Subject: Weekend Update: May 22-23
Date:    Mon 5/24/99  9:32am

On Saturday, I fulfilled a promise to help rebuild the wall around the
church sign out front; the one that people don't often see nestled
among some neatly trimmed hedges.  The foreman thought it would take
two people a half a day to complete the job but the two of us Marks
were not the two who could have accomplished that feat.  Instead, we
had the capable help of Pastor White and my wife, Joy for most of the
day.  (I'm not sure Pastor would like you all to know that he worked
on the wall with Mark and Mark because the old workman's adage came to
play when we were done: "I won't be able to see it from my house.")
In the end, the job turned out well.  We were joined by the Egyptian
plague of gnats; perhaps the Lord of the Flies wanted to obstruct our
rebuilding of the wall.  My hat and glasses protected me from some of
the bites my compatriots got, but my legs were a feast unto
themselves.

I had the opportunity to try my hand at chiseling concrete: once.
They were able to reuse the rubble I had created but there weren't
enough blocks for me to practice the masonry craft further.  I did get
the job of holding the firewood wedge while Mark Hamlin worked the
sledge hammer.  Mark hit his mark but this Mark was marked a little by
the follow through (not his fault; I felt like one of the Three
Stooges!  Hmmm... if they were Howard, Fine, and Howard, I guess that
would mean Pastor was Larry!)

Jessica and Emily were off to NYI convention while Andrew and other
church children were mopping up the district at the Caravan Round-Up.

Tired and dirty, we shuffled into the house that afternoon to a
message on our answering machine reminding us that we had made a date
for dinner that evening some weeks prior. Now, some people would call
and cancel, but remember: *someone else was preparing a meal* so we
wouldn't have to!  So, we showered and traveled to the home of Brice
and Donna Allen for steak, potatoes, mushrooms and onions, (salad),
corn, apple pie, and a whole lot of fun!  Mmmm, Mmmm, Good!

Joy and I were happy to catch a brief and rare Sunday afternoon nap
before the pool season gets into full swing.  We are reminding people
of our open pool policy and our Summer Sunday Afternoons at the Manor.
For those of you who are new to this invitation, we invite you to BYOM
(bring your own meal) to eat after Sunday morning church and then
spend the afternoon around the pool.  [Special note: on June 13, at
least two of the late Sunday School classes will be gathering at the
Manor for "Sunday School by the Pool" and then an afternoon of fun.
For more information, see your class teacher.]

Miranda comes home from college this Wednesday evening and begins work
on June 1 for UPS again.  It will be interesting to see the changes
our reassembled family of six brings.

Speaking of change, there is just about one month left to my father's
pastoral ministry in Wollaston before he retires.  Wollaston is
throwing a weekend gala in Dad and Mom's honor.  (Call the Wolly
church for more info.)

Have a good week!

Mark

               _____________________________________   
        o O   / Mark Metcalfe  metcalfe@cadence.com \           ,
  `\|||/     /  Cadence Design Systems, Inc.         \           \_o__,
   (o o)     \  (978) 446-6451     "Come on over!"   /             M
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