Labor Day Weekend - So, we all had a long weekend, at least most of us did. I know my good friend David had to work a ½ day yesterday because he’s a tax accountant and the tax man cometh regardless of the holidays. I spent the day cleaning and organizing around the house as well as watching a bit of T.V. with the wife. It was a relaxing day really, without a long list of tiring chores to accomplish since I got most of the yard work done on Sunday. I also did a bit of guitar playing yesterday after I tidied up the office. A friend loaned me a wah-wah pedal and I played around with that a while, practicing a song we’re doing next Sunday. For someone like me who’s not really much of an electric guitar player it makes playing so much more fun and forgiving. I can play a simple little blues scale and it actually sounds good to the ear, rather than mechanical. I love electronics.

As I’ve mentioned recently, my step-dad had open heart surgery a week ago, so we went over there on Saturday and I cut the grass for him while my brother fixed things inside and our wives cleaned and took mom shopping. It was a work day, but we also cooked out and visited a bit too.

Cutting grass at Papa James’s house is like running an obstacle course. James loves plants and loves to place them in the ground, but not necessarily in any sort of order or with my forethought. Apparently he just walks around and puts them in the ground whenever the spirit moves him. I’m not sure if he uses a divining rod or not, but trying to cut around that stuff is a major challenge. I could have probably cut off a good 30 minutes of cutting time if there were a 5 foot patch of grass anywhere in the acre or so of yard. Constant turning and adjusting the speed of the mower as well as circling every plant can really cut away on your time. And there was one part of the yard that had a plant placed about every 4 square foot and most them had either thorns or knife-like leaves that had to be carefully avoided lest you become skewered or sliced. This is in addition to the cactus hanging baskets in the back yard. Those are hung from large limbs and are about head level while on the mower. When I encountered the first one I reached out to move it and realized at the last second that it was a cactus. I’m so glad I’ve still got some reflexes left and managed to pull my hand away at the last second. I’m thinking of renting the yard to the military for an obstacle course. If they can make it through that yard without injuries they’re ready for combat.

I also did the weed eating around all of the plants (a neighbor helped in the front) and edged his driveway. I don't believe it had ever been edged before even though there's an unused gas edger in the barn. I used my edger that I had brought with me and realized after I was done that I need a new blade now.

But, he and mom were grateful for the help and the company Saturday. I’m just hoping that the yard won’t need much more work the rest of the year, because I still have to cut mine too and with the rain we’ve been getting it is a challenge to keep up with lately.

So, all in all the weekend was nice and productive. We got to see Joy and her kids on Sunday. The kids stayed with us overnight and that was nice. Taylor and I got up first on Monday and spent a while on the front porch talking. She talks almost non-stop and I had to make a mental note not to drift off and miss anything. Children that age are the most precious to me because they love spending time with you and don’t mind just sitting and talking.

She tried to sing "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" for me and got most of it done. She also explained the rules that Santa has, "You have to be good or he'll bring you rocks or sticks or mud. Not nice!" she said matter of factly and with a little role of the eyes.

When Chase finally arrived the three of us watered and fertilized all my flowers. The kids love to help doing that and I enjoyed the company. Of course, when Hunter wakes up it’s battle stations for everyone. For such a small bundle he seems to have been packaged with extra batteries. He is literally non-stop and demands to be involved in everything in the house hold. It’s as if he is afraid he’ll miss learning and doing something that the others are privileged to do and he’s determined to show everyone that he can do it too. We love to have him over, but always breathe a sigh of relief when he’s out the door. He’s a perfect example of why young people were designed to have children. The older we get, the less energy we have in reserve.

All in all it was a good 4 day weekend that leaves you refreshed and with a feeling of accomplishment. I’m not dreading the work week but I’m a little concerned about my after work schedule. I’ve something every night of the week and that’s not something I like to do. Oh well, it’s good to be busy and getting something worthwhile done I guess. I wish I could say I'll rest up next weekend, but won't. It's the Missions Conference weekend at church and my wife will be sure to keep me busy with that (she's the leader of the thing).