I went visiting this afternoon — four houses north and two generations south. It was a hubbub of activity at the Red House as it has always been my live-long life! Those cousins of mine can pack more activities and fun into a short stay than any other ten families I know.
As I knocked at the open door and walked into the kitchen, Anna was mixing a serious looking cocktail that involved egg whites and pisco (a kind of brandy) and Angostura bitters — “pisco being about 95 proof” said her dad, Jim. “Beeg and I met pisco in Lima Peru seventeen years ago,” he told me. “We brought the bottle back with us and last night was the first time it has been opened.” Pisco Sours — one for me, one for Jim — we being the Honorable Elders of this particular family gathering.
Although, “gathering” doesn’t quite categorize what usually happens at the Red House! More of a meet, greet, and off to fly a kite or take a swim or, in the case of Anna’s husband, Rob — to paint another section of the house with a fresh coat of red. (Or at least that’s where I think he disappeared to!)
I caught glimpses of all five of the “youngers” — Lexie’s boys, Kahrs, Anders and Bo and Anna and Rob’s two, Anwyn and Walker. But not all at the same time and not all doing the same thing. Kahrs, flat on his back in the lane managing the kite flying overhead. Anwyn in the kitchen, in the back yard, down the lane, in the tall grass. Bigger kids so far out in the bay it was hard to tell who was who. No one still. Everyone having fun.
Red House Cousins! Wow! And that wasn’t all of them by any means — only the ones here and now. YAY!