Class of 87 Still Rules

This weekend I dragged the family to my home town for my twenty year high school reunion. I can't believe it has been two decades. I don't feel twenty years older. Well, sometimes my back feels that way after mowing the lawn.

I graduated with 29 other hopeful youngsters. Yes, I'm from a town where everybody knew everybody. We had about a 50% turnout for the reunion. I was hoping for a better turn out, but it was still nice to catch up with the classmates who were able to attend. Surprisingly enough, It didn't seem like anyone changed all that much. I know I am still the 'cool dude' I was in high school. My kids tell me that all the time. Most classmates had started families of their own and that is what everyone talked about of course.

We got to play some golf. Some of us just chased the ball from tree to tree before feeding it to the creek. It was a very loose game. The 'foot wedge' was used often and a few golf balls were thrown by hand with better results than some hits with the golf club. Golf etiquette was observed at all times. Except when we were shouting or laughing during someone's swing.

Those of us with kids got them all together with us at the park to play and get acquainted. After the kids had a hot dog picnic they were given over to their sitters, and we grilled steaks before invading the local tavern to jam to Outfield and Bon Jovi music. We acted like headbangers without the hair. It seemed some of us weren't used to having a night out sans kids. When 'no kids' was combined with seeing friends you haven't seen in ten to twenty years, it added up to loud evening. After a few drinks, some classmates started acting like they were still in high school. By the end of the night, a couple classmates actually thought they were still in high school.

Overall, the weekend was very fun. It was worth the five hour drive to reconnect with friends. It also made me realize that I miss my friends and I need to keep in touch better. We have all led such different and interesting lives. Many classmates went off in directions that no one could have predicted. Some have been around the world and have experienced different cultures. It also makes me re-evaluate my own life. Have I done enough and seen enough at this point in my life? Probably not. I now have email addresses that will allow me communicate better and hopefully learn more about where my former classmates have been.

Thanks to Christi, Kim, Maria and Mike and everyone else for all of their hard work. And if anyone needs a good pecan bar recipe, I'll get it from Carolyn.

By the way, I'm the old guy who's still 'got it' in the picture.

Mow, mow, mow the lawn.

I declare today, Lawn Day. I just happened to have a weekday off and the weather was perfect for mowing my lawn. Temp was just under 70 degrees. The sun was shining with only a slight breeze.



I feel good when mowing the lawn. I get exercise. This is something I need since the chin-up bar has already lost it's luster. I also get to enjoy the outdoors. I work inside all week and it is nice to get out. When I really get going, I mow in a diagonal pattern. Just like the big leagues.



Then I can fire up the leaf blower to scatter the pesky clippings from fouling the driveway.I'm not much of a fan of trimmers. You have to mix special gas for them. You have to untangle and load trim line. And watch out for your shins when that line is whipping. I've also 'trimmed' too many flowers by accident.




When all is said and done, it is very satisfying to walk out to the street and check out your house's curb appeal. I then stand on the grass and imagine I'm on my own private golf course inspecting the groundskeepers work. My dream fades when I see the bikes and bucket of sidewalk chalk.
I don't see mowing the lawn as a chore. I view it as a chance to get away from work and the kids for an hour. It is my work out for the week. And I can take pride in creating something pleasant to see.



Do I obsess a little about my lawn? Is it wrong for my blood pressure to spike when I see a few dots of yellow in my sea of green? I suppose it is. But my Dad always told me to keep your lawn looking nice. You never know when someone from out of town will visit. You want your town to make a good impression.

I just want someone to walk by and say, "Nice lawn."