Musings become words

Last week I reported that our home in Florida escaped damage from Charley, but I was sure that Charley was to pass over us in Lancaster, PA and dump a deluge of rain. Well, Charley turned East and we never got anything except a few sprinkles. That's good,because our ground is already saturated from a lot of summer thunderstorms. This has been one of the wettest and coolest summers I can recall in Pennsylvania. We have had only two ninety-degree days all summer.

Sunday of next week marks an important day in our grandson's life. He will be going into the ninth grade this fall. Hence, he will be promoted from the Junior High class in Sunday School to the Senior High youth group. Promotion Sunday at our church is on August 29. He is a fine young man and we are very proud of him. His parents have done an outstanding job of raising him. Hats off to you, Josh, from Papa and Grandma.

Unfortunately his Grandma Weaver will not be at the promotion event. She will be in the Lancaster General Hospital. She will get a brand new left hip on Friday, August 27 and expects to remain in the hospital until the following Monday or Tuesday. She has made it through all the pre-op hurdles including giving two pints of blood for possible use after the surgery. She is looking forward to getting rid of a painful hip that has bothered her for almost two years. Our prayers are with you, Mary, as you go through this surgery.

Like most Americans, we are currently involved with the Olympic games. Sports are not a real big thing in our lives, but we do enjoy the Olympic games. Mary also likes to watch skating. She'll have to wait another two years for that. We have also been Phillies fanatics for many years. That has always been a painful part of our lives. The dog days of summer are here, and as usual, they are fading fast in the stretch. Their World Series championship of 1980 was a long time ago. Will we ever enjoy another world championship? It doesn't seem likely, but you never know. It might happen again some day.

Of course, our major concern this summer has nothing to do with sports. We are terribly troubled by the Iraq war. It was so unnecessary and too many have died in vain. We are hoping that the present administration can be defeated in November. I feel that the very future of our country hangs in the balance. The Bush administration is out of control, and has proved to be inept at running this country. Can you think of anything that they have done well? I can't.

And so, we come to the end of another summer. I wish you all the best possible fall. It is my favorite season, and I look forward to it, even though it usually puts me in a somewhat melancholy mood. The best thing about fall is that we head south with the rest of the snowbirds for another winter in paradise.