Another "Diva of Decorating" Moment...

we changed out this...

...as we seriously contemplate moving. 

...for this, to lean a little more into the midcentury modern look...the black recliner had to go.

And we swapped the TV room from this:

...to this:

...to make the it feel a little larger and more open.

When we're actually ready to show the home, it will be all mcm.

My 1956 Philco V-handle will be back in the kitchen...

...where it belongs, but the home itself will be mostly empty.

We'll want folks to walk through and see where their stuff can be, not where our stuff is.

Probably won't be this selling season, but Lord willing, next year.

We've got plenty to do between now and then.

You get to skate this week; no HGU:

My 8 am tee time was rained out.

Thought about channeling my inner Francis Ouimet and playing anyway...

20 yr old Francis Ouimet and his 10 year old caddie Eddie Lowery in the 1913 US Open.  Ouimet shocked the world, playing two great rounds on Friday in the driving rain to force a 3 way tie with 2 of the world's best: the incomparable Harry Vardon and bomber Ted Ray.  Against all odds, Ouimet won by 5 strokes the next day in an 18 hole playoff.

...but I'm currently slogging through a rotten spring cold, so it was pretty much guaranteed it would be a morning of futility and frustration.

Decided I didn't want to pay for that, so pushing it back 'til next week.

Can't wait.

I love the month of May in Michigan!

snowballs in May

Everything bursts into bloom...

spireas showing off their new white blossoms

...as we finally put winter in the rearview and embrace the renewal of spring and summer.

a refreshing dip in the ol' swimmin' hole

But May is also my most medicated month...pollen counts are through the roof and I help support the lavish lifestyles of the makers of Zyrtec and Benadryl on a daily basis.

Looks like summer is happening "up north" at Larry's cottage as well:

...always a sure sign the outdoor season has arrived when the dock goes in the lake.

Welcome, Summer!

Just don't blink; it flies by before you know it...

What are you waiting for?  I say we mount up...

10 points if you can name these famous equestrians without me telling you they're the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame's 1924 football team, nicknamed by famed sportswriter Grantland Rice.  L to R: rt halfback Don Miller, fullback Elmer Layden, left halfback Jim Crowley, and qb Harry Stuhldreher.   Sorry, no points for you!

...and 23 Skidoo:

caught in the act, fleeing the scene

another dr's office painting...he said his wife picked it out; I think she has good taste

should be mandatory for all D's, like the Covid jab was during the disastrous Biden years

love our little Japanese maple tree, soon to be joined by my seasonal fave, tiger lilies

Karen's making good progress on the lower garden...

...and getting started on the upper garden as well

courtyard coming into focus

Years ago an acquaintance and I had a sharp disagreement that ended with him telling me, "you've just made a powerful enemy!"

I remember wondering at the time if that was actually true; had I in fact made a powerful enemy?

As it turned out, I had not.

He was just upset enough at the time to resort to a trite movie cliche that had some bark but in the end, no bite.

It is, however, possible to make a powerful enemy - THE most powerful enemy, and many of us who claim to be Christians do so to our serious detriment.

How?

James tell us in chapter 4:4,

"...know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

When we adopt the morals and mores of the world around us - killing babies in utero is fine; sleeping with whoever/whatever/whenever you want to is healthy -

When we behave like the world does - quarreling, coveting, fighting, envying, lusting -

When we're impressed with price, success and fame, rather than value, hard work and character -

Then we've left off the pursuit of God's calling and have embraced the siren call of the world.

We've become enemies with God.

That's not just dumb, it's dangerous.

Instead of pursuing our own self-destruction, we should heed God's call as given by the Apostle Paul in Romans:

2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

    - Romans 12:2

If the rat race has got you down, stop racing with the rats.

Instead, "...press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

later, mcm fans...

Frank Lloyd Wright Called It...

...the most beautiful car ever made. 

Might be because he never saw a 1956 Venetian Red Corvette...

...but the '41 Lincoln Continental is a beauty in its own right.

