Cousin's Day

It was a fun day in Sarasota on Sunday, 8th February 2009. A happy "Cousins Day". We drove from Boca Raton, Florida to Sarasota, Florida to hang out with my first cousins Alice Gochberg and Robert Paul, with their respective "better-halves" Harvey and Linda. Also joining us was their cousin from the other side of the family, Ruth Landsman and her mom Hannah Landsman. Betty and I brought Betty's mom Aurora and sister Candida.

We chatted and hung out at Alice and Harvey's house for a few hours, noshing on fruit, nuts, cookies and wine (Alice and Harvey are such gracious hosts!), talking about each others' families and getting caught up. Diverse discussions on world travels, far-flung relatives, and the family tree ensued, followed by the inevitable opinions on medical woes, a lively discussion on the economy, the global financial meltdown and of course esoteric, metaphysical, spiritual matters running the gamut from dream interpretation, numerology, astrology, kabbalah, and humanistic secularism. Good head-food, all!

Soon Ruth and Hannah arrived, and I bored the group with an encapsulated screening of a 1983 DVD of home-movies from Betty's and our first apartment as newlyweds including a birthday party Betty thew for my 27th birthday at Betty's mom's house.

No cousins gathering would be complete without a feast, and sure enough Alice and Harvey had made arrangements at the Palm Cafe and Grill. Such a wonderful meal and excellent service - Carolina and her husband really outdid themselves. Robert came up with a brilliant idea for all of us to "autograph" the menu, which we did and I have included here for your perusal.

The day ended as it began, with Betty, her mom and sister, and I driving back down from Sarasota to Boca Raton. It was a long day, but so memorable. Thank you all for a wonderful memory - let's do it again soon!