Back in the calm of la Cabana in Rio Macho

Planning started over a year ago and it is a bit difficult when you aren’t even in the same country. Since it was my idea, I picked the theme which was nostalgia and memories. It had been a very long time since we had a gathering like this and some of the family had never been to one. With 8 siblings and 6 spouses and 11 out of 13 from the next generation along with spouses and children, we had quite a group! People came from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Minnesota and Costa Rica. Some were there for 4 days, some for only 2. My goal was to get everyone together but my main goal was to reunite the younger generation. I think it was a success. They got along so well that by Monday they had started their own Facebook group and are talking about a birthday party at the beach next year. We are talking about another gathering in 2 years with others doing the planning.

I had lots of help in the kitchen. In fact some worked so hard we had to put them on restriction and not allow them in the kitchen unless they were getting food or drink for themselves. Thursday night Donna and Dianne did sloppy joes, beans and coleslaw. Friday night was our white dinner - fried potatoes, fried eggs, French pancakes and creamed salmon on toast. Saturday morning was Spam and scrambled eggs in Pita Pockets and Saturday night was Ham, Turkey, dressing, baked regular and sweet potatoes and mixed salad. Sunday brunch was bacon, ham, fried leftover baked potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, plain scrambled eggs, southwestern scrambled eggs, pastry and toast. Then

The view from the house.  Sorry, I put these in the wrong place.

The motorhome from Portland was heavily packed. The car we towed was full too.

Some are missing but a lot of us 

Heather’s apples

As you can see we have lots more to do to cover the bed.

The cats figure if they sleep in the duffel I won’t leave.

I quit. I did have a great treat on Saturday. The ladies went out for clam chowder and brought me back a container of Dungeness crab. I do love it and hadn’t had it in a very long time.

During our planning there was talk of getting chicken related things for Sheri who is moving to Klamath Falls and will be able to have them. I brought a chicken pillow from here and created a story  about bringing her chicken from Costa Rica. I borrowed a cat carrier from Gerry and said I was able to bring it on the airplane as my emotional support chicken. It turned out quite good.


Goodbye Oregon and hello Wisconsin and Minnesota. 2 nights at Heathers and repack and head for Minnesota. I took Megabus as I don’t currently have a drivers license. My cousin, Tom, picked me up at the depot and took me to visit my aunt, Janice. We had a 2 hour visit and I promised next time it would be longer.  A driver from Hutch picked me up and drove me to Roz and Duane’s house for 2 nights. I might not have gone this time but I really wanted her to see the squares for the blanket and give her the dresser scarf Johanna made for her. Roz loved everything and wants a dresser scarf or table runner for herself. I think we can arrange that.

Had a short visit with Red and Linda at the theatre and went to Carlson Orchard for lunch. Heather was so happy I was able to get her a big bag of Honeycrisp apples. They are the best and the timing was right. They were so fresh they had been picked but not even bagged yet.

Back to Madison and a couple days to pack up 2 suitcases to bring down here. We did go to dinner with Kent’s mother, Sherry, at the Tornado Club. They have the absolute best food.

On the way to Oregon we were an hour late out of Houston because of storms and the same thing happened on the way back between Panama City and San Jose. Once we landed there was no delay getting thru immigration. No line at all for citizens or residents. I love that. Next to luggage and that is where the problems started. No luggage and when the agent checked he said my luggage was still in the US. When I called COPA Friday the agent said they didn’t know where my luggage was. I was getting a bit concerned. Friday night they called to say it arrived and would be delivered Saturday morning.

When the driver called Saturday morning we were having trouble communicating so I ran next door and had the young lady talk to him and tell him where we are. He asked if I had WhatsApp, which everyone here seems to have. I said yes and she took care of entering him in my phone and sharing my location with him. The next time he called he was right outside the gate. Pretty neat.

None of the canning jars broke and the sewing machine seems fine. Guess I had enough yarn stuffed in to protect everything. Tomorrow Otto will be here for a massage and Saturday I will have lunch with Ziomara. Life goes on. Cats are all just fine and have been sticking close.