Greetings from steamy South Carolinia and lovely lake Keowee..a 26 mile long man-made body of water which was designed for use to keep 3 reactors in the the nearby nuclear power plant cool. (And no, it’s not a concern.)The two dams on the lake also generate electricity the old fashioned way..using gravity to spin turbines. The big beneficial by-product, of course, is this vast deep pure water lake shaped sort of like a Christmas tree with coves and islands and nary an empty lot along its 300 miles of shoreline.
Easy to get lost if you're a stranger in a boat.
Keowee is Cherokee for “place of mulberries” although I’ve yet to see a mulberry and, believe me, I’ve had plenty of opportunities since I spent most of our two days on the golf course well OFF the fairways and deep in the woods hunting for balls that went sailing off my driver into the tall trees.
This is, what might be called, a Lund Brothers reunion since everybody here ..all 31 of us..are direct descendants of the three Lund boys. I know it may sound crazy but it has actually been a joy to be around all these little kids; ten of them under the age of ten; most belonging to Tom and Ilene’s three offspring and their spouses who’ve provided a new grandchild a year for the last 9 years..with one more due in October. This gathering has provided an opportunity for many of these cousins, nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts to meet for the first time. It’s been remarkable how quickly everybody got aquainted so quickly and are getting along just “swimmingly.”
Tom and Ilene have a terrific roomy house but not enough to accommodate this big bunch so half of us are camping out in the vacant luxury home next door..just a mulberry bush away. The generous offer came from the new owners of the place who have yet to move in. The only conditions are that we please refrain from using the brand new beds and kitchen furnishings that have yet to be slept in or cooked on. So we have procured several air mattresses for everyone which, ironically, are set up right alongside those expensive memory foam beds that have yet to accomodate a single soul. It’s been tempting..especially when there is an air mattress deflation issue during the night..but so far we’ve all resisted.
I know that viewing other people’s family photos can be as exciting as shopping for wallpaper but since the news from here is all about eating, drinking, boating, skiing, laughing and bonding..it’s pretty much what I have to offer until we jet back home later in the week where more heat awaits..but without the option of charging through the front door into the “pristine waters of Keowee Lake to cool off.
The view from Tom and Ilene's place down to the shore where a big boat and jet ski await to entertain you.
Linda makes her way down the semi-steep path to the lakeshore..easier descending than ascending for this fluffy guy.
I watched from the shade and others bobbed about in the tepid waters. That's my grandkids, Michael and Allison in the sun, great nephew Joey in the front and nephew Jayden on the right. Jay is our L.A. actor whose most recent appearance has been on HBO's True Blood.
Sort of looks like the closing scene from "Titanic" but, in this case, both the water and bodies are warm.
Each of these kids are just too precious for words. Linda holds 3 year old Josie while Caroline pulls the "I've got your nose" gag on Gracy Kay who celebrated her 7th birthday during our get-together.
5 year old Addy just came in to see what I was doing and wondered if Uncle Doug was going to put in a picture of her...so, of course I am.
PS. Linda’s mom..our beloved “Mother Mary”…doesn’t have long for this world. She’s in Hospice care at the nursing home in Alcester..her hometown for all of her 88 years. It’s been tough for Linda being so far away during this difficult time but she’s been such a trooper making sure her anxiety doesn’t show as we celebrate this Lund reunion with frivolity, food and foolishness.
PSS: Tuesday July 24th: Just received news that Mother Mary passed away during the night. We’ve changed our flight schedule and will be heading for South Dakota early Wednesday morning. As you know, Linda figures prominently in my writings here. She wanted me to thank all of you..friends and strangers alike..who have always expressed support for her wheather it’s for just putting up with a lug like me or during times of anxiety and grief like now. Bless you.
