mr. Dunfee. I cannot make assumptions. I’m just collecting information. The investigating team will draw any conclusions.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way. I would like you to verify that the weapons are there. I need to have someone as a witness to that fact.”
“Very well, Mr. Dunfee. I’ll call them. One Tango ten to twelve.”
“Twelve here. Go ahead.”
“You guys see any semi-automatic weapons in the SUV.”
“Yeah, there are two. Along with enough ammo to start a war.”
“Thanks, ten out. Okay, Mr. Dunfee. You satisfied that we all know those guys were carrying?”
“Yes, Sergeant Thomas.”
“Here are the medics. Have a good trip. One of our team will be talking to you at the hospital. Like Mr. Cummings, I would appreciate you not leaving the area without informing us. Here is my card.”
“Using this photo (Below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The anniversary of the first written record of Scotch Whisky appears in Exchequer Rolls of Scotland in 1495. It is recorded that Friar John Cor is the distiller. What is not recorded is how the folks at the time reacted to this new development. Just in case time travel becomes a reality here is a list of Things Not to Do as you visit this new development. It is hoped it will keep you out of trouble or more importantly causing a tear in the time continuum that might preclude the development of this beneficial elixir. (gasp) So if you are going, take this list and be careful. You will have the benefit of all humankind in your hands.
10 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not ask for your portion on the rocks. If you do, at best no one will understand you. At worst, your host will think you odd but will add some stones to your chalice. (Ignoring the fact that you don’t know where these rocks have been, Hid you need to smile and drink your portion. Yeah, overlook those little floating bits at the top.)
9 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not forget to tip Tiny the WWF champ who is an usher at Lindores Abbey in Fife. If you do, at best Tiny will make sure you miss the tasting by ten minutes. At worst, Tiny who just finished losing his jousting match will view your oversight as a vote for his opponent. (Now you have gone and done it, Hilton. Tiny is still trying to recover his self-esteem, and that piece of silver would have gone a long way. Might as well relax during the spinning body drop. It only hurts for a little while.)
8 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not be confused by the description ‘aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt.’ and ask out loud ‘where’s the Scotch whiskey?’ If you do, at best everyone will be confused. At worst, the guards will be ordered to take you to the tower for a few questions like, ‘How long have you practiced witchcraft?’ (Might be best to tell the guards you have the flu and were out of your head with fever, Hiram. That rack looks like it might be painful.)
7 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not attempt to get on your horse to ride back to the inn after you’ve sampled a few flagons of Brother John Cor’s invention. If you do, at best you’ll realize it is not the thing to do. At worst, you and your horse will eventually be pulled over by James IV’s guards and booked into the dungeon. ( Apparently, there is a law against riding under the influence (RUI), Holland. Now you are going to have a permanent record on file.)
6 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not ask for chips and salsa to go with your portion. If you do, at best you’ll get a joint of mutton. At worst, the king’s chef will demand to know how to make this chips and salsa thingy you requested. (Looks like this guy is a relative of Tiny the way he keeps swinging that butcher knife around, Holman. You know how to make it right? If not, you know how to run, don’t you?)
5 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not volunteer when Brother John Cor talks about a smoke. If you do, at best you’ll have helpers to fetch the peet. At worst, everyone else knows John Cor is not talking about a doobie but needs more peet to fire up his malting operation. (That peet operation is dirty and sweaty, Homayoun. You gotta dig bricks of it and carry it five miles to the abbey. You want to avoid this if at all possible. Of course, now it is too late. Better hit the time machine and disappear.)
4 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not ask for a jug to go. If you do, at best John Cor will think you are joking. At worst, he will try to find something to house the scotch. (Sadly all he can find is an earthen pot that was used to feed the dog, Honon. Your first sip at home will let you know that the dog’s primary food source was whatever the humans didn’t want. Your scotch now has the essence of hog entrail with a finish of fish head.)
