Of Family

DAY ELEVEN OF HOLLMANN HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!

My internet has been pretty wonky of late, but I'm back! And here to talk about the most important element of the holidays.



Ha, ha! Close, but no cigar.

I'm speaking of family. The close and distant relatives that we rarely get to see, then November rolls along and it's like we live next door to each other. I spent Thanksgiving with my grandparents this year, mostly because I don't get to see the Locketts and Anna and Roz all that often. The holidays allow us to renew these bonds we share with family.

Allow me to share some pictures from this past Thansgiving from you. Not taken by me, of course, but by my cousin Anna.



Mumu here is making the oyster dressing. The family loves oyster dressing, and apparently so does everyone else: all the Publix stores around the Villages were completely out! Fortunately, Aunt Roz came in to save the day. How did she get these oysters, you ask? Personally, I think it involves a lot of determination and a fight to the death in a grocery store parking lot.



From L to R, meet Aunt Jenny and Uncle Alan. Picking at grapes while awaiting the feast soon to come.



Mumu is always the last to sit down, even when the smorgasboard appears to be ready. Not ready enough, she says. Not ready enough.



Mumu is also a fierce decorator. Every year, a picture is taken of her improvised table lay-outs. I got the Pilgrim salt-and-pepper shakers, btw. Me. Kudos.



A few of us at the table. A small but delicious meal. And a lot of Coca-Cola was consumed at this meal. If you look closely, you'll see the label of one right in front of me. Carl's Coke is in plain view.



This is Carl by the way. He lifts weights and enjoys films, as well. I do love how everyone in my family enjoys going to the cinema. "We like stories," my mother said. "Whether it's a book, a movie, or whatever. We just want to hear a good story."



How bad-ass is my grandfather? He wears genuine Japanese robes to Thanksgiving dinner. Anna is reflected in the background. I believe I am putting my drink down, since I am clearly licking my lips.



My favorite picture from the weekend. Notice the lady pilgrim in the reflection of the vase. Poetic and beautiful. Good job, Anna.



A dream come true: smoking cigars with Poppa. The youngest is officially initiated into the Big Leagues. NOT PICTURED: Uncle Alan and Carl, also enjoying cigars, swapping stories, having a good time. The best part of the weekend.



Happy Holidays!

There's nothing like being together for the holidays, as the Publix ad says. I hope for a repeat this year, only with the Wysockis, more Harbins, Anna again, and maybe Virginia (please?)! Without family, what would the holidays be? To quote Maggie Smith: "Desperately dull, darling, desperately dull."




Mom got drunk and Dad got drunk
At our Christmas party
We were drinkin' champagne punch
And homemade eggnog
Little sister brought her new boyfriend
He was a Mexican
We didn't know what to think of him
Til he sang Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad

Brother Ken brought his kids with him
The three from his first wife Lynn
And the two identical twins
From his second wife MaryNell
Of course he brought his new wife Kaye
Who talks all about AA
Chain smokin' while the stereo plays
Noel, Noel, The first Noel

Carve the turkey turn the ball game on
Mix Margaritas when the eggnog's gone
Send somebody to the Quik-Pak store
We need some ice and an extention cord
A can of bean dip and some Diet Rite
A box of tampons and some Marlboro Lights
Hallelujah everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the family

Fran and Rita drove from Harlingen
I can't remember how I'm kin to them
But when they tried to plug their motorhome in
They blew our christmas lights
Cousin David knew just what went wrong
So we all waited on our front lawn
He threw the breaker and the lights came on
And we sang Silent Night
Oh Silent Night

Carve the turkey turn the ballgame on
Make Bloody Marys cause we all want one
Send somebody to the Stop 'n Go
We need some celery and a can of fake snow
A bag of lemons and some Diet Sprite
A box of tampons and some Salem Lights
Hallelujah everybody say cheese
Merry Christmas from the family

Feliz Navidad.