Family time

With an immediate family that now numbers 13, spread among four different cities, times with all of us together are few and far between. 

Wife and I are fortunate, in that we travel to see the individual families, and they come to see us. The siblings, in-laws and cousins also visit each other. 

But getting all of us in place at one time only happens two or three times per year. Christmas is a given -- somewhere around that time, we will all get together. Some years everyone comes for Thanksgiving, but not always. 

Any other scheduled time together takes advance planning. 

Accordingly, Wife suggested we all gather in the mountains of western North Carolina this summer. It is an easy drive for everyone, and we all love that area. This gathering would also be an early birthday celebration for Wife. Her birthday is in August, but late June was the best fit for the various schedules and calendars. 

We were able to make it happen a few weeks ago in Highlands, a beautiful and quaint mountain town that lies within the Nantahala National Forest. Because of its mountain perch, it's always a bit cooler in summer than the temperatures to which we are accustomed at this time of year -- a big plus! 

We rented a beautiful house high on a hill just off the downtown area, but which felt secluded. A huge, screened porch ran across one side, overlooking the valley below. 

There were staggered arrivals and departures Wednesday through Monday, with everyone there Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  

Highlights included a surprise birthday video for Wife, with friends and relatives from various parts of her life wishing her well; a catered dinner Saturday night at the house where we stayed; and a family photo shoot Sunday morning. (My standard dad joke for such events: we can't get through it without fighting and crying, and then there are the children to deal with . . . )

There were also family hikes to waterfalls and creeks; a night of open-air Bluegrass music; a couple of brewery visits; and lots of talking and laughter on the aforementioned porch. 

With five little ones, it was at times chaotic, but they were great, and their presence only enhanced the fun and laughs. I wish I could think of a more original way to say it, but I cant: a good (and fun) time was had by all! 

Boycotts

I have never been a big boycotter. 

I find the current boycotts of Bud Light and Target rather humorous. But apparently they are having an impact, and the marketing departments at those companies are relooking at some things. 

While I will not get into whether I agree or disagree with the reasons for these recent boycotts, I respect the rights of folks to spend their money as they see fit, and if they wish to refrain from spending at places they believe don't align with their values, that is certainly their right to do so. 

As for me, I usually don't get too worked up over such things. I'll certainly do my best not to patronize a business or company that is known to be oppressive or is knowingly discriminatory or violative of human rights. 

I am also careful about organizations to which I am asked to make contributions. There is information available online about various charitable groups and how their funds are distributed. You might be surprised to see what percentage of a dollar you give goes toward the work a particular group or organization is supposed to be doing. 

But as far as basic products go, and where I might shop, again, I don't worry too much about it unless I am aware of something that is particularly offensive to me. And even then, it would have to be pretty egregious for me to boycott. 

I don't drink Bud Light, but there are a few bottles in my beer fridge, on hand for the occasional guest who might prefer it. I would (and probably will) buy it again if I have the need to replenish the supply. 

I am not much of a shopper, and my shopping or not shopping at an establishment is not going to affect anyone's bottom line. For certain items like any kind of storage containers, you can't beat Target. I would have to be really offended to not enter one again. 

Companies have long been giving in to the pressure of political correctness. While that might make me roll my eyes, so far it is not causing me to boycott anyone. 

Mixed reality

If you happen to read this blog AND my Substack newsletter (which could mean you are a glutton for punishment), you might well see this subject addressed again on Substack, but it will probably be more detailed. 

I read a few days ago about a new Apple product called Vision Pro. It's a headset. Per the news piece I read, "it features exterior cameras, allowing users to interact with digital content in mixed reality."

Best I can tell, you can be wearing it and talking on the phone, watching a movie or sending an email all at the same time, all in your own little virtual space. But apparently you can also conduct business and communicate with folks right in front of you, mixing the artificial and real to your liking. 

In addition, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook, you can "relive your most important memories in an entirely new way." I don't know what that is supposed to mean, but I'm not too keen on a machine going back in time for me. I am old enough to still own photo albums. 

As I understand it, it won't come out until next year. I suppose Apple is hoping to whet folks' appetite in the meantime. I wonder if there will be buyers standing in line when it makes its debut. 

Although I never say never (as I once said about owning an iPhone; I'm on approximately my fifth one now), I can't see this being an accessory I'll own anytime soon. 

In addition to being, well, just too much in a general sense, it will have a cool price tag of $3,499. That for sure takes me out. 

Until further notice, I'll be keeping my realities separate.