Last week Linda and I drove to Irvine, California for a visit with cousins Shelly and Avi . On the way we were able to exceed a hundred miles per hour until the Grapevine . Then we encountered LA traffic . This essay relates to our visitation.
Shelly is a first cousin and relocated from Detroit 20 years ago with Avi. Prior to Shelly's Parkinson diagnosis, she sold real estate, was president of the Orange County Michigan Alumni Association . With my sister Bev put together many cousin reunions back in Detroit . The reunions took place in many different locations. The reunions included Shelly's daughter Ariana and Shelly’s son Seth and his family. Other cousins that attended were with her brother Robert and his significant other and her other brother Richard , Judy and their daughters Linda, her spouse and their children and daughter Margie and her Buckeye spouse and daughter. Cousins Millie and Fred, Roger and Steve , second cousin Rick, Barbara and their children and "cousin" Julie also took part .Of course we attended Wolverine tailgating and games.
Avi was born in Israel and educated as a small animal veterinarian in Canada. While living in Israel, Avi spent time on the Nirim kibbutz established in 1946 and was located about a half-mile from Gaza. He remembered going to the beach on a bus in the early 70s until the bus ride ended as a result of bombings attacks. He was well-versed with the current situation.His “Genius” son is currently a psychotherapist.
Our first dinner in Irvine was at Gulliver's. Linda and I shared a baked chicken dinner and we told many tales. The next day we met at Strawberry Farms Golf Club for lunch. Linda and I had Waldorf salad. After lunch, Linda and I went to the driving range and hit golf balls. For dinner ,we met at Crazy Rock'N Sushi . After dinner we shared a chocolate donut at a donut shop that's open 365 days a year.
Linda and I also visited the Newport Beach Pier. There, we walked and noticed that on one street facing the ocean, there were six food and drink establishments out of eight businesses. That's 75% related to food and drink. It’s not surprising why we have so many overweight and obese individuals in our country.
At the end of the pier, we met Jim and his family. Jim was born in Columbus, Ohio, and a true Buckeye . His father attended Ohio State and had a 1963 game ball signed by Wody, Herbstreight and a number of other Buckeyes. One afternoon Jim played in his backyard with the game ball. When his father found out ,he got the licking of his life. His father passed away at the age of 57 and the older brother got the prize ball, but gave it to younger brother Jim. During the most recent Michigan victory over Ohio State, Jim congratulated a Michigan alumni. That alumni told Jim that was the first time anyone from Ohio State congratulated him after a victory. We also met Jim's daughter and son-in-law and young daughter who currently live in Australia.
Linda and I also contacted Kate, a friend from Linda's past. Kate's father was a Hollywood comedy writer and wrote for TV shows like Laugh In . Kate and her husband Brett are actors. Recently, they were performing in the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Linda and I attended many plays and got together with them before and afterwards. During our most recent Ashland experience, Dave and Joyce joined us in Ashland for the Shakespeare experience. This was prior to Covid-19.
We also contacted friends Gwen and Bill who live in the Bay Area on the way home . Unfortunately we didn't visit this time because of scheduling differences. Linda and Gwen were equine riding partners when they had a second home In Cool. They sold that home but we still maintain contact with them. Incidentally, Bill's parents were missionaries in China. On one occasion, Tony and I stayed with them prior to one of our Bay Area running competitions.
Returning from our Irvine stay, we left early in the morning to avoid the LA traffic . We headed home at an easy pace and didn't exceed 85 mph. Another reward was stopping at Ghirardelli's to share a hot fudge sundae .
PS
Michigan plays Alabama on New Year's Day in Pasadena and Linda and I were considering attending that Rose Bowl game. Go Blue ! However, good news for Linda. She replaced her hip that she had used for 90 years.
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