Genealogy (sp?)

Ok, for those of you who are having trouble keeping up:

Maddie is the daughter of my grad school friend who lives in WeHo and who should really be better-versed in the history of Tampa. His wife's name has no "e."

Brando is the son of my best friend's middle sister, and the sister of Chloe. They used to live in SF, but not anymore. Also, dad has a motorcycle.

Chloe is Brando's sister, first-born to Miriam's middle sister and one of the triumvirate of beautiful granddaughters to the House of Yumminess (where all food is so good that one plans visits in such a way as to be invited to stay and eat and then says, "Oh! Only if it's no trouble...").

Ben is the son of one of Charles's oldest friends and his lovely wife who is originally from way, way down South (way) and who comes from a family of people who can party until dawn even when they have really bad colds. Also, Ben inherits some serious brains. He lives where it rains a lot.

Isla is my mother's friend's granddaughter, her first grandchild and the object of a shopping passion that is unequaled in their fire-eating state.

Asher is the son of my high-school friend and brother of my godson, Wes, who used to live 5 minutes from Grandma and Grandpa but now lives where the soil is red, red, red.

Evie Rose is my colleague's first niece, born into the smallest of the Border States, to a family big enough that when my colleague started planning her wedding she needed all 50 of her slots for her immediate family. They're not quite TLC reality show big, but they're definitely jumbo pack of paper towels big. Evie Rose is not to be confused with Evie at Oakbriar Farm, who is much older and already likes to dance (Evie Rose has not yet learned to dance, I suspect).

And, last but obviously not least, Callie is the daughter of my colleague/grad school classmate and his wife (the inimitably Californian Sarah), who provide comic relief, opportunities to vent, excellent dinners (tacos!), and occasional reality checks. Also, Callie has more frequent flier miles than Condoleeza Rice. No joke, that kid gets around.

So there you have it. I hope this has been helpful.