Passover Weekend

So we ended up in town for Passover, after all. D2 hopped a flight from GNV, and was picked up by D1 at MIA, with Spaniel in tow. They headed back to Brickell to get ready, and Wifey and I came by an hour later to fetch them and Joel. Destination: Stuart and TRacy's Aventura townhouse, for the most raucous Seder in memory.

Stu and Tracy are consummate hosts. Tracy cooks well, despite her visual disability, and they just keep inviting more and more people. Their living room/dining room was a domino set of tables and chairs --over 40 folks were packed in.

Stu's boy Val poured drinks, and not many had previously seen a 9 year old bartender...I had my fill of Ketel Ones, and even the Ds drank some wine.

The conversation was warm and lively. Stu's old friend and appellate lawyer Arthur was there. Arthur is 74, and eccentric with a capital E, as I told the Ds. He's brilliant -- Princeton and Harvard Law -- and it turns out he grew up in Kentucky -- just across the river from Evansville, Indiana, where Joel is from. The two shared tales of small town, Midwestern/Southern Jewish upbringings...

Stuart led the Passover tale rapidly and happily. All were reminded the reason we had gathered, and all laughed and enjoyed. It was definitely MY kind of time...

The next day, Wifey begged off to rest her back, and to host her old college friend Eileen, in town from Exurbia, Georgia, and the Ds and I headed up to Paul's.

Paul joined the a beach club in Sunny Isles, and we sat at cabanas and the ocean eating lunch. Paul's old friend Lou was there, and he and I caught up on old tales.

Paul's sister, brother in law, and nephew and niece joined in, as well as lovely Patricia and her boy Joey. Paul, like Stu, loves to host, and everyone was made happy.

We then decamped to Gulfstream, and some pony watching. Here, too, Paul is the man: he gambles and distributes the winnings to the kids. He hit twice --a total of $600 -- and was relieved he "won" for the kids early in the going. There have been days he's spent a lot to "get them winnings."

Joel finished his law school studying, and he joined us as well. Lou gave him a good natured hard time -- putting pressure on him to show horse expertise.

Paul left, to host a meal for the family at his house, and we stayed and won the last race. Great time, all around.

Paul's adorable granddaughter was supposed to be there, with her parents in tow, but Tracy got sick and had to miss the trip. Little Lilly is 1. The celebration of that will take place in the coming weeks...

So all in all, a truly magical few days. D2 is sleeping in today. It's Easter Sunday, so will be a slow day all around...

Next weekend, we'll celebrate ancient Mom's 92nd birthday. She has chosen to eschew Passover seders the pasy year or so -- too far to travel. Life moves on...