Definitely Not Marianne

The upside of owning a timeshare with average trading power is a mind-boggling selection of hotels and condos in diverse locations around the globe.

The downside of owning a timeshare with average trading power is a mind-boggling selection of hotels and condos in diverse locations around the globe.

We've been pleasantly surprised by spacious accommodations in Malaga, Spain and a little dismayed by cramped manufactured housing in Sedona.  With timeshares, it's all about location, location, location. Take the Stardust Lodge for example. We're directly across the street from the Heavenly Valley ski lift and village, a short walk from Stateline casinos and the shores of Lake Tahoe.  Personally, I like the old Vegas-era sign, but the place is a bit rustic. We would have been on the floor (or out the door) if we didn't get a second room for Nick, Lizzy and Katie. Even then, they may have been a little squished in the tiny studio with a pull out bed. 

Definitely not Marianne

But the reason I'm even writing this is our neighbors next door. Every morning, we saw the lady lying in bed, drapes wide open, and the caged parrot by the window. She'd squawk, but for the most part, I paid no attention until Nick pointed out a "Marianne" beach towel draped over the parrot's cage. I finally saw the lady up and dressed on our last day, so I asked if her parrot was named Marianne. She was puzzled by the question, until I mentioned the towel. She was clueless about the name - probably snagged the towel out by the pool from another unsuspecting timeshare trader.





Fun Times by the Stardust

After all these years

A series of long-forgotten photos discovered on a trip to grandma's. 

A sweet reminder of childhood innocence, the joy of cousins and a lesson about sharing. 

 

Audrie's apple 

attracts Katie and Jared's attention

while Nick and Joel ham it up

for the camera, oblivious to the drama in their midst.

Katie still wonders to this day why Jared got the apple. Her forlorn little face showing her disappointment.

                                                                                                             

Fast fast forward 21 years to the Silvan Family Reunion. 

We meet mystery cousin Audrie 

and try to remember the details surrounding that summer day at grandma's. 

Nobody remembers, 

not even grandma. 

Then suddenly, 

Audrie's beer 

attracts Katie and Jared's attention

while Nick and Bryant ham it up

for the camera, oblivious to the drama in their midst.

Once again,

  Jared gets the prize leaving Katie

sad and thirsty at a hot summer picnic in Winters.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away 

BUT

Laughter and beer takes away the blues... that's our lesson on sharing.