A Picnic At Deer Lake September 2, 2013
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Humor, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as my grandmother, wearing a light pink cardigan and sensible shoes, unpacked the hamper and spread a clean cloth over the uneven boards of the lakeside table.
She and Aunt Edie deposited food down its midline ~ ripe yellow bananas, crisp red apples, celery packed with peanut butter, sliced oranges, carrot sticks for dipping, sandwiches wrapped in wax paper, small bowls of pretzels and chips, plates of fresh baked cookies.
“Come on, kids. We’re ready.”
Dropping the jump rope, we raced through dappled shade and stepped across the table’s built-in benches, sitting gingerly to avoid splinters.
Grandpa manned the thermos, pouring milk into opaque plastic cups while Aunt Edie passed around sectioned plates . . . in all colors of the rainbow. No two plates the same.
“Can I have the turquoise plate?”
“May I . . .”
Oops. “May I have the turquoise plate . . . PLEASE?!”
Appetites sated, we turned our attention to the next activity on the agenda ~ swimming!
“May we go swimming now . . . PLEASE?”
“Not for at least an hour. You have to let your lunch digest.”
Four crestfallen faces pleaded for a pardon from the dreaded “one hour rule.” No luck. But Grandpa saved the day.
“Who wants to take out one of the rowboats?”
* * * * *
Aah . . . that’s better!
What favorite sights/sites, sounds, and tantalizing tastes are stored in your picnic hamper of memories? Care to share?
Spirit Lights The Way 