The Washed Out Summer Of 2023 Enjoyed In Half-Day Increments
Cornhole. What's Cornhole? Perhaps a more pertinent question is the reason for Cornhole. I stumbled upon this North American lawn game one March evening at an outdoor pizza truck in Williston, Florida. It seemed a suitable means of socializing without the burden of conversation. I could mingle with the chatter of others while honing my motor skills, evading the necessity of active discourse, yet escaping the charge of antisocial behavior.
I departed Williston, the alligators, the air-conditioned winter months, and Cornhole itself, retracing my steps 1,200 miles north to Wolfeboro. After a balmy winter, where each day soared past 80 degrees, Wolfeboro and the Lakes Region greeted me with a damp summer, demanding enjoyment in half-day increments. Whenever the sun graced us with its presence, Lake Winnie would burst to life, reminiscent of the fleeting moments caddies enjoyed in the pool in the cinematic classic Caddyshack. The mere mention of the film ages me, casting me backwards to the last century. If you've yet to experience Caddyshack, it's high time you embarked on that cinematic voyage.
Braggin Rights
A month or so ago, I received a cryptic text message from a friend. The message extended an invitation to partake in Cornhole, followed by a shared dinner. A brief investigation revealed that this wasn't a casual, one-off Cornhole gathering; it entailed an eleven-week commitment, culminating in a championship duel on November 2nd. There were awards to be had, even a peculiar toilet trophy for the team with the poorest record. My wife and I may find ourselves in contention for that dubious honor after the annihilation we suffered in last night's contests. It was a dismal performance, to say the least.
As we bid our adieus, the organizer posed a question: “Did you have fun?” A straightforward question, meriting a simple response: yes, I had fun. Last night marked the third, or was it the fourth week? The road to Cornhole excellence demands dedication. I'm almost inclined to vie for that toilet trophy, if only for the bragging rights it affords. Aspiring to be the worst player demands no exertion whatsoever. However, the true reward lies in the authentic social interaction. The participants are a likable company, a mixture of skilled and competitive individuals. Perhaps it's time I devoted myself to some earnest practice.
