Ballard Street by Jerry Van Amerongen for September 30, 2023

unless you did mention the place, Doris, then he’s right.

Living room croquet was not what she had in mind, Maynard.

There’s no pleasing Doris

The hard part is drilling the wicket and peg holes in the floor. Then it’s fun

That would be annoyingly loud.

Doris, would you consider joining the game?

He’s got you there, Doris. It’s a sticky wicket.

Only on Ballard Street need you ask, when someone suggests croquet, indoors or out?

Wait til she sees the wickets he poked through her $ 12.99 a yard Broadloom.

Are those actually all croquet balls? How many croquet sets does he have? What is his target?

It looks like Doris could just ignore him and let him have his fun. If not, it may be time for her to establish some house rules.

A lack of specificity is a curse.

Doris, just whip his butt at croquet a few times and he’ll quickly tire of that.

Doris considers giving his balls a good whack.

“When you laid out the course, did you have to include the bathroom?”

This is not an indoor game. Take it out to the yard.

Gerald should take his activity outdoors.

Good morning Balladeers!

And.. it’s raining out.

Seems like a synthesis of croquet and stumblefoot. It’s usually played with a mallard rather than a mallet, though.

Maynard/Gerald knew that if he played his game right, Doris would stop bugging him to get a hobby.

Mind if I play through?

If he played outdoors, Roscoe would get involved. Then the competition would just get ugly.

It’s your own fault, Doris, for giving Maynard wicket thoughts…

And after that, it was balls to the walls.

doris actually told him to take up “crochet”…

Maybe Maynard should have consulted with Doris regarding a choice of hobby.