Dateline Dayton — After much stress and frustration, we finally received word last Thursday evening that our closing was going to take place at 4 on Friday.

Since we didn't expect the closing would happen until this week, some tasks needed to be completed.  Pauline and I went over later. While she tidied up, I sanded the walls in my den and tackled a few other projects.

Early Friday, before going to work, I removed the final items from the garage.  At lunch, I made one final check.  I would have liked to take care of more, the new owners were receiving a home in much better condition than what they had expected.

On the way to the closing, the telephone rang. I feared a problem.  Our realtor's assistant said her boss was running late. We arrived at the same time.

OnSaturday, although there is much to do at our new condo, especially in the garage, we took the day off. After breakfast at the Golden Nugget, we proceeded to the market downtown.

In the afternoon, my sister and her husband came in, and we took a small trip. The Cincinnati Outlet Mall was our first stop – new shoes for me. Onto the Back Porch for a late lunch/early supper.  After  overstuffed sandwiches, we drove to the new race track/casino to watch the Preakness.  Couldn't be there without betting. I did. My sister also wanted to bet.

Both of us chose California Chrome.  I placed two bets, one to win, one to WPS. My sister only made a WPS bet.  In the end, my winning ($10) ticket paid $15, and the $6 WPS ticket paid $8.40.

On the Inside

Afterward in the casino, I was able to lose my winnings, along with the $15 we received for joining the Players Club.  A fun time, but it won’t be repeated for the Belmont. My son Chris is in a concert that evening. 

Sunday we attended church in Piqua along with my sisters Susan and Sara, brother-in-law Willie and my sister-in-law Carol.  We were joined later by my brother-in-law Dave, and we all went to breakfast/lunch.

Before going home, Pauline, Chris and I stopped to purchase flowers before driving to the cemetery to plant and clean our families’ grave sites.

On the way home, we visited my Uncle Paul's gravesite and placed flowers.

This should be a great weekend for our garage sale.

A happy and safe Memorial Day weekend to all readers.  Remember our Veterans and those serving to keep our country free.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net