Seiko

Although my father-in-law has continued to maintain and upgrade it, the house is now likely to be what's referred to as "A Scraper" because it's a pretty old and basic layout with a lot of land in a desirable and expensive area. He's 95 and we don't know how much longer the family will retain this property ...

So we are trying to make frequent (though exhausting) trips to the homestead. There were about 30 family and friends over for a visit. 

One of the most enjoyable moments was checking out the youngest nephew’s first car purchase ever — a 1990 Ford Camper Special 5-speed manual shift, straight 6 engine, long bed, dual tanks, with Eddie Bauer trim. It was fun to hear this energetic 30-year old doctor say “I really wanted the truck but I don’t know how to drive a stick shift ... but after some hesitation, I figured if Uncle Mike and Dad can drive one, I can learn.”

Imagine now Grandad is 95, Mr & Mrs Cazalea are 65+ (the rest of our generation are younger), with 5 grandkids (the tiny tots shown below) who are now in their 30's with about 8 kids between them ... Grandma and brother Phil (with tie) are no longer with us.

I'm now at the stage where I stay in the shade, out of the pool, sit near the cooler full of beer, and reminisce. And wander around the property that I've been married into for about 45 years.





The architecture is classical southern california, with redwood walls, lots of overhanging vines and ferns, and stoneset walls and steps. 
Stag-horn ferns were very rare and expensive when I was a child, but we have a dozen or more giant specimens in the family now. Perhaps they like warm climates like ours.

There aren't many flowers going in November, but I took a walk anyway

My blue-dial Seiko diver makes a nice contrast against yellow flowers,

red BOUGAINVILLEA brachts.



and orange berries.



at one point there were 14 cars and a motorcycle in the driveway, but at 4 we evicted all the friends and hangers-on, and settled down to a quiet family meal for 24, with roasted chicken & baked potatoes. Since I was doing much of the cooking, there aren't any photos.