Today we are going to Muse about Croquet. If this is your first visit, welcome to Musings. If you have been here before, welcome back. Over time we are going to talk about many things: the past, the present, perhaps the future, travel, art, society and more. Wherever my musing takes me. I hope you will come along with me.
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Not a golfer
Growing up I was never into sports. The only sport-like activity I remember was ping pong and pool. Many hours were spent in those pursuits.
In my late fifties I met Jeanette. She is a golfer and loves the sport. I thought to myself “that is something we could do together” and I decided to take it up. I did it for five years and was never very good. I was also not good to be with. If I made a bad shot I would get surly, not enjoying the game and spoiling it for anyone with me. Finally one bad day it came to a head and I said to myself, “Enough! I hate this. I make others feel bad. I am not doing this anymore.”
And I quit and haven’t played it since.
But I needed something to do.
And, so . . . Croquet
At our club there are croquet lawns. I had played backyard croquet once or twice growing up but that was all. These courts were obviously more serious than the game we played as a child.
Years earlier a friend, Dwight Mayer, had invited a number of us to the courts and showed us some aspects of the game. He was trying to get us involved, but at the time I did not want to devote the free time I had on the weekends to any one thing.
Now, though, I thought, perhaps this is something I would enjoy. I bought and read the book, Croquet the Sport by Jack R. Osborn.
And about this time another friend, Carl Sturges, a croquet player, took me under his wing and gave me lessons.
Time has passed and croquet has become an important social connection for both Jeanette and me. We have friends across the country and in Mexico because of croquet. Recently we played in a tournament in New Jersey. There were players from several states in addition to New Jersey: Florida, California, Massachusetts, New York that I know of. Probably more. Some of the players were new to us but there were a number we knew from previous tournaments.
Croquet is a low impact sport in which women and men compete as equals. The key is skill and strategy. As much as anything it is a mind game. Properly played the contestant will be thinking three and four turns ahead, trying to anticipate the plays the opponent will make and how to defend from them and capitalize on them. It has been likened to chess and billiards played on a lawn.
Florida is the home of the National Croquet Center, the largest croquet facility in the country. It is located in Palm Beach County where there are at least eight croquet clubs. So we have it pretty good where I live.
If you have an interest you can contact the United States Croquet Association (http://www.croquetamerica.com) and see which clubs are in your area. They also have schools and a list of tournaments held around the country.
Art Work
On the commercial side, I have used the game as a subject of some of my art work. Here are some examples:
More to come
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Thomas-Tribby.pixels.com is now offering I Phone Cases, Coffee Mugs, Throw Pillows, Greeting Cards, Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Shower Curtains, Duvet Covers , Yoga Mats, Tote Bags,Women’s T Shirts, Men’s T Shirtsand more with reproductions of my artwork. If you want to check them out, here are the steps:
- 1. Click on this link: thomas-tribby.pixels.com.
- 2. Click on one of the categories in the menu bar at the top: Wall Art, Home Decor, Lifestyle, Stationery or Apparel. It will list a number of options.
- 3. Click on option.
- 4. Click on image and a sizing slide will open allowing you to adjust the image to the way you like it..
Have fun.
My work is available as traditional prints on canvas, paper or metal, but it also available on greeting cards, phone covers, tote bags, shower curtains, t-shirts and more. It makes for some very personalized gifts. Below is the link to the site. I hope you like it.
Click on: thomas-tribby.pixels.com
For information about these or other original works of art, please feel free to contact us:
