That seems redundant. There is nothing like a swimming pool to make the over 90 degree temperatures tolerable. According to my car thermometer the temp was 90 or 91, but one of my neighbors reported that it was closer to 99 the past couple days. Since I was in the pool much of Friday and Saturday, it was easy to take, other than burning my feet on the hot pavement. Whew! Even though the water was warm (read: hot) as some claimed, I found it quite pleasant. Last night I was planning to go back down for dinner poolside but couldn't make up my mind about it due to the elevator being on the fritz. Going down is not so bad but climbing back up was brutal! It turned out to storm like nuts right at dinner time so my decision was made for me, even though I was so hungry for another sirloin slider burger!
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When in the pool yesterday, which was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday, a lady came up to me and said, "I saw you here yesterday and you look so familiar to me..." I couldn't place her but she insisted she knew me. I asked if she was in construction at all and she said she was not. Nor was she involved with the Art Guild. Hmmmm.....she mentioned a couple places where she worked in the past but it was later when she said she worked at the Rag Shop. Aha!!! That was it!!! I told her how Mom and I would go shopping for fabric which Mom would take home with her in an extra suitcase back in the days when she still sewed. She asked Mom's name and I told her, and "Nancy" said, "Yes, that name I remember!" and she remembered mine, too. Mystery solved! But it had to have been at least 10 years ago or better that we'd been fabric shopping because the last piece Mom bought was just the day or two before Timmy died----enough to make him a vest. He picked it out himself, asking his grandma to make him a different vest for everyday. The piece has tractors on it, I believe, and is the only cut of fabric Mom kept after she got home from my house that year. Thanks, Nancy, for that little reminder about the 'old days'...
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Another couple I chatted with were guests at the hotel, celebrating their 13th wedding anniversary. They tried to come every year since they got married, missing only a couple years of their tradition. I did not get their names but this couple lives across the river in Mandarin and were rabid Gator fans. And Jaguar fans but have let their tickets go in recent years. I told them about Don Davey being my neighbor in Manitowoc and they were tickled to know that. I guess they really were true Jaguar fans! There was bad news in the paper, which another lady who lives near Judy J., showed me, about the former quarterback, Mark Brunnell, having to declare bankruptcy due to his failing investments. It seems he and some other former Jags were investors in the Whataburger franchise. I have never had a burger there so it might be my fault that his investment didn't pan out. It is so sad because Mark was the catalyst for the team early on and lead Christian programs for his teammates and others.
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This morning I got up and dressed, heading over to Victory for Bible study and worship. The class was on Galations, one of my favorite books. I arrived just a few minutes late, expecting they would have started but only one couple was there at this point. I was sure the class began at 9:00 but it seems they are not really punctual. It was fine as more folks came and Brent went to make more copies. We finished in plenty of time before church began, having had great discussion comparing today's events with those facing St. Paul. Pastor's daughter is moving at the end of July to MN and she came to sit down by me before church to tell me her plans. I wished her well and when we hugged good-bye after worship, I assured her that as long as she remains in the Lord, she will be fine!
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As Betsy and I talked, Justin came and sat down with me. For the service, we sang only songs from the Worship and Praise book, including "Borning Cry" for the baptism of little Alyssa. Pastor's sermon was excellent, talking about not paying so much attention the things of this earth, we should focus on telling others about Christ. "Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Matt. 8:20 Justin had let me know on Friday already that he had plans for lunch so I was to not expect him to join me today. I was planning to eat poolside anyway so it didn't matter, except if someone asked me to lunch after church, I would reconsider. They had a brief meeting following worship so I went home to enjoy my afternoon meal at the pool. Miss Chardonnay had a table reserved and I put my stuff down there while I went to order my lunch. Just as it was about to be ready, it began to drizzle, so I went into the cabana.
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My upstairs neighbors and their baby came into the cabana, as well, and were quite engrossed in the soccer game. I mentioned to Jessica that she seemed well versed in soccer lingo and she told me she watches lots of sports and TV when she is nursing the baby. I shared with Travis and Jessica the story of being in Italy four years ago. Justin was inside the "St. Paul in Chains" museum while I stayed outside recuperating after running all over the ruins in Rome. Some nice ladies from the tour took Justin under their wings for me, which was nice. As I sat there on the half-wall, the streets were suddenly alive with cars and Vespas and horns blowing and flags waving. Holy cow! What's going on? The bus driver told me that Italy just won the World Cup and I thought it was yachting! Never before had I seen such a display of team support and it was quite incredible. I told Justin all about it when they came out of the museum. While I regret missing the St. Paul in Chains presentation, I do not regret staying outside to see that amazing parade of Italian pride!