3 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not suggest putting the whiskey aside for twelve years. If you do, at best all the king’s men will laugh you off the island. At worst, John Cor will. take your suggestion, and there will be no scotch before it’s time. (Your only worry now, Hormheb is how to avoid ten thousand archers, lancers, swordsmen, catapult operators, and knights for the next twelve years. Yeah, I didn’t think you wanted to try. Hit the way back machine.)
2 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not try to explain soda to John Cor. If you do, at best he will be confused. At worst, he will be offended that you think his product needs enhancement. (You can stop singing the song ‘Scotch and soda, mud in your eye, baby do I feel high, oh, me oh, my,’ Hosea. John is still not going to unlock that dungeon door.)
1 If you witness the mention of Scotch whiskey in 1495, do not put on a tartan kilt without knowing its history, If you do, at best no one in the abbey is at war with the clan represented by what you are wearing. At worst, you picked the tartan of the most aggressive clan on the island. (You have two choices, Houman. Either pick up that broad sword and start defending yourself or drop the kilt and try to convince those advancing Scots that you were just joking. Maybe the fact that you don’t wear underwear under a kilt will underscore your claim of a joke.)
We are glad you can join us today. We are going to return to the Hurst Creek/Hamilton Greenbelt again. We are walking to the Sailmaster Waterfall which I have never seen. Have water? Okay let’s go
Here is the entrance.
The wildflowers in June along the way are spectacular.
This a restful little waterfall where I could imagine taking a break and enjoying the sound of the babble of the creek as it cascades over the rocks.
There’s a signpost up ahead. Welcome to the Sailmaster Waterfall zone.
Hurst Creek runs slowly to meet a spillway. These waterlilies had tons of closed yellow blossems waiting for the sun.
You can see the spillway at the right in the background. The waterlilies were to the right of the spillway.
One section of the falls
The same section from a tree framed viewpoint
The Producer took this shot of the falls from a lower viewpoint.
The same viewpoint only closer.
On the way back, we came across a doe.
And two mallard ducks not stopping their grooming.
I hope you enjoyed the View today. Have a great week.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again and this week’s prompt is “silent/silence. Let’s let Linda Hill explain. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “silent/silence.” Use one or both in your post. Have fun!”
Ah yes, the old order to have fun. If you would like to have fun with a prompt visit, Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
“Stop. Your singing reminds me of fingernails on a blackboard.”
“Because a vision softly creeping.”
“You invited me over. Stop, or I’m leaving.”
“Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence. Okay, I’m done.”
“What’s up with the Song of Silence?”
“Well you know today is Stream of Consciousness Saturday.”
“Yes. Isn’t every Saturday the same.”
“Yes. This week I thought I would do something different.”
“Oh, like the rest of your crowd won’t think about this song.”
“Yeah, I think they will.”
“So what’s so different?”
“I sang the first stanza.”
“Yeah, so.”
“Now I have let loose and earworm that will take over the population.”
“You are nuts. You know that?”
“Tell me you don’t hear that song.”
“Okay I do, but it won’t last long.”
“In restless dreams, I walked alone.”
“Ouch.”
“Narrow streets of cobblestone.”
“I get it. Stop.”
“‘Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.”
“Let me try. And in the naked light, I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.”
“Gotcha.”
“People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence. Help me.”
“Naw. You are doomed. See you next week. Good luck getting rid of that one.”
“You know, Lucy it is Friday, and there is a whole world out there.” “Full of mud, Little One. Full of mud.”
Another week has gone by, and Friday is here already. Seems too quick sometimes.
We are feeling that the end of the line regarding getting the house settled is in sight. The Producer is at the accessory stage of selection. The necessary items have all arrived. We had an outdoor chair that needed a part replaced, but that is pretty much it. The last thing for my office is on its way, so maybe next week I can give you a look.
Landscaping is still in the design phase. The rain brings mud, and we are getting anxious. As they say, “All things come to he who waits.”
Today’s JohnKu talks about getting back to the WIP. It is a message meant for me alone. I hope you all have a great weekend.
