Subject: Weekend Update: September 8-10
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 20:12:26 -0400

As I type this weekend update, it is after midnight on Monday at home
but not yet midnight where I am.  Flight delays have become
commonplace but the annoyance they cause continue to frustrate many
including myself.  However, I still find flying west rather exciting.
I do gain the benefits of travel along with the irritations; I admit
it; a new car (rented), restaurants, new people who become my new
friends; and this time around a new responsibility of meeting some of
our customers face to face, telling them all that we are doing to
please them and getting them to continue to spend lots and lots of
money on the software that Cadence creates.  It is rather funny work,
come to think of it.

I had difficulty finishing up my work on Friday, in part to prepare
for this trip, and in part because of the extra chores that lay in
wait.  My van was finally being looked at that afternoon.  The fuel
pump had given up its ghost right on cue at 100,000 miles. At 100k,
Roger, our mechanic, also suggested that we get our timing belt done
in the not-so-distant future, but already into this maintenance trip
for over $500, we thought we would press our luck on the timing belt
for a few more months.

Joy and I went to pick it up at 7PM ut it still wasn't ready. I told
Roger to park it out back when he was done and I'd pick it up in the
morning.  Joy and I had to get to the store and pick up the food for
the choir picnic the next day, and get over to Albert Lunn's wake.
"Oh, and can you put some air in that left rear tire? It has a slow
leak." "Sure thing," Roger replied, and off we went.

Joy and I stopped at three stores and no funeral parlors that evening,
unable to accomplish all that we had planned.  Even after we got home,
there was meat to cut and marinade.  I was very sorry I didn't see
Albert off.  I hear the funeral was very good.

Saturday morning broke bright and clear with the promise of a warm
late summer day; just about perfect for a picnic.  I had to get to the
van, fix the tire, get propane in the tank, and get some ice.  Then I
could finish the tidying chores and cut the grass.  When we went to
pick up the van, the left rear tire was flat and the garage was closed
until Monday, so we had to leave it there.

Not having to make the run to Nashua for the tire, I was done with the
party preparations early and the sun was out and the pool was
sparkling.  I decided that I would get in the pool for only the third
time this season.  At 70 degrees, it felt like mountain water to me,
but I braved it out inch by inch until I was finally up to my neck.
Andrew joined me as was gracious enough not to splash or I was out of
there so fast I'd leave a hole in the water.

About 1PM, the guests began to arrive and I dried off to get to my
post at the two grilles.  On the menu was teryaki chicken and chinese
pork, with Joy's now-famous beanpot (that she got from my mother) and
carrot casserole which have been the perrenial crowd pleasers.  This
year, Joy added a peach coffee cake, with peaches fresh off our trees.

Several of the men broke off from the rest and entered into their own
horse shoe tournament, playing until the dusk called a close to their
pitching.  We gave several newcomers tours of the Manor and clipped as
many hydrangia blossoms as anyone wanted.  "Four geeks and a teacher"
stayed a while longer, enjoying a DVD on the TV and polishing off some
popcorn.  All in all, not a one left unhappy which makes it all worth
the effort for us.

Joy and I collapsed afterward, leaving some of the clean up for the
morning.  I stopped by the van to pick up my harmonicas.  I
accompanied the rest of the orchestra on several songs and people
seemed to like it well enough.  I enjoyed it, too; always wished I had
done better.

Jon Gray, previous senior pastor of our church, visited and John White
asked that he preach for us.  A number of "old timers" showed up to
hear and to reminisce.  I stopped Nancy Gray in the hall.  I said that
in several of my former churches, I feel as if Wollaston is my home
away from home - I still feel at home there - did she feel that way
about Lowell?  She said that she did, having spent 11 years of their
children's most formative ages in Lowell.  So I replied, "then,
welcome home."

The college girls are doing fine, adjusting better than we are
apparently, but even we are starting to settle just a little bit into
this new family format.  It helps to have them call and keep in touch;
we are grateful.

I come home on Thursday but things don't look as if they will ease out
for me until about November, but to paraphrase Paula Bickom, "Life
certainly isn't boring!"

Mark

P.S. The business day went very well today.
--
+---_-----------+ Mark Metcalfe, metcalfe@cadence.com
| c a d e n c e | Cadence Design Systems, Inc.    Phone: (978) 446-6451
+---------------+ PCB Systems Division, Technical Communications Manager