What do I think?

Made in U.S.A., golf, and bitter-batter

by Barry Bauer

Boy, have I got a shocker for you! Because of our recent purchase of a new outdoor gas grill and because it’s bigger, we had to buy a new cover for it. We were in Wal-Mart and looked at some, but we didn’t buy any right then. After measuring our grill I went back and bought the biggest one they had. It wasn’t until I got home with it that I noticed that it was “Made in U.S.A.” I have to admit, I wasn’t looking for that at Wal-Mart.

It’s a good thing I was sitting down when I saw it. The manufacturer is Allen Company, Inc. of Broomfield, CO.

I know that’s a very tiny baby step for Wal-Mart to carry products made in this country, but it’s a start in the right direction.

* * *

Last Friday I went out golfing for the first time this year. It wasn’t pretty. Our cast of characters were Joe Yurek, Lanny Fisher, Ron Horning and me. The first ball I hit went straight down the middle and further than anybody else’s. That isn’t saying much because the air was so heavy the ball wasn’t traveling well for any of us.

As for the opponents pitching onto the green, if it’s short Ron is fond of yelling, “Bite.” Or if it’s long he yells, “Release.” Ron is very competitive in a funny sort of way. He’s also a very good golfer. He’s only let me beat him a handful of times.

My pitches around the green were more like drives. It takes me a while to get back whatever touch I have around the green.

* * *

Dan Glardon – auctioneer

We watched and listened to some of Bernard Neller’s auction sale. We wondered how the sale got over with so quickly until we learned there were two auctioneers going at the same time. One out in the front and one in the back.

Betty asked me how the buyers know what the bid is. I told her that I didn’t know about anybody else, but I ignore all that bitter-batter stuff and just listen for numbers. We didn’t hear any, “Sold American” stuff either.

Bernard has a toy sale coming up in July. There are a few Lionel train sets involved which means I’d better stay home.

* * *

Our garden is tilled now thanks to Gale Rowell and without an incident. No longer am I being dragged across the backyard yelling, “Whoa mule, Whoa.” We already have our cucumbers and red potatoes planted, and we added three more June bearing strawberry plants behind the garage. Strawberries eventually spread by sending out runners, but we’re trying to speed it up a little. Who doesn’t love Strawberry Shortcake on a summer’s day?

In the first year we’re supposed to pinch off any strawberries that set so the nutrients go to the plant. My way of doing that is to take a pair of Edward Scizzorhands shears and wack them off.

Need some work done on your hedges? Call 1-555-1212.

Until the next time . . .