Thelma and Louise and the Fancy Dancy Can Opener

One day during this road trip adventure Thelma and Louise were left alone in cousin Roxie's house with a can of tuna, some gluten-free bread, a bag of almonds and an apple.  Given the lack of food during various parts of this trip, Thelma decided we would make Tuna sandwiches. Easy and quick, right? All went well until we tried to get the tuna out of the can and realized together we were two thirds of the three stoogettes. The thing that looked like a can opener simply had no way to attach to a can. We tried everything including slamming the can with the handle. We sisters beyond sixty laughed at ourselves until we were both honking and gasping for breath..all the while sputtering "there's GOT to be a way to do this that doesn't involve calling Roxie"(and exposing our total ineptitude .)  About to give up and just eat bread,almonds and apple, Thelma and Louise plopped down at the table in despair...when Thelma shouted "GOOGLE!" And Louise shouted "YOU-TUBE!"...tripping over each other in perfect LucyEthelness  we ran to get our iPads and raced to the solution. And that is almost the end of the story. Google identified the pampered chef miraculous can opener made for old people who have tired hands, and utube had a step by step video which we followed exactly. It only took four tries. Soon Thelma and Louise were enjoying the best tuna sandwiches we could remember, and the fancy Dancy can opener was back in its place in Roxie's perfect kitchen.

Roadtrip Saga ...Thelma and Louise and the Backyard Wedding

The property was transformed. The Original Hilton and Hilton on the Hill (two old shacks at the back of the property usually used for storage but frequently called into service as sleeping quarters for visiting cousins when we were all kids) been painted barn red with white trim and sported new tin roofs.  The wedding arch at the crest of the hill was laced with fall flowers, corn husks and colored leaves. Beyond the arch the hills and mountains were ablaze in all their fall glory.

Family from everywhere arrived in wedding wear and cowboy boots for this unique country wedding.
The young bride and her groom had planned every detail and I know they we pleased with their ceremony. The processional up the hill was like an old fashioned tradition of family and friends accompanying the couple on the walk to the church. Pictures of the missing grandmothers and aunts were brought along at the couple's insistence. The vows were personal and deep. Very very sweet.

Forty six years ago this bride's mother, Andi,  was a beautiful nine year old junior bridesmaid at my wedding. CousinAndi was the youngest of all the cousins, and the sweetest and most beloved.  She grew up to be a wonderful mother and all of her kids are smart, gracious and kind and adore their mom.  I know it was a bittersweet day for her.

And then there was a real party!!! A pig roast in the front yard, a bar in the backyard, a huge tent in the side yard alive with hundreds of tiny white lights and gold glittering mason jar candle holders. Buffet dinner, toasts that had us laughing and crying and cheering, and of course cake and cupcakes. And then the dancing began.

This is a family that LOVES to dance. Lots of country music and moves that haven't quite made it to Seattle or McLean,Va, but Thelma and Louise did their best!! Until they couldn't. We did notice that sixty year old cousin Linda (Linda of red convertable fame) was out dancing almost everyone...and almost everyone was much much younger.  In her cowboy boots and leather cowboy hat she was a great reminder that we need to grab happiness and live our dreams.

And that's what Thelma and Louise want for young Ashley and her man Brandon. Happiness and dreams come true.