Subject: Weekend update: December 14, 1998
Date:    Mon 12/14/98  8:54am


The weekend was dominated by the annual Christmas Cantata at church
which was very well-attended and just as well-received.  My hat is off
to Jan and Meredith who coordinated the drama and music and technology
behind this year's success.  They have well-deserved congratulations
and my heartfelt admiration.

Andrew has been hoping, wishing, and praying for snow, Snow, SNOW!  I
told him that the one who wishes the most shovels the most.  I am
happy to report that we've been having continued mild weather up in
the Northeast.  It does distract a bit from the fast-approaching Day,
but I welcome the distraction.

I gave out a number of paper invitations to our upcoming Christmas
party for Wednesday night the 23rd.  If you didn't get one, it was (in
a way and in part) by design... because I wanted to make sure people
NOT on email got the word.  Get your shopping done and come on over
for a time of light refreshment, perhaps some caroling, and lots and
lots of enjoyment in the company of good people.  RSVP is helpful and
supervised children are welcome.  Directions by request.

Today (December 14) is also my 39th birthday, unless you talk to Joy
who is still reeling from her 40th birthday party.  You can't play the
same joke on the jokester (not effectively, at least), so I'm in the
clear.  My father even sent me email as a testimony of that Monday 39
years ago, nine and a half hours shy of his birthday (he'll be 68 on
12/15...  eflactem@aol.com).  My aunt's birthday is also today
(mumble-two, if I am not mistaken, deland@aol.com).  After two boys,
Mom and Dad were betting on a girl, and had I popped out with two XXs,
my name would have been Ruth (after my aunt).  I came out with XY, as
you all know, and I would have been named Russell III had I waited
another ten hours.  But the history was written and I was dubbed Mark
Andrew by a blind pick from the Alliance, Ohio phone book.

By the way, Russell III exists but in another person; and he has a
Russell IV.  The Metcalfes will be gathering together this season on
Saturday the 26th; a rare thing to have us all together at once.  I
must remember to save some film in the camera.

After this week, I'm taking the rest of the year off (12/19 to 1/4).
I may even have to check my home email (mark_metcalfe@juno.com) if I
get pangs of withdrawal.

Happy holidays, seasons greetings, but most of all, Merry Christmas!

Mark


                       .-~~\
                      /     \ _
                      ~x   .-~_)_
                        ~x".-~   ~-.           " Though your sins are
                    _   ( /         \   _        like scarlet, they
                    ||   T  o  o     Y  ||       shall be as white as
                  ==:l   l   <       !  I;==     snow."
                     \\   \  .__/   /  //
                      \\ ,r"-,___.-'r.//                        - Isaiah 1:18
                       }^ \.( )   _.'//.
                      /    }~Xi--~  //  \       " And Andrew shall shovel it."
                     Y    Y I\ \    "    Y
                     |    | |o\ \        |                       - Mark 39:1
                     |    l_l  Y T       |
                     l      "o l_j       !
                      \                 /
               ___,.---^.     o       .^---.._____
           "~~~          "           ~            ~~~"