Hi Ho, Hi Ho and off to work I go...

Even though Saturday was a rainy day, it seems golfers don't mind that. As a result, I had my first day as a part-time temporary summer employee at the Golf Course near our house. The guy who was supposed to train me, didn't know he was working on Saturday, and so another person was given the task. More important that learning what I am supposed to be doing, I also learned what I am not supposed to do. For instance, I learned that starter/ rangers are responsible for the pace of play and seeing to it that people make their scheduled tee times on time. We're not responsible for cleaning the golf carts or anything else having to do with outside operations. That's good to know. Here's a picture of me as I was about to go to work. (Note the "work hat" in my right hand.)

It seems this is yet another "first" since my retirement. Sometimes doing things for the "first time" can be a bit intimidating, but I'm discovering that if I pay attention to the instructions, then it's not nearly as bad (or difficult) as I may have thought it would be.

Here is another photo I took on Saturday while on the golf course. The picture was taken with my cell phone. It's the 8th tee on the Orchard Course at Treesdale Golf Club. You'll note that it's all downhill - like a 100 yard drop in altitude. Beautiful course. Click on the picture to see a larger image of the picture.

Dee was able to go out to dinner with a dozen gals from her Contours exercise group. She enjoyed an evening of laughs and getting to know the people who use the gym better. They're thinking of doing that monthly, which would be nice for Dee as she gets to know others better.

Bubble Bubble

After the last week of getting the spa ready and awakening it from the two years of hibernation we finally too a dip in it. Very nice. Well worth the effort.

The Test

Dee had been wanting to pick up an order we'd placed in the strip district so we decided to go to Pittsburgh yesterday. The weather was perfect. Rather than park the car and carry the order a couple of blocks from the store, I stopped the car in front of the store while Dee went in and picked it up. The owner helped her carry it out. I drove away then with Dee and the order to find a parking spot so we could do some shopping in the area. It was then I realized the store had given us twice what we'd ordered and paid for. So we carried one of the boxes back to the store and told the clerk. She looked at us in disbelief and said. "Thank you. You made my day." The over site was worth over $100. We're tested everyday. Some days you have to ask yourself what the price of integrity is. We sell ourselves short so often, it was good to do the right thing.

Then, we went to Wholeys and bought some fresh fish and frozen fish. Mr. Wholey was there and introduced himself. He recommended some fresh mussels "These just came in off the truck. They're delicious." Later, Dee steamed them. (A first time for her of preparing mussels.) They were delicious.

Then, we went to the Penn Brewrey for a late lunch. We like the atmosphere and the food there. It was good as usual. This local brewrey has won many awards for their micro brew so we bought some to take home as well.

I was able to play some golf at Treesdale after we got home. I played the "Grove" course for the first time. The first several holes were alone, but then I caught up with a couple who were slowed down by two foursomes in front of them. I had a nice time with them. One of the holes had a 75 yard drop from tee to green. A beautiful hole to look at and enjoyable to play. The couple I played with must play everyday. I asked the woman if she played often and she said she played 140 rounds last year. That's a lot of golf. Afterwards I had a nice conversation with one of the rangers about working there. His name is Joe, and though it's his first year, his son was one of the pros there years ago and so he's been working 4 days a week. He used to run the golf course at South Pointe for many years. Later, Dee and I sat on the deck and did some reading. And I also practiced some of the barbershop songs. During the day I'd gotten a phone call from a Deacon at the Penn Hills Baptist Church about preaching there on June 8th. He asked me to give a message that fit with the Children's Day theme. That'll be fun so I said yes. All in all it was a good day.

On the Road

The Rotary Club program was about our club involvement with the Mars Area High School and Pine Richland High School. There were students at the luncheon from those schools. The kids talked about the various kinds of service projects they sponsor as members of Rotaract (HS version of Rotary) and they presented us a check for $3,300 to go towad ARK of Heifer International (A program that provides livestock to villages in Europe and Asia that need them for survival. Each $5,000 gift helps about 30 families. Our club will add to their gift from the youth to complete the ARK (thus bringing our club's total to 3 such gifts.) I had a nice coversation with two the Rotarians at my table. The food is always good there and the people are up beat and positive.

Yesterday we finished our dance lessons at Butler County Community College. It was a good series of classes and we learned a lot -East Cost Swing, Jitterbug, and West Coast Swing. We were supposed to learn the Hustle too, but we never really caught on to that one. On the way home we almost hit a deer on Route 8. I swerved and hit the brakes and that worked. Fortunately there was no one behind me at the time.