Just look at those sleek lines...

Can you picture yourself in the driver's seat?

That's an on the column 3 speed stick shift and get a load of those gorgeous analog gauges.

The doors have push buttons, not handles -

- and they open to reveal a lavish, burgundy leather interior as rich as a movie star's smile:

Tired from the long drive?  Curl up and catch some Z's on the most luxurious couch you ever owned.

All of this opulent elegance is powered down the road by a classic V-12 engine:

That's right, 12 cylinders of Motor City ingenuity back before Detroit lost its mojo and started mass producing boring eggs shaped cars.

I know, you're wondering what kind of gas mileage you can expect with a 12 cylinder, am I right?

Who cares?

It's a 1941 Lincoln Continental!

And at only $60k, it's a steal!

So I figured, why not?

You only go around once in life, might as well make the most of it.

Shipping from California was reasonable, considering the cargo, and I'll be honest, I couldn't be happier with...with this gorgeous...

Huh?

Hold on a sec, Karen's pushing on my shoulder for some reason.

What's the emergency?

Hm...well, you know I don't have my hearing aids in at night so I don't always hear the alarm.

Ok, ok...sorry.

Rats!

It's 6 am already...time to get up.

Ah well...it was a lovely dream while it lasted.

Now you know what you can get me for my birthday.

Did you remember Mom's day?

who's a good boy?  I am!

A dozen red roses - preserved to last several years - along with that Mom's day card on the right.

And the bell on the left?  It's the complement to these:

used crutches from Gateway Mission for $3.99

To celebrate the holiday, Karen had foot surgery, so she's laid up for a couple of weeks.

During that time, she uses the little bell to summon yours truly for all her wants and needs - and they are considerable - along with the crutches to hobble around a bit.

Right now it's a race between Karen becoming mobile again and me removing the little clapper inside that bell.

Turns out I'm one of those hypocrites who prefers talking about the importance of Christlike servanthood more than actually being a servant.

Who knew?

Lucky you - this is all you must endure for my weekly HGU*:

teeing off #1 into a 35 mph crosswind

Tough day on the links.

I play bogey or better wins the hole, higher than that loses the hole.

Today's score was 1 win, 8 losses.

Never short on excuses for my lack of talent and poor play, today I'm blaming the wind:  steady 20mph SW wind gusting 35.

My hickories in their stand blew over at least once on every hole, and most drives turned into hooks or slices depending on the cross winds.

Conditions were mucho annoying and by the 3rd hole I was wondering why I bothered.

Golf is a game, and games are supposed to be fun, right?

This was not fun; will try again next week.

Maybe.

*Hickory Golf Update

Enough of the constant complaining!  Let's 23 Skidoo:

our ducks are back and wondering why the pool isn't open yet

in honor of May 5th, an original composition by Larry entitled, "Cinco de Milo"

Old Dominion clay pipe and leather pipe stand from the good folks at Missouri Meerschaum

moon on the water up at Larry's cottage

Tulip Time is ending and one of the events was a drone show...

...paid for by Hudsonville ice cream, which explains Lady Liberty's new torch

I actually lived in Maine for several years, back when they were just annoying tree huggers.  now they're off the rails Nazis.

the D's should consider changing their mascot from the Jack Ass to the Rattlesnake to better reflect their cultural shift embracing both stupidity and toxicity.

This is the part of the blog where I wax intelligent about some deeply important life lesson and impart useful advice like "never pat a burning dog", or "if the shower stall is already occupied by a boa constrictor, don't step in".

But tonight I'm just tired, and am reminded of something a pastor once told me when he was preparing his sermon:

"I write it all out long hand, walk away and let it sit for a day or two.

"Then I go back and strip out everything that isn't from God, because they don't need to hear what I think; they need to hear what God says."

Pretty good advice, and here's something God says to all of us:

16  Rejoice evermore.

17  Pray without ceasing.

18  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

    - I Thessalonians 5:16-18

later, mcm fans...