Summer vacation 09

Dear Diary: Where HAS the time gone? Summer is long gone now, San Diego is starting to be chilly in the mornings and dark when I slink away from my classes each night. Anyway, Diary, we had a good busy summer, filled with all that traditional summer business like family visits and quick weekend getaways and summer school and work and such. I always hope for a big 4th of July barbecue somewhere but I think maybe I'm just hanging on to my childhood.

So in no particular order: Went to Lubbock for a July weekend sibling reunion (there's the Berrier men below) at my sister's house. Sandi and her husband, Ron, live right around the corner from the old Hayloft Dinner Theatre, where I once performed in the classic "Not With My Daughter!" It was fun to see everyone and meet my latest great-nephew, Cohen. Lubbock was as expected: quite hot and quite Texas-y.

That asparagus won't cook itself!

Hector & Steve & new great-nephew Cohen Lenhart. He still has the price tag on!


Also, Carlos and Vanessa Ramirez came from Kentucky for their annual visit with the bachelor uncles. We took them up to Santa Monica for one night and walked along the pier, went up to Griffith Observatory (jazzed up since I was there a decade ago), wandered around the 4th Street Promenade, shopped on Rodeo Drive. They are very fun kids; it's our annual opportunity to learn the latest fashion trends from the Midwest.

Carlos & Vanessa on Rodeo Drive



We also had the pleasure of attending nephew Jorge Ramirez's high school graduation in Chula Vista. Here he is with his big sister, Ericka. Are they movie stars or what? Each time a grad's name was announced, hundreds of Dominguezes and Ortegas and Escalanteses rose to their feet in a show of family pride. No such thing happened at my graduation, which I didn't even attend now that I think about it...


We did our annual August week at our time share in Palm Desert , where it was so hot that you could fry an egg on the top of my skull. Our Marriott Vacation Club there is getting more and more crowded with ... well, people... every summer so we have decided to throw in the towel on that tradition and trade for a more exotic locale. Currently awaiting news on our request for Aruba in August 2010. Will keep you informed, diary.




Hiking in Palm Desert