Crocquet

Since the advent of video games, the mere idea of any outdoor, physical activity, for children and adults alike, seems to be fading rather quickly. Very quickly! (And we wonder why there's an obesity problem among today's youth.) 

Looking through the Restoration Hardware catalog recently, I came across these outdoor games that my cousins and I spent hours, usually at my grandmother's, playing until we were made to come inside. With summer coming soon, these games would indeed be a great addition to any family's game night.

Badminton

Lawn Bowling

Horseshoes

Bocce Ball

I just got back from archery class, which is down the street from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. I haven't been in a few weeks, so my arms are just a tad bit sore.

Because I was never a Boy Scout, when I came across an ad, a few months back, for the Pasadena Roving Archer,  I thought that it would be great fun to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow. Honestly, maybe I was more intrigued at being allowed to shoot an apple off of someone's head. You know, someone like an ex-girlfriend or an annoying co-worker. Come to find out, though, requests like these are surprisingly frowned upon at the range. Can you believe that? Well, at least the "Granny Smith" that I'd taken along, made for a hearty snack. 

My first time there was interesting. After an hour and a half training class, the beginners (me and a bunch of twelve year olds!) were finally allowed to shoot up the town. Okay, more like the bulls-eye target perched on a haystack from ten yards away, but you get the idea. The staff at Pasadena Roving Archer is extraordinarily knowledgable, as well as, patient and friendly. I've only been about 7 or 8 times, but each time it's been a great deal of fun and good to see a fair number of parents participating  with their children. (Age requirement = 10 and up)

Be be sure to get there by 8:15 on Saturday morning to claim equipment and a spot. The first lesson is FREE and $5.00, thereafter.

    One of the earliest and best memories I have is of me, at 7, standing at the bathroom   sink   "shaving"
alongside my father. Of course, my razor was acrylic and without an actual blade, but it still offered the thrill of  performing "big boy" activities. Much to my father's chagrin, he quickly realized that the best part of this ritual for me was furiously shaking his can of Barbasol  Shaving Foam and lathering up - so much so that  surely my face must have resembled that of a snow-capped mountain (or Frosty). After nearly drowning in foam  that very first time, I quickly learned that it was not  necessary to have the foam creep upwards past my eyebrows and outwards towards my ears. But, oh what fun I had!

This Sterling Silver Razor & Brush Set from The Art of Shaving, while stunning, is definitely for the man who doesn't look at price tags (or, at least, his wife/girlfriend doesn't, should she decide to surprise him with this amazing gift.) Originally priced at $3,400.00, I just looked at the website and it's good to know that the set has been gently reduced to $1,700.00. (Whatever became of the cost efficient disposable Bic razors?) I don't know if it's because I started my grooming regimen so terribly early, but over the years I've come to absolutely loathe the tedious task of shaving. But of course, maybe if I had a sterling silver razor and brush set, then...