The Circle of Life: Family Reunions and Slime

Friday - Why is it that funerals most often turn into family reunions? I suppose it's the upside of an otherwise sad event. Friday my siblings, spouses and Tom & I were in Georgia for a funeral. We saw relatives that we haven't seen in a very long time. For some reason my dad's side of the family hasn't been as close knit as my mother's side of the family. So when we Moore relatives get together (usually at weddings and funerals) we really enjoy seeing each other. You could almost immediately pick out a Moore in the crowd - dark, olive skin, dark eyes and very dark hair (remember the Puerto Rican lineage?). It was obvious that lots of us were related. About 25 of us went out to dinner together after the funeral. It was so great to visit, talk and laugh with our cousins and their children & grandchildren. I've decided that someone needs to step it up and organize a Moore family reunion. Anyone?

Saturday there was another family reunion of sorts. Chad asked our family and Michelle's family over for an oyster roast. For various legitimate reasons, I was the only Rucker that could attend. Michelle's brother Chuck and her sister Christy with her husband Greg were also there. Along with Chad & Michelle's dog Darby, Christy's dog McGruber (sp?) and Chuck's two dogs Jake and Buck. All indoor dogs, mind you. With the rainy weather, Chad had the garage cordoned off to keep the dogs out of the rain. He had 100 oysters to roast and boil. I dare say that Chad and Chuck downed the majority of those oysters. Greg declared early on that he wasn't an oyster lover (he did eat two.) I pretty much knew I wasn't a fan, but I was willing to try. The first one I tried was VERY slimy. Yuck. Pretty nasty. Next I tried one cooked a bit longer and with some sauce on it. It was better but still yucky. Then Chad gave me one that had melted cheese. Much better but that was because the cheese sorta camouflaged the oyster. So I really don't count that as saying I actually like oysters. I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and the company. We had a great time together. I love being around Chad & Shell. Oh, by the way, before cooking we played Mario Cart on Wii (or Mario Brothers Cart . . . whatever). I stunk it up terribly! I was driving on anything but the raceway - grass, the wall, in water, I was even going backwards! Plus I got dizzy driving. I think I'll stick to Wii Rock Bank II and Wii bowling.
Here are a few pictures from yesterday.