Subject: Weekend Update: June 28-30, 2002
Date: Mon, 1 Jul 2002 15:39:05 -0400

Miranda and Jessica went with twenty other young people of
their age group to Dr. Reed's cabin in Casco, Maine over the
weekend.  In the twenty-one years that we have been visiting the
Reeds, we never once managed to tip over a canoe, and yet
Jessica reported that there were several canoeing "accidents"
on Thompson lake.  Hot summer days find young adults less
careful on the water than cool Autumn weekends.  None of
the "accidents" was serious, although Andrew Davenport
contributed his eyeglasses to the sunken treasure of Lake
Thompson.

The young adults came home late Sunday night and looked as
if they may have walked most of the way.  I took this to be
a sign that the weekend went well and all had a good time.

Fortunately, Miranda had plenty of experience and observation
of what it takes to plan for and feed a crew at the Reed's cabin.
She helped Jeff Lane with the shopping and the planning.  Both
Don and Elva Reed were there (though I cannot imagine it!) and
by my daughters' accounts really enjoyed having all the young
people around.  The Reeds have always been an inspiration to
me by their generosity.

Back at the homestead, Joy took Emily and Andrew to the church
Saturday, to interview with some folks who decide whether they=20
can attend Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) next year.  However,
the interview was cancelled and their trip was in vain.  Meanwhile,
I started on some of the chores that have been patiently awaiting
my attention.  I finally got around to fixing the gate on the pool
fence, attaching a stop and an antique doorknob that I had laying
about in my basement.

I consider that summer is finally here when chores give way to
several hours of lounging in the pool.  Most of my chores can
continue to wait patiently when the sun is high and hot, and
we take advantage of the pool. Andrew crowed a bit too loudly
about his strength and height in an apparent attempt to challenge
Joy to a dunking contest.  Joy told Andrew that she had been
working out and proceeded to knock the Boy off his feet and
under the water.  Andrew got his revenge a couple of times,=20
but Joy was the clear winner of the dunking bouts.

After I was cooled off, I got out the pole saw and lopped off
a bunch of high branches to reshape the trees out front.=20
No animal shapes; just cutting away the scraggly stuff.  Joy
exclaimed that I had made a mess by leaving the branches all
over the ground.  I said that the kids should pick up the mess
I made just like she had to do for her father when she was young.
(I got most of them myself with the wheelbarrow.)

Mom and Dad arrived from the Cape at around 6 for dinner and took
a dip afterward.  Zack Andrew called to come over and jump in the
pool and we said "sure!"  He was alarmed to find out that we had
"company" and said that we should have told him no! but we assured
him that the "company" was "just Mark's Mom and Dad" and nothing
to worry about.

Schatzi, my parents' dog, tagged along for the weekend.  She
is a happy dog, as long as my parents are there to assure her
of non-abandonment.  Our cat has also tolerated the dog's presence
in the same room without hiding, and that's a good thing.  Schatzi,
however, may be a happier dog by thinking that she now has two food
dishes and two water dishes from which to choose.  Trouble is, I
don't know if Belle likes dog breath on her food (if any is left
for her).

On Sunday morning, Rachel Long provided our church service with=20
piano accompaniment.  She is 15-years old and played wonderfully;
no doubt that Rachel's mother (a concert pianist; recuperating from
childbirth complications) has had a tremendous effect on her!

The Bickom family joined us for our Sunday afternoon meal; our first
start to Summer Sunday Afternoons at the Manor (bring your own meal).
We spent the afternoon floating and chatting and walking through the
gardens.

Miranda's job prospects improved over the weekend when I took a
call to schedule another inteview.  She informed me this morning
that the first school wants to set up a second round of interviews.
Jessica gets rave reviews for her Nanny abilities with the Long family
(different from Rachel's family).  Emily is putting in uncomplaining
grunt hours for Mike Rand on a home refurbishing project.  Andrew is
still on the paper route.  Joy is up to her ears with summer chores
(such as making Strawberry Jam!).  I am stuck in an air conditioned
office, slaving away at my terminal.  I may take some extra time off
this week to swelter with the rest of them!

For the locals on this email list, the Pepperell fireworks display
is on Saturday, July 6 (not the 4th).  (Must be cold where you are,
Harry!)  If the weather is nice and you would like to join us,
consider coming for an afternoon swim, BYO dinner meal, and then
we'll head on over to the Pepperell Town field to camp out on the
lawn at about 8 PM.  We've had a number of families join us in the
past few years and it has become a favorite activity.  We hope
to see you on the 6th (and 7th!).

Mark

+---_-----------+ Mark Metcalfe, Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
| c a d e n c e | Manager, PCB Enterprise Publications (CAD)
+---------------+ metcalfe@cadence.com, Phone: (978) 446-6451