Preparations for a summer schedule continue apace, and everything is
moving along except the weather which has been more like late March
than late May around here.  So much for global warming; perhaps we
should send up some florocarbons or something.  Despite the cooler,
sometimes dank weather, Pepperell has already issued a watering ration
(odd and even days, depnding on your street address).  I think they
are doing this now to train the lemming public, since the town has
resorted to these partial bans for the last few years anyway.

Joy has recently rekindled her Tenderheart Treasures business with two
parties last week and more to come from them.  Other activities have
monopolized her attentions but now she is enjoying getting out and
about with "the girls" and I'm pleased with that.  While Joy was out
last Friday night, Emily and Jessica motored off to some teen event
(gym night) at the church.  Andrew and I stayed behind in a marathon
video game competition between video veterans; quality father-son
time.  ;-)

Saturday morning was very busy as we attempted to ready the place for
the first large group barbecue of the season.  I strained some muscles
trying to start the gas-powered weed whacker (that was given to me).
Our neighbor from down the street stepped in by loaning me her battery
powered model.  (I wonder if any of you know how to tune up small
motors such as the one that I couldn't get started beyond a few
sputters?  The battery powered model is the way to go if you don't
have more than a half hour's work; no muss nor fuss with it, but if I
can make the other productive again, I will.)

On Saturday afternoon and into the night, our church worship team and
their families enjoyed barbecued meats and other fixings.  Mother's
bean pot recipe (sans mustard) and Joy's Carrot Cassarole were among
the favorites.  We did conduct a little productive business with the
worship team while the rest of the families made themselves at home,
but getting together has its own benefit.

On Sunday, Jessica and Emily stayed behind at the church for a teen
council meeting. Joy and I seized the opportunity to save on dishes
and took Andrew out to eat.  We commented to Andrew that one of the
benefits of being the last child is that he'll see more restaurants
than Miranda or Jessica did.  Mandy and Jessie may feel that this is
rather unfair, but fairness has nothing to do with it.  (I recall Joy
commenting that she felt less fortunate because her sisters got to
have their mother longer; and yet Joy also commented that she knew her
sisters never had the times that Joy had with their mother because of
the age and circumstances of life at the time.)  I am reminded of my
own words that "treating children equally is to treat them unfairly"
because we are each unique persons in unique circumstances.  They key
is to find the beauty and joy in our unique circumstances and not
spend precious time on the "what ifs" of life.

Oh! I've waxed philisophic so let me get back to current events:
Miranda comes home for the summer on Thursday. I hope to get the pool
fence painted soon, and the garden tilled and planted. (I say these
things with my best Tom Sawyer impression, in case any of you would
find such activity envigorating and desirable.  Any takers?)  I'm also
superfluously debating whether to join the Pepperell Memorial Day
parade on the Allen's lawn tractor; I'd blend right into it because
this is Mayberry USA!  

Have a great week folks


Mark
    w
     \
      \      /\      Mark Metcalfe, Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
____;-)-----<__L____ 270 Billerica Road, MS04
     \/      \       Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824
              \_     Phone: (978) 446-6451  Fax: (978) 262-6363