Thanksgiving in Lowcountry

 Our family's first Thanksgiving in South Carolina.  In many ways, it was very different.  In many ways, it was very familiar.  In the end, it was perfect.

It is hard being away from our families, both in MA and NY/NC.  COVID sort of makes that inevitable that the bubble stays small.  We figured we might still be with one or the other families.  However, this is more like Thanksgiving 2019 in Alabama.  The four of us were on our own, so that we could attend the iron bowl.  We knew even back then, that Thanksgiving 2021 would be in South Carolina for the Palmetto Bowl.  We just figured it would have been in COLA.  Back then, we never dreamed we would have a second house, let alone in Charleston.

Demi created another Thanksgiving meal for the ages.  She faced quite a few challenges.  COVID made some food supplies scarce.  Our new location meant some of our staples were not found here.  Stuffing bread is not a thing here.  Jones Sausage is not a thing here.  I got to made a Southern side dish.  I chose sweet potato casserole.  I think it came out really well, if I do say so myself. I also made a rustic apple gallete.  I am pretty proud of how that turned out too.  The chocolate cake from scratch tasted very good.  I really liked the frosting.  However, it did not look aesthetically pleasing.  The family didn't likely notice but of course the chef did.

Demi made her famous sausage stuffing, which was great.  The turkey (which was a tough item to get) was perfect.  She made our SIL's corn pudding.  It would have made St. Louis proud.  We ate like champs.

In the morning, I was able to at least stream the Duxbury/Marshfield football game. It was an excellent game.  We started a family puzzle.  We had a nice walk outside in shorts and t-shirts.  We called our families.  And the four of us spent quality time together.

Fall Break 2021

 Fall break was back to normal this year.  You know.  Normal, like 1 BC - Before COVID. I feel with classes back in the classroom and Coco taking the shuttle back and forth to campus, he needed a break.  It was very nice having the whole family together for a few days.  Just the casual interactions are amusing to me.  I like the time spent together.  We had binge watching sessions, college football, cornhole and of course, plenty of food.  We never starve when we are all together.

Isn't this what life is supposed to be?  Surrounded by your loved ones.  Making memories.  It doesn't have to be an epic trip.  You remember the feelings when you are all together.  I know I will

Twenty Years Later - Never Forget

 It is hard to believe it is twenty years after one of the most horrific days in history.  9/11 is a day I will never forget.  For so many reasons, it will be a day that most of our general consciousness will recall with reverence.  The confusion.  The concern.  The lack of information.  The lack of communication.  The lack of leadership in certain venues.  The sadness.  The relief.  The guilt of feeling relief.  All of these powerful emotions are felt as strongly now, as they were then.  

I remember rushing home to hold the boys.  I walked Coco.  I shielded Caz from the news on TV.  I slowly accounted for family, friends, friends of friends, loved ones, and casual acquaintances.  The next few days, the next few weeks were filled with so much uncertainty,

It is astounding the list of casualties is still growing.  All of those brave first responders are paying the price for their heroics, even now.  At the time, they seemingly did not give a thought to what may happen down the road.  They didn't hesitate.  They ran head first into danger.  For them.  For those we lost.  For their families.  We continue to remember.  We continue to honor them.  

Labor Day Weekend 2021

 What a weekend for the Chins.  We were not all together.  But I am happy all the same.  Demi and I got to spend a great day at the beach with family and friends.  The day turned out far sunnier and warmer than predicted.  The kids behaved very well.  There was no drama.  As always, there was no shortage of food or drinks.

What really made me smile?  The boys were together.  Caz drove up to COLA on Friday night.  I gave Caz my tickets to the Gamecocks game.  Primetime kickoff meant the boys had Friday night and all day Sat together.  I remember visiting my brother at college after I graduated.  It helped us bond even more.  I hope it does the same for them.  

Friends Reunion (Dragons Style)

 Caz had a really nice run this weekend.  He got to see a lot of his old high school friends.  That designation seems odd to me really.  Some of those guys he has known since before kindergarten.  Whatever they are, they are still good friends.  I am glad he got to see them.  He actually went out right after we got back from the airport on Friday night.  Saturday he got to have a farewell breakfast for Dix, who is off to active duty in CA for more training.  Caz also got to attend a college graduation party for another friend.  Sunday was more of the same.  And all his friends got to congratulate him on his recent graduation.  

