My wife's family, some of them anyway. Attended a celebration for life for my wife's brother yesterday up in Orland, Calif. They, my wife's family that is, are... .hmmmm, characters.

Jeff Foxworthy defines a "redneck" as: "A glorious absence of sophistication" - - ok, I'll go with that.

First of all, I'm still high. The cloud of marijuana smoke in the winery, (where the event was held), leaked out over the road causing impaired visibility for passing motorists. Ok, I'm exaggerating, but not by much. I woke up the morning of the event and went to my motel window and looked down into the parking lot below... there stood nephew David, cousin's Suzanne and Tracy and a bunch more whose names escape me right now... several others.... all holding Bud Lights and smoking joints. This was at 8am. Oh yes, it was going to be a good day.

Gotta mention a comment made by nephew David - I was standing outside the winery speaking with him, or rather listening to him, and he was obviously under the influence. After a few moments he turned to me and said, "I'm going to go over there for a moment and catch a buzz, wanna come?". Well, I declined, but I was also confused. The man was lit.... and he was going to get higher? Not possible, I thought to myself.... I was wrong. For when he returned I discovered there was a whole other level you can get too if you are focused and determined.

There were joints, vape pens, bongs, some devices that I can't even describe.

Now before you ask.. no, I didn't partake... I did have some of the wine they produce, however. It was quite good. Called "Raging Bull Winery".

So, my in-laws... wouldn't wanna be around them for more than a few hours... but they are pretty good folk. Definitely funny. I don't speak "high" very well these days... BUT... even though I couldn't really follow their conversations I really did enjoy their presentation... which was quite animated. So animated, in fact, that I had to catch a couple of them who in the throws of exuberant yarn spinning lost their balance and came perilously close to eating gravel in the driveway.

Ah family gatherings... they're the best.