Mike Hennessey
Dateline On the Road — Pauline and I are on our way this afternoon to Florida for our annual vacation. We will visit our friends Darlene and Ray, and we will stay with them. They went to Venice, Fl in January, and they will be there until April. We always make our trip the week of St. Patrick’s Day.
I am not as excited as I usually am about our trip. My brother-in-law is gravely ill, and our company, CUC, has not been the same since the president died.
I should be around for both, my sister and the company. I realize I can be reached on my cell phone, but if something should happen to Willie, I could be almost two days away.
Last Saturday, we celebrated our granddaughter Madison’s birthday at our house. A breakfast party, so we served our usual breakfast, purchased at a Dayton restaurant supply. I helped in the preparation, and that could have been the reason it took longer than usual to cook.
Even though it was early in the day, we did have cake and ice cream. No birthday is complete without them. Next it was time for Madison’s gifts. Pauline bought her a pair of tennis shoes that she wanted. One problem: The store didn’t have her color. Arrival would be delayed until Monday. Pauline became creative. She cut a picture of the shoes out of a catalog, pasted it on a card and put it in a shoe box. Madison even thought it was clever. I did deliver the real thing to her on Monday.
After the festivities, we were on our way to Piqua to visit Willie and take them their taxes, which I prepared. Willie was able to sign the tax returns. He was awake the entire time we were there, although he said he was tired. Two of his nieces came while we were there and the owner of the company where he worked, was also going to visit him later. On Sunday he had 27 visitors!
Saturday evening we were at Centerville High School for a concert by the school’s Alternative Strings, ninth to 12th graders, who enjoy music, especially bluegrass. A delightful three hours, listing to them and their special guest, the group Flatt Lonesome. The cost for this evening of entertainment was only $10 per person, a real bargain.
Sunday there was church, followed by breakfast and a visit to Flea-n-tique, which is held at the fairgrounds. I found a book for $2 and Pauline purchased a cross stitch piece for $5. In the afternoon she went to a program at church while I worked on taxes.
One Blank Week
Since we are on our way to Florida, I will not have an essay next week. Sure. I will provide you a blow by blow description of the trip on the 24th. At least you will not have to look at pictures, or be bored with a video!
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net