The following occurred on the 4th of July weekend, but it could have just as well be Canada Day or Anzac or any other holiday celebrated by any people of the world. Mom's and grown children are universal.
I had no plans at all, but suddenly I'm about to have a house full of family. How does this happen? Is there a super sonic, sub-secret, rapid deployment texting app which indicates Mom's not busy?
Don't get me wrong, my kids and grandkids are always welcome. They can inhale everything in my cupboards, leave their stuff all over, trample my petunias, and whip the kitties into a frenzy but they cannot make me mess up the kitchen on short notice. Here's the deal dear offspring of mine, it's pre-roasted chickens from BJ's, store bought side dishes, bag-o-salad and bakery cupcakes on paper plates with plastic cutlery.
Yes, I will show you my garden.
Yes, we can go to the playground.
Yes, you can ride my bike.
No, baby, I don't have a volley ball and net....or do I?
I have a "U" shaped hammock frame, mosquito netting and a beachball. I rigged up a homespun volley ball court which served the purposes of 5-7 year olds perfectly. The fact that my grandkids think I'm a genius got me invited to play for a while. Then my son joined in along with his girlfriend, my daughter and her husband were next. We had lots of exercise and hours of home-spun fun, some not-so-homemade food and a lot of picture taking. At the end of the day my son went to disassemble our volley ball court to a chorus of NO!!!! Uncle Jack...we need that the next time!!!!
It was a successful, memorable day. Sometimes planning is overrated.
PS...there's 2 pix in my gallery.
