i'm jack junior's oldest

fourth of july equals all things America and family and food. so that's just what i did. i packed up my bags and headed north to Ocala, FL to spend the weekend with extended fam i've never met. it ended up being hilariously entertaining. i spent the weekend introducing myself as...

"hi, i'm jack junior's oldest."

that explains everything apparently. i got lots of understanding nods and extended conversations about how much i look like my dad.  interestingly though, i also got the occasional "you have your mother's eyes" comment. i called mom and dad on my drive home to congratulate them on successfully sharing equal amounts of their genes with me. the jury is divided on who i resemble most, but i take that as a good sign.

back to the fourth festivities...i did what any true Brinkley would do at a large family gathering. i grazed. i went out on the lake. i grazed some more. i talked. i napped. i went on the lake again. i ate. i napped. i talked. i went in the lake a third time. i grazed. i watched our fireworks. i talked. and then i went home. perfection.

this was my view for most of the day. glorious!

thanks to the wind, our fireworks were literally right over my head. loved it!

it was a blast and i now have a standing invitation for weekend getaways on the lake or just a weekend in small town Florida any time i want. family is awesome like that. hope y'all had a fabulous 4th of july as well!!

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.