Tue Oct 14 08:55 EDT 1997
Weekend Update: Columbus Day Weekend

I took Friday and Monday off as "bereavement" days telling my boss that
I preferred to refer to them as "celebrating the life and heritage of
my grandmother."  Cadence had the last laugh because I was called at
home and also checked in on Monday because this is prime deadline time.
I'm here today to tie up any loose ends before whisking my wife away
to San Jose for a business trip (for me) and relaxation (for her; we hope).

As I noted in an earlier missive, our weekend plans were salvaged and
so we spent the weekend on Cape Cod where the leaves are not yet turned
and the sand was not yet cold.  Thanks to Paula Bickom's parents', we
stayed in a home that easily managed 12 people (only three of which were
under 12; figure that one out).  Now the two most prominent featurs of
this home are mirrors and light switches.  Space was made spacier by
the mirrors but the greater amuzement was trying to find the right switch
to turn on a particular light.  In the main room, there were no fewer that
28 dials and switches.  Paula said it would be a great place for a young
adult retreat and she wasn't kidding.  Also, the view of the sunset
over Narragansett Bay from the third floor "Upper Room" was spectacular.

On Saturday, the kids went bike riding only they didn't tell us where.
We went beach hopping looking for them, but they found their own way home.
We also did a little shopping.

On Sunday, we piled into two minivans and headed off to church.  We found
that not all Nazarene churches are alike in the starting times.  (One time
Maine we showed up at 11 am to find the service almost over.)  This time
we showed up before 10:30 to find that service didn't begin until 11.
We sat in a circle in the foyer and Eric Magnuson opened the Bible and
began teaching from Romans.  People walked in puzzled.  I wanted to tell
them that we were overflow from the Lutheran church down the street.
Pastor Ron keller came in, tipped off by some of his people, and knew
who we were.  He got even by using me to try and sell subscriptions to
the Herald of Holiness.  He said I would be available to sign copies
for people after the service.  I had my pen out but no one rushed over
to me.  Go figure.

After a sumptious dinner and digestive hour, we made our way to the beach
(one of many on Cape Code; Old Silver beach to be exact).  There we organized
a Kennedy game of touch football after which we dug sand out of our ears,
noses, mouths, and eyes.

On Monday, Diane Adams, Joy, and I visited mom and dad at their home.
We also went to the beach; the other's went bike riding near the Bourne
Bridge.  We had a really good time.

The evenings were filled with games of one sort or another.  The Magnusons
inched out the Metcalfes in the Newlywed Game.  Go figure.  How am I supposed
to know what my wife's vision numbers are?

Now, it's off to San Jose, Ca, do you know the way?  See you in little more
than a week.

Mark
Surfin'   ***       Mark Metcalfe
 the    ***  \o     Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
'Net   **** \ |\    270 Billerica Road, MS04
      ****** <<     Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824
     *******  \     Phone: (978) 446-6451
-----------------   Fax:   (978) 446-6351