We’ll get to the Madrid Open in a minute, but first let’s take a look at something I had to correct prior to finishing the cottage. Crankenstein will probably squint and ask “What’s the difference?”, which I suspect is also what would happen if I switched places with any short brunette — or maybe even a leggy blonde — at home. At the minimum it would take her a couple days to notice.*
The two tiles on the left were from my original selection for roofing material, but a week or two ago they began to strike me as too weathered. The two to the right are a little cleaner and crisper, not that this poorly lit photo conveys it, and that’s the variety I decided to use. Work is underway and should be finished tomorrow. The roof was given a slapdash coat of burnt sienna first to cover any gaps between tiles.
Expecting to screw this up my first time out, I started in the (partially open) back. After experimenting with placement and glue, I have a general idea of what to do. Sometimes knowing what not to do is more valuable, so I remain slightly apprehensive — as does Muriel, who supervised from beneath the table as I worked. The sixth anniversary of her adoption is fast approaching and she’ll turn seven this fall. Lately I’ve felt occasional pangs of sadness about the graying of her fuzzy face, including her eyebrows. She still acts like a puppy, but she’s growing up too fast.
Moving along to tennis, I’ll confess my attention has mostly been elsewhere these last couple months. Now that clay-court season is upon us, it’s time to tune back in and see what favorites like Alcaraz, Świątek, Sabalenka and Rybakina can accomplish. The latter three, presently the most terrific (and terrifying) trio the WTA has to offer, all made it to the semis in Madrid, with Świątek and Sabalenka emerging the victors. Today’s rematch of last year’s final was a genuine thrill ride, the lengthiest and highest-quality contest of the 10 meetings their rivalry has produced so far.
It ended, fittingly, in a nail-biter of a third-set tiebreak. In avenging last season’s loss, Świątek claimed her 20th title overall and collected the only clay trophy she’d yet to win. It’s premature to call Sabalenka, Świątek, and Rybakina the sport’s new Big Three, but my fingers are crossed that they inherit the mantle, remaining healthy and active long enough to push each other to ever-greater heights.
* She would argue I’m overly attentive, citing the bedside table as evidence. A few times a week, she moves mine slightly to charge her phone while she naps. I never see her do it but inevitably pick up on a disturbance in the force before bedtime and readjust it accordingly — even if she thought she’d put it back perfectly. The last time she witnessed this, she exclaimed “What the hell?! How do you notice every time it’s been moved 1/16th of an inch?!”