Cheryl asked if I was going to Italy on my trip---Um, no, that is a really great idea, but not this time! lol
I am going back to my childhood roots in Michigan! You see, my Aunt Donnie is celebrating her 81st birthday (she and Sara share the same birthday!), and one of my cousins is organizing a surprise party for her. My sisters Andrea and Mary, and my father are all traveling out to be part of the old gang.
When I was a kid, my Aunt Donnie had a house on Grass Lake in Milford, Michigan, and it was always such a treat when all the families drove out there for a vacation, especially in the summer. There was a floating dock/pavillion sort of thing we could swim out to, where we could dive or bask in the sun. They didn't call it Grass Lake for nothing however, and I disliked the feel of the grass tickling my legs in the water.
My Uncle Tom used to take us kids out in a row boat to fish on the lake, which I thought was fun, as long as he put the worm on the hook for me. I even caught a little fish once--a blue gill I think it was--, but it was teensie, so we put it back. Uncle Tom always made us wear puffy orange life preservers, which I really detested. Here I would be, all dolled up in my cute sun romper and would have to cover up with that ugly and so unstylish jacket. Safety first.
I was never bored at the lake. I had my cousins to hang out with, and if all else failed, there was always a nice spot somewhere to curl up with a book.
It wasn't just summer that we went up to the lake. Winter had its own charms, especially when the lake froze over. We would ice skate, play hockey, and generally fool around on anything that would slide. There was always something to do, and something wonderful to eat afterwards.
My relatives were crazy for playing cards. They would sit around Aunt Donnie's kitchen table and play for hours on end. Once in a while I was allowed to sit in a play a hand, but they were pretty serious and I had to keep my wits about me.
Things change though as time passes, and my aunt no longer has her house on the lake. She now lives near one of her daughters in Marine City. My cousin breeds Great Danes if you can believe it, and the party is at her house, so it should be interesting to see how the dogs factor in to the entertainment.
I hope the whole surprise thing will work out ok. I have my doubts about springing something like this on an 81 year old, but Aunt Donnie has always been a tough cookie, so I bet she rolls with it.
We plan to stay at an historic Victorian era bed and breakfast, so I will promise to take lots of pictures to share when I get back next week.
While I am gone, be sure to check in to see what my Guest Blogger Sara has to say!