match #3 of the fall season is today

I am not sure which of the guys I am!

We travel to Breckenridge community today for our match.  Their captain, Steve, called yesterday to confirm the time.  He mentioned that he would not be there as he returned to his home up north for a couple of weeks.  As I hung up I thought about phones, travel etc.  It brought to mind that for the entire time I lived at home Mom and Dad did not have a phone.  They finally got a phone sometime after I left.  Still, Mom could not call her sister Bertie who lived less than a mile and a half away.  Why--it was long distance and Mom would not have wanted to pay for the call.  I don't even know if long distance exists any more.  Now days a person picks up the cell phone and calls any place in the United States without a second thought.  I know land lines still are used (brother Dave!) but really long distance is actually a long distance from most of us!

I looked at the weather on my phone this morning as I wanted to see what it would be when we start play at 12:30 today.  It should be 88/89 and then I looked at the weather in St. Paul and saw where it is very chilly, in fact next Tuesday it is supposed to get down to 7, yikes.  That is too cold for mid November.  I am wondering if Judi and John have left for Arizona.

Not sure what Terry and I should do going forward as all the broken things here are now fixed!  Maybe we should think about any work that needs to be done around here.  Really Terry has her home in wonderful shape but still there is always things one can do.

November 6, 1957

It is a beautiful day here in North Dakota.  Dad finished up harvesting the millet yesterday and it is always a challenge to get it in the bin before the snow flies.  I was disappointed that he finished on a weekday when I was in school.  Harvesting millet was always a FUN time as opposed to that itchy oats or barley.  But of course it is always a "high" time when most or all of the fall work is finished without snow on the ground.  I am thinking that Dad is probably winterizing the truck and combine today as the radiator has to be drained of water.  I know he has antifreeze in the "M" and the Ford as he may need them for winter work.  Actually he has the loader on the "M" for cutting up deer which will happen in a week or so.  I am adjusting to being in the 5th grade.  Last year, my first year in Cayuga, was fun as us fourth graders were the oldest in the room.  This year, as a 5th grader, we are the youngest as the 5th and 6th grades are together.  Even though I am one of the youngest in the room I am the tallest and strongest boy.  It seems like the CITY does not grow them the same as the country!  I already had scrimmages with Walter and Chuck so we all know where we stand and I am sure they will not bother me in a mean way again.  Jack, he is interested in sports like I am so we are on good terms.  At this time in the fall I have no idea what is ahead of me as I later I go along with Walter and Chuck when they have to apologize to the teacher when I was not part of it BUT I so wanted to be one of the guys.  As I look back that was not very smart!

November 6, 2019 (62 years later)

I have everything in place for the tennis match.  I put out the pairings yesterday, I got one of the guys to drive as we need two drivers and I have made phone contact with the other captain.  Now it is a matter of seeing if we can win the match by taking at least 2 of the three courts.  I do have some concerns about my health.  It just seems like I have too many aches and pains in my right leg.  At times I stretch the leg and some of my toes freeze up and my calf tighten up so that I have to massage it for a time.  When that happens I think back to the back issue and wonder if I will need another epidural sometime this winter.  Not yet "for sure" but maybe as time goes on.  Way back when I  had issues with it for the first time the doctor said he felt that it was 50/50 that I would need back surgery at some time.  My opinion is now it is 0/100 that I will not need that but then what do I know--0.  As I remember "way back then" I am thankful for God's protection and grace in these many years.  

My FP is now at ground zero and I am ready to get into my 4th book of the season.  This one is true accounts of President Roosevelt and Churchhill during and after WWII.