Independence Day Weekend with the Family

Sorry it's been so long. I spent the July 4th weekend at my uncle's camp on the Tickfaw River, and there was no internet access. I've been home for a week now, but kinda got used to not being on the computer.

I went down to Baton Rouge on the Tuesday before the Fourth. I met Cara, who was in from California, and we kidnapped the most adorable nephew ever [even though he really needs a haircut]. We went and visited my cousin Jill, and spent two hours watching JP and Kate play with each other. It was adorable, and would become a theme for the whole weekend. Tuesday night we took pictures with the entire family in Pride. Then, Cara and I went and met some of her high school classmates for dinner, which was cool since I went to school with most of them until fourth grade. I just sat there and drank. Cara got mad because when I got home I posted a message on facebook that I felt dumber because I had hung out with a bunch of RHS grads. Everybody else took it as a joke. Hopefully one day Cara's funny bone will fully develop and she will understand sarcasm (although this may be more properly characterized as sardonicism) as a means of making people laugh.

On Wednesday morning Cara and I got packed up and ready for the lake, including making trips to two different grocery stores in search of Mike's Hard Lemonade. We (she) ended up buying a lot of liquor, just to be on the safe side -- rum, vodka, margarita, beer -- and very little went to waste. Between Wednesday and Friday afternoon we were joined by Nanny and Uncle Be, Jill, Eric and Kate, Jacob, Charmin, Lisa, Brandon and JP, and Mom and Dad. We ate good food and drank and went fishing and boating and swimming and floating. Nobody was in a hurry to do anything, except Brandon, who wanted to pop fireworks as soon as he woke up on Saturday morning. He and Eric eventually go to put on quite a show, and Jacob showed his ass. Watching the toddlers (JP, 25 months and Kate, 19 months) interact was the highlight of the days. Even cleaning up with Jill on Sunday morning while everyone else slept was kinda fun.

We left Livingston Parish Sunday morning, and Cara left Monday afternoon after a nice meal with the whole fam at Walk-Ons. I headed back north that evening, and everything has been pretty normal since then. I'm looking forward to another quiet week. I.m making hot dogs and chili tonight for the Homerun Derby, since I have a meeting tomorrow for the All-Star game.

Celebrating Father Joe and Aunt Lois

Greetings from Maison de Couvillion in Central City, Louisiana.

This past weekend at church we had a celebration for the 20th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of our pastor Father Joe Martina. The events started with a Mass Friday evening celebrated by Bishop Michael Duca. Father Joe's family was there, as well as several priests from the diocese. I was asked to read the first reading, and I hope I did a fair job. A reception followed at the school. The ladies of our church did a fantastic job of preparing really tasty food. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and we presented Father Joe with a new chasuble that we ordered from Belgium. It was really beautiful.

Saturday morning I was up early and I started getting clothes washed and things together for my trip to the Ranch in Pride. At about 10:00 am I headed to church to help move tables and chairs over to the Andries family property for a church picnic after 4 pm Mass. It was really hot work, but we had lots of help and got it done fairly quickly. I went home and rested before Mass. We had a good turnout for church, and there was a great crowd at the picnic. The Andries graciously prepared brisket and chicken and potatoes. The food was wonderful, the setting was wonderful, and the company was better than wonderful. Everyone, especially Father Joe, had a good time.

After the picnic I went over to Bailey and Mary's house and hung out there for a while. Bailey was upset that I never identify them by name when I go to their house. I hope she is happy now.

Sunday morning I helped return the tables to church, then I headed off to Lafayette. My mother's great aunt, Lois Arceneaux, had a 90th birthday party. Cara is in town from California for the week, so she and Mom and Dad and Jacob and JP were all there. We saw some great old pictures of her, my grandparents and great grandparents, and even a few of me and my family (above). There were a lot of people there to celebrate Aunt Lois, including her only remaining brother A. G. Domingue. At 93 he is still a character.

After the birthday party we all swung over to Breaux Bridge for dinner with the Couvillions. We had a good time talking and laughing and eating and watching all the kiddos. Then I made the long drive back to Many for my one-day work week.

Monday came and went without much excitement, except that I was tired all day from going to bed late and waking up early to walk. So I went to bed at about 8:30 pm, not long after the sun went down. I felt very refreshed when I woke up at 5 am, and I was on the road to vacation at the folks house and the camp on the Tickfaw by 8 am. I'll report on that adventure next time.