A Warm Day

Here's a photo of my golfing buddy - John Curdie. I took this picture with my cell phone camera. I'm amazed at how clear it is. John and I stopped for an iced coffee at McDonalds after our round of golf on Saturday.

Yesterday Dee awoke with a cough so we laid low until the doctor called back with a prescription. Then we went to get the prescription and checked out some things at local stores. We're thinking of getting rope lights for the deck, stairs and hot tub area. Then we spent the afternoon at home. In the evening I went to Bogmeister Barbershop Harmony practice and then for milk and cookies at Ol' Uncle Bob's. We put the finishing touches on the music for Sundays performance at the Park Memorial Presbyterian Church in Allison Park.

A Great Weekend !

It's been 4 days since I last entered an update. Thursday I was able to go visit my mother and take her to the doctor's office. Her report was a good one with normal blood pressure and cholesterol. We had a nice lunch together at Ponderosa and then bought a nice rug for her porch and park bench for her back yard (the north shore).

I decided that I wanted to connect with an old childhood friend - Kenny Jackson. He's moved out of town but I didn't have any phone numbers so I called his mother in town and she gave me his phone number. When I called he wasn't home. His wife said he was at band practice (he's part of a country band). I tracked down where they were practicing and since it was just a couple of miles away, I paid them a visit. He was surprised to see me. He looks the same as the last time I saw him years ago, but now he wears glasses. They were playing in a garage - Kenny and Rudy. It turns out Rudy went to school with Faye. He took her to the 7th grade dance and they won the "cake walk" together. LOL ! While there I took my Qchord in to the session - they'd never seen such an instrument. Since it plays rhythms and chords, I could jam along with them. LOTS OF FUN !

The Friday we built the park bench and carried it to the back yard. I took some pictures of her there. It looks great and really perks up the area, as does the new rug on the porch. Here are two photos of our efforts...

Then I spent part of the afternoon cleaning away branches and trees so she could have a nice view from the front porch out across the intersection by her home. The tools she had for the yard came in handy. Later in the day we went to the bank, took care of business and then had lunch at Bill Hill's in New Eagle. Then we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon on the porch reading the paper and watching the sights. In the evening we watched a Barbershop Harmony DVD of championship choruses. I hadn't seen it before and we enjoyed it together.

Saturday, John Curdie stopped by first thing in the morning and we went to play golf at Riverview Golf Course across the river from Nee Eagle. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time! No one pushing us from behind and a light breeze all day. After he took me home, I relaxed on the porch with mom and then we went up to Chess Park for a "memorial jam" held in honor of Harold Weaver. It seems he taught thousands of people how to play the guitar. This was the 3rd Annual tribute to him and his music. Kenny Jackson's group was playing with other musicians. Kenny didn't get to play because he had to watch his grandchildren. Here they are... They had food at the concert and mom had a couple of hot dogs. It was a nice event and about 100 people came with lawn chairs to enjoy the afternoon of music in the shade.

After I took her home, I went to my 45th reunion at the local Elks club. It was a nice place. There was a DJ and 40 classmates and 30 guests. The food was good, and it was amazing to reconnect with so many people from my youth. It's strange hearing people say "You are still the same." I thought, gee, I've been through a lot and been lots of places and have a family and yet, "I'm still the same." - Something wrong with this picture if you ask me... Any way, here are a few pictures from the evening.

My batteries died on me while I was taking photos, and so I didn't get as many as I'd hoped. Above is one of all the girls from our class who were present at the reunion; one of Mr. Zober our Chemistry and Calculus teacher (We had class on Saturdays no less) and Maureen Gustafson who teaches in the Masters program at Pitt now. The DJ was good and we got to do some dancing. I of course tried to dance with each of the girls, but there was so many of them and so little time, that I ran out of time. And it was a long ride back to Mars.

Today I went to church in the morning and chatted with the Campbells. Then Dee and I went to the Bogmeister picnic in the afternoon. It was a a member's son's place. A lovely setting with lots of good food - burgers, hot dogs, fresh corn, beans, pineapple upside down cake and a buffet of much much more. We even played Bocce - a first for Dee and me. Then some singing after dinner before heading home. It cooled of nicely and we enjoyed the evening on the deck. Whew! A great weekend.

A Relaxing Day

Yesterday was a relaxing day as I went to Rotary for lunch. The speaker for the day was from the YMCA in Cranberry. We learned the history of the Y and also of the court battle between the Y and a local fitness club. The club complained that the expansion of the Y was illegal. The Y expanded their site and built a fitness room with exercise equipment etc. Although the Y has won several of the cases and appeals, there is still another appeal pending. If the Y should lose the case it would have ramifications for all Ys across the country.

After lunch I played 9 holes and enjoyed the afternoon while Dee went to get her hair cut and do some errands. I also put in an order for a new Cobra driver at the club. I had tested one out a week ago when the Cobra people were here for a demo. I liked it and the guy who helped me had me try various clubs until we settled on the one that seemed to give me the bests drives for my swing.

Once back home we took Bonz for a nice long walk and then had burgers on the grill on the deck. It was a lovely evening so we spent time on the deck reading until dark. AFterwards I filled out the adjunct faculty application online for Community College of Allegheny County.

