This weekend Someone and I fly ‘home’ to Western Michigan, land of the Dutch.

We are attending my mother’s side family reunion. This year they celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the house, where the anniversary is held every year. I did not want to miss the “100”.

We will spend a night at a friend’s house in Saugatuck prior to driving to Newago County for the reunion.

My grandfather was one of four children of great grandfather Orville W. Orville comes from a long line that goes back to the Mayflower. The four children of Orville – and their descendants - meet every year. This year, for fun, the descendants of each of the four branches will wear a different coloured T-shirt. My line, from Charles W, will wear red. Charles is my middle name.

Most of my childhood memories are about my mother’s side, and her parents.

Growing up, I was vaguely aware of the conservative bend of Western Michigan. I don’t know when this occurred in history, but the conservative Dutch were ejected or perhaps fled The Netherlands to go live in Western Michigan. Besides being conservative in nature and politics , they seem to be often in the garbage business.

My maternal grandmother comes from Dutch stock – the Timmermans. Apparently more ‘liberal’, they found most Western Dutchmen stuffy and hypocritical. They used to make minor jokes about ‘those Dutchmen’.

My maternal grandparents had a Dutch exchange student live with them. I have Ono’s watercolour which he gave to them.

My mother has her greatgrandfather’s bedroom set, which he made himself. If there is anything I want from my parents’ house, it is this.

So this may be my last post until Sunday - be well Spo-fans!