Today I spent much of my “holiday”  (official, not actual) working on my bocce court in the blazing Southern sun.  Let me say that it’s days like this that give one an appreciation for manual labour (sic), though no avocation for it, let me assure you.

Know first that this bocce court is actually a 2+ year old “birthday present” from my loving wife, who — in a moment of true inspiration — thought that a bocce court would recall for me both fond memories of New York and my then-recently departed father– who though an Irishman through and through, loved the game like no other.  I was less enthusiastic, having a natural aversion to yard work of any kind, and this was looking more like “yard project” — a far more grim prospect.

The good woman persisted however.  We have a relatively large backyard, and she figured it would fit nicely at the far end, back by the willow trees.   As you might expect, this all ended up in the nightmarish category of  ”never ending project,” where I’ve played the roles of designer, architect, general contractor, and — most recently — landscape engineer.

Mr first problem was that there was a dearth of Italian carpenters in my locale.   Well, “dearth” is a bit of a euphemism… actually, there were none.  There’s a restaurant downtown that has a bocce court, but I think they imported the guys who built it – a middle of the night operation.  What’s more,  the materials called for in the on-line plans we’d procured called for oyster shells and other exotic ingredients not readily available at the local Home Depot.   My loving bride would not be thwarted however, and she found a willing contractor who claimed he’d have no problem following our guidelines.

Never believe a contractor who says that kind of thing, okay?  They always have a problem, somewhere.  This one had all kinds of trouble grading my yard to a flat enough plane to lay out the 60′ court.   Three times he had to come in with the backhoe.   My two year old (at the time) loved it, at least.   After that, everything was “special supervision” on a Weekend Warrior basis– for the love of all green currency and compound interest.

So we finally got the court laid out and the sand, gravel and finally red brick dust (my secret ingredient to replace the “oyster shells” the online plan called for.  Note: I’ve never played bocce on oyster shells, that must be some kind of freaking West Florida bocce or something) placed within the 60 ‘x 10′ two by six pegged planks.   I was the one who personally laid down the brick dust,  after it was deposited by the dumptruck, btw.   I would trust no one else with it.  The old highball throwing Eyetals from Carroll Gardens would’ve been proud of my zen-like focus.

It was a beautiful thing up until the first major rains.   This is when I noted that “the ease of drainage” promised in my plans was a pile of horse.   The only thing that drained easily was my brickdust, down the side of the hill, out of a gaping hole carved by the rain on the lower slope of our planed lower yard.

So that’s been my Spring project this year - re-graveling and then shoring up my bocce court with various landscaping fascia, including, most recently, massive bricks of some unknown ground composite material.  I finished the last of it today, much to my lumbars’ chagrin.   My neighbors only chuckle knowingly at my Quixotic efforts and then go back to their more red-neckish pursuits of “corn-hole” (I do not jest) and deep fried turkey leg gnawing.

Tomorrow, however, we will have our annual Jakegint’s Dad Fourth of July Tournament,  along with Son #2′s 12th birthday.   God and my lower back willing, I will dazzle the locales with my ball curling prowess and it will be all worth it. 

God bless America and the Eyetalians who braved the cold Atlantic and  Ellis Island to bring us the perfect summer ale drinking sport.  Salud, and a Happy Fourth to you all. 

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Here are Wednesday and Thursday’s Jackson Port looks.  Nothing especially egrgegious save MONster, which I may have to cut completely loose upon a break of $70.   As you recall, I’ve a half position right now, and I think it’s so oversold right now, that no bounce here means extreme trouble, and therefore a recommended disposal.  Gold looks like it’s holding up here, which, as I’ve mentioned,  I believe means good things for silver as well.  The non precious metals seem strongest of all.  See my notes for further comment.