Settling In

Since we've been in this house for 31 years, and it's the only house Eric remembers, I'd forgotten how it looks to someone who has never been in an American home before.  This is especially true because it's an architect designed, one-of-a-kind contemporary, perched on the edge of a steep hill, has no foundation (just support posts) and you can walk under it.  Very unusual, indeed.  Eric took Lynn on a tour of every nook and cranny.  Poor girl must think we're moles!

Lunch on the screened porch which is high off the ground, sort of up in the trees may have caused her to decide that we're a bunch of monkeys. Crazy Americans! 

Laundry done, a short walk in the neighborhood, and then it was time to go sample whatever kind of food Lynn wanted to try.  She chose BBQ.  We took her to the famous local dive called Sardi's Den (not to be confused with that hangout of the stars in NYC).  Half a rack of baby back ribs (sorry, vegetarian readers), baked beans, coleslaw, steamed broccoli, and a glass of unsweetened ice tea (no hot tea served at Sardi's). Messy and delicious was the verdict.

Then off to Dad's apartment for a short visit and some melon for dessert. Dad greeted Lynn by saying "I love you" in Chinese.  What a guy!  Eric gave Lynn a tour of the apartment, carefully explaining who everyone was in the family photos.  She is very interested in getting the family tree straight, and Eric's always been a great family historian, so that took quite a while. I think what amazed Lynn most about Dad is that, gasp......he's still driving.  And he's really pretty good.  As his birthday gift, Harry arranged for Dad's car to be "detailed."  For those who aren't familiar with that term (I know I wasn't until a few years ago) it means having a professional cleaning of every part of the car, inside and outside, including waxing and polishing by hand, and so on.  Dad is thrilled with this gift, as he's not able to do that sort of thing anymore.

By 8:00 we were all yawning, so left Dad with a plan to be his guests for lunch (the main meal at his retirement complex) with him today.  It's his 94th birthday, so we want to spend as much time with him as we can.  He'll introduce Eric and Lynn to all his pals.

So, that brings us up to this morning. Recap of today later.