Since we were driving to Butler for the afternoon, we planned to finally get Dee's social security card and address stuff corrected. While we waited at the SS office, I was able to listen to the two barbershop songs on my Ipod and follow along with the sheet music. (A good use of time while we waited.)Then, we stopped at the Butler Arts Center but the artist's show she wanted to see wasn't there. We had a nice dinner at Garfield's in the Mall and picked up another pedometer at Boscov's. On the way home, I was also able to pick up the cd of barbershop music (Barberpole Songs) from our director. I introduced Dee to our Chorus' director, Susan. She indicated she was happy tht I planned to go to the music camp (it's called Apple Corps) in June. Thet's where clubs from the Johnny Appleseed District send their members for training in barbershopping. Later, I was able to successfully put them on my Ipod, too, and create a cd for the car as well. That's going to make it so much easier to learn the music and the words.

It was a long day on the road, but we accocmplished all the things we wanted to and got home safely. God is good.

Two Days

On Monday I was able to go to the Barbershop Harmony Chorus practice and I officially made application to join the group. I'm looking forward to learning the music and learning how to sing and read music better. We got two songs that were new to everyone and it was interesting to see the group struggle with the learning process. Our director hopes that these two new songs will be ones we use in competitions next year. Later that night the songs were sent to me in mp3 format, and I was able to download them onto my ipod. That will be a big help as they were in full format and Bass enhanced format (so I can hear my particular part.) Should be fun.

Yesterday, we had a nice lunch at Lonestar (coupon came in handy), and then drove to a place where you can leave your pets during your vacation. We wanted to check it out as one option for when we go away for several days at a time. We'll go back for an open house in a week or so.

I was able to empty the hot tub, clean it and then refill it so that we can start using it. Now I just have to figure out the "water ph balance" thing. We also hung some curtains in the third bedroom and a picture that Dee wanted on the wall in that room. We were both happy we got so much done. Things are coming along. I also began to read two books by C.S. Lewis. They are Prince Caspian (from the Narnia Chronicles) as it's coming aout as a movie in May, and the other is Scrtewtape Letters. That's a book I've been wanting to re-read for a long time. Other than tht, it's been quiet.

Kathy N. and Andrew

On Sunday we went to the Presbyterian Church again. It was a nice service with the youth praise group (3 guitars and two vocalists) providing the special music. The sermon was on John 14:1-14 and dealt with Jesus providing comfort and assurance to his followers in the face of difficulty. It also touched on the problem of worry and how that Christians who have the assurances of Christ don't need to have worry as part of their lifestyle. After worship we met a couple of new people during the fellowship time. And since we were expeciting company later in the day, we had lunch (left over spaghetti and meatballs) at home.

Later, I broke out the hibacci to use for the hamburgers. Since we haven't done that at our new home, I had to make a makeshift table to hold it. Ultimately it worked out fine. Kathy Nelson and her son, Andrew, came for dinner. We ate dinner on the deck and enjoyed the fine weather. Later, Andrew and I took Bonz for a walk around the court (about 1/2 mile) while Dee and Kathy visited on the deck. When we got back, Andrew and I played with the Wii and learned our new game called "Word Coach." It's a vocabulary enhancing game. Cool. Since Andrew had not played "Brain Academy" I introduced him to that game, the we played some of the other "sports" games like cow racing, bubble bursting, and pool among others. Eventually, Kathy and Dee came in to watch us play and continue their conversation. It was good to see them again and renew our friendships. Andrew sure is growing up. He's a senior this year and plans to go to Kent State. We thought it was nice he came along with his mother. He didn't seem to mind being with us retirees. He said we're like an aunt and uncle to him. Nice.

Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun, and more Good Food

Yesterday, Saturday, was a full day as we began with a great breakfast at "First Watch", one of our favorite breakfast places in Cranberry. Then, Dee returned some things that "tasted off" at Costco, and we looked in at a couple of other places as well. By the time we got home it was too late for a full lunch so we did cheese and crackers and get ready for driving to Butler to celebrate Russ and Kathy's 40th Wedding anniversary. Dee was in their wedding as the maid of honor 40 years ago. On the way, Dee wanted to stop at a roadside nursery to get a special flower basket to hang on the deck divider of our deck. The anniversary party was a nice gathering of about 14 people. We visited outside on their patio under the blooming magnolia tree and ate the appetizers and had cold drinks of your choice. They even had something called "Blue Moon" that was served with a slice of orange. Here are some pictures from the party. One is of Russ and Kathy, and the other is of Dee with Kathy.

Eventually as the afternoon turned cooler, everyone went inside for the main dish of spaghetti and meatballs, with homemade sauce, garlic bread and salad. We watched pictures and videos from their trip to Hawaii on the TV screen. It was nice to see pictures of their daughter Julie and granddaughter Heather who live out West, and who were able to go along for one week. Then, we ate some more. The wedding cake was very good. (Some people there ate more than he should have.)