Cat-A-Rah-Gus

Can you say Cattaraugus (Cat-A-Rah-Gus) County? If you’re from Western New York, it will roll off your tongue as quickly as repeating Erie (Ear-Ree). Cattaraugus, or Catt (as we locals say), is the setting for our 13th, 10th, or 11th (We couldn’t figure out which year) Family Reunion.

I made Shutterfly books after each event, and my first book was written in 2011. But we skipped some years. The important element is that we are together.

It’s noon on Saturday, and my daughter-in-law, son-in-law, grandson, and I are playing UNO under the pavilion. The rain is pelting the metal roof, ping, ping ping. The fog and clouds surround us, and we can feel the wet heaviness of the air. But we are dry.

The three of us are enjoying beer, “It’s five o’clock somewhere” (I know I said it was noon, Eastern time), and one is nursing his water. 

BEE Careful

Later in the day, after Beer-Uno and lunch were complete, we all congregated in the pavilion. A bee entered our cousin’s space, and our dog Gus fought its paw to the stinger. Next, the BEE decided to go into our son-in-law Steve’s shorts, and still, there was no sting. But that was quite awkward.

The relentless BEE traveled to Cousin Stewart’s forehead and quickly left.  Buzzing around, looking for the perfect victim. And there I was, minding my business, when the bee landed on my arm. ZAP! Yes, a bee sting.  I quickly ran for Benadryl – am I allergic to BEEs? Did it matter that I had those UNO BEErs? Nope –

The Annual “No Talent “Show

Most of the day is spent talking, eating, playing KanJam, eating, riding Mitch’s four-wheeler, eating, drinking, laughing, reminiscing, eating, and drinking.

But as the sun sets and our bellies are full – we begin, as Ed Sullivan would say, for “The Really Big Show!” (By the way, many of the younger family members are thinking about who Ed Sullivan is. Is he related?)

The name of our really big show, The “No Talent Show,” is a bit misleading because there is a lot of talent. However, saying no talent removes any pressure to be good for us civilians who truly have no talent.

Quiet on the Set

The family gathered under the pavilion.  Cousin Joel, a self-professed professional MC from all his years providing this service at Temple, led the group.  Our grandson Griff, who was recovering from walking pneumonia, rallied to perform life-defying wrestling with his Dad (our son) Alex. 

Uncle Steve was the ref, and cousin Ian (check him out in the New York Times review) was the narrator. Alex and Griff practiced all year for this death-defying act, which paid off! 

Violin Lessons Were Worth It!

Our daughter Carly picked up the violin after 15 years to learn and play “Old Tennessee,” a surprise for dad, Mitch. His eyes filled with tears as he listened to his daughter’s loving performance. Years and Years and Years ago, Mitch and Carly sang this song at the top of their lungs while paddling the lakes in Algonquin (another hard word), Canada.

Steve was back on stage to do card tricks with a side of humor.  Having tested his comedy routine on his wife Carly (a tough audience) and some other friends – Steve decided to abandon his comedy and learn a few tricks with the cards. 

My Mitch – The Stand-up Guy

Hubby Mitch performed his stand-up comedy routine.  I begged Joel to let Mitch get on stage quickly.  Mitch was reviewing his notes repeatedly as if he was going onto Second City in Manhattan!  To his credit, Mitch got us all laughing as he spoke about people, dogs, and psyllium (no details are given on purpose, but it was a shitty joke)

Our niece Risa sang beautifully as Cousin Stewart performed accompaniment on the guitar. Cousin Matt, a brave high schooler, wowed us on the Clarinet to thunderous applause. It was a moment that we all said, Wow! They are excellent! Uh Oh, is the pressure on for the rest of us?

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Of course, our dog Daniel sang for the group.  Speaking of dogs, five canines attended the reunion this year. And none of them had an argument. Can I say that for the humans?

Gratitude

We had a moment of gratitude for our nephew, who is in the military. Mitch’s brother, Scott (director-producer and actor UnBillieveable the Movie), spoke eloquently about his son and our faith.

Jess

This year, we felt the absence of nine people.  The dreaded Covid hit our Maryland cousins, and rain prevented some others from attending.  Our grandson, Brady was in sleep away camp. We were also disappointed that our daughter Jessica did not attend. Mud and wheelchairs are not friendly companions. There is always a piece of us missing when Jess and other family members are missing.

I think of Mitch and Scott’s late Mom, Rita, and how proud she would be that the family is so connected and motivated to be together.

Family, by blood or choice, is the foundation. We can build that foundation or let it crumble and wither away. It takes effort, patience, commitment, and persistence to keep the connections. The important element is that we are together, and we can all pronounce Cattaraugus County.

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