Peace Be With You ... but only for a minute

We needed to be at St. Mary Magdalene for Rocky’s first communion by 11am. To that end, I rolled out of bed around 750am, brushed my teeth, choked down two more Acetaminophen, then headed downstairs. Once again, it was nice and sunny. I started a pot of coffee then played on the internet until it was ready. Once I had some coffee in hand I did a walkabout of the yard admiring the summer beauty. It must’ve been about 840am when I put an end to the leisurely pace and got ready for a run.

I ran three miles in shorts and a short sleeved wicking shirt. It was sunny and already in the mid 60s. As I passed the house after my warm-up loop I could see that Mindy was up and presumably in the shower, made apparent by the master bath lights aglow. I was back somewhere between 9-930am. I took Eiknarf on a morning walk next.

Mindy was still in the bathroom getting ready when I headed up for a shower. I asked if the kids needed up and if they should be showering. Yes. I made sure the two of them were awake, and sorted out who’d shower first. Jacob agreed to, but not until I was done. As usual, it didn’t take me long to shower and ready. I opted to wear black on black – Dockers and a Polo. Downstairs, Mindy offered donuts that she picked up at Giant Eagle the afternoon prior. She had a chocolate bismark for me.

We left for Magdalene around 1030am. Apparently the first communion ceremony was going to be part of the regular 11am mass. We arrived about 10 minutes later getting parking spot along the curb on the east side of the church. Unless I’m mistaken, the last time I attended mass at Magdalene was New Year’s Day 1994. Mindy prepped the kids telling them that the service would be different from what they’re used to.

The knights of Columbus were set up at a folding table just outside the church’s main entrance selling raffle tickets as we entered mass. I told Mindy that it reminded me of the artisans selling their wares at temple. Just inside the main entrance the 6 kids there for their first communion were gathered with Mrs Hockett, Rocky’s teacher. Mindy walked over to chat with her for a few minutes. I introduced myself too.

We walked to the 2nd or 3rd row pew that was reserved for Rocky’s family. The row was already full, however, with Lindsey, Landon, Kelly, Rosemary, Al, Ashley, and Olivia. That made no effort to squeeze us in. instead we sat two rows behind them. Kelly and here parents acted as though we weren’t there. Quite funny really. What I found telling, both grandkids, Olivia & Landon opted to come back and sit with us. After a few minutes of greetings before the mass began, I slid up two rows and sat with Ashley. During our conversation Ashley shared that the father refused to baptize Olivia because, as he said, he doesn’t see Ashley enough on Sunday’s.

Not much has changed with the Catholic mass since my last visit. Almost all of it a well-rehearsed ceremony and done it just about an hour. The exception was the incorporation of the first communion of about 6 or 7 kids. Towards the end, I moved back to sit with Mindy for the duration. At the end of mass family was free to mingle at the alter for pictures. Mindy & I expected to chat with Kelly, Rosemary & Al, but they high-tailed it out of there without as much as a hello. We scoffed at the glaring hypocrisy. We gave Rocky a card that contained a cash gift then headed for our car.

We headed for home north on Hague until Valleyview where we turned west so we could go by my old house. Surprised to see that they tore out the shrubs lining the west of the driveway, but left those lining the east. Still the same landscaping, roof and paint job I did back in the day. Once at home we all changed out of our nice clothes. I changed into attire more appropriate for power washing. My plan was to power wash Mindy’s fountain before firing it up. I hoped to get most of the dried algae off of it. I thought I might power wash the front porch again too.

Sprayed the fountain base with Clorox spray cleaner to help loosen the dried algae ahead of time. Didn’t have any trouble getting the power washer to start. Started first pull. I was really happy about that. Got the fountain set-up and running after power washing. It didn’t take long. Before putting the power washer away I rolled it out front and power washed the front porch, Mindy’s Pilot, and the stucco above the garage where the English ivy let a few stains.

Mindy left for the grocery right after I finished the power washing. I left the hose out so I could wash my Accord. We were expecting Lindsey and the grandkids anytime. They headed to Rosemary & Al’s right after the first communion but planned to come to our house after to celebrate further and do some laundry.

It was getting really warm. Felt like summer. It had to be in the mid 80s. Spent about an hour cleaning the Accord. Lindsey and the kids showed up just as I was putting the finishing touches on the car. Looked good. Landon & Olivia asked if I would squirt them with the hose. Yes, but I suggested that we move around to the back yard. I put away all my car cleaning supplies then headed out back. The talked Bella into getting sprayed too. I’ll bet I sprayed the kids for at least a half hour. Olivia begged out a couple of times but kept coming back. Both she and Landon wanted a turn at driving/controlling the hose. Bella was a real trooper, allowing me to soak her to the bone.

Mindy got back from the grocery while I played with the kids. I’m guessing it was near 330pm, because the neighbors got home from their Marietta soccer tournament near the same time. Bella was very happy to see Makayla. I offered to spray her with the hose too, but she wanted no part of it.

I’d been feeling sleepy most of the afternoon and was still battling that headache. I really wanted a nap. Over the next hour I left the kids play with the hose with the understanding that they weren’t permitted to spray up on the deck. I poured some ice water, grabbed my book, and plopped down on the chaise lounge in the shade. It’s one of my favorite spots on the deck.

Mindy was insistent that I do all the grilling for dinner. She had been admittedly crabby all day long. The plan was to grill corn on the cob, chicken, pork chops, and hot dogs. Mindy picked up potato salad from the grocery, too. I drug myself up and out of the chaise near 5-530pm to start grilling, first the corn then the meat. Mindy still helped quite a bit. She seasoned the meat then shuttled everything out and then back in once it was done.

Mindy & I opted for one of the pork chops marinated in a chipotle lime sauce. They were tasty! Most of the kids opted for chicken or hot dogs. Dinner was fairly easy since we used paper plates. Lindsey and the kids hung out until about 7pm before heading for home. Ashley wanted Olivia home at a decent hour to prepare for the work week. After everybody left I spent a little more time on the deck reading and napping.

Headed inside sometime after 8pm and tuned the TV to The Universe. Mindy headed up to bed around 9pm. Having napped plenty through the afternoon and evening, I got my second wind and stayed up watching the History Channel until 935pm. That headache was still bothering me. I took a few Advil before heading to bed.