5-4-Fri: The Beach

There are many, many reasons to lurve the beach; here are five:

1. Hearts. The family obsession is playing the card game, Hearts. You need my brothers and another willing player. We only get to play at family events. This makes the annual beach trip--at which our entire generation gets together--ground zero for Hearts. The secret is in the passing of cards to other players. Play it.

2. Yahtzee. For the younger set -- the 3-10-year-olds -- there is the dice game, Yahtzee. Fantastic fun, especially when the occasional rain storm keeps you inside the house. Chance + strategy. Woo hoo.

3. Dinners. I suggest our family recipe for handling dinner at the beach. Each adult signs up to "own" one night's dinner. You shop, you cook, you serve, you clean up. Then, like magic, the rest of the trip you don't have to do nuthin'. Very, very cool strategy. I always make the same thing: crab cakes, rémoulade sauce, rice, salad, fronch bread, and some veggie, such as carrots or green beans. Yum.

4. Family Photo. There is nothing like the tension-filed process of arranging for the annual family photo. Does everyone look good? Are all the kids actually facing the camera? In which order should everyone sit? Will the piteous and woeful crying ever stop? But, there is nothing like having an annual family portrait, either. So, Uncle iClipse says, arrange for one.

5. Bodysurfing. This is what I would do all the time if I were stinking rich. I don't really understand the obsession with surfboarding when you can just lie down in a wave and scoot along. No paraphernalia necessary. Soooo much fun.

PS - Also, don't forget that there is the beach itself. Walk on it. Take a beverage out to it. Sit under a tent on it. Look at it. Fish in the surf. Etc., Etc. Oh, and "Take Me to the Riot" by Stars is good for listening to on the drive down to the beach; now playing on iTunes.