Dear Pat,
In a few days it’ll be 4 years since we chatted. I miss you.
We used to figure out life’s simplest problems, world issues were
brought down to size. Crazy how fast
time goes by. I think I’ve had at least
a dozen shots of Johnny Walker Red with each of your birthdays, celebrations
and each January 5th. No, it
has not gotten any better tasting. J If only you were here, I could avoid those
shots.
I thought I’d let you know with the end of this year a
little bit about how the family is doing…Let me tell you this about that (as
you would say)…
Your Bubs, Mom, Ginger – you would love her more now than
ever before and be proud. Mom has never stopped
begin positive every day. She has
continued to be interested in everything and everyone who crosses her path, no
surprise, right? She has made her little
house in Ojai a welcome home to us all, including her collection of unique
friends and dogs and cats. Mom had her
knee replaced and bounced back from that, next month she’s getting her other
shoulder done and then she’ll have one more knee. I’m pretty sure she’ll reach Bionic Woman
status with one more replacement. In
the meantime, she and I took a writing class earlier this year – we both wrote
scripts (and are still working on them) but then recently Mom wrote her book,
Flying Into the Sun, into a screenplay.
She’s determined to make sure I have a pool of projects to produce. Now I have to do my part! Mom and your Little Buddy Ramsey have been
joined by Harry, a dog who started as a month or two stay and now a permanent
resident. The kittens, Leo and Johnny,
are now cats and have settled in too.
Mom’s still addicted to books, facebook, has learned new games on Skype,
takes classes with Adidam and so much more.
Eventually, when she’s ready, we
will take a trip to Ajijic and New Hampshire!
Laurie is as busy as ever, zipping around, as you would
expect, helping everybody, especially to get organized. Her apartment’s rent went way up once Jack,
her landlord died last year, so off she went to San Diego – she’s working with
her friend Amy and in her off time is keeping an eye on Mom. Every
once in while she’ll sneak in a well deserved rest. Belle is looking good despite her ailments,
she’s got lots of cousins to deal with now that Laurie is living with Amy,
sounds like they’re all getting along.
Patrick turned 30 this year!
(Shhh, don’t say it too loud) He
has so many great ideas and inventions.
He is an amazing photographer.
He’s been gripping too, which has taken him to Alaska for one show and
Nicaragua for another. In between time,
he’s got so many other projects happening.
He works with his dad too when not on some adventure. Nixon is still bouncing around.
Tanya has been traveling out to California many times a
year, earlier this year the whole Rinck family was here (that's the picture up top) and we all got
together, fun times. Of course she
saved me on my 50th by taking on the food for the party! The Hamblin Road gang is doing fine and
seems like they’ve had a lot of laughs.
Tom and Mom are competing for how many body parts they can get replaced. And odd competition but they seem to be
serious about it. Phil and Jane say hello often and keep me up
on the Rinck family news.
Brittany has been traveling the USA with her nursing, she
has friends everywhere. One of these
days her traveling nursing will bring her out here. She’s got a boyfriend, Bill, who I’ve just
met through facetime (yep, skype has competition) but he promises he’ll be out
her to visit when her job does bring her out here. They’ve been having a great time
together. Brittany is as amazing and
beautiful and adventurous as ever.
Tyler has now lived in Bakersfield for over a year! Who would have known that Bakersfield was
going to be his new home? But he’s been
doing great. He’s working for an oil
company, learning multiple jobs, taking classes and plans on working his way
up. He’s riding a motorcycle that he
looks pretty cool on, he met a girl and is taking things one day at a time. He’s 21 already going on 22.
Connor is going to Bentley, playing football and continues
to come up with money- making ideas.
One of them is going to fly and he’ll be on his way. He’s going to be a very serious, smart
businessman. I’ve got my fingers
crossed for him although he probably doesn’t need it.
I haven’t talked to Tim and Sally recently, I know the kids
are growing up, Mom and Laurie can fill you in there.
Kim and the whole family were here to celebrate my 50th
with me, she and I are going to get together for fun soon.
Russ and Prish are taking care of Ojai and watch out for
Mom.
Fortune and Kenny are as busy as ever. Fortune with her teaching and traveling,
Kenny with his art shows and both with music events and seems like so many
other things.
Oh, one fun note, Marge, my elderly neighbor, is now 97,
imagine that. She’s feeling old. J But she’s funny, playing poker, she
remembers how delighted you always were when you knew she was making cookies
for you. It's the little things folks remember the most.
And I am fine. Ready
for a new year. I just got back from a
two month job in Miami on a show called “Magic City”. It came at just the right time. It’s a cool show, I met a great new cast
and crew and it was a perfect way to end the year. It’s been a year of ups and downs as always
but with my 50th birthday celebration and ending with a show, it’s
all good. Keeping positive for next
year.
I wish you were here with us and laughing into the new
year. It’s a rare day that you don’t
come to mind for so many reasons.
Others have lost loved ones this year and it continues to remind me to
appreciate the times we have now and to not put off something I really want to
do.
I’m happy for new friends, old friends and everything in
between. Happy New Year. 2013.
Obama is president again!
Love you lots,
Xochi
PS All my facts are
based off of my memory so hopefully the family will add notes if edits need to
be made. xxoo