Caz Comes Home (MA) '21

 Caz flew in late tonight.  It is nice to have him in MA.  He hasn't been here since New Years.  We set up his room earlier this summer.  I can't wait to see his face when he looks at the room.  Hope he likes it.  I am looking forward to having him here for a bit and to spending time with him.

Boys Week in CHS - POSTPONED

 Today was supposed to be Day One of boys week in Charleston.  It was over before it began.  I was just logging into work, when Caz came down to the kitchen.  I thought he was up earlier than normal.  He said he didn't feel great and his ear hurt.  Being prone to ear infections, he decided, on his own, to go to Urgent Care to be checked out.

About an hour and a half after Caz left, he called.  He called from the parking lot.  He tested negative for strep. His ear didn't appear infected.  The other shoe dropped.  He tested positive for COVID.

That information took a moment to process in my brain.  That process felt longer, than it lasted.  Caz is smart.  He called from the parking lot on purpose.  We made a plan.  I clean and disinfected the house.  He came in wearing a mask.  He went to a dedicated bedroom.  I had created a dedicated bathroom for him.  I informed Coco what was going on.  We all hunkered down for the long haul of isolation and quarrantine.

MLB Draft 2021

 Usually, there is no real hype associated with the baseball draft.  Typically, I would wait until the Sox made their picks and read the reviews in the days following.  This year, that has changed.  Coco is really into baseball this year, including the draft.  Demi is into the draft too.  Her cousin's son is a legit MLB prospect, coming out of high school.  He is the number one prospect in NY (I know, I know, but bear with me).  Her cousin is very excited, naturally.  He is really good.  He is level headed with realistic expectations.  He is proud of his son and is enjoying his son's success.  Good for him.  He should.

It is funny to listen to Demi get into the draft.  She is very happy for her cousins.  It is exciting just to be close to it.  I still can't tell you how the draft operates and all the strategy involved.  But this kid gets to decide between pro baseball and college.  He was offered a scholarship at a top tier college program.  Those are good choices to have.  Can't wait to see how it all pans out.

Healthy, Wealthy and Wise?

 Tomorrow I get my wisdom teeth pulled.  Four of them.  At least they are not impacted.  I am told that is better.  But is it?  Can I trust that assessment.

Coco got his one tooth, though impacted, out last Thursday.  He did really well.  He was loopy for a bit but really was not in a lot of pain.  Of course he has 30 years of youth on his side.  I am also told that the older you are when you have these teeth out, the more complicated and lingering the recovery is.  Great.

Could be worse right?  

Juneteenth

 For the first time, Juneteenth is a national holiday.  It took too long for that to happen, didn't it?  But let's celebrate that it finally did happen.  Let's just celebrate.  Period.

We have had quite a few family discussions around this day.  I enjoy each and everyone one of them.  I feel like we all educate each other.  This is an important topic on which to be educated.  It is continuous, as education should be.  As we should try to improve each day.  I work at being an ally every day.  I want to be an ally.  But I can't call myself an ally.  I can't say whether I am an ally or not.  That is for someone else to determine.  I figure when I measure up, maybe that will happen.  But whether or not that every happens, I will keep working at at.  We are all in this together.  We need inclusivity.  

Sebec 2021

 We are finally able to make it to Sebec Lake with family and friends this year.  It is always great to be with family and friends.  I am really happy that Coco decided to come with us.  He is twenty now.  He is in college.  I was going to say that college kids have different priorities but actually, same priority but they want to be with their friends.  Coco has a good sense of family though.  He knows it is important.  And I think he has fun with this crew and in this location.

I wish Caz was with us.  He will be missed.  Family time is incomplete without either one of the boys.  

Time at this lake is extremely therapeutic. For many years, this camp had very spotty to no cell service and no wifi.  The only TV was an old school tube TV with a VHS hooked up to it.  One could really unplug from life.  I love it.  My wallet only comes our for supply or trash runs.  My phone only comes out for use as a camera.  The days are early.  Sunrise is beautiful, as it comes up from across the lake.  Night are late, spent around the campfire.  The beer fridge in the boathouse is always stocked and is always open.  It's beer o'clock all the time.  Everyone does as they wish.  If you want to socialize, great.  If you want alone time, also great.  We have many memories and can't wait to make more.

