Among the Almonds

The day after Ron's Surprise Birthday Party, which lasted from 2:00 PM to Midnight with way too much wine, everyone slept in. We had all been invited to John and Holly's home in the country near Waterford, California, for breakfast followed later in the day by a barbecue dinner, but with everyone arriving late, breakfast was prepared piecemeal as people arrived near mid-day.

Ron prepared customized omelets, for which he's famous, accompanied by cottage fries and toast. But most importantly, Bloody Marys and coffee. Ron's omelets were awesome, as usual . . . and, with Bloody Marys, very welcome on the "morning after".

The weather on Sunday morning was very nice with the sun shining brightly and temperatures in the 70's with no wind. John and Holly's home is surrounded by almond orchards, so it is literally "Among the Almonds" . . . very pleasant surroundings to simply relax and unwind. The almond orchards can be seen in the background below.

Some of us sat on the patio in the shade enjoying conversation with friends and family and some of us were a little more active as Michelle who is shown below getting a little exercise on the trampoline.

















Later in the day, hamburgers were put on the grill along with a large batch of hot dogs.




About sundown when the 'burgers and 'dogs were done, we gathered in the house for another "feed" with potato salad, macaroni salad, and lots of fixin's. Everyone filled their plates and grabbed a seat at one of the tables in the large dining room.

At the table in the left picture below, left to right, is Tom Davis, a long-time friend of Ron's who came all of the way across the country from Florida; Marge Davis, Ron's sister-in-law from Fort Wayne, Indiana; Pat Shortner, significant other of Ron's oldest son, Tim; Tim; and Carole from Kansas. In the right picture below is Ron's youngest son, Jeff, and his daughter, Ella, with his son, Mathew, in the chair with his back to the camera.
















Everyone had plenty to eat . . . and drink . . . again!

After dinner, many helped with clean-up, then said our goodbyes to friends and family, most of whom we probably won't see again soon. As Tim was leaving, he had to try on a "helmet" from the stack of kitchen pots and pans . . . and make a "goodbye face" so everyone would remember that "Tim was there". Tim enjoys life as much, if not more, than anyone.



A good time was had by all. It would sure be nice if all of us lived closer together so that such gatherings could occur more often. 'Till next time . . . "Among the Almonds".