People come and go throughout your life. Many stay for short periods of time, some longer than others. Then there are those people who become your friends. And in my world, there is this group of friends who have become known as my “tribe”.

I can’t tell you the day or time these people showed up. It just happened. But I’m pretty certain we all met or was introduced to one another in a bar. (This will become more evident as you continue to read.)

Over the course of 10 plus years, they became a constant. So much so, that weekends of play were planned around work schedules. Memorial Day weekend was the official kickoff to our summer with many days swimming at Pineapple Cove then dancing the night away in the Tiki Bar. Playing numerous rounds of golf, either for fun or supporting a local charity. College football tailgating became an every Saturday event. Thanksgiving and Easter reservations were always made at Brickstreet in our seats located at “Cronin’s Corner”of the bar. Christmas Eve tradition of singing “Happy Holidays” at Brickstreet and a quick stop in at Music Man Pawn Shop to feast and do any last minute shopping; followed with the annual Chinese Christmas and our very own Elf on the Counter at Peace and Plenty Farms. Then continuing the holiday festivities of ringing in the New Year with dancing and uncorking champagne with sabers.

The people of my tribe are not just friends but became extended family. We have become surrogate parents to each others kids. We have watched them graduate from high school and college; attended their weddings; and oohed and awwed over pictures of  grandbabies. We have supported each other through new jobs and careers; retirement; were there through the illnesses and or death of our parents; and supported our move to PA.

When I decribe my tribe to others, the words I use are “my ecclectic group of friends”. We all come from different walks of life and have very different careers. We have a way of coming together (either by planning or just by happenstance) and make our own happiness where outsiders looking in want to join in because of the good vibe that we create.

Many life lessons have been taught and learned over the years by my tribe. These are probably my top 10:

1) Regardless of how much planning is made, if you leave hungry after one of our potlucks, it’s your own damn fault. There is always enough leftovers to feed a small army.

2) Wherever you are in this world,  ALWAYS get to know and take care of your bartender.

3) It is perfectly acceptable to invoke the “Scotty Smith Rule” and no one’s feelings are ever hurt by doing so. (In layman’s terms: if you are bought a drink and leave it full because you have had too much to drink or you just don’t want it: it’s OK!)

4) If you’ve ever been overserved, it was probably because there was a “McKee Sighting”.

5) It is 5 o’clock somewhere. Bloody Mary’s are an acceptable choice for breakfast and chocolate martini’s are not always drank as dessert.

6) We are not alcoholics. We are “professionals”. We work hard so we can play hard. We also know when to send our livers to Betty Ford and regroup.

7) If there is music playing then dancing is encouraged. Even if it’s in your barstool.

8) When the song ” I Will Survive” comes on at a bar or restaurant, it is expected to create a sing-a-long and to raise your cocktail glass to encourage strangers to join in. Every tribe needs a theme song!

9) Scratch off lottery tickets for your birthday never gets old. And the “big winner” has still yet to be won.

10) When it comes to college sports, we always root for our alma mater’s: Michigan State, University of Michigan, Montana State, Sam Houston State, and Purdue.  If not them, then the underdogs…unless it’s Ohio State. We have standards.

Over time, my tribe has evolved and is continuing to do so: a few have retired; new jobs and careers are in the making; and Clay and I moved 500 miles away. Old traditions are being abandoned and new ones are created. Memories are made everyday and the stories we share never get old.

I could go on and on and post hundreds of photos and share so many memories. But they could never be completely appreciated because I would have to explain each one with the backstory just so it could be understood.

But I will post just one for you. This is a sign that hangs in the Tiki Bar at Pineapple Cove which tells the story of my tribe best.


From my tribe to yours, “Cheers!”