No excuses, just apologies. Clearly we have made procrastination an art. I will try to get you caught up, but it may take a few posts.
Alex arrived in early July and was a great sailor guest. She was helpful in every way and interested in increasing her sailing knowledge from what she had learned at camp. In the almost three weeks, we saw Saint Martin, the French side, Anguilla, and saint Barthes. We snorkeled and hiked. Bought great pastry and had a few meals out. I gotta say, with our kids well past the growing stages, I had forgotten just how much a teenager eats. Alex did compliment on our pretty basic meals. I knew I loved her.
We flew back to cleveland and al went back to summer fun and I did a driving tour. I spent a couple days with my sister Pam and then headed off to Brooklyn, to Boston, to Stratford, ct and back to Brooklyn. This covered two kids and a Marty's mom and one brother. Then back to cleveland to stay with my brother mike for a couple days. Then I headed off th Nashville to visit and pick up the third child who then drove to c land and on to northern michigan to see more family and for mikes wedding. My oldest brother, del, had been battling leukemia for many years, but had been diagnosed with melanoma of the liver in early July. He was awesome during this time, still receiving treatment and forging ahead. It is always great to be with a lot of family, and especially with my four siblings. Each of them have the ability to make me feel safe and loved and we laugh so hard it hurts. The wedding was lovely and special under the circumstances. Sadly, del died about two weeks later. I think about him and miss him and his gentle kindness. He was a wonderful man and an even better brother.
Gonna take a little break and will be back for the further episodes of hot dog and buns. Sorry, inside joke for our kids.