Pictures from Indiana.

I'm going to leave these pictures up briefly before putting them into a family filter. I don't need to have strangers stalking my family and all.. ;) And no funeral pictures here. If you want to see those, you'll have to marry into the family, attend a family reunion, and just hope that mourning photos are pulled out of albums.

Saturday night, boy and I went out to Summit Lake state park to watch the sun set. It was a good way to decompress after a long drive. Those tree were on dry land when I worked there. This is basically the view I used to watch nightly... though there were tree-covered islands in there at one point. I wish the camera could truly show the reflection of the sky we witnessed.

Sunday morning, I looked out in the yard of my childhood home to see a wacky man doing weird stuff. I'm sure the neighbors are still talking. We left shortly thereafter to drive to northern Indiana, land of the people who spawned me.

Most of the following pictures were taken at my late paternal grandparents' home. The grandparents pictured herein are my maternal grandparents, who are very much alive--grandma sometimes claims grandpa moves too slowly to be quick (living), but he's still just as fiesty. You should see her chase him with a rolled up magazine, though--it's priceless.

On Sunday, many relatives gathered at the house. Most of them were from my mom's side of the family, but some of my dad's aunts and uncles made an appearance, too. I don't think they're in the pictures.

A primer for who's who:
( cousins )

First off, a picture for my mother, in which I emulate a housewife. I like aprons. I need to iron that one.

Dad, Brandon, Grandpa
AJ & Nate, deceptively quiet
Carie, Jhonen, A1, Grandma, Briana

Staci holds Briana, as Kevin assumes the daddy position.
Kiera and Jhonen

Nate, A1, ducks
Rod holds Kiera as she keep Grandpa in line

We attempted to get some group shots:
attempted, I said.
From left to right:
Nate, AJ, Carie, Jhonen, Michelle, Kiera, Kirsten, Staci, Briana.
In the very back, Rod's head is obscured by AJ. Grandpa and Kevin are also back there.
A bit more orderly

Monday evening, boy and I went over to my Grandparents' home.
Me, Grandpa, Grandma
We would never give Grandma crap about being a pygmy... we reserve that for A1.
boy likes this picture... it makes him think he's as tall as grandpa. what you don't know is that boy is wearing boots--grandpa is not.


After the funeral on Tuesday, I stole grandpa's boots.

When my parents aren't around and he's not on his home turf, Bailey is downright friendly. He still hates the camera, though, and looks for escape routes when necessary.

Neal doesn't mind the camera. He feels plywood shows his masculine side.

my boobs are too big

Neal disappears when the light shines...

Look closely, Neal is sitting under the chair, watching the sunlight. His tail was thumping madly. He loves things like sunlight: laser lights, butterflies... unfortunately, those things have all triggered seizures.

On the drive home, I explained to boy that we really do grow giants out here. And they like custard.

I realized I didn't get any pictures of my mom, nor any of my dad's extended family. Drat. Guess this means we'll be going to the family reunion next year. ;)

(no subject)

My family doesn't like my cooking. Most of the time, they won't even taste it, but they insist that it must be horrible. When they do taste it, they make a big show of gagging. My mom is usually better about it, but not always. Heck, my dad refused to try any of my mozzarella caprese salad, my brother gagged on it, and my mom was rather blasé.

They pity explodingcat for having to put up with my evident lack of culinary skill.. He assures me that he thinks I'm a wonderful cook and that I'm better than a lot of family cooks he knows. He gets paid to say all that, so I'm not sure I can trust him. After all--his father is a gourmet chef... boy could just be trying to make me fell better.

I'm starting to get paranoid.

If I've cooked for you, did you like it or hate it? Be honest. I won't poison you the next time I have you over for dinner.