Easter 2021

 Great weekend!  Demi got a semblance of her family holiday weekend.  Coco and some of his crew came to visit for the weekend.  It was really nice having them here.  Demi didn't get to host like she likes due to her injured wing.  But she was excited and made the most of it.

Only a couple of weeks removed from shoulder surgery, I didn't even want to offer to cook, knowing Demi would still try to help and would over do it on her shoulder.  I convinced her to order dinner.  After doing some research, she found the jackpot.  Six pounds of pulled pork, double mac & cheese, double tater tots, cornbread and two BBQ sauces.  Not a veggie in site.  Perfect college kid food.

The boys arrived Friday night, right after the Final Four tip-off.  We got pizza and wings.  The game was exciting.  It went right down to the last shot.  It was an sad outcome for the Gamecocks but what a game.

Demi got time with one of her sons.  Coco's friends are fine young gentlemen.  Both our sons continue to surround themselves with good people.  It is so nice to see.  That was the real purpose of the weekend.  Spend time with our son and the people close to him.  

Downsizing

 So.  What has been going on during this blog blackout?  I am choosing to start with Downsizing.  But I will begin this narrative with how I grew up.  My parents wanted a bigger house when I was about 6 or 7.  The bought 31 and we moved around around the corner from Temple St.  Growing up in that house was fantastic.  While growing up, I experience my first brush with Downsizing.  

When my brother and I were in high school, our mother started talking to our grandparents about moving.  They lived in Wilmington, where they had settled down for a long time, after moving a lot during my grandfather's early years with his company.  They loved the house and town. They owned 4.5 acres with a 14 room house on it.  As they got older, my grandparents found it harder to maintain.  Honestly, I think my mother found it hard too.  She was their only child living in the same the state.  My mother never drives much.  Driving from Duxbury to Wilmington was left to my Dad.

I was not a part of the discussions between my grandparents and my mother.  I believe my grandparents looked favorably on downsizing.  But I do not rightly now.  Whatever transpired, they seems to handle the change well.  All of them seem to agree that their new home would be close to Duxbury.  My grandparents didn't want to live in Florida or New York, by my Aunt or Uncle.  My Dad was always doing things for them, along with my mother.  I feel my grandparents realized my folks were their best and constant support system.  After talks and visits to independent senior living complexes around the South Shore, my grandfather pulled off a huge surprise.  While all of us attended my brother's football game, my grandfather stayed behind.  When we got home, he announced that he had put an offer on the house next door, 41.  The rest, as they say, is history. 

41 became their home for a long time.  Eventually, it became home for Demi, the boys and me.  How about that?  My grandparents "smaller" home was our family home.  It was plenty big enough for all of us.  22 years in 41.  41 will always be "home" in the memories of Caz and Coco.  I experience the emotional attachments my grandparents possessed to both Wilmington and 41.  It shouldn't have surprised me that our family created similar bonds with 41.  If I am honest, and always try to be with you, I thought I would die while living in that house.  I always joked that I would be carted out of that house in a box.  Somewhere inside, a piece of me was not joking.  

We all had different reactions to leaving 41.  Caz likely took it most in stride.  He was comfortable at Auburn.  He loves it there.  I believe that helped him with the transition.  Demi was ready to start a new chapter.  She saw all the possibilities before us.  Coco was not pleased.  At all.  Of course, all this started before he even left for USC.  He hadn't made a connection there yet.  I think I was somewhere in between, although, again, if I am honest, I was closer to Coco's side of the see-saw.  Change is always hard.  But Change is inevitable.  Fighting change is pointless.  You can't win.  And it only makes it harder.  You can just go with it.  And it will be fine.  But if you embrace it, you can make it wonderful.

Last Class 2020

I can't believe today was the last class of 2020 for the boys.  Coco just finished the freshman year regular season.  Caz is wrapping up junior year.  I am about to have a rising sophomore and a rising senior.  In college!  How did that happen?!  Where did the time go?  It didn't end in a usual fashion.  It ended on Zoom.   Life goes on.  The world goes on.  College goes on.  Time stops for no one. 

