Dear Friends,

Thursday was another day of extreme humidity, and I didn’t enjoy it at all.

Our contractor did stop by with floor samples of hardwood, laminate, and linoleum for Linda to look at and eventually choose. The contractor directed her to Carr Hardware for Benjamin More paint samples because when the wall paper is removed, we have decided to paint the walls instead of putting back wallpaper.
The contractor has a guy coming in on Monday morning to start the renovation of the bathroom / laundry room.

It was so hot yesterday at supper time that we decided to dine out. We and a good portion of the Pittsfield residents made a decision to get out of our homes, and dine in an air conditioned setting. We went to the “99 Restaurant”. The meals that we selected were great. Linda had the Chicken Marsala, and I had the Steak Tips & Chicken tenders. We shared a “smashed” key lime pie to end the meal.

In a few short hours, we will be heading out the door for Cape Cod. We are hoping to be able to check in early, and then drive a couple miles to a friend’s home for a little socializing around 3 PM. After a couple hours of fun and merriment, we then head off to the parents of the bride’s home which is a couple miles from our hotel. This “Welcome Party”, as they called it, goes from 5 PM until 8 PM. I am betting that the 8 PM ending time might be extended a little.

After our dinner at the restaurant, I decided to read a book in bed, and watch the ESPN sports program where LeBron James announced where he was going to play next season in the NBA. I made to the scheduled 9 PM program before I fell asleep. I missed the whole hour long program. I did wake up at one point to hear that he is going to play in Miami. For several days, the talking heads in the Sports’ world talked and talked about the Lebron situation. I am so glad that it is over. Now what new topic will they be discussing?
I still can’t believe how the sports world spent so much time on a high school educated athlete who makes millions playing a game. Is he a role model for our youth?
In 36 years of teaching, I never had one of some very athletically inclined students make it to the NBA. I am not saying to these athletically inclined students that they should give up their dream of making it in the NBA, but the odds are sure stacked up against them.

Water – We have a ban on watering the lawns in Pittsfield. I don’t have to worry about killing the lawns until the next rainfall because they are pretty much burned up already. You can use a hand held device, but if you get caught using a sprinkler; you can be fined 50 dollars.
How bad is the water problem? My golf course is located at the highest point in the City of Pittsfield. The country club had no running water the other day. They had to shut down the kitchen and bathrooms at the golf course club house. There is a small pond on the course which can be used to water greens and fairways, but that water won’t last long in this heat.
The local weather guys are said that Sunday is the day when we will get some relief from the heat. I hope that the couple of thunderstorms, which are predicted before the drop in temperatures and humidity occurs, alleviate some of the water shortage.

Linda and I chatted with Danielle yesterday. She said Michael has now reached the rank of Lt. Colonel. We will be visiting their family in a couple of weeks. Good thing for the technology other wise we would have missed both grandchildren growing up. Of course, there is nothing like holding and seeing your grandchildren in person.
Gabriel, who was born in May, has grown quite a bit. Danielle said that at his last checkup appointment, Gabriel was within or exceeded all the recommended growth guidelines. Danielle said that she noticed quite a difference between Isabelle at that age as compared to Gabriel. This boy is going to require a lot more calories to make it through each day.
Speaking of grandchildren, our friend flew of to Atlanta yesterday to be with his granddaughter. This is the same guy who often commented on the teachers getting the summers off. Well, he is at a point in his career that he has enough vacation time to take a good portion of his summers off too.
When we were early in our teaching careers, most of us had to find a summer job, or we were taking courses to get a masters degree and beyond. On paper it looked like we had the summers off, but not in reality.

Well, I have to do a couple of quiet chores, and finish packing.
Our plan right now is to leave for the Cape no later than 9 AM.
Linda said that she is going to try and get up earlier than she normally does.
You know me, if I had my way, I would be on the road right now.
All, I need right now is a “Chill Pill”, and I will be alright!
Have a great weekend.
Talk to you soon. The Curley Lad