Rain, Rain, Go Away

We are in the middle of a major winter storm in Northern California with the requisite howling wind, downed power poles, spin out accidents and even a penguin sighting in Roseville. There were numerous reports on the morning drive of a penguin wandering around near the traffic lanes of one of the major freeways. It turned out to be a black and white duck (which is a penguin isn't it?). Daniel and I spent Saturday installing some much needed drainage in the backyard of the house and trenching for irrigation lines.

We rented a 250 pound Ditch Witch trencher from NationsRent and it made the job so much easier. The problem was the trencher kept getting stuck in the mud and we had to wrestle the machine up and out of the mud. It made some nice straight trenches and if they don't all collapse in the rain, the sprinklers will be much easier to install. We got the 3 inch drainage pipe installed and hooked up to the pipe that was already in the backyard near the shed. Hopefully it works well..we will certainly get a good look at the results after this storm. I got the sprinklers started and finally succumbed to the darkness and a sore back about six PM on Saturday. David helped us after he got back from work in the afternoon. I am tremendously sore still after taking a day off yesterday and resting my aching back. I didn't pull it out of alignment like I often do and I haven't had any back spasms, so hopefully the pain will subside and I can get back to normal in a few days. If not, I'll be off to see Harry and get a Bowen Treatment.

I actually hurt the sciatica because I can feel it down my legs as I walk. I am much better today and can see the pain subsiding, so I can do it all over again next weekend. I will just be laying pipe and doing some residual trenching in the raised landscaping bed above the pool. The problem with my back really came from wrestling the Ditch Witch with Daniel. We got the machine so muddy that we hauled it out into the street and I sprayed it off with my power washer. The guy at the rental place said he'd never seen the machine turned back in so clean before.

I did not play any golf this weekend, but did get out on Wednesday afternoon and play with one of our retailers and a marketing Vice President from one of our companies. We played at the Empire Ranch golf course which borders Diane's home in Folsom. I shot 44+39=83 and managed three birdies to go with some uglier play. I was actually on in two on one of the par fives on the front side and then three putted for par. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the challenge of playing a four handicapper. He is from Philly and hasn't played much golf this winter, so struggled to a 86. Gail in my office also played and had a nice 86. She grew up on a country club in Marin and has a nice game. We played with a retailer who is about a 15 handicap and he shot 90. I did manage to get my golf fix for the week and get the irrigation started in the back yard.

I titled this blog Trivial Thoughts and Recollections and I have been musing lately as I approach 50. I remember when I was about ten going to a 50th birthday celebration for my Uncle Norm in Vancouver. I remember being amazed that this man was about to turn half a century old. It was amazing to me as a kid. My Dad was thirty and seemed so much younger than Norm (of course he was). Norm was a golfer and I had the privilege of playing a few rounds with him as a young adult. He had a metronomic swing and although he hit the ball only about 180 yards, it was right down the middle. Norm has now passed away and Dad turns 70 next month. Amazing to look back on. Norm was married to my Mom's oldest sister, Irene, and Irene was a feisty, fun loving lady. Norm was a bookish, quiet man with a droll sense of humor. Irene liked cocktails and Norm liked chocolate milk. You wonder how couples get together and Norm and Irene were polar opposites. Irene unfortunately smoked like a smoke bomb and was the first of Mom's siblings to pass away. Norm lived for twenty-five years after Irene and spent his final years in a resort area golfing and enjoying his twilight years.

I have to admit that I'm a little miffed at my nephews and nieces. They have all decided to skip the 70th birthday celebration for Dad. All of them have good excuses for not coming, but I think the focus somehow went off of Dad and on to them and their busy lives. When I heard about this celebration, I was definitely on board and we planned to bring the boys and Jennifer and John wanted to come. Jennifer missed the last Vegas blowout and was looking forward to seeing all of her cousins. Jenny was the last one to bail on this and none of Darryl's kids will be there. Chris is coming. I told Jennifer to call her cousins and give them grief for being so centered on themselves and not on Dad's birthday celebration. It's too bad. I will party hearty for them. We have tickets to Eric Clapton on Saturday (Cheryl's birthday) and will play golf on Friday (Dad's birthday). Fun stuff in store.

I have set up the golf. It is pricey in Vegas on a weekend (Friday is considered a weekend). The cost is $89 per player and includes the cart. If you need to rent clubs, call the course at 702-646-3003. We have 9:39 AM and 9:46 AM on March 9th at Las Vegas Golf Club on Washington Avenue in Vegas. The website is : http://www.americangolf.com/coursedetails.cfm?courseid=35.


Well, it is payroll week and I have to get the electronic payroll done by nine AM in order to get all of these souls paid. Be well and live in the Lord on a daily basis. Ciao.