Reunion Vacation

I am back from the beach…did you miss me last week?

Probably not, since I wrote a column ahead of time, and my wonderful staff got the newspaper out as if I wasn’t even missing.

I saw a number of snafus…but that can be attributed to the lack of personnel—of course I was away, Hannah was also away enjoying the sandy beach with me, and our usual Wednesday morning proofreader had a family obligation. (Every publication has its snafus so given that last week’s edition was missing three sets of fresh eyes, I can live with it.)

The front page headline saying plaque rather than plague, was enough to make me say I’d never take another vacation for a whole week, but really, it could have happened with me here. There were a number of little things that I’m sure I’m the only one that noticed.

I do hate that I missed not one but two county commission meetings. That’s usually my beat, and I don’t miss many. You know it was hard on me.

But enough of that. I sat down to write about how great and relaxing a vacation I had, and how good it was to have so much of the family in one place.

Jimmy’s brother, Ray, his wife, Heidi, and their three children, spouses, and their eight children were there. Ray’s two sons live near him, where Jimmy grew up, in Maryland. Daughter Chrissy and her family recently relocated to Texas, so we had some travelers among us.

Jimmy’s sister, who lives in Turtle Cove, and her husband and granddaughter also went up for the week. And as already mentioned Hannah went for the whole week.

Two of Jimmy’s kids came up Wednesday, and we had two grandkids all week with us. Are you confused yet?

Add to it, an aunt on Jimmy’s deceased wife’s side and some of her family, a nephew, and various others, and yes, we had a crowd. It was a great time at the beach and a great time of visiting. A couple of nights we had about 30 for dinner.

The last few years we have gone with my sister’s family so this was different. But, not much for me.

I sat on the beach all day every day and did nothing. Well I played a little corn hole and drank a few adult beverages, and had a blast watching all the children play in the sand and in the surf. Rest and relaxation…that’s vacation for me.

I’d like to say I came back refreshed and ready to take on the world. Really, I’d like to stay at the beach.