In an e-mail to Matthew this morning:
"Have you noticed your car has been turned around in the driveway from the way you parked it?" John and I had an exciting morning, beginning at around 4:00, beginning with the doorbell being rung and 2 police cars out front. When we opened the door and saw the police officer, my first thought was that you had gone out again last night and had somehow been hurt. But, thank God, that was not the case! My heart was beating so hard and I couldn't breathe.
Do you know any kids who drive a red Dodge Durango? Not the best kids, either, because, besides being arrested for stealing the back tire from my truck, they were also charged with possession of marijuana. They were pretty stupid, too. They had a flat on their car, so they were stealing a tire to fix their car. They didn't even know to check for a tire size. My truck tires would not fit their Durango. So, they were parked on Earls Court and someone had a Durango a few houses down, and they were trying to steal that tire, too. The lady across the street was up, witnessed what they were doing, and called the police.
When the police arrived, they found my tire and walked up and down the street until they discovered my truck missing one tire.
Fun morning. Now my truck is at Discount Tire to make sure they didn't damage the rotor, the axle, or the back brakes when they removed the tire and dropped it on the rotor.
Fun way to start the day!
You all should have joined us! Tim, Felicia, Catherine, Marjorie and Ivan, John and I drove to Messina Hof winery in Bryan, Texas for a day of fun. After a short orientation, everyone was taken to the vines for picking clusters and The Big Kahuna contest. (A "Ka is a very large, very beautiful cluster of grapes, a "Kahun" is a double-cluster of grapes, and a "Kahuna" is a triple cluster of grapes.") Catherine and Ivan were both finalists and their talent pleased the crowd, although a lady who welcomed audience participation in her song was the ultimate winner. After the award for The Big Kahuna contest, everyone took off their shoes and socks and stomped the grapes we had just picked. It was really squishy and our feel got all purple and, for those who bought the t-shirt, when they exited the tub of grapes they stepped on the back of their t-shirt and marked their footprints below "Messina Hof Harvest Crew." We then had a nice lunch but John was not happy when he found out he couldn't buy a bottle of wine since it was only 11:30 and wine cannot be sold until 12:00. After lunch, we had a tour and a tasting of a Chardonnay and a wonderful Port. All this was followed by a visit to the gift shop where we purchased two bottles of port for sharing when everyone is here for the Cinco Ranch Triathlon.
August 5, 2003: No, they do not use the grapes we squished except in their compost. The rest of the grapes we picked (pounds and pounds) will be fermented and stored and on the shelves in 2005. The grapes we picked are the ones Messina Hof uses for their port.
I've been cycling and I've been running, but I sure haven't been swimming. For those of you who haven't heard, I received an award at Jeff & Brede's Triathlon for coming in 5th place in my age group (Women 50-54). I think it is so exciting that Pat and Cynthia will be traveling to Houston for this year's tri. It is an exciting event and it is amazing that so many people actually participate. Looking forward to another family gathering....
John flew to Denver last week-end for his niece's wedding and spent the first night with Shanea. At breakfast the next morning, she said, "Dad, I have to tell you something." "Shanea," said the concerned father, "what is it?" "I'm pregnant!"
So, that will make two of us --- Cynthia and I --- who will lead our generation into more golden years. I'm not old enough, of course, to be a grandmother and am only too glad it isn't Courtney or Matthew who is blessing me with a baby.