Mon Jul 21 08:01 EDT 1997
Weekend Update: July, 18-20

Summer sizzle started our weekend last week; a few days in the humid
90 degrees.  But relief was found in the pool and we even turned on
the air conditioning in the barn one evening as we gathered around
the entertainment box to be entertained.  I suggested to Joy that we
even sleep in the barn, but she thought things would be okay in the
comfort and familiarity of our own bedroom.  So I had the choice of
sleeping alone in quiet, cool comfort, or restless humid tossing
next to the one I love.  Anyone still in love knows that I slept
uneasily (like the rest of the common folk) in the hot July air.
The weather turned cooler and drier for the weekend proper.

On Saturday morning, we headed off to camp to pick up my son, my son,
the only one, three other kids, and one teen.  I stoppoed at only one
yard sale on the way and bought a set of pan pipes for frolicking naked
in the forest.  I'll probably skip the naked part, and the frolicking
part, and most likely the forest part, too, but I've added to my instrument
collection for $3.  I've discovered that my whiskers get stuck on the
pan pipes.  :-(  Perhaps Emily, my flute player, can help out.

Our trip back from camp was an hour and 15 minutes.  We were into the
trip by an hour and 12 minutes when an alarmed passenger in my van
began excitedly informing us that the passenger next to her had displayed
the colorful candied contents of her stomach on the seat and nearby
sleeping bags.  I'm keeping the identity of these passengers secret
from those who don't know.  Little kids don't need to be more embarrassed
than they already are (and their parents are on this distribution list!).
Since we were close to home, we didn't stop at any more yard sales.
When the child's mom offered to clean up the mess, we were happy to
provide the necessary cleaning agents.

On Saturday afternoon, we set about the house chores.  Many of you
have wondered when we find the time to care for the Manor.  The
answer is Saturday from 2:00 to 2:24.  (Actually, we're having loads
of fun *this year*.  We don't always enjoy the work part of managing
the premises, but every day is still exciting to see new flowers and
ripening fruit - bluebeeries and black raspberries this week.)

On Sunday, I especially liked the music at church, but then I
selected all of the songs. ;-)  We had a nice variety of folks
come through the Manor over the entire weekend (Mrs. Pape, for one,
David Shaw).

Emily and Jessica are off to camp this week, then Jessica and Miranda
next week.  Aunt Ruth and my parents tonight; auction tomorrow with
friends and relatives, and more Texans and Oklahomans at the end of
the week.  The beat goes on.

Mark
Mark Metcalfe                                      .    .   __.----.___
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.    ,                 (\(__)/)-'        ;--`
270 Billerica Rd   MA 04        \_0__,             `(oo)'  metcalfe |
Chelmsford, MA 01824              M                 )  (   @cadence |
Phone: (508) 446-6451            .|\.              (o  o)  .com    ,/
Fax:   (508) 446-6351                              '`--'\_    _____|
Email: metcalfe@cadence.com             \|/\|/\|/   /|\  `||~||   ||
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