On Saturday, I went with Electric Man (Dave's Track Nickname) and his Dad to the park with the RC Car track I have mentioned before.  I brought my new car but when I went to try it I discovered that the battery, which I thought fully charged was dead. Later in the afternoon Dave said that I might want to hang out Sat evening and use Dirk's bed, sorry Dirk to avoid driving home Sat night. As I gathered belongings I thought of the George Carlin bit about visiting and how you must carefully choose what to take.  Then someone asks you to visit somewhere else asks you to visit and you must decide of the stuff you bought what you will take to the new place.  These thoughts were running through my mind as I gathered underwear, medicine, toothbrush etc. for the overnight stay.  When I arrived, Dave was in Surgery, better known his garage repairing his primary car. It had not been a great morning at the track.   He had broken the primary car and was attempting to install a new part which was not behaving as it should.  He took time out to grill some very tasty cheeseburgers and returned to work while I  wrapped up last weeks update.  Finally, he gave in and decided he would run another car on Sunday. While working on his car he took time out to replace my dead battery with one twice as powerful  the car screams. By that time it was pushing ten o'clock and he ran down the street to see someone for whom he is doing some work.  The house was cheerful because his niece and two friends were hanging out watching TV.  The girls packed it in about 12:15 and I soon retired to Dirk's room guarded by Chester (the German shepherd.  Since he is a somewhat restless camper I left the door ajar. 

       Sunday morning I woke up about 4:30AM (older people do that) and could hear the family room TV.  I don't think it was the TV (I can sleep through anything) but something caused me not to sleep well and I was awake again at 6:30 (way early for me).  After returning from what I needed to do and noticing Dave still on the couch ( I was to find out later he had returned about 2:30am) I lay half but mostly awake until he stuck his head in at about 9:10 and asked if I would like to go to breakfast.  He was amazed at how fast the old guy was up and dressed.  I found out that he and his Dad had agreed to a 9AM breakfast the day before.  Needless to say we were a bit late for which Dave took a little flack.  From breakfast we went back to the track in the park for a couple of hours returning in early afternoon.  Dave has gone off to the person for whom he is doing the job and I soon will find my way back home.  I arrived home before sunset and decided I would go take a few sunset pictures.  We live close to upper Tampa Bay and these were taken from a park on the bay.  To view a sequence of pictures CLICK HERE.

       Monday morning I went to the doctor for a minor issue that was bothering me.  The doctor suggested some simple over the counter solutions. . On the way back from the office I stopped at Anytime Fitness to do some exercises. Moving from there home, I stopped at Walgreens to procure that which he selected, returning home where I began to try the suggested use of the remedies.  The first worked so efficiently and immediately that I did not need the second. The bulletin from St Julie, which is usually in my mail box on Monday afternoon was delayed. I was to find out later why so Monday night was spent watching some TV and catching up on Sunday's narrative.   

  Tuesday was spent in anticipation of the return of the girls (Mary and Kath) and Dirk from the Great White North.  Tuesday afternoon I began to put in place the follow up maintenance suggested by the Doctor and soon it was time for the return.  David was to pick them up at Tampa International and since the aircraft was on time, despite earlier dire weather predictions for Chicago.  An arrangement was made for me to pick up Mary at their house so I left in time to procure a few things on the way, arriving just as luggage was being unloaded.  Since Mary had not eaten all day as I had not and since I had "batched" it for the weekend I suggested we stop at Chilis for some food on the way home thereby allowing Mary the luxury of no dirty dishes etc.  Mary had a special Marguerite and I the biggest one I had ever seen.  In my case it successfully washed down a plate of mini-burgers and a side of Chili and Mary a huge hamburger, before we headed for home. 

        Wednesday I began the follow up maintenance program recommended by the doctor. We lost a family friend today.  Chester, the Eskew family vicious watchdog (actually a real teddy bear) had aged to the point where functions were no longer controlled and sadly the decision that he needed to be relieved of his discomfort.  We will miss him greatly he was David's dog actually before they were the Eskew's and he was particularly fond of Mary.  Farewell dear friend. In the afternoon, I went to the fitness center, returning in time to change clothes for our Wednesday Prime Rib night.  Unfortunately, it turned into a mild disaster.  We all arrived at the Golf Club to a full parking lot which we presumed must contain a whole group of golfers finishing up.  WRONG!! Seems like everyone was in the restaurant.  This created a crowd which it appeared they were not equipped to handle.  It caused them to run out of our favorite French Onion Soup.  In addition, they ran out of PRIME RIB on prime rib night Ouch!  It turns out that I was not inconvenienced since I had already ordered fried shrimp.  Sometimes even the nicest restaurants have bad nights, and as a peace offering  our waitress delivered a round of drinks and a special appetizer to compensate for the kitchen's tardiness. 

  On Thursday, my project was to solve the headlight problem on the Windstar.  We had noticed that the headlight pattern was very bad.  I decided that I would take it to Pep Boys and have them install brighter lamps.  The Assistant Service Manager told me that would not solve the problem. It seems that in an older vehicle, the plastic outer lenses age and need to e rejuvenated.  I agreed and after they finished I asked and found out that there was a brighter bulb which would replace what was probably original equipment.  As yet by coincidence we have not been out at night to note whether or not there is any improvement.

    Friday was spent running errands.  Dirk needed new baseball cleats and we went to Burger King  so he could get another toy. Note the priorities here.  We then dropped by the mall, before returning home to ride out another series of gulf spawned thunderstorms.  Well that's another week in paradise and truth be told, we can't wait to get home.