Sunday morning the mass schedule and the crowd returned to normal after being adjusted to account for the length of the Palm Sunday and Easter masses.   Today's celebrant was Monsignor Palladino who will turn 90 on Tuesday. Like many of his generation he had an amazing knowledge of scripture off the top of his head and wanted to tell it all in his homily which was extremely interesting, although a bit wordy. The pastor, Father Bob (a good name) made an announcement before mass about an upcoming event for next Monday night and with tongue in cheek inquired if there was any trouble finding a place to park.  He also promised the event would end in time for all to be home for the NCAA Championship.  This afternoon, we went down the road to H and R Trains in Pinellas Park. Twice a year they have a big show to which they invite hobbyists and some manufacturers reps to display projects and products.  It is a fun event.  From there at the insistence of some little people, we headed to the Target toy department before returning home. Cinderella came within two points of the big dance as a three point attempt in the closing seconds against Kansas sent Davidson home.  That all happened after I met God.  We are taught to find him in everyone around us and today I met her.  Mary had gone out and after walking around the block at some great effort I was sitting on the bench by the lake at the end of my street watching the fish.  A lovely lady named Shelby came along and struck up a conversation about whether one could fish in the lake without a license.  Seems that Shelby and her husband David bought a home on the next street over and we were commenting about we missed the fact that anyone could leave either of our homes in the condition they were in.  Turns out Shelby and David are 28 year Army retirees so we had a lot to compare about military cleanliness inspections and other issues.  Then Shelby continued on about life experiences including a serious car accident 16 years ago which left her fighting for her life and in the hospital 4 months.  She broke so many bones and has so many plates, screws and rods in her body that she can drive the Transportation Screw-up Administration nuts. Shelby then sauntered off on her daily three mile walk and I realized I had met God in Shelby telling me to get going.

 

   Monday morning Mary and I met with our financial advisor to adjust some things.  After we had lunch and concluded business I went on my way to the fitness center, stopping on the way to buy a table to put a laptop on in my bedroom. We were thinking about going to the beach. It was a good thing that we did not as the causeway where  we go was closed off by a swat team because of a troubled man who had barricaded himself in his vehicle.  Later, after tying up traffic for about 8 hours, we learned that the issue had been resolved peacefully without any injury to the man or the officers.  Later on, we headed over to watch Dirk play another T Ball game.  Poor kid put the bat on the ball (pitched, not off the T) and made three outs hitting it twice right at the first baseman.  On the way home I stopped for some gourmet food at McDonalds.  

  Wednesday night we made our usual weekly trip to the Golf Club for dinner the obvious highlight of the day,

  Thursday I arose early to deliver Mary to Kathi's.  The girls had a facial scheduled with a friend of Kathi's and it turned out to be so relaxing that Mary was done in for the rest of the day.  I picked her up at Kathi's with the idea she would go back later to watch Dirk while Kathi went to the airport to pick up Karen (Kathi's friend and my Chicago daughter).  Mary had to cancel as she was not only tired from the facial but also felt a bug might be attempting a sneak attack.

   This morning, I am watching morning TV (as usual).  You have probably gotten the idea by now that Mary takes the car for her trip to Curves and any errands and then it is available in the afternoon for what I might need.  This morning's routine also included a stop at Kathi's for coffee with Kathi and Karen so it might be later.  It is OK since I am a credentialed couch potato. The weekly mail forwarding arrived from Orland Park and included the anticipated license plate sticker. Each week I read the posting of my good friend and fellow "web teamer" to see what he is up to.  This week was particularly interesting as he included poems written by his father about his adventures in the military and he also included a request by one of his recently discovered relatives about voting for a young man in I believe the Cleveland family branch who is entered in a contest about his passion baseball.  I include her request here and ask that you follow the instructions and cast a ballot:

                                Hi all, 
                                My cousin's son entered a baseball contest and has won a regional position
                                for us here in Cleveland, Ohio.  In order for him to win the national contest
                                he needs your vote.  Please go to the following website:  
                                www.briggsdiamondsintherough.com and vote for # 25 Jack B.  You can
                                the time and please forward the information to any of your friends that you think
                                will help make this 7 year olds dream come true.  
                                Peggy

Please go to the indicated site and vote.  As Peggy says it will help make a 7 year olds dream come true.