Family Reunion

I spent last weekend in Nevada City at a family reunion at The Jacobson Dude Ranch. The Jacobsons are our cousins, but they are closer than any other relatives we have. As families grow up and onward styles and belief systems change and the family dynamics morph and change. When this happened in our family my cousin Diane and I followed similar paths and she became more of a sibling than anything I ever had. Well, I never actually had a sister. And my brother and his family began viewing me as the weird hippie relative. So, thank the lord I had a weird hippie cousin too. So Diane is my weird hippie sister in case anyone was asking.  We gathered together as many of our collective 9 children and their children to meet new babies and catch up on old news.

The Jacobson Dude Ranch is their beautiful 20 acres in Nevada City.  The word dude conjures up (at least for me) the hot butt of a dude tucked in a leathery saddle, meandering along the trail in front of me.  No such butts to be seen that aren't related to me in some way and that is just creepy. 

The 20 acres are gorgeous: pines, birch, apple orchard, expansive lawn, flowers, huge vegatable gardens, a smattering of animals, a catfish pond, a swimming pool, hot tub, and plenty of room to play, and comfortable places to sit and visit, eat amazing food and just relax.  We have been visiting here since my family was young.  Two of my cousin's babies were born in this house, and my Great Aunt Lauretta died here too.  It is a true family farmhouse with walls that hold a long story.

 

 

 
 

Once when I had a phychic reading I was told that my grandmother, my Busha, remained with me when I was in the kitchen.  That her spirit lived thee with me.  I thought of her often while our family worked together making meals.  The kitchen was alive with our family for me, both those there in body as well as those there in spirit.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

It wasn't all about food.  We had some amazing adventures too.  saturday morning we went to the Farmer's Market where the produce from their garden was being sold.  Later onto the Yuba River for the afternoon.  Sleeping under the stars on the upstairs deck.  And catching baby crawdads at the catfish pond.

 
 

 
 
 

 

 

Over the next week, as I sort through all of the photos I took I will probably add more to this post.  But for now, I sit grateful for the love of my family. 

Comments

[Karen Maestas]

Looks like great fun Marianne! Family is the best. We were all together this weekend too and it was so much fun. Lots of love, food, laughs. Glad you had a great time.