This past 4th of July weekend we had two family gatherings to attend. Traveling, as a large family, to make two different gatherings in the space of two days is a bit of insanity but I guess we were motivated by a bit of guilt. The one gathering was on the way back from the other so couldn’t you just come . . . ?
So we came. Weather was good, the trip went fine . . . Mom probably swears she will never do something like that again. I was not under all of the stress of being “in charge” and being an efficient sort of guy I kind of admire the ability to fit the social obligation of two family reunions into one weekend. All that said, I admit I don’t look for a repeat either. By the time the first family gathering is over you’re so stone tired it’s hard to enjoy the second day. One side of the family ends up getting you in zombie mode.
?Saturday was the gathering on my Mom’s side of the family. We had about a 2 1/2 hour trip ahead of us but with all the hustle and bustle of packing we managed to avoid leaving too late. (It helps if you plan to leave early.) Once everyone was packed–”Everyone have your tooth brush?”–we set out in caravan style.
We require three standard size vehicles to take everyone. In case any communication is required between vehicles we take along walkie-talkies. This is useful–for confirming what exit we’re taking, or if the next turn is the right one–but even so I can’t escape a slight sense of ridiculousness. Walkie-talkies? Why the fancy gadgets? Come on, people, we’re just going on a few hour’s car trip, not exploring the unknown wilderness. But, silly as it might sometimes seem, the walkie-talkies do sometimes serve a purpose. The rest of the time they are used for inane inter-car conversation. “Did you see that hill over there? What do you think of the river?”
I’m not a great conversationalist. I can manage “So, what do you think of the weather?” And, “How have things been going for you?” but that is about the limit. For this reason, whenever I go to some type of social gathering I must either (a) be prepared to be bored (b) have a plan for my own entertainment in case nobody else has interesting conversation. One thing I often do is bring a book. If I ever get bored I can find some quiet corner and read. I always have reading I need to do, and it seems that whenever I could be reading I find something else to do. Thus, if I bring a book I won’t be bored–and if for some reason I really truly get so bored I need to find something to do, the book is always there.
A book wasn’t the planned form of Rundy diversion for the Saturday reunion. I was going occupy myself making ice cream.
How I ended up being in charge of making ice-cream for a gathering of about forty people is something of a story in itself.
Last year our six quart ice cream maker finally met its end. The ice cream maker had been looking decrepit for years, but when the ice cream began to take on a salty taste it was decided there was a leak in the canister . . . and that was the end.
Ice cream makers are not cheap, especially when you want a nice large six quart machine. Home made ice cream is a treat, not a necessity, so I knew I wasn’t going to be able to convince anyone to spend
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