Hey Boo-Boo!

We went to a picnic today at Lake Temescal. Being the OPPP - Original Picnic Party People - TL and I were the first to arrive and the last to leave. Unfortunately as we were the first of our party to arrive, I got to tell a few guys who were sitting in our picnic area that "tenemos una fiesta con muchas gentes" and tell them they had to leave. When their English-speaking friend came and pointed out that they got there first, I explained that we had paid $80 to reserve the site, the sign said that the space was reserved, and that we're not responsible for the park rangers not putting the sign up first thing in the morning. They left after that, and then Zirpu arrived with TL's husband MM and the kids, Lizard and Batman.


The weather was perfect - hot in the sun, cool in the shade, and not too windy. Zirpu and I brought hot dogs and buns, and I made berza con cilantro, a coleslaw type dish made with cabbage, onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, and salad oil (not olive oil!). There were chips, Cheetos, hummus, crackers, brie, potato salad, brownies, and some people grilled salmon, buffalo burgers, and pineapple. You know, the usual California picnic goodies. There were frisbees, balls, and paddle ball, but mostly the adults sat and talked.


The kids climbed the big rock and investigated the lake shallows.






There was a big birthday party next to us, with two pinatas. The drum-shaped one presented quite a tough hide, with what totally looked to me from a distance like the Virgen de Guadelupe inside (turned out to be Tinkerbell on closer inspection) plastic windows.



They invited Batman and Lizard over to help them break it open. Batman and Lizard each gave it quite a lot of good strong hits but it didn't break. The adults allowed a


12 or 13 year old boy to swat at it, then one of the smaller moms did. Then one of the dads, a fairly big man, went after the pinata, and after about three minutes he caught it in his hands and ripped it open.


It was a very relaxing day, and nice to be out of the house. Quite a few people I haven't seen in a while showed up, and a fair number of husbands. A really nice day, in all senses of the word.