|
|
MISAWA - JUNE 1999
I'm running a week behind on this month's newsletter. I'm surprised none of you bothered to inquire about its status ;-) Part of the reason I'm running behind is the weather - it has been spectacular and we try to get out of the house as much as possible - especially since we are told that the summer-long rainy season is a couple weeks overdue.
In mid-May I traveled to Maryland for a two-week business/shopping/golf trip (not necessarily in that order). I really enjoyed seeing our east coast friends and co-workers again - even though we had only been away four months. Those two weeks were incredibly hectic - which is good since I probably would have gone crazy if I had idle time to dwell on the fact that I was away from Patti and Christopher. Unfortunately both Patti and Christopher were sick most of the time I was stateside. Christopher made four trips to the Doctor's office while I was away and two more after I returned. Nothing serious - but at this age we don't take chances.
On the way back from Maryland I stopped off in Iowa for a few days to enjoy my 20th year high school class reunion and, of course, to visit family (and drive the mustang). Although we had a relatively light showing for our class reunion (probably a bit more than half of the graduating class showed) we had a great time. It pretty much turned into a three day party. Oh - and I golfed every day in Iowa as well. My father is keeping very busy (and wouldn't have it any other way) and is looking forward to seeing his grandson in September when he flys to Japan.
After arriving back in Misawa (which I find myself increasingly referring to as "home") I tried to make up my separation from Patti and Christopher by spending as much time with them as possible. We traveled last weekend to a botanical garden a short drive from here which we really enjoyed. In addition to the garden, the site was home to an eighteenth century farm and mill and they also displayed life-size examples of the mud and grass huts used by the Joman people to allow a glimpse into ancient life in northern Japan. We also made a valiant effort to find a local festival last weekend - but failed. We ended up spending the day in a very nice park which featured a large replica of the Statue of Liberty - along with several nice playgrounds. On our way out of the park - about one hundred yards down the road - we noticed the festival. We'll get it next year.
We aren't sure how it happened - but sometime over the past couple weeks Christopher stopped being a baby and became a little boy. Maybe it is the fact that he is increasingly tall and coordinated; or that he is becoming more conversant; or perhaps putting together his first tricycle last week helped move along the transition. Christopher is 34" tall weighing in at 29 pounds which we are told is at the top of the charts for his age - 19 months. Christopher is fascinated with basketball - or with any ball for that matter. We just ordered him a little-tykes basketball hoop and a toddler golf set. Hey - that is how Tiger Woods got his start. Christopher loves the playground. Patti takes him to playgrounds several times each week. I watched him climb a six-foot ladder and shoot down the attached slide last week. I was right behind him the whole time (up the ladder) and he showed great coordination and absolutely no fear. I wish I could say the same for me.
Christopher is also very taken with Barney. You know - the purple dinosaur which has been on TV for a decade now. Barney VHS tapes are cheap here and Christopher cannot get enough of the show. We try and keep his TV time to a minimum - but the shows are cute, sometimes educational, and always fascinating to Christopher. I swear he doesn't blink through the whole show.
Patti is busy caring for Christopher and keeping the house together. I'm sure if you ask Patti whether it is easier to care for a large house or a small one she will tell you it is easier caring for a large house - and I would agree. Maybe it is just that we are closer to all the messes in the small house whereas in our large house in Maryland you could spread the mess around. In any event we hired a momma-san to visit us once each week to help out. Patti keeps the place plenty clean but this momma-san comes in and gets all the tough spots - behind and under things, in the corners, polishing floors, etc... And she presses all my shirts and slacks which is saving a bundle in dry-cleaning costs. To say we are pleased with this arrangement is an understatement.
We are looking for a larger rental off-base. We have become aware recently that our chances of moving on-base anytime soon is not very good. This little house is becoming smaller by the day and now that the military-transition season is underway - there are many more choices out there for rentals - though they go fast - usually on the market for just a day or two. We are plenty comfortable here though and could easily spend another year here if needed - so we can afford to wait for the right place.
On a sad note, Patti's Aunt Beatrice passed away earlier this month at the age of 91. She had been in poor health for quite some time - though she lived a very active life well into her eighties. We should all do so well.
NOTE: For those people who think golf is more boring than a tennis tournament - please disregard the next section of the newsletter:
In case you hadn't already sensed a trend here I should tell
you I have been bitten by the golf bug again - in a big way. Since
a series of three golf lessons in Maryland during my TDY, I have golfed
nearly every day and I have taken about 10 strokes off my handicap in less
than one month. That would be much more impressive if I had been a good
golfer to begin - but I was shooting around 104 in early May and now I
shoot consistently in the mid-to-low 90's - which is nearing bogey-golf
territory. On one particularly unconcious day last week I managed
to fire an 85 - but my best game since then was a 92. However I still
expect that my best golf is ahead of me - especially since on father's
day I purchased a Big Bertha Steelhead (8 degree loft, firm flex graphite
shaft) which I am hitting dead-center fareway about 40-to-50 yards longer
than my old driver (which is currently collecting dust). I have never been
known to hit the ball a long way - so to actually hit a ball 250-to-275
yards is quite a revelation (now if I can only figure out the irons).
For those of you who have golfed with me over the years I'm sure this sounds
like a Paul Bunyan tale with all the credibility of O.J. saying he didn't
do it - but I can provide witnesses and I will be more than glad to provide
a live demonstration the next time I hit the east coast. I'll be providing
a demo (or should I say lesson) to Jim Daley when I visit him in Hawaii
this winter. Speaking of Paul Bunyan tales Jim told me his handicap was
"8." On reflection, I believe Jim must have thought I was asking
him for his IQ. Oh - I also came within three inches of my first hole-in-one
(yeah-yeah-I know close doesn't count); and I won a best-ball tournment
with three other fellows last week.
Clearly golfing every day is what has helped my game the most.
You might be wondering how I can manage to golf every day while holding
down a job? The answer is "morning golf." In northern Japan the sun
rises at approximately 3:30AM this time of year. Last week I tee'd off
at 3:45AM four days in a row - played 18 holes - and still made it to work
by 7:00AM. What about sleep you ask? That is what the long winter
months are for.
Till next month,
Terry, Patti, and Christopher
Return
to Terry & Patti's Main Page.
Return
to Newletter Archives.