It’s near midnight, and the air temp is 96 degrees, the pool at 92. Amazing how you get used to how hot it remains longs after dark. I’ve got a little Johnny Walker Red nitecap working, and a small pile of 2 X 8 X 8 planks next to my patio chair. The moon is silvery and full, and I’m taking in the moment for what it is, because one never knows what tomorrow will bring.

It’s just five weeks until Goodboys Invitational weekend and I’m looking forward to seeing the guys almost as much as I’m looking forward to the golf. In past years I’ve put too much emphasis on how well I play; this year I’m just going to try and play as well as I can while simply enjoying the company of a great group of guys.

Maybe it’s the amount of years we’ve done this – this year it will be 24 – or maybe it’s because I’ve really sensed the passage of time and how quickly time seems to be passing now, but Goodboys weekend seems a little more precious to me in some weird way. Oh sure, like every year, come Sunday everyone will be looking forward to getting back to home and hearth after three days with a bunch of adult juveniles, but that’s just another special aspect of what the weekend means. I can speak honestly that I haven’t always been the most sociable of Goodboys when things on the course haven’t gone my way, but I think I’ve kinda gotten over that in the past few years, and that’s a good thing. Which is another reason why I’m so looking forward to seeing the guys again.

After a consult with one of my neighbors, I’ve got the design plans finalized for the Tiki bar / sandbox area do-over. Sure, if it wasn’t for that $#@% cat using the sandbox as a litter box I wouldn’t even be considering this, but it’s also a chance to put my own stamp on one of the previous owner’s main features of our backyard. This weekend I’ll be hitting Lowe’s for the 2″ X 4″ wood that will frame and provide support for the boardwalk, then I’ll measure off how many 2″ X 8″ planks will be needed for the actual boardwalk on top of the frame.

You have to realize, this is by far the most ambitious project I’ve ever undertaken for our yard. Sure, I designed the brick-work and landscaping for our side yard, but I didn’t do the actual work. For the boardwalk, I’m the one who will be doing the actual work, leveling the former sandbox, measuring and picking out the wood, constructing the frame, and (hopefully with the help of the twins) staining and sealing all the planks. It will be a challenge, but it will also be something that if it turns out well will be very self-gratifying.

It seems our new rabbit, Mr. Honeybun, is discovering exactly what life without testosterone is like. This past Monday – one week after he was neutered – was the last day he seemed all mischievous and full of piss and vinegar. These past few days, he still shows signs of being a young rabbit, but his general demeanor seems to be much more laid-back. In a few weeks we’re going to try and hook him up with Cosmo to see if they might bond together as a pair.

Watching the U.S. Open Pinehurst this week has been a blast, especially on our Visio TVs where all the different colors really seem to come alive. But I’m looking forward to the (British) Open Championship, where, next to Augusta National in April, golf watching doesn’t get any better.

Sunday begins monsoon season here in the Valley of the Sun. It’s too early for thunderstorm action, but it’s not that far off. All the more reason to get the Tiki Boardwalk in place.