Dateline Dayton — This past week has been a busy one at our house.

Since it stopped raining, I had to get the grass cut and take care of work in the yard.

I knew there would be no time over the weekend. Besides, rain was in the forecast, and they turned out to be right.

Since we were hosting a party on Sunday, there was housecleaning to be done. Pauline insists that we clean for guests and even at other times, which I just don’t understand. I’ve tried to convince her that dust provides protection from the ultra violet rays. She does not buy that theory.

Sounds reasonable to me.

I have heard that all you need to clean are the corners. If they are clean, the entire house will be considered clean. She doesn’t buy that strategy either.

Pauline’s brother required eye surgery again this week. He is recuperating at our house. His recovery will be long and slow.

In addition to the cleaning and getting ready for the party, Pauline is also providing care and transportation for him.

90 Candles

Saturday morning, I had to visit the dentist before doing the final shopping for the party. In the afternoon I attended my Uncle Paul’s 90th birthday party in Piqua. (Pauline was busy caring for her brother)

I can only hope to live that long and look as good as Uncle Paul. He lives alone, still does limited driving and plays cards five times a week. It was nice to see cousins I haven’t been around since our last family reunion, 10 years ago. One cousin I saw for the first time in 60 years.

On Sunday, our son Jon’s youngest daughter made her First Communion. It was a beautiful ceremony celebrated by the former pastor of our church, whom we greatly admire. Madison was stunning in her white dress.

After Mass, all of her family and friends came to our house, to celebrate this most important event in her young life. She had asked if we would host the party since we did for her sister last year.

Madison requested the menu be hot dogs and hamburgers. We complied. Jon did the grilling. Pauline made sure the details were taken care of, and I cleaned up.

I had to cut the grass again the next day because rain was forecast for that night and later in the week.

With lots of yardwork to be done and the Mother’s Day flowers I got Pauline to be planted, I hope to get a lot accomplished this weekend. Normally I wouldn’t purchase flowers this early. However, our grandson was selling them for his Boy Scout troop.

Tuesday was primary election day here in Ohio. Not much excitement, and no opportunity to make any change. Our representative to Congress had opposition. I was not impressed with her views or qualifications. I supported the incumbent Mike Turner, who, I believe, has represented us well, and won easily. A school tax increase did go down to defeat, which is unusual for Kettering, a suburb.

I am writing this on the first anniversary of Ari’s father passing, as well as, my birthday. It was at his viewing that I became reacquainted with Ari after 50-plus years. We spoke for some time. He asked if I would consider writing an essay for his newspaper. As the saying goes, the rest is history.

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