Cousins and Russians on Sunday

Cousins Jim and Susie usually host a summer party for brother Rich and me- a kind of annual reunion/combined birthday party. Cousin Ann more often than not comes up from Saratoga where she summers. Rich has gained a "son" Carl who is a friend of real son Justin's and is an orphan who has not been doing too well on his own. Rich's girlfriend Valerie is a mover and shaker in Rotary. They are in the midst of a foreign exchange with Russia. So Alexandra, interpreter, and Sergei, a building contractor from Siberia were able to join us. Susie performed her usual kitchen magic: barbecued brisket, marinated turkey breast, corn casserole, dinner rolls, Tex-Mex salad and a fabulous frozen dessert.

We were well into the cocktails and sensational canape's when Valerie informed us that the Russian tradition requires three shots of Vodka- one before dinner, one during dinner, and one before dessert. I think we all enjoyed this tradition and agreed that it deserves repeating. It certainly provides more chatting and laughter. Alexandra is a very capable translator-impeccable English and apparently Russian although I can't vouch for that. She harbors an ambition to do "Dancing With the Stars" as her passion is ballroom dancing. Sergei was an affable man-good sense of humor, confident and well versed in all aspects of construction. They built 49 brick homes this year in Siberia. A skilled laborer makes between $700 to $1000.00 per month but it only takes $200 to have a minimal life. $1000.00 equals about 5200 Rubles.

Toasts are traded during the shot tradition. Sergei said (through Alexandra) if anybody had told him a year ago that he would be dining with a smiling American family he would not have believed them. He said their media make us out to be unfriendly but it had been nothing but smiles since Atlanta. We thought the same about our media. Folks are folks over a dinner table. Wonderful people to meet. We made a memory.


















It was good to see family and chat a bit after they made their goodbyes. We are getting OLD. Jimmy is 72 and after his bout with cancer several years ago is enjoying every day. They are building a two story garage where their old one used to be. Ann is 66 or 67, I am 64, Rich is 57. Susie is ageless. But we are mellowing nicely.

Buster was very well behaved though I think he did not have a very good time. He was edgy. It may have had something to do with the two cats.

More pix at the link:

Cousins and Russians