And now for something (and now comes Jill) completely different. Sound familiar? It was running around in my brain this morning. I thought it was from the Rocky and Bullwinkle show, I loved that program. It's from Monty Python, a program I didn't appreciate until I was older. Isn't the Internet grand?
Finally, we arrived in Los Angeles, took a taxi to the motel, and settled in. It was unseasonably warm both that first evening and the following day. I packed a few long sleeve shirts, Henleys I've heard Wanda call them, and was fairly uncomfortable. I was thinking about buying a few t-shirts but it was supposed to cool down. A shame, I was looking forward to getting a shirt that said, I'm With Stupid, or I Heart L.A.
We awoke early our first morning in LA. Since Wanda was "on vacation" we stayed in bed until 5AM. I got dressed and went to the corner Starbucks for a latte'. On the way back to the room I dropped into the motel office to check out the free continental breakfast.
When I say the word Continental, I think of a a Lincoln, an expensive car. Or I picture a 30's movie with all the actors in evening gowns and tuxedos, dancing, doing the Continental. Or maybe a small group of folks sitting at a round table in Venice, sipping espresso and eating croissants. These visions all have class and good taste in common. I had these in mind as I used my teeth to rip the cellophane wrapping off my generic fruit pie.
I took my latte and continental breakfast back to the room. We were supposed to meet up with Rebecca around 9AM. We both had a couple of books with us, real books, so we caught up with our reading while waiting to start our day.
One of the many perks of a sleeper or first class ticket on the Coast Starlight is the California Parlor Car and free Wifi. Unfortunately it was down the entire trip south. I didn't check for messages until Thursday morning. I am set up to get e mail as well as voice mail. I had a couple of phone messages from our San Diego cousins, Marshall and Lynne and Carol.
This may get a little confusing so I'll have family #1 and family #2. My uncle, my mothers brother, had two families, maybe three?
Lynne and Carol, family #1, are sisters, Lynne and Marshall are married. I didn't really know them when we were kids. I was closer in age with my two cousins in family #2. Over the last twenty five or so years I don't think I've talked with the cousins from #2 five times. I couldn't tell you where they live, how many kids they have, or how they are doing. Lynne and Carol from family #1 I've gotten to know and love in my adult years. Yes, and Marshall too even if he did marry into the family.
In spite of some early confusion we all eventually got on the same page (you really need to squeeze together to get six people on the same page). We made arrangements to meet for lunch near our motel. It was wonderful catching up and seeing everyone. In 2001 we had a sort of family reunion in Las Vegas. I think it's time for another.
Again, thanks for driving up to see us, Marshall Lynne and Carol....I love you.
After lunch we went over to Tim and Rebecca's place. Wanda offered to help get some things organized. They planned an assault the following morning and soon we went back to the motel. That evening we would face a most difficult decision, where to eat dinner.
I was just thinking about the incredible difference in family ties. I am the third youngest of thirteen cousins, many born before and during the war years. Many family members lived in the same apartment houses, or flats, even under the same roof. Families would pool money to bring relatives from "the old country," many arriving with numbers tattooed on their arms.
When many of my cousins and I were young our parents and their cousins continued on with the "family club." They would meet once a month rotating host homes. I always looked forward to these evenings. After the business at hand was recorded the fun began. Lots of good food and laughter, shared well into the evening. My generation dropped the ball.
However, to be fair, it was much easier to get together when the family lived in a ten mile circle. Now we're scattered from California to Florida to Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Maybe Skype would work? Isn't the Internet grand? Oh, what about a meeting on Face Book? or Yahoo? or Google? or You-Who? Hey, is there a You-Who?.......I wonder?????
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