Ft. Bob

Quick…what do you get when you combine a Xerox salesman with three redheads, five more-than-age 50-somethings, two southern belles, a map of South Dakota, a laptop computer and projector, one energized golden retriever, 5,000 motorcycles, a herd of buffalo, a pair of scissors and a cereal box? Well, an incomplete list for one thing….but, more importantly…the 2008 Prusa family reunion.

I imagine with the passing of a week since the reunion ended, Mom and Dad have recovered enough to ask themselves: “Who were those people? And why do they say they are related to us?”

Let me explain. It all began with a Thanksgiving Meatloaf. Okay, so maybe going back to how Mom and Dad met is taking the story back too far (or as HH would say: “Let me back up a bit here…”). But the point remains the same, Mom and Dad: you brought us into this world, you have to claim us.

For my family, it was a National Lampoon worthy event. Five states, 1200 miles, two time zones, a dozen bathroom stops (each way), and our darn dog still wouldn’t just lie down and sleep. As far as I’m concerned, on our next trip she’s driving. All that boundless energy would be put to good use. HH, DD and I would be very happy to snooze our way to Western Nebraska.

Then there was the exciting scenic…sights and well…smells.
DD: “Euwww, what is that?”
GITYM (Gorgeous, intelligent, and way-to-young-to-have-adult-children, mother): With t-shirt pulled over her nose “I think it’s the sewer truck.”
DD: “Dad HAD to pull up next to the smelly sewer truck to pump gas, didn’t he???!!!???”
HH: “What smell?”
Energetic Golden Retriever: Woof (translation: wouldn’t someone really like to walk me over to McDonald’s to get a burger?)

None-the-less, we made it. We arrived at Ft. Robinson State Park, near Crawford Nebraska while still speaking to each other. Another 100 miles and I think one of us may have joined the dog kennel strapped under the bungee cords on the roof of the mini van. That would be the lucky family member – free of the ever present scent of eau d’la dog. But I digress.

Oddly enough, nearly all of the Prusa siblings with spouses, children, and essential supplies and equipment in tow arrived at Ft. Bob at close to the same time. That arrival marked the last time for the week that we all were in sync and headed the same direction at the same time. I think it may have had something to do with the promise of Dad’s BBQ feather bones and Mom’s baked beans. Oh yeahhhhh…you KNOW it’s going to be a good get together when 28 people and a dog start the week out with ample servings of baked beans and shared housing. And no air conditioning.

We always have the traditional Prusa fun of “Butt Darts”, the “Cereal Box Game”, “Fly, Fly, Who Ate the Fly” (ok…we only played that one time in 1999), and “Who Can Remember the Most-Embarrassing-and-Possibly-False-Thing From Childhood?”. This reunion, a new activity was added - a family version of a Corporate Annual Report. Cue the laptop and projector. Each family had the opportunity to give a presentation to the group as to what had transpired over the 2-years since the last reunion. Given that we, for the most part, either talk TO or ABOUT one another on a regular basis, this was a challenge. Creativity was essential. Visual aids were a good thing. Oh, and candy bribes to encourage attendance and participation in the post-presentation Q&A’s were vital. Sleeping during presentations was not allowed, and a physician’s statement was required to actually miss a session. Luckily, most of the adults have #1 attended college, #2 regularly attend Mass, and #3 have to participate in meetings at work. So, we all have ample experience in sleeping while appearing awake and interested. Just kidding Mom, Dad, and God!

My top ten favorite questions asked after presentations:
10. Can we have more “Cornhusker Crumble”?
9. Are we done yet?
8. What’s it like being married to Maggie? (my poor picked-upon baby sister)
7. How and where did you propose to Grandma? (never did get a straight answer on that one…)
6. Did you ask Grandma’s Dad for her hand in marriage?
5. Are we done yet?
4. What is the biggest change you’ve seen in the world?
3. Can I have some more candy?
2. Did you ever leave a polar bear in charge of your house?
And….drum roll…
1. Are we done yet?

Another new activity: Prusa Iron Chef. Need I say that competition was fierce? The family was paired into 6 teams, with three preparing a dish featuring the secret ingredient of buffalo; and three preparing a dish featuring corn. With a plentiful contingent of really, really, excellent cooks, odds were mighty good for a tough job of judging. Thus we called upon the wisest family members present: Dad (aka “Give-Me-Meat-and-Sweets”), Mom (aka “Don’t-Make-Me-Pick”) and Maggie’s mother-in-law Gail (aka “I-Like-It-All, What-Did-My-Baby-Boy-Make?”). Scoring was tight on such memorable selections as “Buff-a-Rogi”, “Jamaican Jerk Buffalo”, and “Cornhusker Crumble” (the previously mentioned sweet entry). We almost had to contact the American Olympic Committee after a couple protests were lodged – one alleging that the Jamaican Jerk actually seasoned (are you ready for this shocker?) BEEF (gasp!). As to the other completely unfounded protest, I want to go on record stating that it was a complete coincidence that my entry, Buffalo Chili, won by a landslide, (a very small landslide – actually a mere dustball). And how the ballots got thrown away so quick had to be a completely inadvertent mistake.

Breakfast at the lodge was a delightful routine. In fact, the lodge staff enjoyed it so much that I overheard them insuring that everyone had a chance to spend time with us: “NO. I took care of THEM yesterday. It’s YOUR turn.”

We had unusually moderate weather, making it easy to take part in all the outdoor activities Ft. Bob and surrounding area had to offer. The trail horses are most likely still looking longingly down Highway 20, searching for the daily family riders. The tennis court was well used, the pool - well splashed, and the sunset hike to the top of the bluff was so good that it had to be done two nights in a row. Prusa family members’ spelunked Wind Cave, summitted Harney Peak, and checked to see what’s on the backside of those presidential images on Mt. Rushmore (Nope, not a presidential full moon. The answer: yet MORE motorcyclists!). A sizeable number “rode the hide” at the Ft. Bob Rodeo (don’t even ask!) We walked and bicycled miles-and-miles, ate Buffalo Stew and sang along to “The Chicken Song”, and some took a culture break to see “Guys and Dolls” at the Post Playhouse. Rumor has it that beautiful Bridget is now engaged to the Buffalo Stew singer.

In between organized (and disorganized) activities, we caught up on life and laughter. And we watched as the cousins played and seemed to grow up before our very eyes. For myself, I had the supreme pleasure of watching my brothers and sisters do their job as outstanding parents – and outstanding people. Where else do you see 3 beautiful women, and a couple cute girls, voluntarily gather for the Sun Salutation and other yoga poses – as the Nebraska sun rose? The brothers-in-law “let” the oldest nephew beat them at golf – twice (that’s their story anyway). And…the energetic dog eventually won over the time and attention of the tenderhearts.

What a lucky, lucky bunch we are. To be able to gather with both parents and nearly all of the siblings and spouses. To truly enjoy each other. And to have family that practices unconditional love. It really did all start with a Thanksgiving Meatloaf. And we still have lots of thanksgiving to do.

In a final wrap-up, I want to let the sibs know that I did wear down Mom and Dad as we drove home across the state. I am inheriting the National Geographic collection, and many other treasures yet to be discovered at the Thrift Store. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah-nah – I always have been the favorite.