Draft 2020

The first ever virtual NFL Draft!  It was certainly different.  The NFL had a captive audience.  This was the first live sporting event in months.  Something to get excited about.  Finally.  I joked about watching every single pick for the first time ever.
     Watching the first round was something I hoped would be a family event.  The boys had a vested interest with players from their colleges.  At least one from each was projected going in the first round.  I knew better to wait for the Patriots pick and for them to make it.  I was confident that Bill would trade out of the first round.  Sure enough, he did.  Coco was eager to watch.  Demi was a good sport.  She hung out with us, while Coco and I discussed and watched each pick.  Unfortunately Caz was not looking to engage.  According to Coco, Caz was playing a video game with friends.  Virtually, of course.  The virus hasn't changed that.  The kids have played online with friends for years. 
     Coco bowed out of night two.  So I watched rounds 2 and 3 on an iPad, silently.  Demi and I watched the new Chris Hemsworth movie on Netflix.  That was a win win. Thor for Demi to watch.  Action movie and draft for me to watch.

Back to USC

Now its Coco’s turn to go back to college.  Took him to the airport to fly back to Charlotte.  The nest is empty again.
     Coco was ready to go back.  He missed his crew.  A totally normal reaction to the first extended break in a freshman campaign.  Can’t blame either of them for wanting to return to school.
     I think they do miss Mom and Dad though.  They would never offer that up directly, on their own. They miss home too.  I think Coco misses it a tad more.  Although he got to see over fall break that home is not totally the same as how he left it.  His DHS buddies have their college friends and environments.  Most didn’t come home at the same time.  They had other commitments.  And quite a few got to see each other quite a bit, since they all left for their respective schools.  There is no ill intent.  It is all a part of the circle of life.

Back to Auburn 2020

The family break up started.  Well, not break up.  But the boys are starting to return to college.  Winter break is over.  The conglomeration of the nuclear family is disbanding.  It was a nice run.  The boys got to recharge their batteries.  We didn't ask a lot from them.  They did help a bit with a couple of big jobs at the new house.  That was very helpful.  They did it with no fanfare or bellyaching.  Demi and I got to have quality time with our sons, together, all in one place. 
     Caz is the first one due back to school.  Auburn starts about 5 days earlier than USC.  It doesn't seem fair, to Demi and me, since Caz was last one home.  We get it.  Caz wanted to spend some time with his girlfriend before coming home.  I remember being that age, and forming relationships.  The boys might not think I remember.  But I certainly do.
     Caz was great this morning.  He got up early.  About 7 hours earlier than he had been waking up during break.  We drove the the T parking lot and got there without traffic.  The Red Line actually ran as it should for a change.  I walked Caz over to the Silver Line at South Station.  A very nice young woman kindly pointed out the correct SL line for Caz to get on for Logan Airport.  It all worked very smoothly.  Caz took it all in stride.  He is really becoming quite a pro at traveling.  Our young man is becoming very worldly.

Indecent Proposal

Ok.  That was just sensationalism at its worst.  We actually made a very fair offer for a new house.  It is downsizing season.  It’s the first step of a master life change plan.  We want a smaller place.  It will reduce the taxes.  Personally, I could do without a yard to maintain.  A small yard for cornhole and Gizmo is perfect.  We can walk to the beach.  But the house is protected.  It’s not in a flood zone.  It should also allow us to relocate to NC.  NC would be closer to the boys.  It would be closer to Demi’s family.  We have the plan.  And now we are starting to execute on it.

Sunday Phone Home Day

Sunday is the day we talk to the boys.  One uses Skype.  One uses FaceTime.  Either way, we get to see their faces.  It really doesn’t have to be Sunday.  The point is, once a week, you, the child, call home.
     It’s funny.  All these years after college, our friend Vorhees, calls his parents every Sunday.  He uses a cellphone, but it is a standard phone call.  He has called from the Lake.  He has called from the beach.  He has called from a bar.  Wherever he is on Sunday, he calls home.
     Years from now, it would be nice if the boys call home often.  It would be nice if it is unprompted.  I hope they want to call home.  It’s easy to get caught up in life.  It really is the though that counts.

College Visits

Coco got his first visitor at U of South Carolina.  Uncle Lex had some work in Charlotte, so he drove down to stay the night.  I am really happy he did.
     Those two had a good time.  Coco took around campus.  He showed Uncle Lex the Horseshoe, his classroom buildings, the library, and Russell House.  Then they went to dinner at the Southern Belly BBQ.  Of course they dialed up the Wookie.  What else could you order besides double pork and double bacon?  It’s really cool another family member got to see campus.  My brother got a lot if information out of Coco.  It confirmed our guess that Coco is loving Gamecock life.  Spurs up!