Saturday, July 22, 2006

Laughter

On Thursday evening our home was filled with mirth & laughter. Dallie & her partner Vernon, Jude & her husband Frank, Dale & his wife Jaren, and Lou Ann & I gathered for our 2005 staff dinner. That's right -- 2005. We always enjoy getting together after the busy season to share good food, a couple of bottles of wine, and summertime stories. Last fall a number of things conspired to keep us from our appointed task. Storms, medical problems, off-island trips....you name it. Before we knew it 2006 had arrived, with even more reasons to put off the get together.

Finally we found an evening that suited everyone. We had no sooner gathered (even before I poured the first glass of "Sunset on the Pizer") when Dale commenced to share hilarious stories. The laughter never ended. One after the other we told tales of misadventure, misunderstanding, and misconduct. Neither tourists nor residents (including ourselves) were immune from the telling.

The table was piled high with steamed shrimp, homemade potato salad, and a fresh green salad. Lou Ann prepared a sumptuous chocolate/raspeberry dessert. Even plates full of delicious food could not stop the story-telling.

As the evening wound down our guests bid us farewell and strolled home under a canopy of sparkling stars. Lou Ann & I settled into our porch swing and allowed as how a home filled with good cheer and laughter counted for much of what makes life so sweet.

You can read our latest newsletter here. It's about Ocracoke Islanders and "tokens of death."
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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous1:16 PM

    Philip,
    I am an avid reader of your blog and even enjoy the bantering that occurs between you and Lou Ann. However, I must point out that even if the possibility exists that she may not have used "subsiding" correctly (although that is yet to be determined), she is an excellent speller. Please note your spelling of raspeberry. The correct spelling is raspberry.

    Are you calling the kettle black, Mr. Howard?

    ReplyDelete