We recently gathered for our annual Lindholm campout. I remember getting together every summer for most of my life (60 years and counting). We used to just have a picnic on a Sunday afternoon, until the time about 25 years ago we had so much fun some of the aunties just didn't go home! About Wednesday I got a call from my cousin Becky telling me that Muriel and Katy were still out at the lake. John and I packed up the kids and took our camper out to the lake and joined them. Becky came too with her kids (or maybe she just had Ryan, I don't remember for sure.) Late that night John and Jim were going to go home so they could work in the morning (poor guys) but it was really looking stormy. I didn't say anything, but I was really not wanting to be in a camper alone if we had wind. They ended up staying overnight at the lake with us (there was a storm and we didn't blow away) and going to work from there in the morning. We had a wonderful time, and after that we had the family picnic somewhere that people could also camp.
I seem to remember as a child that the lunch (a pot luck affair) was something that magically appeared interrupting our play. Then after we had totally stuffed ourselves and wandered off, it magically got all cleaned up. How did that happen? It never happens anymore! We as a group are pretty laid back (read disorganized but fun!) however we have tried to import through marriage the "organization" gene. This has met with some success, but I suspect that often WE are the influencers instead of the reverse. (Apologies to my sons and daughters in law!)
Cousin Tim this year hosted a fun (not talent) show. He managed to cajole a few family members to present entertainment. We are an easy crowd and we were entertained! We had lots of music, lots of jokes and even a ventriloquist (she was good, it was her dummy that kept falling apart!) Between acts, he regaled us with "You might be a Lindhom if . . ." lines. I am sure I know even more that he never heard of. However, my memory being what it is, I thought I had better put some down before they got covered up with "where did I put that birthday card I bought and why is there lettuce in the freezer?"
You might be a Lindholm if you think of the family reunion and start humming "The Lion Sleeps Tonight!" (I hear you--weemawoppaweemawoppa--ooo-ooo-OOO-ooEEumumawayyyy!)
You might be a Lindholm if you all go to church, but in separate vehicles.
You might be a Lindholm if you have more jobs than actual people in your family, but you are always borrowing money for gas from each other.
You might be a Lindholm if you know all the words to remote obscure songs that are out of print but have to be prompted to name all your children.
You might be a Lindholm if you don't know what a marshmallow tastes like without mosquito repellant on it.
You might be a Lindholm if you have been caught picking at yesterday's lunch remains which are still on the picnic table because it was brought by a relative who didn't camp and forgot it. We are not responsible for leftovers--they can stay there until next year!
You might be a Lindholm if a car breakdown is a social event and a competition!
You might be a Lindholm if your son was pulled over by the highway patrol, and when the car was searched for contraband, they spent more time trying to stuff the Jenga blocks back into the box than figuring out what WAS in that Coolwhip container? (bait!)
You might be a Lindholm if you know which relative to ask for plumbing, carpentry, auto or spiritual concerns--and which relative NOT to ask!
You might be a Lindholm if you know enough healthcare workers to start your own M*A*S*H unit--but when someone actually needs healthcare at the family reunion, they will be helped most by the one who faints at the sight of blood! (We're off duty and we've seen worse--leave us alone!)
You might be a Lindholm if your kid is in trouble, your mother died, or your wife left you, and you most of all need to go to the family reunion--where people will completely smother you with corny sayings, hugs and marshmallows covered with mosquito repellent. And you'll feel lots better!
I seem to remember as a child that the lunch (a pot luck affair) was something that magically appeared interrupting our play. Then after we had totally stuffed ourselves and wandered off, it magically got all cleaned up. How did that happen? It never happens anymore! We as a group are pretty laid back (read disorganized but fun!) however we have tried to import through marriage the "organization" gene. This has met with some success, but I suspect that often WE are the influencers instead of the reverse. (Apologies to my sons and daughters in law!)
Cousin Tim this year hosted a fun (not talent) show. He managed to cajole a few family members to present entertainment. We are an easy crowd and we were entertained! We had lots of music, lots of jokes and even a ventriloquist (she was good, it was her dummy that kept falling apart!) Between acts, he regaled us with "You might be a Lindhom if . . ." lines. I am sure I know even more that he never heard of. However, my memory being what it is, I thought I had better put some down before they got covered up with "where did I put that birthday card I bought and why is there lettuce in the freezer?"
You might be a Lindholm if you think of the family reunion and start humming "The Lion Sleeps Tonight!" (I hear you--weemawoppaweemawoppa--ooo-ooo-OOO-ooEEumumawayyyy!)
You might be a Lindholm if you all go to church, but in separate vehicles.
You might be a Lindholm if you have more jobs than actual people in your family, but you are always borrowing money for gas from each other.
You might be a Lindholm if you know all the words to remote obscure songs that are out of print but have to be prompted to name all your children.
You might be a Lindholm if you don't know what a marshmallow tastes like without mosquito repellant on it.
You might be a Lindholm if you have been caught picking at yesterday's lunch remains which are still on the picnic table because it was brought by a relative who didn't camp and forgot it. We are not responsible for leftovers--they can stay there until next year!
You might be a Lindholm if a car breakdown is a social event and a competition!
You might be a Lindholm if your son was pulled over by the highway patrol, and when the car was searched for contraband, they spent more time trying to stuff the Jenga blocks back into the box than figuring out what WAS in that Coolwhip container? (bait!)
You might be a Lindholm if you know which relative to ask for plumbing, carpentry, auto or spiritual concerns--and which relative NOT to ask!
You might be a Lindholm if you know enough healthcare workers to start your own M*A*S*H unit--but when someone actually needs healthcare at the family reunion, they will be helped most by the one who faints at the sight of blood! (We're off duty and we've seen worse--leave us alone!)
You might be a Lindholm if your kid is in trouble, your mother died, or your wife left you, and you most of all need to go to the family reunion--where people will completely smother you with corny sayings, hugs and marshmallows covered with mosquito repellent. And you'll feel lots better!
4 comments:
I'm glad that we have so many people in the family that help with car emergencies! I loved the jokes, we have a fun family
I forgot I had a flat tire Saturday night until I started driving home. It took a while for the mechanic squad to find me what with torrential darkness, cell phone dead zones, and my back not allowing me to do anything but try to call someone, but once they did find me they were in FINE form, even escorting me home!
We do have a fun family. I love you all! Even when time are tough we still love eachother and still laugh and have fun. I'm just beginning to realize that in all the families in the world, this is actually rare. I LOVE ALL YOU CRAZY PEOPLE!!
But if you see us in the grocery store you should quickly walk the other way or you'll NEVER get home!
Post a Comment