It was another beautiful day on Lake Dabinawa. We are experiencing unusually cool temperatures for July. The recent days have been mild, breezy and low in humidity. Which meant, it was a perfect day for being outside near the lake. I spent the entire day outside, beginning with some peaceful time on the dock early in the morning. When the cousins returned from a fishing trip, Tim gave Greg and me a tour of the lake. I enjoyed cruising the perimeter of Lake Dabinawa in the boat. It truly is a beautiful and friendly community. Neighbors waved from their boats or docks as we motored by. I see the advantages of having a private lake to play on.
After a hearty brunch, presided over by our gracious hostess Lisa, we all returned outdoors, where we remained for the day. The youngsters gathered on the boat dock, ready for swimming and tubing, and launching water balloons at passing boats, which is a tradition here on the 4th of July. There was some confusion over whether the parade of boats was today or tomorrow. After filling many balloons with water, the Moore Clan Generation 2 discovered it was officially being held tomorrow. However, several boats launched today, decked out in appropriate party décor, and the kids enjoyed pelting them with balloons, and dodging the return volleys.
I enjoyed observing all their antics from the nearby shade of a large tree as I relaxed in a lounger. Today was one of those days where there was absolutely no need to hurry doing anything or being anywhere. When a game of cornholes started, I moved my chair to a better spot so as to watch this new game. Cornholes is a lawn game, played with two people or two teams. It is also known as bag toss, tailgate toss or corn toss and is played by throwing bags of corn (or beans or chalk dust) at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. A bag that goes through the hole scores 3 points while a bag landing, and sticking, on the platform scores 1 point.
The matches are played with two sets of platforms and two sets of 4 bags. Different colors are used to distinguish the team’s bags. The platforms are 30 feet apart. When teams play, each member of the team stands at opposite platforms. All four players take turns tossing the bags, alternating between the two teams, and the points are tallied for each round. The scoring is interesting. If both players land on the board, or get a bag through the hole, the points cancel each other out. For example, if one player lands a bag on the board and gets one through the hole, that’s 4 points. But if the second player gets identical placement on and through the board, the points cancel each other out. There is no score. If the second player gets a bag through the hole and 2 bags on the board, he ends up with a score of 1, after the other points are cancelled out. The first team to reach 21 points, or for a shorter game, 15 points, wins.
I watched the teams play and thought it looked like a fun game. As a teen, I was the pitcher for a girls slow pitch softball team. I wanted to give it a try. When teams reformed for another tournament, I paired up with Tim Moore and entered into the competition. Although it is not as easy as it looks to hit the board and even more difficult to get a bag through the hole, the game is very fun and challenging. Tim and I made a great team! We advanced through the tournament, taking on new challengers, and defeating them. Each team played best 2 out of 3 rounds, and Tim and I never lost a round. This was primarily because of Tim’s skill! I did okay though, placing a good number of bags through the hole and landing even more on the board. I thoroughly enjoyed the game, the competition and learning something new. Cornholes, and winning the competition with my team mate, Tim, was my first for today.
It was wonderful to spend time with this generous and loving group of people. We all agreed we would not let so much time pass before meeting again. I am grateful for their hospitality, kindness and fun loving spirits. Until next time, Moore Clan, God bless our journeys and bring us back together once more.