Time with Ol' Friends

Yesterday we enjoyed a nice lunch with old friends. Bob and Vivian, and Ed and Lois - all are American Baptist pastors/spouses and retirees. It was great seeing them again. We had ministered together here in Pittsburgh in the early days. We compared notes about our current experiences in churches we visit; what it means to be in a church and have the "retired" status; the changing aspects of our denomination; what we're reading; and our families. It was a wonderful time around good food at Olive Garden at Robinson Town Center. We were there for two hours getting caught up.

Then, Dee and I visited other stores at that mall. The Dicks Sporting Goods store is two floors and humongous, the mall is very upscale. We also went to Ikea and The Golf Store. Dee went to a couple of others while I browsed. After we got home, Dee heard from the McGuinnes Sisters - a new store opening right near us (at the front of our housing plan.) They called to offer her a part-time job in their cafe. That store is kind of like a whole foods store, but not as big and is known for their high quality meats, veggies and cheeses. She's to start the first Saturday of September. The store opens on the 10th. I also heard from my contact at Coummunity College of Allegheny County regarding being an adjunct faculty there. She gave me contact info regarding the process of applying for such a position. I'll give it a try.

In the evening I went to quartet practice at the church. This was our first practice in preparation for Sept 7th. They wanted to try a couple of barbershop versions of religious songs. However, without a pianist to help, that was impossible. So we practiced some hymns from the hymnal. Since they were familiar, that worked out much better. We'll meet two more times, and settle on two songs for the early and late services. After practicing, we talked about the church - some about it's history, and also about my current experiences as a new person there and a visitor. We talked about their classes, the worship and their hopes. It was a good conversation. Then back at home Dee and I watched one of the shows we'd recorded.

Rub-a-dub-dub - We've fixed the hot tub

Yesterday we had the hot tub guy return to repair the heater and pump. It only took him about an hour and then I began refilling the tub with water. He'd indicated I should wait about 24 hours before turning it back on. It took a couple of hours to fill the tub with water.

Then Dee and I went to Home Depot where we'd seen two park benches for sale. When we got there one was gone and the other wasn't very sturdy. We were disappointed because we wanted to get on for my mom and the other for our front porch. Maybe we'll see some before the summer is over.

This afternoon we spent on the deck reading and enjoying the nice weather. My book on the 11 relationships every person should have in their life is good reading. The first 3 "indispensable" relationships you can't be without were based on characteristics of Biblical persons: Nathan - an editor (i.e. someone who speaks the truth to you in love, who is willing to poke their finger in your face when necessary, a welcome intruder.); Jonathan - i.e. a true friend); and Jethro - a butt-kicker (i.e. someone who motivates you to get moving on your mission.)

Dee had made a delicious meatloaf for dinner. Shortly after that I went to Bogmeister practice and then to Ol' Uncle Bob's for cookies and milk. There was another new person at practice and he's a tenor! We need tenors. He said he saw the sign on Rochester Road which is where I had arranged to have it placed. Good spot. Also the new bass that was there last week came back again. Hopefully both fellows will stay with it and join the chorus.

A Quiet Day

Sunday we went to worship at the Presbyterian Church. It was a good service. The pastor talked about "fear" and the importance of faith to overcome fear. It was the story of Peter walking on the water. The special music was a gal who played the guitar and sang. She was good, but Dee and I couldn't understand the words of the songs. Having them printed in the bulletin would have helped a great deal. Also, I was given another lead regarding teaching at the community college level. I plan t follow that up as well.

We stopped at Eat'N Park for a nice lunch and then we went and picked out a picture for our living room. It looks like it's a "keeper". Then when we got home, I took Bonz for a long walk for about an hour. The weather was just great. The did him and me good. While we walked Dee decided to polish the hardwood floors. They look nice.

We enjoyed reading on the deck for a while. Later I talked on the phone with my mother about her going to have blood work done on Monday in preparation for the Dr. visit on Thursday. She said she's running out of meds and needs to have them refilled. In the evening I talked with my sister who just got back to Chicago. She'd spent a day with our mom en route. She gave me some pointers for when I go to mom's on Thursday. Afterward Dee and I watched "The Bucket List" with Morgan Freeman. A good story but sad.

All in all a quiet day.

Turtles and Parties

Yesterday we enjoyed a nice breakfast at "First Watch" compliments of Kerri's coupon. The place was really busy, but they have coffee for people waiting to be seated, newspapers to read, and nice chairs outside. There was a cool breeze that made the wait all the more enjoyable....

After breakfast I dropped Dee off at the house and I went to work at Treesdale. I had the noon shift which consisted entirely of rangering (no starter responsibilities). So I rode the golf cart, greeted folks and enjoyed a lovely 72 degree day with a breeze for a few house. It's amazing there were so few people at the course on such a nice day. The other rangers were off at 2 PM so I was a "long ranger" for about 4 hours. Here's a pic of a very large tutle I saw on my rounds

When I got home, Dee and I went to the neighbor's house for a birthday party for him. They had a large 20x20 tent up in the back yerd. The party had a DJ and a Mexican theme. We saw several of our neighbors there and got to know them better. That made it especially nice. We had some good conversations with them and Dee learned that one couple lived not far from where she grew up and knew several of the people that she knew (small world). The food was catered and all the food was authentic from Patrone's. A new Mexican (or Equadorian) restaurant on route 19. Here is a photo of John with his mother and his three daughters.

Other photos from the party...