Alternated between being busy and lazy today, but the latter part of the day was really busy. Then we had an episode of drama on the tennis courts, worthy of a reality TV show. Yikes.
Mike and I went to the BB&B sale at the church. They had some terrific bargains. They also had a silent auction going on in the parish hall, with many gift cards on auction, and some nifty art objects. Outside, they allowed some artist and craftspeople to set up, although I assume they paid something to the church. They had really nice stuff in the outside booths, but it wasn't cheap. I picked up a necklace thinking about Mother for Christmas, but it was $45. Wow. All I found I couldn't live without was a wooden trivet in the shape of a crab, for $1.50. I kind of collect crab things now.
Michael and I went for a ride, and talked. With the weather nice and the leaves starting to turn, it's good weather for cruising around a bit. Mike asked me the funniest question. He asked me if I could teach him how to talk like he's from New Jersey. He had been watching this clip, of comedian Mike Marino, which we all thought was hysterical. I explained that here in the SOUTH, not too many folks talk like that. He thinks it's very cool. I said OK, I will try and teach you a little Jersey, kiddo. I looked at him and lowered my voice and said "How you doin'?!" and he smiled. "I can't do that." I sighed. "Sure you can, Michael, listen and imitate me - how you doin?" I tried it several times. He wouldn't even attempt it. I tried explaining that I'm so good at accents because I have a musical ear. I can imitate anyone, any accent. I tried to get him to let me give him a few singing lessons, just to train his ear, but no dice. Wouldn't even agree with me that singing is a great way to impress girls. Maybe I'm glad he isn't worried about that, however...
Michael's last tennis match of the season was this afternoon. Things went fine. We were able to get all 4 of our matches [2 singles, 2 doubles] over pretty quickly. However, there was a distraction. The courts are sort of in a half moon around a covered tennis hut area with benches around the edges and a picnic table in the middle. I generally sit at the table so I can see most of what's going on. There were two grown men playing in the center court. They were playing when I got there and had dibs on the court, which wasn't an issue. My issue was one of the men had a foul temper, and every time he lost a game he had a little temper tantrum. His opponent was a black guy who was a really good player, and kept his calm just beautifully, which must've been difficult. The white guy was a good player, but he would yell, cuss, talk to himself, throw his raquet on the ground - just acting like a jerk.
Finally, all our boys were through, and Michael and two of his friends were just casually hitting balls in a court next to where the grownups had just finished playing. Tantrum guy stormed off his court to a bench, cussing and ranting, and threw his raquet against the low fence between his court and where Michael was - and if he had aimed a tad bit higher he would've hit Michael. Michael just froze. One of the other team's mommies, a tiny blonde lady, hollered at tantrum guy and said "HEY! That was uncalled for. There are CHILDREN here, buddy." I wanted to hug her. We had all been buzzing about his behavior. As soon as she said that I looked at Tantrum Guy and realized that Colton and Matthew were standing there laughing out loud at the guy's antics. They weren't shocked or traumatized - they thought he was ridiculous. He clearly saw them. I think that put him in his place better than anything.
I told Michael later, if he had hit Michael with that raquet I would've gotten mideval on his butt. Colton would've too. If Tantrum Guy wants to break his raquet that's his business but I won't stand for someone hurting my son.
I invited Colton to come over and eat dinner with us and watch a movie. I got home and realized, the meat I had bought to fix was turned. I have to start freezing the meat for the latter half of the week. So I just fixed macaroni and cheese, but I jazzed it up with some chopped onion and peppers, and ham. It was very tasty. The boys ate well.
Now that the season has ended, I've got to find Michael somewhere to play tennis, but money is so tight it's going to be tough...
