We were assembling the cousins for a country gathering and so we set the GPS
and drove over the George Washington Bridge
until we reached the Merritt Parkway
where the map told us we were in Connecticut
and the gas pump told us prices were high here
and so after viewing the Parkway map
we headed onward to 160
where the gates opened
and we drove along the path
until the house came into view.
Once inside, I began the process of recording the family (and gentle viewer, you will later be grateful that Adam managed to capture next generation pictures in a better fashion so that there is hope for our future) and saw Barbara and Penny
Peter
and Eric
and then the glass sculpture over the fireplace
before the first food appeared (Ida would indeed have been proud of quality as well as quantity though she might not have recognized many of the foods).
The tennis crowd returned and Toba and Penny
were there when the next food arrived
as Toba and Barbara
Penny and Adam
Barbara, Adam and Toba
and Andy enjoyed both food and company
before these fish tacos appeared on Suzanne's plate
and yet more food appeared lest this vegetarian would starve
or this dog would have nothing to beg for.
Some moved outside where the views were stunning as Suzanne watched
the others embrace the food
as Penny and Andy spoke
as did Toba and Suzanne
and I recall Peter, Andy and Eric joining me for a conversation in which we declared that we were all reasonable physical specimens.
But then two marvelous desserts appeared to challenge that assumption
and there was the usual discussion about whether the toppings were interchangeable
as Penny settled the table with a chair
and as everyone had their tastes
I recorded this remarkable sauce
which was certainly the source of joy in this photo.
Back inside, I engaged Adam in the task of photography after he let Harry win the tug of war.
He captured Toba
and then the couples -- Andy and Toba
Peter and Bonnie
Eric and Barbara
me and Suzanne
and then the women cousins
the female cousins and cousins-in-law
and Harry
who inspired Barbara.
Then the male cousins and cousins-in-law posed
with Harry providing the interlude
before we took the group pictures
and finally pictures of Adam in appreciation of his excellent photography.