Dateline Dayton – While you were having a safe Independence Day last week, I hope, all five of our children were at our house – though only some families were here.

We decided to celebrate at lunch time since several had plans for later. Our son Bill cooked hamburgers, hot dogs and brats on the grill, and along with the other fixings, we had ample food.

Jake, our dog, does not enjoy the festivities for this holiday. Each booming firecracker  sounds like thunder to him, and he runs around barking. He wanted outside, but then he would have just scampered in the yard, barking, disturbing our neighbors,

On Friday, I took our daughter and granddaughter back to Michigan. Although we encountered rain, it was a good trip. I made it a round trip, choosing not to spend the night in Niles because Darlene did most of the driving to Michigan. I made a small detour to a new Indian casino, just outside of Dowagiac, a short distance from Niles.

The purpose of my visit was to get a players card. When you sign up for a card there, you also get free play, and in my case that amounted to $5. To activate the free play, you must insert cash. I chose a penny machine, inserting $5.. The machine was good to me. Once I reached $20, I left, $15 to the good.

Last Saturday morning I rearranged things in the garage, like an old refrigerator I wanted to  recycle. When Pauline got home from an errand, we headed downtown to the market. Once we were back home, it was time for a nap because we were attending a 50th anniversary party at 4 o’clock. Later, we would take our grandson Jarod and his mother, our daughter Lisa, to the Dragons baseball game at 6:30.

Jarod loves baseball. He wants to be a professional player. He really enjoys Dragons games. A friend gave us four tickets in the first row behind home plate, and the important  parking pass. Jarod told us he always had dreamed of sitting in these seats. On his 10th birthday, we saw a Dragons’ victory. 

Sunday was church breakfast, and back to the ball field where we had our regular tickets for the game. Possibly since Jarod wasn’t there, they lost. As always, we had a good time and it didn’t rain.

Sunday was also our son Chris’s birthday. We invited him for supper after work. Pauline served steaks, and even Jake enjoyed our meal.

I cut the grass on Monday after work. With all the rain we have had, it grows so fast. Between showers last week, Emily did get the front cut, but to make it even, I cut it again.

Tuesday evening was the four-plus-hour Board meeting for the Learning Tree Farm. It started at 4, and was actually almost 9 when we finished. Normally we meet at the Farm, but it was moved to my office. I wish I could say we got a lot accomplished. Many good ideas were introduced. We will see what comes from the suggestions

Tomorrow we will be heading north to Fort Loramie Lake for our high school class picnic. Should be fun, especially since a classmate we have not seen in many years is to be there.

With such a busy schedule, working, dental visits and taking Pauline’s brother to the doctor, did I mention how quickly time disappears.

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