Wimbledon at The Emerald

Though we'd been forced to cancel our weekly women's doubles that morning due to smokey conditions from the wildfires in Pender County, The Empresses gathered at the Emerald Empire yesterday for lunch and to watch the broadcast of a couple of Wimbledon matches (we didn't always stand with our backs to the TV, as pictured).  For dessert, we enjoyed strawberries and cream, with scones, just as they do at Wimbledon itself.  Thanks to Empress Judy for arranging this pleasant get-together.

 Happy 4th of July.  Let's hope for more fireworks, less smoke.

Guess who

Okay, guess which Empress said this:

"Guess we'll be watch the men's quarterfinals.  

If the tennis isn't good, their bodies probably will be!"  
 

Fit for an Empress?

What do y'all think of this warm-up jacket?   Should we see if the pro shop could stock them?

Perhaps with a golf ball version, too, for our two-sport members?

Bethanie Mattek Sands at Wimbledon

Top Ten Reasons to Play Tennis at The Emerald

10.  Empress Pat is a nurse (in case you fall down while warming up).
9.    Even if your game doesn't improve, your morale will.
8.    The net on Court 1 is so low, you can hardly miss.
7.    Reliable pet care advice.
6.    Your match will never, ever, ever, ever get rained out.
5.    Convenient to Harris Teeter AND Pinecone Perennials.
4.    You can play year-round, if you have gloves and a tank top.
3.    Tennis balls seem to multiply there (ask Empress Gail).
2.    Parties.
And the #1 reason to play tennis at The Emerald is:

____________________________________

Fill in the blank......

Beautiful day for doubles; Wimbledon at The Emerald

There was a fine turn-out of seven players for weekly women's doubles at the Emerald Empire this morning.  What beautiful weather!  Certainly a Carolina Day--one of the reasons many Empresses came here from elsewhere. Yesterday evening, friends in New England were huddled by their blazing hearth, while we were sitting on our deck enjoying the sunset and breezy twilight.

(Speaking of "Carolina Day," Livingston Taylor is performing in Morehead City on June 18.  He put on a fun show in New Bern last year.)

Despite her worries over a recovering dog at home (North Carolina does seem to have a lot of Things That Bite), Empress Lora was particularly "on" with her net game today.  Dismayingly, two Empresses who shall be unnamed ended losing games on the singles side of a Canadian doubles match with double faults.  A double whammy.  Double faults are so disappointing; even those of an opponent are somehow anti-climactic.  For serving tips, see Sizzling Serves on this California tennis club web site.

While other Empresses are preparing to sail away on their Royal Yachts, the rest are left to their usual stylin' modes of transportation.

Empress Sue

Empress Pat

Empress Gail also bicycled to the courts, bringing a sample blossom from her garden, a beautiful pale yellow hollyhock.

Empress Brenda, garden club president, also being present, courtside chat turned to gardening, and also, somehow, refrigerators. Empress Judy took a poll about brands and models.

Mine is a GE Profile, which we're happy with, except that a Palermo's Pizza box (Primo Thin Margherita being my favorite no-time-to-cook fallback) is a tight squeeze. Empress Sue couldn't remember what kind of refrigerator she has.  Does this mean she dines out so often that she never sees the inside of a kitchen? 

Empress Judy took the lead in setting up a "Luncheon at Wimbledon" on June 29.  Following our weekly Wednesday morning rounds, the Empresses will adjourn to tidy up (what, you think Empresses don't sweat?) and then meet to watch The 125th Championships on the Clubhouse TV, with lunch.  RSVP via e-mail to Judy if you plan to attend.

We hope that the menu might somehow include strawberries and cream, which is "almost as synonymous with Wimbledon as the grass itself."

Did you know that the berries are "served in punnets of not less than 10 berries + cream"?  And that 8,615 punnets are consumed per day at Wimbledon?

Yup. And if you're wondering what a punnet is....

BUT:  what kind of refrigerators do they use at Wimbledon?