Gee... I’ve been working so many hours that I totally spaced out on a 4th of July start to the Summer party. But we just had to have one! So, I just did it!

In the invitation I sent out, I said that the condition to attend was to wear real Summer Tourist garb, and sunglasses are mandatory. And because we're in the middle of a heat wave, I just sent out for Kendall Pond Pizza.

Just a few of us, but - I'm sad to admint this - Sherrie once again kicked out asses pretty good. She was so hot I could have saved the pizza delivery and just cooked one up on her side of the board. She beat me an 8 pointer throwing 3 double 4's in six throws of the dice when I had her locked out and down.

And then, Rick suffered the most stunning defeat of the evening in a 16 point game that had started at 8 after three consecutive throws for first roll were the same die and we flip the cube if that happens. He's going to need therapy, I just know it...

I was so mystified by the whole thing that I only managed to squeeze off a couple of pictures. That's how bad it was. Maybe next time... But, as I wrote Sherrie the next day:

"Ok, so Rick and I have petitioned the Ayatollah to issue a backgammon fatwa on you, girl. You've used up all the doubles a human ought to get so NEXT time, it's all over, baby, but the weeping and nashing of teeth... Oh, yeah... Bring a body bag in the trunk with you next time we do this... I've got toe tags right here..."

Ya... the night just went downhill from the first throw of the dice. I should have just gone in the kitchen and pretended to cook or something for all the good I did thrashing around at the board. But I did have a couple of magical moments but it took full screaming standing throws to make them happen.

Sherrie arrives and wasted no time in getting into battle; she and I squared off right away... Note that she came dressed like a tourist, as was expected in the invitation.

As you can see - despite the despondent downcast to my otherwise cheery attitude due to unconscionable losses to Sherrie all night - I have my Tourist Garb and sunglasses! The banner on the hat says, "I'd Rather Do Sanchin". I probably should have done just that...

This is what was left of all the pizza: nothing! I never met a pizza I didn't like. I also did my best to drown myself in cheap beer. But that didn't work because I'm still here and still smarting from some of the beatings I took from Sherrie.

Now, Rick on the other hand, totally forgot the part about the Summer Garb and sunglasses. Here he sits after dinner, bemoaning his own defeats from Sherrie. It was right after this picture that he took his 16 point loss. We'll probably be organizing a hunt for his body in the woods along I95 in the next few days...

I took this picture of my Sunday night dinner as an after thought. You can see the steam rising from the plate. It reminded me of the steam that must have been coming out from under my ball cap Saturday night as I got hammered by those three double 4s that Sherrie managed to pull that 8 pointer from me in a game that I thought I had sewn up... Ya, right. The only thing that was sewn up was the bag they put me in...

But there's revenge in this picture: the wine is from a great bottle of Pinot Noir that Sherrie had brought with her. Ah kep it, an' in-joyed it 'mensely, thank ya, too much. Went just great with my on the fly dinner of turkey kielbasa cooked with scallions and a blend of spices mixed with a batch of mushrooms that had been presoaking in a secret blend of spices. To this, I mixed in some peas and carrots covered in a sauce of yogurt and diced tomatoes and spices served with a side of steamed brocolli. Yup! That wine went down just fine. I could say sweet revenge, but the only sweet revenge will be over the board... next time...