Category: Fourre-tout

There were four renowned “shooters” in the club, but he ruled out two of them right off the bat. There was too much bad blood between them and himself. That left only two: “Le Gros Robert” and “The Corsican”.

As his name indicated, Le Gros Robert was a stout, taciturn fellow endowed with astonishing skills. Unlike other renowned pitchers, he didn’t need undue concentration before firing his shots. He would step to the plate and let his “boules” fly. He was respected for his skills but disliked at the same time for his uncouth demeanor.

The Corsican on the other hand was an irascible, wiry little fellow who could hit a fly forty feet away. No small accomplishment when the average player struggled to hit a target barely thirty feet away. Both of these fellows would make excellent partners but the problem was their testy nature.

Traditionally, the “shooter” is the playmaker orchestrating the team’s strategy. He “suggests” to each player what and when to do it. He is the boss, and you rarely second-guess him.

Dédé was not a real shooter, but he liked to have a say in the strategy he followed, and his partners did not always appreciate this propensity.

In a pétanque game played in a “triplette” formation, each player is allocated two “boules” and has a specific role to fulfill. The “pointer” plays first. His job is to position his boules as closely as possible to the “cochonnet”, the little wooden jack that is the target.

The “milieu” (middle player) takes over when the pointer has played his two boules. He will try to position his boules closer to the cochonnet than those of the opposing team. If the situation demands it, he should also be able to act as a relief shooter.

The “shooter” is the gunslinger, the enforcer. His task is to neutralize the opposition with surgical strikes. But since he has only two shots in his quiver, he must use his boules judiciously. He must decide when to shoot and when to show restraint, and only he will make that decision.

Le Gros Robert was an aggressive player who never hesitated to shoot. The Corsican on the other hand was a more cautious fellow who would think twice before squandering his boules. But none of these two fellows took suggestions kindly. Their decisions were not open to discussion.

Unfortunately, Dédé couldn’t help second-guessing the captain’s decisions, which had led to spirited exchanges in the past. He would have to control himself and keep his mouth shut—even if he knew better. But first, he had to secure the services of one of these two fellows.

He knew that Le Gros Robert was a serious eater and he thought that it would be easier to seduce him than the Corsican; so, he decided to approach him first.

Since Dédé ’s wife was an excellent cook, he resolved to entice Le Gros Robert through his stomach.

Alain

To be continued…

Dédé was passionate about “pétanque”, a quintessential French pastime. He started playing in his native France when he was a kid and took his skills with him when he moved to America. After years of practice, he became a good but not an outstanding player, a subject which weighed on him. He was determined to show his peers that he was capable of greatness.

He always dreamed of having his name engraved on the Cup, a prestigious event held every four years. Some summers, he came tantalizing close to success, but something always got in the way: second-rate partners, biased umpires, rotten luck… Sometimes, he felt cursed.

This year though, he was determined to succeed. But this project would require some finesse and Dédé knew it would not be easy.

This tournament was billed as a “select mixed triplette,” meaning that at least one woman had to be part of this three-person formation.

Winning that cup was no small achievement, and contenders came from far and wide to vie for the honor of having their names etched on the prestigious trophy. There were to be no cash prizes, but money was of little importance when compared with the glory of being publicly recognized by your peers.

To achieve his goal, Dédé had to secure solid partners, and this would require some subtlety. He viewed himself as a good player, but this alone was insufficient. Not only did he have to obtain the services of a solid “shooter”, but he also had to entice a woman to play with him, and this was one of the many challenges he had to overcome.

The “misogynous” label that stubbornly clung to his back didn’t help. Women had the unfortunate knack of remembering past slights, and only a precious few would be disposed to forgive and forget. But he was a reliable player he kept telling himself, and some women might be willing to forget past derogatory remarks to achieve their ambitions

Securing a good “shooter” would also be difficult. In the small world of pétanque, skilled shooters were celebrities, and very conscious of their lofty status. They also had a sizable ego and didn’t care to endanger their reputation by associating with minor players.

This undertaking could be difficult… Just like asking a pretty girl for a date…  with the ever-present possibility of being turned down… But sometimes you must eat crow to become a prince.

And the hell with humiliation! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. He could be charming with a lady if the situation demanded it. He could also be very persuasive with men, even if their stars shone brighter than his.

So, he started his stealthy campaign.

Alain

To be continued…

 

“On average, women live longer than men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the life expectancy for women in the United States is 79.3 years, compared to 73.5 years for men (as of 2022). This gap is consistent across most countries worldwide.” 

It is a well-documented fact that, worldwide, there are more elderly widows than widowers. Interestingly, though, women often cope with the loss of a partner better than men. Why might this be?

In many relationships, some women may feel a sense of subservience or suppression, which can lead to a buildup of unfulfilled desires or ambitions. For some, the loss of their spouse, while painful, can also bring a sense of liberation—a chance to pursue interests and activities they previously set aside.

Additionally, women tend to have stronger social networks. This support system helps them navigate grief more effectively. Sisterhood, a shared sense of solidarity among women, has historically responded to societal challenges. As a result, women frequently maintain close friendships and emotional bonds that provide comfort during difficult times.

Recently, a significant number of our club members have passed away, leaving their wives facing emotional and practical challenges. Rather than succumbing to despair, these women have formed a semi-official group that gathers weekly at different locations to share games, food, and drinks. I deeply admire and support this initiative, which showcases their creativity and resilience.

Interestingly, this “sisterhood” appears more resourceful than what a “brotherhood” might achieve under similar circumstances. Men, in such situations, often suppress their emotions and tend to grieve privately. Their inclination to rely less on social connections can make the grieving process more isolating and challenging.

In contrast, women seem to instinctively understand the value of companionship during difficult times. They know there is strength and comfort in numbers, seeking solace in each other’s company. Isolation, as we know, is harmful to humans and can lead to an even earlier decline.

Women might not have the brawn, but they certainly have the brains to compensate.

“Widows are far better than brides. They don’t tell, they won’t yell, they don’t swell, they rarely smell, and they’re grateful as hell.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein

Alain