Summer Journal 2012 July 22

Yesterday was another action packed day.  It started with a drive to the Marcos Hotel where we tracked down Stell's cousin, Anna.  She's 79, and she is the "keeper" of family history.  So we collected a lot more dates of people's marker events to fill in more of the family tree.  Here's a photo of Anna and one with Stell:

Yes, she has her own cell phone!

The plant in front of cousin Anna is basil.  Addie will explain to you that the Greeks don't cook with it, but when they are sitting around it they rub their hands through it just for the lovely aroma.

The beach has been just spectacular.  We are swimming a little later this year.  Usually around 3 p.m. with lunch at 4 p.m. at Christos.  I'll publish another photo from the beach and then a couple of a group of Roma who serenaded people at lunch.  The fellow with the clarinet was quite talented. 

Last night Depina and Kostas, and Georgia and Gregory had a huge cookout - Kostas does the cooking and our nieces had salads and potatoes cooked in olive oil, lots of retsina and beer supplied by Stell.  The photo above is Gregory with Stell.  I fell in love with little Vegalis who told his mother that he wanted to sit in my lap and for me to caress him (he's three). In what seemed like seconds he was sound asleep.  Unfortunately because I was holding him I didn't get a photo, but I will on another occasion.  Melted my heart.

Haralibos, his wife Nula, and their children, Spiros and Anatasia, also were with us.  They actually had come earlier and had a drink at sunset then helped us shop at Masoutis.  They are staying in the apartment. 

The other photos are me showing appreciation to the chef and one with Gregory and his daughter, Natasha.  She's heading for a six month study in Spain.  At the end of July she will go to find an apartment.

Thanking Chef Kostas

Natasha with her Baba, mother, Georgia and Aunt Despina

I'm about finished with Born Round (another perfect read for me selected by Addie).  I'm going to read the new Donna Leone book, Beastley Things, beginning tomorrow.  I cleaned the dusty car windows this morning and one more huge house window.  Siga, Siga (slowly, slowly).  I had a wonderful note from Heather, and photos from Pat Reagan, of the screening of Carving Up Oconee at the library in Watkinsville. 

This is Sunday morning so we heard the beautiful church bells earlier.  I had my typical breakfast - three olives, a slice of feta, some bread and a freshly picked tomato.  I don't know the plans for today.  I never do, and that is what makes the summer so marvelous.  Stell said years ago we are BAC= Beyond Appointments and Constraints.