The Court at Apple Valley

So...hot! Can't...understand...directions...

Must be the "summer of the mint" (sing that line to Donovan's "Season of the Witch"). My fourth and final racquet sport to master. Because, well, I have mastered tennis, squash, and ping-pong. I routinely lose to my 47 year old friend John at tennis, and several 60-somethings at squash on a regular basis. Anyway, back to mint.

There I was, at my folks place in the Bay, and after reading another bleeding heart liberal essay in The New Yorker about Americans and the waste that lawns are-economically and environmentally- I decided to design my second badminton court of the summer.

The Court at Apple Valley

Owner: Dad (his neighbor Rich owns about a third (but not the net!)

Badminton Pro: Me

Best Player: Me

Court Designer: Me

Hey, wait. I'm seeing a pattern here.

Court Builder: Me (OK, Dad mowed but the whole time he was wondering what the hell he was doing out there)

Best Drop Shot: Brian Hawk

Coolest Overall Minton Player: Brian Hawk

Best Doubles Team: Chris and Brad

Best Mixed Doubles Team: Brian, Me, and Elsa with her water balloons

Worst Server Without a Doubt: Brad

Old Style Beer Preservationist: Brian Page

Best Afternoon Napper: Ben

Just watched Olympic Badminton and we have a ways to go, but only athletically. We have the spirit! THE MINT SPIRIT!